Having Lap on July 20 w/Dr. Wellborn

Hi My name is Kim and I am having Lap-Band surgery on July 20 with Dr. Wellborn! This has been a long time coming. My insurance, Health Advantage HMO PPO, excludes any type of weight loss surgery. My father has finally realized that I have a serious problem and is financing the surgery for me. I almost can't beleive that it is actually going to happen. I currently weigh 339 lbs at 5'7". I am struggling with the liquid diet that I started Friday. Right now, I am at a workshop in Jonesboro for the next 4 days and am struggling with the temptation to hit a fast food restaraunt. Any advice??? I would really like to hear others stories and epecially anyone else who is or has used Dr. Wellborn. I love reading all the posts and have gained some valuable info. I am looking forward to making new friends! Kim

I'm having my band placed this Thursday with Dr. Wellborn. I'm very excited! Only one thing really has me nervous now and it's that I got an email from one of his staffers saying I need to watch the EMMI or ELSE! (surgery cancellation) Have you seen it? I was thinking they'd show it in office, but did not (maybe because I was at the end of the day), and had since forgotten about it. I've tried to call, but haven't gotten a response yet. I'll be glad to share with you my experiences. It sounds like we're at a similar starting point, though I'm on the short side. I'm doing the liquid diet now and will be so glad when it's over, or at least done with the help of a band. I'm of course hungry most of the time, and was getting dizzy, but I think my body has gotten use to the lesser calories. When I'm tempted to cheat (and I have on a small scale, but doing relatively well) I just keep thinking that I don't want to make things harder for myself with adding more weight to later take off or causing a conversion to open procedure. Good luck, Lisa

Lisa What is the EMMI video? They haven't said anything to me about it. Tonya is out of the office today, but I'll call her tommorrow and ask. I don't want anything to hinder my surgery date. Are you self-pay or insurance? Do you think that makes a difference? I cheated last night when I got to Jonesboro. I ate some spaghetti from Fazzoli's! I just couldn't help myself..I was starving! But my spirit is renewed today and am back with the right state of mind. Are you nervous? How did your visit with Dr. Wellborn go? What kinds of things did he do? I will be praying for you this week..... Kim

Hi, don't mean to jump into your thread but my surgeon required that I watch the EMMI online video about gastric bypass. It took about an hour and you could pause, go back, ask questions etc. that will be sent to your doctor. It was easy to use and quite informative. I googled it just now and here is what it said: Emmi is an interactive patient education series that manages the expectations of people who are scheduled for surgery. Using easy-to-understand language, Emmi walks patients through the entire experience from pre-op to post-op, including risks and alternatives. Enhancing traditional informed consent, Emmi captures and documents the entire information exchange, making it a powerful risk management tool. Best of all, patients love Emmi because it focuses the communication between them and their doctor. Hope this helps!

Sharon, What website did you find that EMMI video? Kim

That was a great explanation. It's kindof like watching a procedure explanation on the Discovery Health Channel. At this point, nothing was new to me, but I think my family will find it informative. I am a self-pay. My insurance (Insurex thru PTC) has a weight-related care exclusion. I have some help from family members. It surprised me that there didn't seem to be a way to "pay out" the fees like I have with other procedures, especially since I could prove that my income (along with my husband's) would cover it. Maybe it's because the sum is so much greater. (I paid co-pays of about 1600 with two carpal tunnel surgeries and gall bladder removal.) A friend was self-pay with a different doc, doing RNY, and had to pay all up front as well. At my visit to Dr Wellborn's office, I first talk to Suzan (RN and wife to Doc) about the nutrition. Then I talked to his newly UAMS-graduated assistant/intern about the information in the packet we were given at the presentation. Actually, he was starting from zero, when he could have just looked at the packet and confirmed. Eventually I saw the doc who did a brief physical exam, listening to heart and lungs and checking my liver size. He did confirm that it was enlarged and that I would need to two week liquid diet. He talked a long time about the causes of obesity and particularly how it wasn't all my fault. I was there about 2 and 1/2 hours. Prior to visiting the office, I went to St Vincent's for pre-admit testing. They took blood, weighed, did the same listening as the doc, and did an EKG. The nurses they asked many of the same questions, but probably even more about family history as it relates to surgery, anasthesia, etc. It was all easy except the blood draw, as the lady had a hard time and had to use my hand. It's still tender even now, and that was the 21st! Also, I have a huge phobia of needles! Okay, sorry if this has bored you to tears. I just keep writing in the interest of being thorough.

Hi all, I used Dr. Wellborn for my surgery in january 2005 and I can tell you one thing ,He is the best as far as im concerned.I have not had any complications and feel great!!! I did have the open rny not the lapband tho. Just wanted to let you all know you picked a great doctor.Congrats and Good luck on this great journey.

Great news! It won't be long now. Keep us posted.

Thanks Malinda. I'm glad to hear from another patient of his. And thanks Jeannie for your support. One day till I'm a bandster!

Hello all! I had Lap Band surgery with Dr. Wellborn on January 12th. I was 301, and I am currently 239. It has been great. You could not have picked a better surgeon. You are in great hands! I just wanted to offer my support and encouragement. If any of you would like to email or chat, my address is [email protected] I live in NE Arkansas. Watch the Fazzoli's hahaha but Lazzari's is the best! ;) Dr. Wellborn will take terrific care of you, and if you need any support from his staff, they are easy to reach, too. I had my surgery at St. Vincents and they were all really good as well. Hope to hear from you soon, and congratulations on the rest of your life!!! Michelle