Where in Arkansas?

Hi just joined today, I had my surgery in Batesville with Doctor Lambert on Oct 31 2005. I live in Heber Springs. Take Care, Melodi

Hi Melodi, Welcome to the board. I am new too. I actually live in Missouri but am looking for a surgeon in Arkansas. I've had a few posts on here and a few good referrals. I am currently looking at Dr. Jones in Jonesboro. I am a self pay and haven't been able to find a surgeon for the lap RNY that's less than $20,000 in Missouri. Do you mind me asking about the details of your surgery? Were you self pay/insurance/rehab/etc? Do you know how much Dr. Lambert charges? Which procedure did you have, how are you doing and how was your experience with the hospital? How much have you lost? Thanks, victoria kelsay

If you're still looking for a surgeon, I want to warn you to be VERY careful. I have family who work in a hospital in Arkansas. They work with the sickest patients and there is a doc here whose patients- bariatric and other - wind up in ICU or LTAC very often. It's not just chance either - it's because he isn't a good surgeon. I have to be very carefuly about saying anything, because I don't want to cost my family members their jobs. But I will tell you that they have made it plain that there is NO cir****tance under which this doc is to get to them with a scalpel, or that they would consent for him to operate on another family member. His skills are that critically low. We all know that outcome on bariatric procedures is very much hinged to the skill of the doctor. Because I feel that everything about the DS procedure is better than RNY, I will be going out of state for surgery. The doctor I have chosen did (at least) his first 1200 surgeries with no surgical deaths, and his patients on the DS board can't say enough wonderful thing about him OR their procedures. Denise in FS

Hi and Welcome to you too. I know Dr. Lambert is at least 25,000. I had the open RNY, at White River Medical Center, which was fine> the hospital was at least. I am not as thrilled with my surgery. I had it on Oct 31,2005. I ended up getting a severe infection MRSA. Now my health prior to surgery was cleared as able to handle the surgery however due to the infection, I had to be reopened apox 10 inches and I still have an open incission, but it is starting to heal. This has been very hard, only due to the open incission. The rest as far as eating has been easy. I am a little over 2months out and I have lost 52 pounds. I think I will be glad I had this done when I am healed physically. My PC doctor referred me to this doctor lambert. I wish I had shopped around. He is nice and everything, but not very available and not big on pain control. He has one really sweet nurse but the other one is just damn evil and rude. She makes most decission and you dont see him much at all. I dont mean to sound negitive but I did not have the best of experiences. Yours could go perfect. If you do choice him I would really apprecate you not mentioning any of this because I have to see them weekly and dont want any more problems with his nurse than I have had. Good luck in your search, have you checked out the doctors in Little Rock or Searcy. I wish I had. Take Care, Melodi

I have heard the same thing, as the other lady about some surgeons. I too have family in the medical field, who said the very same thing the other lady said.....about some surgeons. I went with Dr. Gibbs, I have been very happy. I am thinking the price range may be right as well. Please do your research. You can call or write to any state medical board and ask has there been any complaints etc. I did this, in fact Dr. Gibbs welcomed such a check. PLEASE do the same. Tonia

Hi Victoria! I was scheduled to have Laproscopic Gastric Bypass with Dr. Lambert. The cash price with him is $14,000. Anyway, things fell through with him (due to insurance stuff), so I went to Dr. Clay Wellborn in Little Rock. I hope that you have not done anything yet, because he is the best. He does Gastric Bypass laproscopically for $16,000. I actually opted for the Lap Band because it is less invasive, and there is less complications following the surgery. If you are interested, his profile is on here, or I would be glad to email you the info. His web site is www.arkansasobesitysurgery.com They are so wonderful there!! If you choose Batesville, it is a good hospital, and Dr. Lambert is good. But I don't regret my decision at all. Dr. Wellborn was my angel. He saved my life!!! Email me anytime! Good luck and God Bless!

Check out the St. Vincents Bariatric web page. I had open, self pay, under 15,000.00. Take Care, Angie

Melodi Hello and welcome. Glad to have you here. Tony

Hi Neighbor!! Sorry to hear about your experience. It is best to ask around and read up on surgeons. Dr. Gibbs out of Little Rock was very caring and very honest and is always there if you need him - if not his nurse Carrie takes good care of us. Hope your incesions heal quickly-