Lap-Band Surgeon in New Mexico?

Hi there, My name is Renae & I live in Albuquerque. I am just looking into my options to have a Lap-Band procedure done. I know my insurance will cover it, now I just have to find a place to do it. I've been searching a lot online but can't seem to find a facility or a surgeon here that does the lap-band. Does anyone know if there is one? Thanks for your help! Renae

There are no surgeons in albuquerque. I went to Lubbock and now I will be going to El Paso. I say call your ins and ask them. You may have a diffucult time if it is Pres, because my dr just stopped doing them. Let me know how it goes.

Thank you for the info. I went on to my insurance website & found that the closets surgeons are in El Paso & Flagstaff.  Now, I have to figure out which one I'd like to go to. I've heard great things about Dr. Applebaum, and really, El Paso is 45 min closer. But it's such a boring drive! I did see that SW flies to El Paso though for fairly cheap. Hmmm...decisions, decisions. Like I said, I'm just looking into all of this. I know that I'm interested in the Lap-Band & noticed that you chose that.  How are things going with it? Thanks again! Renae

I am doing okay I am down 27lbs and am looking forward to my next fill on the 24th. I am not sure how it will go because the radiologist who does it is really new and I worry they will overfill me or something. My new surgeon will be Dr. Acosta in El Paso. If pres would have used Dr. Applebaum I would have chose him he has impressive stats and all his patients are happy with him. Let me know what you deceide to do.

Tanya

I had RNY with Dr. Lara and he was great.......   but I also have heard Dr. Acosta did a great job with one of my friends that had Lap Band surgery.  Good luck............  so well worth it...   Love my new healthy body..

well, I filled out the online registration & they called me back. They said that I need to have a BMI of 40 or higher for my insurance to cover it. I think I'm at about 38.5. She did say to go to the dr & get definite numbers & once I'm at 40, she can call for the approval. It's only because I'm so tall is my BMI 38. So looks like I'm gonna try to make sure I'm at 40 for my dr appt on Thurs! ...i hope this works for me. I'm sooo ready for this!

Hi Renae, I went to a WL seminar at the Marriot a couple of weeks ago. I saw Dr. Lara from Las Palmas Weight Loss Center in El Paso last Wednesday and I took some more blood test today that he wanted, as well as an EKG. I have a mammogram on Monday and then it's up to my insurance. Dr. Lara seems to be very nice and I've read a lot about the clinic and so far the things I've read have been positive. Dr. Lara and Acosta have done over 1000 patients. Good luck at whatever you decide. The siminar at the Marriot was full of information.

Hi Renae,

I have been on the WSL investigation journey for two years investigating various options.  I finally gave up on the Phoenix crowd even though I had a scheduled surgery date on June 26.  I went with the gastric sleeve done by Dr. Wade Barker on Jul 9 in Dallas.  Everything is going well so far especially coming off diabetes medication already.  Lost 24 pounds since my pre-op consultation visit.    Don Silva

Hi
JUST THOUGHT YOU SHOULD KNOW, I HAVE HEARD THAT THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT THERE *****SORT TO USING ANKLE WEIGHTS WHEN THEY WEIGHT IN, THEN WHEN THEY ARE ARE IN OFFICE OR SOMEWHERE PRIVATE THEY REMOVE THE ANKLE WEIGHTS BEFORE SEEING THE DR. IS THIS HONEST? NO IS THIS DESPERATE? YES.

I HAVE A BMI OF 33 AND I NEED A BMI OF 35. WILL I RESORT TO THIS. I DON'T THINK SO BUT MAYBE GOOD LUCK

wow, that's pretty amazing. I suppose if you need to do that, you don't really need WLS huh?

I've had my appt, found my surgeon & now am just waiting for insurance approval.

Hopefully I will hear back soon!