Any info on Dr. Wellborn?! I'm having problems!!!

I am new here. I called Dr. Gibbs office and tried to schedule something with him but was told that I don't weigh enough (EXCUSE ME!!!). She said I needed to gain 10 pounds so my BMI would reach 40. It is now 37. So I called Dr. Luttrell and he will do it. Problem is, I have Blue Cross and they don't have St. Vincents on their PPO. I was willing to pay the out of pocket, but Blue Cross won't tell the hospital how much my "allowed amount" on this surgery would be. So, I could have a $30,000 surgery and BCBS could only pay St. Vincent and the doctor and everyone else only $1,000, for example. So St. Vincent and Southwest Hospital won't take me unless I pay all the out of pocket up front, which I can't do. St. Vincent says that BCBS patients usually end up paying 75% of this surgery on their own...and I have insurance for what exactly?!?! So I am not willing to wait until St. Vincents is added to BCBS list. I asked someone who they would recommend if I can't have Dr. Luttrell (who I really want) and they told me Dr. Wellborn is pretty good. I hear that his bedside manner is not all that great but I would like someone to please let me know who has used him. Thanks!

I don't know much about Dr. Wellborn but have never heard anything negative. Have you checked with Dr. Baker? I think he has done alot more surgeries than Dr. Wellborn and has many happy patients.

I have not checked with Dr. Baker. I have heard horror stories about how he treats his patients. No complaints about the surgery itself, just his manner. I don't want a doctor like that, considering how many times I have heard the same thing about him. I heard that he set up a snack table at one of his seminars and if you took anything from the table, he refused to do your surgery because he felt that you weren't ready to change your life yet. Excuse me?! They wouldn't be there if they weren't ready. And that kind of trickery is immature and ridiculous for anyone to do to others, much less a doctor. Thanks for your input though!

I have a neighbor that used him.. He has lost over 100lbs. I had my surgury 11/29/04 and I used Dr. Baker and I have 89 lbs and would do it over... Dr Baker is the very good. He tell's you like it is and he's bed side manners to me was wonderful.. I think he is a caring doctor plus he knows what he is doing.... Good Luck!!!!!!!!!!!

Candi, Dr. Wellborn did my RNY on March 10, 2005. I would not have gone to anyone else. Dr. Wellborn is a trama surgery that primarliy does bariatric sugery now, he has done abourt 3000+ RNY's, out of that number he has only lost 2 pt's and they were not directly related to the sugery, and his leak rate is VERY low as well. He is GREAT! As for his bed side manner, I don't know why any one would say it was anything less than good. He is a VERY caring man, as is the rest of his staff. He will tell you what he thinks, expects and whats out of your as far as the surgery goes. The ultimate choice is yours, but the Good Dr. has my vote! Good Luck Cathi Ps- one of the guys I work with is using him as well