HI SElaine,
Im glad you looked into both areas for banding. I wrote this earlier this morning in another thread and thought I'd attach it to this thread as a response to your posting.
I was banded in 2006 with Dr. Simpson in Phoenix. Im a self paying patient. My procedure cost 16500 plus office/doc fees of about 1150. I also had to get a psychological analysis with another doctor; my insurance paid that after my co pay of 15.00. I went through blood tests and paid about 37,00 and was on my way. Dr. Simpson requires pre op and post op meetings. I have to admit, I dont think I got the best support from Dr. Simpson's as many have said they have from other doctors.
The day of my surgery was pretty much just that. "Her surgery". I was banded, he woke me up, and said "Good Job, you're fine" and I never saw him again until my post op appt. in which he just smiled and said, "good progress. You think you need a fill?"
A great thing about him is he's got a great sense of humor, a wonderful staff, a great forum, good follow up group sessions, and responds quickly and extensively to emails.
Would i recommend him? No. Look around and research.