Freaking out over fills!

momoffour · October 13, 2004

Hi everyone. I am going to get my Lap band on Nov 6th with Obesity good bye. I am not scared or nervous about the procedure, infact I can't sleep I am so excited about it. I am however so so worried about getting fills. I am in Tampa Fl and have been checking all around and can't find any dr to do the fills if they are needed. I am paying for this band with my own money and can't afford to keep going to mexico! HELP

burnsun · October 13, 2004

for me to return to my mexican doctor for a fill (than get it here in STL Missouri area) It costs me about $150 price line ticket (I did find one in sept through aa for $208), $75 hotel per night, $100 floro and $110 for transportation (I had the driver pick me up - but I brought my baby and she has a car seat- and it made DH feel safer than Taxi's & bus). They want $400 for fill + the hospitals cost for flouro- $ 100 - $300 depending on amount of time on table

I also scheduled it with our band friend and my MIL to share cost of transportation and hotel. We had another fun weekend in TJ. I did bring my own Protein shakes for after and loved the Soup at the hotel

Total here:

$500 to $800

and Dr. Here is conservative

starts everyone at 1 cc and goes up .1 cc a fill

So I expected that it would take a whole lot of fills on me- this scared me on spending up to $800 every month like I see some people going back till they hit their sweet spot.

Total in MX

$493 (using Max numbers & there transportation)

There approach is to try to get that sweet spot quicker

I got 2.6 cc to start out at first fill.

I have been loosing 2-2.5 lbs a week since the 18th and today broke into the 230's.

I did go and see the Dr. here in MO- for two reasons- One in case ther is an emergency, and two- in case I needed him later and he quit taking Mx patients, I was already an established patient. But it was just for a check up. He is trying to start a same day surgery clinic here so out of pocket costs will be less for us self payers, but it will take a whole lot of time. He was a wonderful guy and has a terriffic office staff.

I just feel more comfortable with the followup of the guys who did the surgery.

Penni60 · October 13, 2004

A couple of questions:

Who is doing your surgery?

Where are you getting it done?

Are you getting a LAPBAND or MIDBAND? It makes a difference when looking for a fill doc. Some docs won't take Mexico patients and then the ones that do take them won't take Midband patients.

Contact Inamed if you are getting a LAPBAND and they can help locate some docs in your surrounding area that do this procedure. www.inamed.com

As far as Midband I can't give you specifics on that.

You should set up aftercare before the surgery anyway in case of emergencies.

I asked my surgeon that placed my band for a list of docs that take his patients. Be careful though some people have been given a list and the docs they contacted would not take them after all. SO do the research before getting banded.

Good luck and hope this helps.

New Hope · October 13, 2004

Please get your aftercare lined up BEFORE you get your band! You're making a big investment in a very worthwhile project - YOU! You have to be able to get follow-up care! Best of luck to you!

Lisa2403 · October 14, 2004

There is Dr Kim in the Orlando area that will fil Mexican pts. I live in Jacksonville and Dr Shariat here will also do fills and f/u. These may be options for you if you can't get back to Mx.

The price ends up about the same for me, but time is aslo important, and I like having someone local in case of emergency.

Good Luck!

Lisa

momoffour · October 14, 2004

thanks so so much lisa. i am starting to get so worried because Dr ponce de leon is doing my surgery on the 5th of Nov and I just spoke to Dr Grossbard in Zephyrhills and his nurse was like "no way.. i would never recommend him" and that they wouldn't do his fills and no one else would either.