Who are the best Lap-Band surgeons in the Tampa?

Oh and one more thing...surgery for lapband at journeylite or with Dr. Dicicco is about $16,800 and that includes everything and a year of aftercare!  NOwhere near $40,000. and it CAN be covered by insurance depending on what you have.  Sounds like you may need to think about changing docs. My doc wrote me a letter of necessity and everything. She agrees it would be the best thing for me and it has!! I am about to go off my high blood pressure meds, my cholesterol is back to perfect and I am doing wonderful. If you need a good doc in Tampa I can help you there too.

Hi, and thank you so very much for all of your replies.   I am now having second thoughts about the surgery at this point.  I have "only" about 90 pounds to lose, and I'm thinking now that I should be able to lose that on my own.  My BMI does not even qualify me on its own, but I do have co-morbidities which would probably get me qualified.  The problem with losing it on my own is that I have rheumatoid arthritis, and so it makes it impossible for me to get the exercise I need and to be active enough to lose the weight.  I have NO metabolism!  I have read some of your blogs, and I think you are all very brave people and your stories are truly inspiring to me!  I would love to hear what some of you think regarding my situation, in light of what I have just said here. Good luck to all of you!

Hi, I have "only" 90 lbs to lose as well, but to me it seems like a pipe dream to do it without surgery. I could probably do it without surgery too, but the real question is, would I KEEP it off! To me, that is the real point to having WLS, not just losing the weight, but being able to maintain the loss and keep it off! I plan on having Lap Band after I complete my six month insurance required diet. Best of luck to you on whatever decision you make!

dreamgirl! I was the same way you were, I use to say the samething, I had so many things coming my way and i was denied by my insurance company and I just said forget it, and then my girlfriend that had it done sent me a picture of her and I got off the computer and called right away, on this website if you type in Eugenia Merritt and look at her now and I remember her struggles and she incouraged me to never give up. I needed to get off about 70lb and the truth is if I could have done it on my own I would have already. And I had no co-mobidities just that I was over weight! dont give up on what you want and dont let anyone still your dream! my husband and I both LOVE IT! WOULD NOT TRADE IT FOR THE WORLD. We were both big eaters now we eat lease and we sit back and laugh at what we use to eat... and we are still very happy. Good luck and god bless.

Dr Rehnke is in St Pete and his staff was a great help through the entire process, not just surgery but helping with the approovals.   The reason why I chose him over other surgeons in the area is that he allowed me to work with my own PCP so I could do all of my testing locally with the people who know me best.   Take your time to get where you need to be whether it is working on this yourself or working up to having some type of surgery.  The important thing is that you know you have to make changes in your life to get yourself healthier.   I wish you all the best and keep in touch!

Hello, I had my surgery in Dec. and my doctor is in Indian Rocks beach, near Largo. Dr. Tiffany Jessee, she is THE BEST! her and her office staff have been GREAT to me and my husband. I had my surgery first then he went right after me a couple of months after me and he does not believe in wls but he was so convinced when he saw the results from me and how nice the doctor is. We love her and she is a VERY, VERY AGGRESSIVE FILLER. MY FIRST FILL WAS 4CC/ 2ND 6 CC/3RD FILL I WAS 8.5CC's and the weight is coming off great! my husband has lost more then me, because men usually do but it's great.... google her or just search for doctors and you will find her, she is soooooo nice and very friendly, I cant say enough about her, she will sit and talk to you until your done, she answers all your questions, you can call her at anytime, she calls and check up on you! I dont know any doctor like that. She even offered me her lip bomb at the hospital because my lips were dry! My surgery was $22,000.00 and no one can tell you what you cant have you do what you feel you need to do, you only live once and enjoy it.

check out Dr. Rehnke, he is awesome.  He and Dr. Grossbard performed my lapband  last December.  He's in Pasadena, close to St. Pete Beach. Mary