ChubbleBubble

New policy/fees for Drs. Wells and Curtis: LAP-BAND FILL POLICY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2004 Tina T. Wells, M.D. and Elizabeth B. Curtis, M.D. 17505 Old Jefferson Highway Prairieville, La 70769 Ph (225) 673-8983 Fax (225) 677-8983 1. The price for all fills will be $300.00 per fill. This price includes the facility fee, the physician fees, and all supplies. 2. For all patients getting their first fill after their surgery they will get a maximum of 4cc in their band if they have the 11cc band. 3. All fills are done under fluoroscopy under the supervision of both physicians without exception. This is done to ensure that complications are minimized and results are maximized. 4. We will offer a one-time discount fill to patients who do not feel restriction after they have a fill. For example if you come for a fill in January and pay $300 and do not feel restriction, you can schedule to come back in February and we will repeat your fill for $150. If these patients feel they need to come back in March for another fill the cost will again be $300. The discount is only extended until the next schedule date that we do the fills. We will be doing fills on average once a month. (EXCEPTION: Patients getting their first fill after surgery get max 4cc – restriction is not expected). 5. We rent a fluoroscopy facility for these procedures so all these procedures must be scheduled through Dana at our office. The frequency averages once a month but the dates change. The fills will ALWAYS be done on Friday afternoon between 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. We have worked out the kinks and hope these changes can accommodate more patients. Thank you and good luck! Tina T. Wells, M.D. Elizabeth B. Curtis, M.D.

The next fill date for Dr. Wells & Dr. Curtis is Feb. 6. Time slots are filling up fast so if you are interested in making an appt. call Dana at 225.673.8983. I'm posting their fill policy (FYI) :confused: I tried to download this several times... to no avail... will just paste the info in: LAP-BAND FILL POLICY EFFECTIVE JANUARY 1, 2004 Tina T. Wells, M.D. and Elizabeth B. Curtis, M.D. 17505 Old Jefferson Highway Prairieville, La 70769 Ph (225) 673-8983 Fax (225) 677-8983 1. The price for all fills will be $300.00 per fill. This price includes the facility fee, the physician fees, and all supplies. 2. For all patients getting their first fill after their surgery they will get a maximum of 4cc in their band if they have the 11cc band. 3. All fills are done under fluoroscopy under the supervision of both physicians without exception. This is done to ensure that complications are minimized and results are maximized. 4. We will offer a one-time discount fill to patients who do not feel restriction after they have a fill. For example if you come for a fill in January and pay $300 and do not feel restriction, you can schedule to come back in February and we will repeat your fill for $150. If these patients feel they need to come back in March for another fill the cost will again be $300. The discount is only extended until the next schedule date that we do the fills. We will be doing fills on average once a month. (EXCEPTION: Patients getting their first fill after surgery get max 4cc – restriction is not expected). 5. We rent a fluoroscopy facility for these procedures so all these procedures must be scheduled through Dana at our office. The frequency averages once a month but the dates change. The fills will ALWAYS be done on Friday afternoon between 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. We have worked out the kinks and hope these changes can accommodate more patients. Thank you and good luck! Tina T. Wells, M.D. and Elizabeth B. Curtis, M.D. fill policy.bmp

Hi Rita, I just read your post and am curious about your doctor doing fills for people who have had surgery in Mexico (I have an AMI 11cc band-Dr. Sanchez-Monterrey Mexico) and if so does he use flouro or does he do blind fills, also... does he request an Upper GI series done (then bring him the results) before he will do fills like Dr. Lavin does? (Dr. Lavin only requires that for people who are not his patients). My doctor won't do an upper GI on me unless there was something wrong, so I'd have to pay for it out of my pocket (and I hear it's expensive). If you will let me know I'd be so thankful. I have a fill doctor at present but I'm trying to compare prices... so please get me pricing info too if possible. My doctor charges $300 for fills. Thanks and Congrats on your loss!!!! That's fantastic!

