Hubby & I both considering lapband, who's the best doc in LR?

Hey Y'all! My hubby and I are both strongly considering lapband surgery. We both like that it's less invasive. I'm primarily interested in Dr Wellborn and Dr Luttrell. I'd appreciate any feedback from others who have used these doctors. We haven't checked our insurance yet. We are self employed and have Novasys. I'm wondering if either of these offices offer low or no interest payment options that we can apply for in case insurance says NO ( which i'm assumming is likely even though my hubby has high bp, sleep apnea, etc ). I want info on which of these doctors has performed the most lapband surgeries. Also, I'll ask each office, but if anyone can give me a basic range of price I'd appreciate it.  Does anyone know if either of these docs trained with Dr Ozment? To my knowledge he was THE best and trained other docs in the area. He's now retired. My primary care doctor highly recommended Dr Wellborn. He said all his patients have had success with him. He was not familiar with Dr Luttrell at all, but suggested we ask around for references. Also, I'm wondering if there are any other couples who have done this together??? I'm wondering how far apart we need to plan our surgeries so that we'll have one person to take care of the other post-op.  Thanks again for any input. We haven't signed up yet for each doctor's seminars, but plan on doing that. Dr Luttrell's time is harder for us to make, but I'd like to compare each. On a side note, my hairdresser used Dr Luttrell and loved him. Does anyone know anything about him not having privildges at St Vincent's anymore? Is there any truth to that? I'm in healthcare and know docs will stop dealings with hospitals for a variety of reasons, not all bad reasons. There may not be any truth to this at all, someone told me.  One thing I noticed from online is that the surgery time is less with Dr Luttrell. Is that just an estimate or why is that?  Looking forward for finding out more and making a huge change in our lives! :) Missy

I'm going to use Dr. Gibbs. I have researched this for 3 years and without a doubt  I am going to use Dr. Gibbs. He has done over 1500 WLS and no surgery complications. I would suggest you also go to his seminar.   I not getting the lap band but he does go over the lap band in great detail at the seminar. Thats just my 2cents. Hope eveything goes well for you. God bless. Tammie

Thanks, Tammie. But, we're wanting lapband and I've heard Dr Gibbs pushes more for the other procedures.  Also, we know of him personally ( my hubby went to high school with him and we're both in healthcare as well ), so he is not our choice. I'm NOT saying he's a bad doc tor AT all. Just personality conflicts, etc.,.  I know Dr Baker with him and coordinator Lauren are fabulous. All patients have to find the best doctor who clicks with them, so I'm glad you've found that connection. I'm sure you'll be in good hands. Other than personality and hospital staffing issues with him, I've never heard anything bad about his skills at all. I wish Dr Ozment was still in practice. He was known as THE leader in this field. Thanks for taking the time to respond. We may still go to his seminar or Dr Baker's because I think it's good to have full knowledge and it sounds like you did just that by researching and doing your homework for 3 years! Thanks so much! Blessings to you! :) Missy

I too used Dr. Gibbs with great success. He is an excellent surgeon and his record is very impressive. He is an "expert" with the laproscopic procedure and I was really glad. I only have 5 very small incisions and they are getting smaller every day.

I've heard good things about Dr. Wellborn but with my insurance I needed to use Baptist Hospital and after the research I did, Dr. Gibbs was my man! Hope that helps. AT

Hi Missy!! I just had my Lap-Band surgery on Friday (June 8th). My doctor is Dr. Wellborn. He is such a nice man. I too researched all the doctors in the area and all of my instincts told me to go with Dr. Wellborn. Also, my primary physician highly recommended him to me. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield for Public School Employees and they would not cover one penny of my surgery costs. I had to pay it all out of pocket. The total for my procedure was $16,000. The includes the hospital (10, 000) , doctor (4,500), and anesthesia (1,500). I think that you have to pay it all up front but there are several payment options that he has for his patients. I think their are low interest loans and low interest credit cards. I think that they may be on the website. If not, I am sure they will tell you when you call or attend the seminar. I think, although I could be wrong ( you'd better check this out) that Dr. Wellborn has performed the most Lap-Band surgeries in the state. It seems like I was told that. I do remember him saying in his seminar or maybe it was my consult that he prefers doing Lap-Bands because he is so pleased with the results and other aspects of the surgery.  As far as planning time for how far apart to have the surgeries, I would say at least a month to a month and a half. I just had my surgery Friday and I was very sore. I needed help getting around and gettting up and down out of the chair and bed and things like that. Also, you can't lift anything over 15 pounds for a few weeks so that is another thing you will need help with. Also, you have a lot of doctors appointments in those first few weeks so you will be busy with that. Just my opinion though!! I hope I have answered some of your questions. If you need anything else feel free to post a message or the private message me. I will be more than happy to help you in any way that I can!!   Karen

