lachanga

I had my surgery in 2008 I have stayed stable at 157l lbs from the 225 that I weighed before at 5' 1" I was huge. Now I my medical insurance does not cover any WLS issues even though I paid for my surgery in another state. I am in need of a doctor to unfill me because I can barely eat anything healthy now and I feel horrible. I used to go to the Fill Centers in Clearwater although I live on East Coast but I understand they closed now. I need a doctor that isn't going to charge me arm and leg to unfill me. Please help!

I can't find my doctor Diego Velarde he has left Omni group in Palm Bay and they won't disclose where he is at now and I can't seem to find him online. anyone have any suggestions? I love Dr. Velarde.

do you know where Dr. Velarde moved to???

I am presently training til December and need to find a fill doctor here since I do not want to drive 6 hrs to see my doctor in Palm Bay or the 5 hrs to St Pete to the fillcenter. I have insurance and it covers my fills but can't seem to find anything in this area. I am willing to travel 3 hours each way. Any help is appreciated. :thumbup:

:cursing:I am desperately looking for someone open on Saturdays or late night near Central Florida. I need to get filled since I had a unfill at St. Petersburg Fill Center 6 weeks ago due to irritation. I started a new job and can't take time off work to drive the 3 hours to St. Pete! Please let me know if anyone knows one that works late or Saturdays.

Is this open yet??

Anyone know of a good fill doctor in this area? I really do not want to drive to the Fill Center in Tampa. That is way too far? I had my surgery in Harrisburg, PA on 12/13/2007.

I am now down to 182 lbs!!! I feel great. Ready for another fill but I am now living in Florida! Will call Weight Loss Center tomorrow to schedule an appointment to go to PA and get the fill and check in with the doctors. I was supposed to go last month. Now I feel I am ready for another one. I am so happy I made this decision!

I had surgery on 12/13/2007 and started at 213 and am now at 197 for about 4 weeks. My first fill was on 1/24/2008 and next fill not scheduled until 3/21/2008. I have not lost anything since the first fill. I feel like I am not hardly eating and do not drink liquids with my meals nor do I snack. I only eat 3 small lo carb meals a day and nothing is coming off!!! My ideal weight would be 135 therefore I think this maybe normal. I had a easy recovery with no problems so I can't complain. Do I have to get a few more fills before I will see some more weight loss??? this is kind of depressing since I was self pay and am faithfully going to Curves three times a week. What suggestions can someone give me to make me get psyched again?

I got on the scale yesterday and I am down to 194. I have begun to lose again now that I am tracking. I am consuming about 1000 calories a day sometimes a bit more. I get my second fill on March 21st but right now I feel I am restricted well. Thanks everyone for the motivation. It helped!

I started the log on fitday today. I will start monitoring. I get my second fill in March. My doctor wants me to consume at least 900 calories a day. I will keep the log for a few weeks. I may have to go for another fill sooner than March. Thanks everyone for your replies. I never thought that maybe I was consuming too few calories. That may be it.

I had mine done on 12/13 by Dr. Currie of the Weight Loss Center in Harrisburg and so far I have lost 14 lbs. Yes, it has been slow but my blood sugars are normal (I was pre-diabetic), my ankles don't hurt and I feel great. I was self pay the cost was about 12K or so that includes one year of after care. I had considered going out of state but you can't beat the price and stay near home. If I had to do it again I would do it in a heart beat. I probably could lose about 70 more lbs and I will be at a normal weight of 130Lbs. therefore the slow weight loss is not bothering me much because I am sure I will get to the goal within a year. Do it!

I was banded on 12/13 and so far have lost only 11 lbs. I have not had my first fill yet and can eat about 2 cups of food. I really can eat just about anything but breads, sweets, pasta, rice and beef! I have about 70 lbs more to lose before goal. Not sure if that is why I am losing so slowly. I am eating only 3 meals a day and no snacks. Not sure what else to do. I am also exercising 3 times a week. Any suggestions I will be more than happy to follow.

I was banded by Dr. Currie on 12/13. I feel great. No regrets. I have lost 10 lbs so far. I just wish I has done this sooner in my life!!! :clap2: Surgery 12/13/2007 Start Wgt. 211 lbs Current Wgt. 201 lbs Goal Wgt. 130 lbs

:whoo: No definite date yet but looks like sometime before December 17th! I will know for sure on Tuesday! I am so happy I can scream!

I just turned 44 last Sunday. Celebrated in Mexico the fact that tomorrow I have my consultation with Dr. Currie and maybe will have a surgery date in December if possible. Want to return to Mexico in 2008 and do all the things I couldn't do with my swollen feet this time around!!! LOL

Hello Everyone, I am almost finished with the pre op stuff and ready to get a date. I am self pay since my insurance has a WLS exclusion. Does anyone know if the insurance company will deny paying for the pre-op testing?? I am getting my surgery at Weight Loss Clinic in Harrisburg, PA. I could not see myself going to Mexico when I could get it done at home for 13K. If anyone has this experience please let me know. Thanks!

I am in the LV also. Check out the Weight Loss Clinic in Harrisburg. Alot cheaper than the prices here. Also, one year of aftercare is included in price.

That is great! 5 days off! Wow. I was planning on 2 weeks at the minimum. I work in a prison therefore food will be an issue. I cant take my own food to work so I have to stay out til I am done with the mushies. Good luck to you. Hope your aches go away by morning! LOL

Today I got a second appt with the Weight Loss Center and Natalie called me from Dr. K to set up my consultation for November 5. Now my decision will be up to just plain scheduling. I have received so much positive feedback about Dr. K I have no doubts now. I just want to get this done in December because I can take some personal leave and not have to take alot of no pay days at work!! How are you feeling? How did you feel flying back to PA since it is a long trip! Would it be advisable to take somebody with me? I am 43 years old and really am tired of being tired! I just have to do this now or after my kid leaves to college I probably won't be able to afford it! Thanks so much for your reply. It is greatly appreciated. I just love that we all have the strength left over to support each other thru this BIG decision!

Please let me know of your experience. I am also from Eastern Pennsylvania and considering Dr. K. How quickly did you get a date for surgery? Also, how difficult is the clinic to reach from the Denver airport?? That is one of my worries since I will be traveling alone...........Hope I can start the new year banded. I will be 44 in a month and don't want to be obese at 45!

Hello everyone. I am new to this board. Have a few questions. I went to first visit at the Weight Loss Clinic in Harrisburg. Sent all the paperwork in about a month ago and still do not have an appointment. To think I have 3 more before scheduling surgery! I really want to get this done. Anyone have any idea of what the wait is like?? I am also considering Dr. Kirshenbaum in Colorado because of the price. Would like to know if you know of any fill doctors who will do fills for someone who was banded out of state?? I live in Allentown. Any help is appreciated!! Hope I can say I am a bandster soon! I am self pay. ..........so price is also a consideration.