Hi, I live in South Louisiana (between Baton Rouge and N.O.) and my fill doctor who is also my PCP and her partner, do fills in Baton Rouge. If you would like to email me or call them directly you can... Dr. Tina Wells and Dr. Elizabeth Curtis - they will do fills on Jan. 9 (that's the next date) and can be reached at 225.673.8983 (ask for Dana-she does the appts. for fills) or you can email me back at kjharroun@etigers.net. They charge $250 for the first fill then after all fills are $200.00 which are all done under flouro. They usually do fills once a month. I'm very pleased with my last fill as I have restriction - my 3rd fill did the trick. And it is SO very true about what everyone says about everyone being different. The day I had my last fill (1 week ago) there were 4 of us getting fills and all of us got different amounts but were restricted. I'm at 7cc's (I have the 11cc band from Dr. Sanchez in Monterrey, Mexico). Well good luck!!!

Well I FINALLY feel what GeezerSue and Donali described and although if I drink too fast it is uncomfortable, I needed the feeling because NOW I know I FINALLY have restriction... so far anyways. I just got my 3rd fill to 7cc's yesterday and I'm taking it very slowly. I drink sips of Water, etc. very slowly because if I don't drink slowly the liquid feels like it's going to come right back up.... so this is how it feels!!!! After 4 months of no restriction and wondering what the hell it was going to feel like I know! And I'm very excited because I know now that I will lose weight. My doctor has been really good about understanding and learning about this lap band stuff, I've been sending her emails and copies of posts from this group and she has been listening and I really appreciate that. It took some time but it's finally working out and I do believe that we are right where we are supposed to be... someone up there IS looking out for me! Merry Christmas to all and to all lots of weight loss!!!!

Hi Angela, You shouldn't feel so discouraged after just a month or so after surgery. It sounds like you are doing really good. I had my surgery on Aug. 6 and lost 15lbs but gained every lb back. I have had 2 fills all of which were unsuccessful. I think I have about 3cc's in an 11cc band. That's not much when the band can hold up to 9.75cc's. I go for my 3rd fill tomorrow and I'm passed getting excited about fills. Me and my sister and another girl are all having the same problem with our big bands--getting them filled correctly. Our fill Doctor is still learning and we are the guinea pigs. We would have thought by Dec. - 4months after surgery- we would have AT LEAST lost 25lbs. We have met women who have the same band and were properly filled who lost their weight and are now at their goal weight and used the band not a diet to lose it... if that makes since... in other words they both said that they let the band work for them, they ate what they wanted and still lost 95lbs and 105lbs. I believe the fill is the key... and if you don't get a proper fill you won't lose, unless you watch everything you eat... why get the band then? But of course you cannot drink milkshakes all the time either. You have to be somewhat smart about it. Well, that's my 2cents worth. Good Luck to you and hang in there!

Just my little thoughts on the subject... I told only my family and best friends. And I'm so glad I didn't tell any others because I haven't been doing to well and I hate having to explain "why" after lots of money and 4months I still have not lost anything. It's hard for them to understand that fills play a big part in my success. I haven't had a good fill yet -- I've had 2 fills. I really think the 3rd one is going to be it though and I will get that one in December. I know it's a slow process but geez... People at work would be the worst so I told no one there. They love to gossip and scrutinize. When I went for my surgery some knew I was going to Mexico, but it was just for 'Fun.' The recovery time is so fast that I was back at work after a week. I took the whole week off only because I was with my sister who had a hysterectomy and the lapband surgery at once and couldn't leave the city for at least 4-5 days. I could have been back 3 days after. So, I guess the bottom line is, if you can trust people or feel comfortable and don't care if they ask you why or when then talk away. I might say something when I reach my goal... but then again.

Lea, I just saw this on the DFW Bandsters site regarding "New You fills: "Subject: expanded times for fills at New You - Mon. Nov. 17 Everyone, Since prices for many patients are going up in December at New You, and we have received far too many requests for fills to be able to accomodate everyone, we have made arrangements with both Dr. J and the imaging center to add a couple of hours to our schedule next Monday. We will be starting at 12:00 noon (so we have open spots between 12 and 2 pm), and if you are nterested in getting your fill in prior to the inevitable, evil price increase, please email me OFFLIST (please do not reply to the whole list) at ixwith@yahoo and I will try to accomodate as many as we can. Thanks, Darin M " Best of Luck!!!!!!!!!!

