So CAL Bandsters

[AudricIan 0]

It's not a typical AFB, it is actually an AF Station. The housins is down in San Pedro(19 mi) and the actual base/commissary is up in El Segundo. Not sure where we will be living. I didn't know that there was such a thing as fill centers. Thanks for the tip.

When did you have your surgery? I am slated for Jan 25th. We are at Wright Patterson AFB right now, so I'm getting it done there. Tricare doesn't cover fills as of right now, unless you get it done where you had your surgery. But the surgeon said that the Lapband rep told him the other daya that Tricare picked them up, so in the near future, the fills will be covered! If you were active, you should still be grandfathered in, check it out! Could save you some dough! We move at the end of March, so I should be able to get my first two or three fills in before we go.

Have a great week!

amy

Well, since I mentioned fillcenters, I have read mostly bad things about them. Since most facilities do not have fluoro, they do blind fills and if they miss or cannot find your port, they still charge 300.00 for trying:eek:. I was banded on 12/6/07. I don't think the VA will pay for fills and I would not go to a VA facility to have it done anyway. I worked on f-15's so I was only at "big" bases with fighter squadron's. An AF station is way different then what you are used to. If you haven't heard yet, housing is VERY expensive in So Cal. A decent two bedroom apartment will run about 1500 a month in LA. If you can live on base I would try, at least get on the waiting list. Your housing allowance probably will not cover rent and bills out here. It sounds like you are a dependant, what does your hubby do? If you have never been to this area, be prepared for culture shock. I am originally from a small town in IL. I was previously stationed in Germany, Idaho and a short time in Missisippi. So Cal is a different world.

I am not sure if you could go to TJ to get your fills, it is worth looking into. Dr. Ortiz's clinic does them for 100 with fluoro and his clinic is way nicer than other doctor's offices in the states. If you are interested, i can give you info. His office is about 1 mile over the border and very easy to get to.

I hipe your surgery goes well, keep us posted.

[captain danbo 0]

I was banded June 28th 2007 by Dr. Krahn in Rancho but he does most his work in riverside or san bernardino. I am doing well just having a hard time staying away from the sweet stuff. All in all my whole way of life has changed for the better. I feel better, look better, more confident, off all meds and just over all doing great. Glad to see other people form CA on here.

[glynda 0]

I was banded June 28th 2007 by Dr. Krahn in Rancho but he does most his work in riverside or san bernardino. I am doing well just having a hard time staying away from the sweet stuff. All in all my whole way of life has changed for the better. I feel better, look better, more confident, off all meds and just over all doing great. Glad to see other people form CA on here.

IF you do not mind me asking, was your surgery self pay or was it throgh your insurance. If self pay, how much did he charge. I have a date in February to go to Mexico, but my husband is still uncertain about the whole surgery.

GLynda

[glynda 0]

Hello Everyone,

I am in the Inland Empire, anyone out this way?

Glynda

[workinonit 0]

Hi:

I am new to site. I live in Indio, CA and awaiting insurance approval. I have found the site to be really informational as well as inspirational!

[IndioGirl55 32]

Hi:

I am new to site. I live in Indio, CA and awaiting insurance approval. I have found the site to be really informational as well as inspirational!

FINALLY... I live in INDIO !!! Are you going to doc bobby???

We have a girl from PS - Kity who is an April bander who I have met. Welcome !!! Glad to see someone else from our area here - i always felt so alone in this thread...

[christasha 0]

Hello So. Cali People,

I am new to this site (1 mo) and have not had surgery. I am scheduled for February and nervous. Is there a support group for Cali people that meet together? I found groups in other states and was wondering if a group had formed here.