Thanks for replying, Karen, and congratulations on your surgery. It's a shame that insurance doesn't pay for bariatric surgery. I'll be shocked it ours does. I'm going to dig thru our insurance contract, but I know that even with medical neccessity some just refuse to pay. I'll check Dr Wellborn's site for payment options. I told my hubby if we both do this it's basically like the cost of financing a new SUV......only this will give us much more for life! Initially I was hesitant, thinking noooooo I'll just do Weigh****chers. But, hellooooooo I'm 43 and I've been doing diets off and on and losing and gaining ALL of my life. I think what's finally clicked with me about the lapband is that as you lose, you cannot gain it back. No more Yo-Yo diets. ( providing you follow the program, get fills, etc ). I have known people who had RNY who have stretched their tummies back out and ended up cheating their way around the surgery. I especially like that it's less invasive with no dumping syndrome and no malabsorption of nutrients. We're going to check into Dr Wellborn's next clinic. What about Dr Luttrell???? Has anyone used him?? My hairdresser said she did tons of research and he was her choice. I imagine sometimes the decision comes down to clicking with the doctor's personality or with insurance or payment options. Just wondering about those *****searched both doctors and chose one over the other? Thanks again, Karen. I hope you're feeling less sore and know you're on your way to a new, healthier you! Thanks for offering to answer other Q's......I'm sure I'll take you up on that. Please stay in touch and lemme know how you're doing! Big Hugs :) Missy

I used Dr. Luttrell and have been very pleased with him.  I went to seminars with Dr. Wellborn and Luttrell and I just seemed to click more with Luttrell.   His seminar had about 12 people in it and  Dr. Wellborn's had about 100.   I think both are good.  I would suggest that you attend both seminars and you will know which one if for you.   I too was a self-pay and Dr. Luttrell's fee was $16,000.  Dr. Luttell does all of his fills under flouro which I think may a difference between the two.  While they may be a little more expensive, I like the piece of mind of being able to see what is going on with the fill.      The first 3 fills just cost $100 for the surgery center and then $250 after that.   I had my surgery in March and I have had 2 fills, but will probably not need another for quite some time.  I go see Dr. L week after next for my 3 month check up.   I am done about 30 pounds and have just recently got good restriction so I think my weight loss will continue.     I would be happy to answer any other questions you might have.  

Thanks, that's what we'll do for sure.....go to BOTH seminars and ask questions and get a feel. I need to do more research because I didn't know there was a difference between the fills or how they're done. Thanks! Congratulations, it sounds like you're doing great....30 lbs in 3 months. As I told my hubby, we've done that.....lost 30 or 50 or more, but then it comes back. I like that with the lapband, unless you remove it or don't get a fill, you can kiss those 30 lbs and more goodbye forever! Thanks for replying and I'm sure I'll have more questions! Hugs :) Missy

I had my Lap Band with Wellborn 4/5/07. I am very happy with my choice after going to both Wellborn and Luttrell's seminars. (PM me if you want any details.) I think not only that you should look at the centers and the statistics, but you should go by your gut feeling about the report with the Dr.s.. Its all personal and I think they are all good dr.s... Its a comfort level that is most important because your after care is very important. You will be seeing these dr's and their staff for a while :) There are several Hubby/wife or family teams at the support meetings. It helps to have a band buddy- even more so in your house. Good luck with your journey. If you have any q's please contact me.  Susan..

Missy, i know that  you have gotten lots of input, but i thought it was only fair that i give you my opinion, since i work in the baptist O.R.   First of all, I had a RNY by Dr. Gibbs 2 weeks ago.  I know that Dr. Gibbs can have a very strong personality, but he is by far the BEST Laproscopic surgeon.  I know that Dr. Wellborn had done more of the Lap bands, but as i said from what i see, i would choose Dr. Gibbs.  I will say the Dr. Wellborn does not work at baptist as much.  As far as Dr. Lutrell, I don't know him personally, but he is no longer allowed to operate at baptist, related to the fact that he had too many negative outcomes.  I hope that you find a surgeon that fits your needs.  Also do not be misled about not being able to stretch out your pouch with a lap band.  It is the same concept.  Also with the band you can continue to eat what ever  you want, just in smaller portions, so you don't have to change your eating habits.  I have 2 coworkers who have done the banding and have had minimal weight loss since Dec.  But neither of them has changed their junk food habits. Good luck ellen