This is the info from the previous email... it will cost $250.00. Fill Dates If you would like to book an appointment for a fill, feel free to check the dates below and contact us. Fills usually are between 2:00pm and 5:00pm and we book them in 10-minute intervals. Where: Texas Imaging and Diagnostic Center 3840 W. Northwest Highway Suite 400 Dallas TX. 75220 When: The first and third Monday of each month. The remaining 2003 schedule is as follows: Mon, November 17th Mon, December 1st Mon, December 15th Cost: Fills include a fluoroscopy guided examination and (if needed) a secondary, standing barium swallow. For all New You patients: $250.00. 1-800-383-0605. Please leave your full name and phone number, state that you wish to have a fill, and what date you would like, and Cynthia will call you back to confirm the date and time. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes prior to your appointment to fill out paperwork, and be prepared to stay 30 minutes afterwards to make sure you got the proper amount! Hope this helps you!

Hi, there's a fill Dr. in Dallas. You can go to www.newyouwmc.com and click on fill schedule and it will give you a lady name cynthia's email. The fill is $250.00 for the fill and fluro. Cynthia's email is cynthia@newyouwmc.com. (She does the scheduling). I wish I could remember the name of the place but I can't. Sorry. But I do know they will do anyone's/everyone's fills. Good Luck!

Donali, Thanks for responding to Megan because reading that has helped me too. I only have had 2 fills and am discouraged, but 7! I have looked/read her website (Monica's) and it is a very good one but I didn't know she reached her goal and then had all the problems after. (If I'm thinking of the same Monica-she is from SoCal). At any rate, I know my magic moment will come. It's just near the holidays and who doesn't want to fit into something sexy for all those parties!

I'm curious about something... on all the different groups (including this one) I have signed up to everyone gets different amounts of fill and alot of them, if not most are very small fills. What I'm curious about is what sizes are these bands? I have an 11cc band and according to my Dr.'s nurse, I will need more to fill it than say a 9cc mid band or whatever. What size do you have Michelle? The 11cc band only holds 9cc's of fluid. The first fill(according to my Dr.) I should get is around 4cc's. Then from then on see how it goes. My fill dr. on the other hand, gave me a fill of maybe 1cc the first time and then the 2nd fill on Friday was 4cc'. (Which is what I have currently). What she (my Dr.) will do is draw back all of the saline and then inject more. And from what I hear (from My band Dr.'s group) is that she should leave what she originally put in (after checking the amount (the first time) and then put more in. I still do not have any restriction. But I have to ask, if you spend all of this money on getting a lap band then why should you have to really diet too. Because if I could diet in the first place I wouldn't need a band. I don't eat the junk food I use too. And I try (ever so hard) not to drink while eating-- I didn't realize how hard that would be. I know that the band is supposed to be a tool, but after speaking with a couple of people this weekend who were banded a year ago and were right at their goal weight (or about to be) did not diet, they ate what they wanted and still were able to lose 90lb and 105lbs. That's what I'm talking about!

Hi, I'm from LA and was banded in Mexico but I've heard a lot of really good things about Lavin. I have never heard of French. Dr. Lavin's group also does fills - which is very helpful to have your surgeon or someone in his group do your fills since they will know your band, its' location, etc. If you are ever interested in getting in touch with some of us from Louisiana email me, I'd be happy to talk/email back and forth and share emails with others. 4 of us bandsters from the Ascension parish area met today for lunch. We expected a lot more to show up. There's about 20 of us around the Baton Rouge area. We are going to try to get a LA group together and meet for lunch once a month. One of the ladies I met today had been banded over a year ago and is doing great. She looks great too. She's lost 90lbs and gets her fills done in Baton Rouge by Dr. Bellanger (SP?). He does blind fills but knows her band pretty well and has done a great job giving her fills. We were amazed at how little she ate too. (I got my second fill yesterday and still don't feel the restriction that I had hoped). She says the band should work for us not the other way around. This may all be too much information right now.. if it is sorry. This band talk forum is the best I have found on the web it is loaded with great info and advice, check it often. Good luck with your surgery and congrats!

