Looking for lap-band Surgeon

Hi, I live in Dodge City and am looking for a surgeon. My family Dr. and insurance has approved of the procedure, but finding a surgeon is up to me. Help anyone?

I know that my RNY surgeon does lap band. They are in Topeka so not sure if that is good for you. Let me know if you need a name and number. Alice

Thanks, Alice. I have read your surgery info. and know Dr. Steward was the surgeon. He sounds great. I am concerned that everyone is so far away from me. Topeka is over 200 miles from me. Junction City is 193, but if I have any problems that is a fur piece to drive, especially with these gas prices. I am so lucky to have my insurance cover the surgery (can't believe what you had to go through!) but distance has really been discourging.

I know people that have had their procedures done in Junction City also that have had good successes also. I am a Dr. Steward patient also! Valena Lap RNY 5/3/2004, -145

Thanks for the reply, but I called Junction City and they no longer do the lap-band. Dr. Steward is looking good, but the distance is a big problem.

Have you checked Wichita, Salina, Garden City or Hays? If I were you, I would check with the bariatric surgeons (if they exist) in all those locations and see if they are doing the band. One year ago, nobody in Topeka was doing the band; now there are three (all in the Tallgrass group - Steward, Dunshee & Berntsen). I checked w/Wichita about 3 months ago, and the bariatric surgeons there were *considering* offering the band, but I don't know if they've caved into the inevitable yet. ;) -Yvonne

No, the Wichita doctors aren't doing the lap-bands yet. I see them when they come in for traumas and ask they periodically. Just recently they said they are still looking into it. I did alot of searching and the Topeka group is the only ones doing the bands at this time. I realize that it is a distance to drive (I live in Wichita but am going to Topeka). I drove up for the mandatory orientation, then the initial visit with the dr. I go back on Oct. 6th for my visit with him for any pre-op stuff, go visit the hospital for pre admission type stuff. The staff arranged for me to do everything in day because I am from out of town. When and if the doc do the lap bands here in Wichita, there will be alot of driving for you....they require you to go to an initial meeting and go to 8 meeting through Dr. Early's program, and meet with a nutritionist to. You are supposed to go to x amount of post op meetings to but i'm not sure how many. You may find yourself saving alot of miles going to Topeka anyway. Good luck. Lisa

I had Dr. Bernsten in Topeka. I would drive from another state to have her do my surgery again! She's extremely talented and have heard great things about Dunshee and Steward. Steward assisted at my lap band on 4/21/05! They are a great group! 200 miles isn't too far for such a life changing thing, but you do have to do follow ups, so you need to take that into consideration too.

Hi! Can you send me contact information for Dr Bernsten or Dr. Dunshee and Steward? My surgery will not be covered by insurance and I was told that the doctors in Topeka are less expensive than KC - do you know how much it costs? KC is charging $16000 cash price. Thanks for your help!

Hello everyone! I live in Hutchinson- and I went to Dr. Lopez in Kansas City. It is a 4 hour drive for me, and kind of a hassle, but I have done it. They are opening an office in Wichita, so for my next fill, I can go there. I was also wondering if there is a support group in Wichita? There is a support group here in Hutchinson- I am the only bandster, but they are very nice, and we all have the same issues--FOOD! I realize there is a HUGE controversy about Midwest Institute and others. It is disturbing to try abd understand how this all came about-I was caught right in the middle of it. Dr. Malley was supposed to do my surgery- got there and they said- "He left". I was so determined to have this, so I continued. I probably should have waited and been more patient. This week, while I was in Kansas City, I saw an ad for another office that does lap band. You just have to do your homework. It is pretty confusing to make a good decision. It is too bad this friction here in Kansas has to exisit- the bottom line is healthy weight loss for patients, and I think that has been ignored, and pettiness prevails. I liked Dr. Lopez and have had no trouble, so I can't complain. I just wish I was back in Texas, where there is more choice, and the Doctors aren't spread so thin like Kansas. Cheryl