What part of the state are you looking for a support group in? It's kind of a big state

[destined2befree 0]

HI there, I live in Yorba Linda, which is in northeast OC. I was just banded on monday and I feel great. There is a support group at st. joseph's hospital in orange, ca on the 1st and 3rd tuesdays of the month---I would love to meet with others in OC or nearby just to see what works what doesnt and to share challenges/truimphs.

you can pm me if you are interested. thanx

[captain danbo 0]

I had my insurance pay for mine. When I was not sure if UHC would pay for it so I was asking how much so I could find another way to get the money they told me it would be 15-18 grand for everything. Now I know what they charged the UHC and it was a lot more than what it would have been if I was cash pay.

Surgeon $8,900

PA $1,600

Anesthesia $1,260

Hospital $59,685

It’s no wonder our premiums are so high.

[glynda 0]

What part of the state are you looking for a support group in? It's kind of a big state

I live in Southern California, Corona.

[captain danbo 0]

Gly: I live in the I.E. I live in cherry valley but spend most my time is Redlands. Were do you live?

[glynda 0]

Gly: I live in the I.E. I live in cherry valley but spend most my time is Redlands. Were do you live?

HEY CAPTAIN,

I LIVE IN CORONA....IS THERE CURRENTLY A SUPPORT GROUP OUT OUR WAY? I HAVE NOT BEEN BANDED 2/8/08, BUT I LOVE THE SUPPORT FROM THIS WEBSITE AND LOCAL SUPPORT WOULD ALSO BE GREAT.

[Guest Band4EJ]

Yeah! A SoCal group. I'd have come back to lapbandtalk sooner, had I known!

I live in Joshua Tree (close to the gal in Johnson Valley and to INDIO GIRL), work in Rialto and spend a lot of time at my parents' house in San Bernardino (where I grew up).

I self-payed because my BMI wasn't heavy enough for Kaiser AND I had to get the surgery immediately or risk losing my job and MY MIND! I am very close to goal weight. I only needed one fill which I had 6 weeks after surgery (2/7/07). I hated driving to San Diego and walking over the border and fussing about coming back over. So...I scheduled an unfill in February at FillCenters. I figure I should be at goal by then and I want to see how I do with no Fluid in the band. I'll post on here afterward to let everybody know what I think of the FillCenter in Cardiff.

I definitely need a support group. I love my band but sometimes it is frustrating and it would be nice to have somebody to talk to or even some workout buddies. I have been thinking about joining one of the gyms in Redlands or San Bernardino.

[IndioGirl55 32]

Yeah! A SoCal group. I'd have come back to lapbandtalk sooner, had I known!

I live in Joshua Tree (close to the gal in Johnson Valley and to INDIO GIRL), work in Rialto and spend a lot of time at my parents' house in San Bernardino (where I grew up).

I self-payed because my BMI wasn't heavy enough for Kaiser AND I had to get the surgery immediately or risk losing my job and MY MIND! I am very close to goal weight. I only needed one fill which I had 6 weeks after surgery (2/7/07). I hated driving to San Diego and walking over the border and fussing about coming back over. So...I scheduled an unfill in February at FillCenters. I figure I should be at goal by then and I want to see how I do with no Fluid in the band. I'll post on here afterward to let everybody know what I think of the FillCenter in Cardiff.

I definitely need a support group. I love my band but sometimes it is frustrating and it would be nice to have somebody to talk to or even some workout buddies. I have been thinking about joining one of the gyms in Redlands or San Bernardino.

Congrats on your weight loss - this is the best place for support - in fact it's been my only support since being banded - but my Doc is starting a LAP BAND only group in Feburary...

Hope you can find a gym close to home that way no excuses... I like going all by myself - cuz when your gym buddy flakes on you then you don't go - when you do it by yourself - you just go - you don't have to wait on anyone.. It's what works for me.

What kind of work do u do that you would have lost your job from being over weight???

[Guest Band4EJ]

Hi Indio Girl!

I'm a firefighter. My department never threatened to get rid of me, but at my heaviest weight I couldn't properly do my job and I honestly didn't think I was going to stop gaining. I think eventually they would have put me on light duty and required me to get some help. One of the guys at work mentioned some news story he had seen about the lap band and that got me started on the path. Thankfully!