My Dr. tried to do a blind fill on me last week and although she eventually hit the port (or at least we think) it hurt so bad and I had 5 holes poked in me. She didn't do a fill because she was afraid she'd mess up my band (I was a guinea pig), but she does feel confident that she will eventually be able to do them. With the flouro though, it's such a breeze for her to find the port. I'm sure as soon as any dr. get's enough practice they should be able to do the blind fills with ease, but until then I would prefer having the flouro. They can see so much with the xray- and it's really cool to watch. Have you ever had one done under flouro? I really wouldn't care how I had it done as long as it was done properly and pain free. I am though, just amazed at the ones that do them (especially on a new patient) that they can find the port with such ease - with all these different ports and body types, but then I guess (MAYBE???) all ports (lapband/cancer) or basically the same... I don't know.

Thanks so much for the support. I got my (2nd) fill at 1p today (4cc) (central time) and went for soup a hour or so later (tomato basil, all liquid) and although I could sip it all I felt very full a little while later (I could feel it actually go in to my stomach slowly - almost like the barium dripping down -- this probalby doesn't make sense.. but I watched while I was getting the fill and watched it drip - is it from the stoma to the stomach?? at any rate my Dr. said if you get any more you are going to throw up and stopped at the 4cc... and on my way home from eating soup, I actually felt it coming up a little. So now I think I know what a PB or that full feeling FINALLY feels like! I had no idea. I really don't think for my first fill that I got more than .5cc (not even a whole cc) because when she drew the syringe back, nothing came out. (My Dr. is still learning). It was a good experience this time though because I experienced NO pain - thankfully, because the first time was pretty rough. I don't think I was numb enough. This time she dosed me up pretty good. I just felt a little pressure. I don't know how Dr.'s can do "good" blind fills... So I will have to see, I'm really excited, even though as I type my stomach is growling and growling loud. It was really cool today too (while waiting to get a fill) to meet all of the people that came in from Mobile, AL, Mississippi, and areas around New Orleans. Most of us (6 / 8) had surgery in Monterrey by Dr. Sanchez and have the AMI 11cc band. One girl had a 9+ band (can't remember the percentage) and another got her's from Ortiz in Tijuana and has a much smaller band. I tried to tell my Dr. about your experience Jeanette with the 7.5 being your magic number. And it is true, everyone is different. One girl I met today has had her band for 2 years (the odd sized band) and has lost 105 lbs and looks great. Her experience was that she didn't start losing until her 2nd or 3rd fill and the WALLAH and she never "dieted" she just ate more Protein and less carbs but basically anything she want(ed)(s). Well enough of my rambling, take care all!

Hello everyone (Donali) Please don't misunderstand what I said, as apparently it has been... that was me in crisis. I've been very discouraged and that came out because of my mood at the time. No one likes to vomit, especially me. I know that vomiting can damage your band too so why would anyone (including myself) want to damage something I paid $10K for. And, I didn't mean that as advice for anyone... So please everyone, listen to what Donali says because so far EVERYTHING I have read from her posts (which I find very interesting) is so very true. I go in for a fill today at 1PM and I just hope and pray that I get some success from it. :nervous

Hi Leannie, I'm really to happy that you have a good fill. I go tomorrow for my second and I'm going to bring her a copy of your posts. I really am disgusted as I can eat any and everything. I really don't care if I throw up after eating! I know that's terrible. I just knew I'd be at least 30-40lbs thinner by Christmas, but it doesn't look like it's going to happen. Oh well.... :think Please keep me posted on your progress. I'd really like to hear back on how you are doing. Thanks and best of luck!

Hi Leannie, To answer your question about doctors charging everytime you get a fill, unfortunately yes, or at least mine does. I know some gaurantee them (a Dr. in New Orleans gives you a week, one in Dallas makes you wait around a while in his office afterwards). My Doctor hasn't said anything but is $50.00 cheaper after the first visit and if she decides to start doing blind fills (she said after lots of practice) she will charge $150.00. ($250.00 - 1st; $200.00 - 2nd). I really don't know what other doctors do, but I would assume they would charge. Good question though! Good Luck! You will LOVE Dr. Sanchez and his staff!

Jeanette That's great that you do have a doctor who is willing to work with you. My Dr. gave me 1-2cc's the first time but she too was still learning (and still is). And she was told not to fill too much the first time, but I really hope I get at least 6cc's (HA!). Please let me know how you feel after you get your next fill. Take care and good luck!

