Renee, I am glad to see you on the board. This is a good place to meet people and learn about everything availible. I had RNY here in Wichita, Dr Porter was the lead and Dr. Dort did the assist. I am 21 months out and have had no problems. I have lost about 130.  Get to know everyone, ask questions and learn all you can. This is one yeck of a ride, enjoy the trip. Good luck and best wishes.

Hey Renee!! I'm not in Wichita but I know there are lots of folks that have used my surgeon that live in Wichita, maybe someone will step forward.  I wish you the best....congrats on your insurance covering surgery!!!! I fought with mine for 5 years and finally just ended up self paying....BEST thing I EVER did or will do!!!!! Good luck to you!

I agree with ksu1971, I go to Tallgrass as well.  The staff is awesome!  As a matter of fact, ksu1971, you're having your surgery 3 days before me! 

Well, I was at the top of the list at LivLite to have lap band with their new surgeon.  However, I called and talked to Pam.  I wanted to know just how experienced he was.  She assured me he has spent the entire past year in strictly bariatric surgery and has done over 250 surgeries with good outcomes.  But when I made her get specific on how many Lapbands he has done, she finally told me it was only 10 or 11.  I am not comfortable with that.  Even the manufacturer of the Lapband states that any surgeon with less than 100 surgeries is inexperienced.  I don't want to "compare" the surgeries, because the are DIFFERENT.  There ARE complications with the band....especially if it is not placed EXACTLY right.  There seem to be even more complications with the port if it is not placed correctly.  The Lapband takes time to get adjusted to the correct restriction....and therefore some complications a new surgeon might have may not be noticable right away.  With the inexperience....will he even recognize a complication vs. incorrect filling amount, etc.?  I guess that I keep thinking, if he's only done 10 or 11 surgeries.....he's probably had even less experience with aftercare.  Our after care is CRITICAL.....and just as, if not more important than the surgery itself.  Perhaps I'm not being fair to the doctor.  But on the other hand, this is a life changing surgery for me....and I want it to be for the best!  It's my life and I want the very best......after all, with my insurance, the cost will be the same, whom ever I go to.  I do not want to jeopardize a successful outcome for the sake of saving a few months.  I know how you feel about having to wait so long.  I feel the same way.  I began this journey last November.  I should have had my surgery here in Wichita on June 26th.  There was a mess up with insurance, and that is why I've had to go elsewhere.  I have everything done, except of course meeting with their psychologist and dietician.  (Even though I've done that through another program.)  I had all my papers and records sent in last week, so I'm hoping to hear from them soon.   Have any of the places you've sent paperwork to submitted to your insurance yet?  Do you know how you stand as far as getting approval with insurance?

I agree with you. I would not want to be #12. If you have problems with Dr. H take a look at Tallgrass in Topeka. So far my experience with Tallgrass has been outstanding. However, I have read about a lot of people using Dr. H and have loved him as well.

What ever you choose I wish you the best of luck.