I had lapband in Covington, LA 11/17/04. Dr. Michael Thomas was my surgeon, he is in with Dr. Lavin. I have personal connections with them and can say they are a fine group of dr.s and the patient advocates are great. he does my fill for $40.00 - because he did my surgery. my only gripe is that i have not lost but about 45# and he is NOT aggressive with the fills. i need to lose about 40-50 more... my friend had her surgery 6 weeks after me with Dr. Bellanger in Baton Rouge and she has lost 75# and he is lots more aggressive with how many cc's he injects. all my fills have been 'blind' and i have not felt a thing either time...have had 4 fills total. only 1/2cc each time. he does use the lidocaine but i don't feel that at all. he is a very good dr. i am going back in a month or so and plan on asking him to give me a little more so my weight loss will be better. as for the drinking with meals, i have to sip on a little water as i eat. always have. i have a very small opening in my throat and get choked without a small sip. anesthesia/intubation is very very difficult for me. anyways, just thought i would let anyone know who was looking for a dr. in south LA that this group is awesome, as is Lakeview Regional Hospital - that is where i had the procedure. He kept me over night since i live 4 hours north of them.
thanks and good luck to all... does anyone out there know what Bellanger charges for a fill??
Laurie B
