char1954

I live in SC. My husband works for the state; we have Blue-Cross Blue-Shield. They would not cover my surgery. Several years ago, a friend had bariatric surgery. She said she had to have it before the end of the year because after that it would not be covered. I ended up having my lapband surgery in Monterrey, Mexico; Dr. Miguel Zapata performed the surgery, and I was very pleased. I was in and out and awakened 45 minutes later. The hospital was beautiful and spotless, and the day after my surgery, I was sent to a four star hotel for two days for my recovery. My meals -- broth and Jello -- were included. The patient co-ordinator visited often. I had my own driver who knew the routine and took excellent care to see where I needed to be and when. The whole thing, including my air fair was about $8,000, as opposed to having the procedure done in Jacksonville, FL, for $30,000. I had my surgery on July 13th and have lost 50 pounds. I've only had one fill. I have about 35 more pounds to lose. I would probably have lost more had I exercised regularly. :frown: The scars are minimal. The company who made all the arrangements is called Ready-4-Change. I highly recommend them. My only complaint is that the closest fill center is 5-6 hours away. I know $8,000 is a lot of money, but I have never done anything just for me. It was a gift to myself. I would do it again in a heartbeat! Hope this helps. C. Hughes

Hi, Angie: Wow, you're doing wonderfully with your weight loss! I live in Beaufort, SC. I was banded on July 13th, have lost 25 pounds so far, have about 60 to go. (I got my first fill in Denver, NC on Aug 24th, 1 cc. I could not hold more.) A fill center is supposed to open in Hilton Head in December, 30-45 minutes from me, which will make it much easier. While I have a lot of restriction during the day, I'm don't have much at night, which is discouraging. I get hungry several hours after dinner, and I usually end up eating because my stomach is growling! That is my biggest problem, and I'm trying to lick it. I'm glad I had the surgery because I have struggled with weight all of my life, and now I have help. Well, I'm up way too late so off to bed with me. Best of luck! Char

Thanks to everyone who responded to my question! After several days with the new fill, I began feeling restricted, mostly at breakfast and lunch. I'm lucky to get 6 oz of yogurt down at bkfst and less at lunch. Come dinner time, I'm hungry, so that's when I have to put the brakes on. Also, I drink A LOT of coffee with lite cream. Thank God for Starbucks! That's probably why I'm not hungry; also during this time I'm taking in a lot of water. Is there anyone else out there who is a coffee addict, and has it been a problem for you. I've been at the same weight for two weeks now.

I got my first fill last Fri. The book they gave me said we're supposed to eat 1/4 cup of food per meal! Please tell me where you got your information as to how much food you're supposed to take in at each meal.

I'm in the process of scheduling my first fill. Call me dumb as dirt, but I was told I would only need 2-3 fills the first year and not as many the second year. Which is why I'm surprised, shocked, stunned, to hear people talking about having fills every two weeks! Jeez! How do you guys afford it??? In order to get the Fluoro for the first fill, I have to go out of state, which means taking off work. There is a center opening in 6-8 weeks not far from me without Fluoro so that is good news. I don't really want to hear a doctor say, "Oh, I'm just going to give you .05 cc and you can come back in ten days, and then we'll do it again in ten days, and then you can take a 2nd mortgage out on your house and come back ten day later..." Also, I don't want to sound like a downer -- please forgive me -- I read through the information from "Fill Centers USA" and (I don't know it word-for-word), but it basically said that "I understood very few people reach their goals." I'm like, "Huh?" :faint: Should I be on the bitch and moan thread?

Thanks for all the supportive E-mails! No, my fills were not included in my cost. I'm using Fill Centers USA. I spoke with the woman who was making my appointment, and she was extremely helpful. I feel a lot better. :car: