Anyone in East Tennessee had the Lap-Band?

I would like to hear from anyone in East Tennessee that has had the Lap-Band procedure and which surgeon you used. Any info would be most appreciated. Chris

Chris, I had Open RYN... My doctor was Dr. Hruska, I'm pretty sure she's doing Lap-Banding now but I can't promise you. She's in Clarksville, Tennessee. She's a fantastic doctor, I just adore her and her staff. Good luck with your decision. -Katie

I didn't have Lap-Band, but the doctor that did my Lap Gastic also does Lap-Band. He is Scot****son in Johnson City Tenn. , his partner is Dr. Hodge who is also doing Lap-Band. Surgical Group of Johnson City. Their office is right next to the hospital.

I went to Dr. Mark Colquitt's seminar in December 2004 at Blount Memorial in Maryville, TN. I'm still in the approval stages of my lap-band surgery. It has been extremely frustrating for me as my insurance company changes CLINICAL POLICY BULLETINS mid-stream. Now, after 4 months, Aetna has stated that they will approve open gastric bypass but not lap-band. Lap-band is less expensive, less intrusive and easier to recouperate from. I feel that I have just wasted $500 that I really couldn't afford to begin with. They don't state the exact wording they want our primary care doctors to use in their letters nor do they specify this BEFORE you start all your work. Is it just me or am I getting the run around? I am a caregiver for my father who has health issues of his own. I cannot afford to be off work or have open surgery. I get the impression from the insurance company that this type of surgery is "experimental". I didn't get that impression from the seminar I attended. I'm frustrated, aggravated and extremely disappointed in the whole process.

Yes Donna a lot of insurance companies consider the Lap-Band prcedure to still be experimental, unfortunately. I personally decided to have RNY from the get go. Do you know if they will cover RNY done lapeescopically?? If so the recovery on that would be a tad less than the open procedure. Some people Ive known that had RNY done Lap were released from the hospital after on thier second day post op. Its still a bit intrusive though since it is the RNY. Hope this helps. *huggles*

Thanks for the information. Too bad the doctors aren't that explicit during their seminars. The main reason I opted for Lap-band was the less intrusive feature. If, as the office person put it, "people can get around the diet part", we were told this at the seminar, maybe so many wouldn't be having the difficulties with the insurance companies. I don't want to have nor can I be out of commission for any length of time as I have my father to care for. They all "promote" their own kinds of procedures, but when push comes to shove, they all scatter and become unaware of any problems with the systems. I am just aggravated. I really appreciate your response. Enjoy your week!

Chris, My surg. Stephen Boyce does them but doesn't recommend them over a GB. Are you set on the lap band or have you researched both? I researched them both because my BMI was 36 and I didn't have a massive amount to lose. I just couldn't lose what I needed to and my BP and all of the other co-morbidities that I had would not subside. I consulted with him about the band. He said that they failed more often than the GP. I also went to websites, (like this one) for Lap band patients. Dr. Boyce is in Knoxville if you would like to get in touch with him and get his take on the procedure. Good luck!