Question:
How did you select doctor for Lap Band proceedure? Hospital?

I am seriously considering lap bad, and am now looking at surgeons and hosptials. One doc I spoke with was almost too anxious, another was very off-putting. In fact, they did not want to even consider me as a self-pay patient! I am concerned about the hosptial choice. Would prefer to be at a large hosptial like Fairfax or UVA, but again run in to similar issues as doctors. Anyone have any suggestions or advise as to how they selected their doctor?    — Lou Ann P. (posted on April 25, 2005)

April 25, 2005
Hiyas, I've had a few friends go to Dr. Pinnar and they've been very pleased and have done great. I know one was self pay. His office is in Reston and his web site is http://www.pinnarsurgical.com/indexmain.htm
   — kel

April 25, 2005
You can always go out of state. I live in Missouri but wasn't comfortable with the local doc--he hadn't placed very many bands. So I flew to Housotn TX and had surgery with a doc that I felt comfortable with and has placed nearly 1000 bands. I get my fills from a different local doc, with no problems. Its important you feel comfortable with your surgeon and trust him/her. I was self pay as well and was thinking of price too--clearly not as important as the surgeon's skills but still a factor. You may very well find a doc that has more experience and is less expensive, elsewhere. Good luck!
   — jessicamegan

April 25, 2005
You should choose someone who has experience with lap banding. I had my surgery in western nebraska. My surgeon has done over 600 bands. Our hospital also has a private pay arrangement. Another thing to consider is that if you have surgery out of state will the local doctors who do surgery of this kind be willing to take care of your fills for the band? Some get picky and won't manage your band unless they do the surgery. For me the bottom line is finding someone who has done this surgery for awhile and is compassionate to your needs. There are good practices out there. Don't give up. Mona
   — monymony

April 26, 2005
I was lucky .. I have a premier Band doc in my state, but he is 4 hours away. Have you used the doctor locator on this site? That could give you a place to start. You could also post this question on the LapBand forum message board, or your state message board. I do agree that there is no substitute for experience when you are talking LapBand. Good luck!
   — Jeanie

April 26, 2005
Lou Ann, Have you considered sleeve gastrectomy in alternative to Lap Band? You have an excellent surgeon right in your neck of the woods - Dr. Hazem Elariny in Vienna. Here's the contact info: * Hazem A. Elariny, MD, Ph.D., FACS E-mail:[email protected] Phone: 703-778-6000 or 1-888-SCALPEL (1-888-722-5735) Fax: 703-778-6005 Advanced Laparoscopic and General Surgery Associates, PLLC 2235 Cedar Lane, 3rd Floor Vienna, Va 22182 http://www.alagsa.com/Bariatric_Surgery.htm http://www.alagsa.com/Dr_Elariny.htm I do know that he takes many self-pay patients. The nice thing about sleeve gastrectomy is that there is no foreign body involved, no need for fills, and fully functioning stomach/pylorus. Hope this helps! Blessings, dina
   — Dina McBride