MemphisLady

In support of Denise, I also have issues with Splenda. Don't get me wrong.... it is a wonderful thing...tooo good. I really love the Russell stover low carb products and all the newest bars with Splenda. The first time I tried them I too spent some time in bathroom. But if I have a bar every night or every other night I constipate badly for a week or more. I been going through this for a couple of years... because I keep going back to these newest good tasting Splenda products, but they don't like me as much as I like them. I guess a few of us Do have some type of allergy to Splenda. It does have a splendid taste though! I am glad to know most of you have no physical reaction to it.

I am so glad you asked this. I had to look to see if I posted this question. It has been on my mind for a month. I am afraid something would happen and all my old age savings would be gone. I will also be following this thread. Hope we get some feedback! Let me know what your insurance company says.

I have some information on Dr. Hruska in Clarksville, Tn. She sounds like a good doctor, but does Not have a package price for a self-pay person. Dr. Hruska charges $5000 and the Hopital charges 20,000 and a couple of other charges her office and the hospital spoke of. Also, you don't get any free fills for say a year. They are all $250 each. Too bad for me but great for the insured. I can tell she is a great and caring doctor.

I am interested in your need to find a fill doctor in Ms. I see you haven't had much response. Have you found someone? I am a wanna be in Memphis and looking for a low states doctor price for the Lap-Band. I think I found maybe 13,500 near Nashville but still checking. The doctor in Memphis I would Like to go to but cost 18,000, will not even take other patients for a fill. I just went to the office last week and they mentioned getting a flood of calls for fills from other doctors and most from Mexico ops. A friend in Dallas had researched doing the op in Mexico. That doctor said he could recommend a friend doctor in Dallas metro area for her fills. Sometimes they have associates that do fills in the states. I came to the MS site in hopes that there was a lower cost dotor in Mississippi. I had called a doctor in Oxford and got an ungodly price. Over Double of any other price I have ever heard. I wondered if I had gotten the cleaning lady on the phone,but she assured me she answered the phone all the time. Since there is not much traffic on this site, I guess no one is affording the surgery in Mississippi. Let me know how your search is doing and any other information you have. Good luck

I am also gathering information on self pay. I use to live in Dallas area and have a friend in Carrollton that is looking at these doctors. You have several options in Texas. More than I have here in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis is still holding their price at 18,000. But some Dallas doctors are coming down to 13,500 and I have even heard around 10,000. I copied the following information from my friends email. " I just read on Lapband.com that there is a doctor in Mesquite that does the lapband for $10,100 and that includes a nights stay in the hospital. Also he only charges $100 for the fills. The doctor in Mesquite is Dr. Barker ". There is many Texas lab-banders here on this site. You may have to look around for a bit to hook up with people in your area. What city are you from?

Misstea, Thank you so much for the info on the Clarksville doctor. I will look at that site! Sandi1958, Sorry you had a hard time at Woodmans clinic. I also went to his clinic last year and Cyndi was the speaker. She seemed very, very busy. I felt rather lost in the crowd, myself. I also ran into the 6 month Dr. monitored diet. Many of the insurance companies are asking for that now to make it a little harder to qualify and make sure you are prepared for eating better. I haven't done that part. It won't hurt for the doctor you choose to send in your request and see if it qualifies. Let us know how your vanderbilt visit went. Nikki - Memphis Lady

Jamie, I am sooo happy for you. I thought of you on Friday. I have just read some of your post since then. Thanks for sharing. It is nice to know you are nearby Memphis. I am still researching my options. I am also being out-sourced at work so my hands and Head are full of thoughts. Hope your first day back to work was ok.

Jamie - Thanks for the info. That was several test! My regular doctor would order these if needed. I have already seen the Nutritionist and Physcologist that Cyndi recommended before we sent in the first couple of approval request for my insurance. I liked the Physcologist (on Poplar). I am so exciting your date is this Friday. I'll be thinking of you. Things are looking Up for you!

Jamie - Your surgery date is soon. How exciting. Can you tell me what other test Dr. Woodman wanted done before your surgery? Tricia- Thanks for the tip on Dr. Houston. I will do research for more info! Madeline's Mom- I had made a call to Dr Maden' s office. Him and his partners match Dr. Woodmans price, 17,000 plus which is next to 18,000. It is interesting you are headed for Europe. Have you checked into the fills after you return home? I am concerned about that also, so I am interested in any research you might have gathered around here on fills from doctors that did not do the original surgery. Dr. Woodson's office told me a few months ago I would pay a large fee to get accepted by him. I think that was to discourage me from going to someone else for the surgery. But, so many people are going elsewhere for the surgery, it seems things will have to open up around here for people getting fills. Thanks to each of you for your replies and the information! Nikki

Thanks for your reply Jamie. I am glad to know you have a date with Dr. Woodman. I am still in limbo here. It is a big decision to self pay. The cost is really about 18,000. That could hurt. I have now checked with several other doctors in Memphis, but the cost is the same. Oxford, Mississippi was much more. I can hardly think of going to Mexico. I am sure I would want the doctor close by, and I believe Cyndi said you have to pay a large fee to gain access to Woodman and fills. Just seems complicated. Have you met Dr. Woodman? I have met only with Cyndi. A Dallas friend just met with a doctor. He spent an hour and Half with her. I was surprised he had the time. The cost would be $15,000 there if she self-pays.

I am just a wanna-be but am glad to see someone in Tennessee is going forward. The Memphis area seems to be $18,000 for the Lapband. Just in case I was brave enough to go somewhere cheaper for the procedure, I am glad to see here that a Nashville refill could be $150.

I live in Tennessee but my insurance is Blue Cross PPO of Alabama. They have not been kind in dealing with my LapBand request. I am tired and considering self pay, but all doctors here are asking for 18,000. Sounds pretty expensive compared to some other areas. How is your journey going with BC of Tn?