VegasGrace

I live in Provo and with all the ads I see, and they are EVERYWHERE... I went to Dr. Huacuz for only $7,000 all inclusive. I'm only 34 pounds away from my goal and use Highland Family Practice, Dr. Muse up towards Salt Lake City, under fillcentersusa for my aftercare. I have the 4cc band and have had 2 fills so far. 2 cc, and then .2. I am well restricted and doing great. I may go for another fill in another month or so if I stop losing weight or start gaining.

Good questions. 1. Take it easy and my body would be able to tell me when. 2. I did at first...like the first few weeks. But now, I can't. kinda like that bridge I had in my mouth. 3. Yes. Tijuana has great facilites if anything goes wrong, there is trauma units close by. The Huacuz Surgical Center, where I went was fully staffed. It was only $7,000 all inclusive and came highly recommended. 4. I've been shown photos, drawings, and it's even in the book...but I just don't get it. Good luck and keep us posted.

Hey, losing weight, huh? Well, at least you are there finally. Now that the band is working... let's get it tweaked so that you aren't vomiting all the time. I know what you mean. I went in for a 2nd fill and did the same. Ate w/ a bag close by, but I didn't get an unfill as I knew it was temporary. And 2 weeks later... it's all fine. I lost 13 pounds in those first 4 weeks. Good luck and keep us posted.

I am well restricted and am learning my band...what I can eat and what I can't eat. With that said, I do this frequently. Well, only twice what you describe. Taco Bell is a no no for me. I thought I was dying. That pain has caused me to never want to do that again. But other than that, I do slime frequently. After eating, I just lean over the sink and it just comes out of my esophogas. I think I eat too quickly.

Hey, hey, hey. Congrats!

I had my surgery while ON vacation. Took a cruise for 4 days and then went back down to have the procedure. Do what's best for you but you should be fine. I was up and running around within a week and back to near normal. No one knew a thing.

Good idea to call for a price quote before you go thru fillcentersusa; however, I've found fillcentersusa cheaper than the rate normally charged...by half. Docs here charge around 200 and up for a fill. fillcenters - 155. So I save money. Plus it includes a office visit. Come back to this thread and let us know how it went.

about how many cc's are recommended for fills? I'm a poor single mother... let's face it, and uninsured. As a self payor, I want the most bang for my buck. I read on other forums where after 3 fills, discouragement due to no restriction, and they only have 1 -1.5 in their band! in a 4cc band the first fill recommendation is 1-2cc's... what's up with just a little at a time? Is this just a ways for the provider to make extra money? My first fill is tomorrow with FillCentersUSA in Salt Lake City and I'm going to just die if the provider doesn't fill me as recommended. I am 6 weeks out and have absolutley no restriction and have lost ZERO pounds despite no chips, soda, etc. Can I request 2 cc's?

Air fare is more than the fill! That's why I chose Dr. Muse. And don't want to burst your bubble... but it's not in Highland... it's like Murray/ SLC... exit 301 on the I-15 just past the 215 bypass. Boy don't I wish it were Highland!!!!! :eek:

The fill today was way BETTER than expected. Dr. Muse was wonderful, efficient, and thorough. There were several patients coming and going.... at the radiologist.... the same folks were there.... they all were banded in Mexico. There were two others just passing through the area and stopped in for a fill. Bullseye the first attempt and I got 2cc's for my first fill. I'm happy...very happy. $299 and $85 for fluro. After today will be $155 and I don't think he's gonna need fluro! He's very experienced.

FillCentersUSA uses Dr. Muse w/ Highland Family Practice near Salt Lake City. I was checked in paid $299 (inital visit, all others 155 that includes fill). Vitals taken and then Dr. Muse came in... went over family and personal history . Very thorough. Advised me about the band, what it does and doesn't do. Discussed eating. Discussed my not loosing any weight. Quick exam then off to the radiologist. Numbs the area and then takes a nanosecond to insert the needle - bullseye! He has 2cc's in the syringe and only puts in about half then does the flouro again. The flluid slipped right through. (should be a 3 second delay) Drank almost a cup of Water and he repeatedly asked about feeling, burping, etc. Nothing. He placed the more and repeated... nothing! Slipped right through. So then at 2cc's... it did slow down... but wasn't quite 3 seconds.... but we agreed 2 is enough for a first fill. (max allowed anyways for a 9.75 band) He said he could see me in as soon as 4 weeks if I needed it. So, the fill went BETTER than expected. MissJess... thanks for sharing that you gained, too. I truly hope, and strive, to NOT EAT anymore save the little bit at each meal. I'll keep you posted!

You guys are right, it's better to go slowly even if it means a year without weightloss than have a slipped band. I guess it's just frustrating to see everyone, well most if not 99.998% lose at least ONE pound in the first 6 weeks. But it's been a life changing time as for years I was addicted to chips and soda... and haven't had any since pre-op...you'd just think I'd have lost... something! Thanks again!

Fill Centers USA - Weight Loss Surgery - Bariatric Surgery - Gastric Bypass Surgery - Lap Band Surgery Information and Support is their website, but just went and found it not working... did yesterday! oh, well, maybe down for site maintenance. Fill Centers require the provider charge: (going from memory) $299 for the first visit and includes fill $1?? maybe 125 or 150 or 199 - can't remember for all other subsequent visits and includes a fill Fluro costs like $80 extra, no matter if it's first or subsequent visit. Any time you need an 'unfill adjustment' if you notify fillcentersusa w/in a week, or 3 days, it's FREE as long as you go back w/in 3 weeks (or something like that) and if you need just a visit w/o adjustments, it's $75. I will post a thread on how my first visit with them goes. Have your friend call Highland Family Practice and see how much an adjustment is w/ Dr. Muse... maybe a better rate is used if not going thru fillcentersusa. Maybe not! He can always go thru the fillcentersusa if prices are too high. Good luck!

I did a search and found several... I went to the bariatric surgeons association or something like that online and did a search. Being uninsured I went to Mexico, Baja and it only cost 7k. Tomorrow is my first fill w/ Highland Family Practice thru fillcentersusa. Keep us posted on who you choose!

Yes, I went to Mexico after needing the surgery and couldn't afford to have it done in the US. Daniel Huacuz was recommended on other boards and they were very responsive to all my questions via email and phone. Others I'd leave messages for and it took several days to get a return... didn't like that a bit. I flew to LA, drove to San Diego, Victor picked me up at the airport terminal... he's the shuttle driver for the clinic's van. Arrived and I loved how efficient everything was!!! No waisting time for anything! Cardiologist, psych lady, etc all on staff. The clinic has several patient rooms with tvs/ sofas, private bath, etc. My sister slept in the second bed in a double room, most were singles though. Windows galore!!! Life did not escape me and I didn't feel like I was in an institution, as some hospitals seem. The staff was attentive, cordial, and eagar to please. The place was clean, very clean. The janator was on staff every day. It was only 7k for everything! If I ever need any surgery again, I surely would consider Dr. Huacuz if he does that procedure.

I'm a Mexico band and am using fill centers, is $300 bucks a fill about right? I did call other providers in area and they ranged from $380 - 555 a fill. Just seems 300 is alot of money for 5 minutes.

Dr. Sofronski, I think that's how it's spelled did a RNY on my twin... she was almost 300 and now, after just 1.5 yrs is a size 4/6 and 135lbs. Not sure if he does new patients who have been banded, but if I lived on Delmarva, I'd be calling him.