Hi Jeanette, I too have the larger band (11cc). I only had one fill but I have my second scheduled for Friday. My Dr. promises me that she will get me good and tight. I hope so! But, over the past few days I've realized that I have been abusing my band in that I have been emotionally eating - whenever I get upset, etc. or if I'm under stress- (by not stopping to feel the fullness that my body is feeling (hope that makes sense!) the Right now I feel very full but I also ate A L O T. I'm feeling very guilty about that too. But I don't have restriction regardless, because if I did I would probably throw up or would have by now. I know I really need to get my Sh*t together but sometimes I have to really get mad at myself before I take more responsiblity for the binging. I have 70lbs to lose, I gained back 6 of the 15 I originally lost and that was very disappointing but I knew I did before I got on the scales. I will just start again tomorrow and hopefully get back on track. By the way, how much does your fill doctor put in your band at each visit? And is he willing to work with you on getting a good fill - meaning - is he cooperative like my doctor. She knows she didn't give me a good first fill and vows to really work with me the next time and in the future. She realizes how expensive the fill visits get and knows that we can't keep going back every 4-8 weeks for refills. I don't think our band (even though it's a 11cc band) can hold that much, if I'm not mistaken. I will make a post after my next fill (to let you know) how my 2nd fill goes. I sure hope I don't have to have 4-5 fills to get a good restriction! I wonder why Dr. Sanchez is using these big bands on us. I guess he's got his reasons, after all he is one of the BEST in the world from what I hear. I really think though you should talk to your Dr. about it all. GOOD LUCK!!

To reply to your post: I did'nt have a good fill at all the first time. My Doctor gave me a little more than 2cc's if that much (last month) I can eat any and everything as if I was never filled and I actually gained back 5lbs to my dismay! I will get another fill next week and am aprehensive as the last time it was painful for me. I don't know if it was the suction from the syringe drawing back or what, but I felt pressure and then some pain. I went back to the Dr. to be a guinea pig yesterday (the Dr. wanted to see if she could do a blind fill) and although she hit the spot it again hurt and pretty badly.:think I was given a shot to numb the area but for some reason the pain is still there. I'm a bit concerned. I hear so many people talking about no pain and how easy it is, etc... well I wish it was for me. Maybe my next fill under flouro won't be so bad and now that she's getting more experienced at doing it ... we'll see I guess. Good Luck,

My BMI was 35 (still is) when I was banded in August. I'm 5'3" and am no 70lbs over weight. 70lbs is a lot of excess weight --even though my BMI is 35. I couldn't qualify for insurance for the band or for Gastric Bypass because I don't have any co-morbilities so I had to pay out of pocket. I'm hoping my second fill will get me on the weight loss track, which will be soon. GOOD LUCK! Karen

Hi, Do you want blank post cards? I can send you some as well, I'm from the Great State of Louisiana. Cajun Country. We have lots of plantation homes, swamps, festivals, seafood and the food....well, let's just say that's why I had to get banded!!!

Hi Beth, I actually have the sugar free Instant Breakfast in my pantry but haven't tried it yet. I've been drinking the soy Slim Fast shakes. I use the powder and low fat milk and I've been drinking them (once a day for breakfast) since a few weeks after my surgery. I really like it (chocolate flavored) and it manages to keep me satisfied until around 10-10:30 am. I usually drink it around 6 am. I then eat yogurt and sometime can't eat lunch. It's when I get home from work that I really want to eat. I will have my first fill on Friday :nervous (FINALLY!). I was 8 weeks post op on the 6th of this month. I think Ensure has a LOT of calories in it, I know my mother in law use to drink them when she had cancer to bring her caloric intake up because she was so thin... so you may want to think about that one. Good Luck... I have to go, my yorkie is biting my toes! She's jealous of the computer. LOL

If anyone needs a fill doctor in the south Louisiana area please get in touch with me and I will give you the phone number of my PCP who will start doing fills (with the flouro (sp?) x-rays) beginning October 17. The price is reasonable ($250). I was going to have to go to Dallas to get my fill, so to say the least, I'm so excited that someone here will start doing them.