Looking for fill doctors in Western Canada...

gurlygirl · August 5, 2007

I will be banded next month by Dr Kirshenbaum in Aurora Colorado. I chose him for a number of reasons, which include but is not limited to his aftercare. I will definately be making some trips back there for some initial fills, but was wondering if anyone had any suggestions for fill Dr's in Western Canada that they have used.

I have researched a fill center down in Arlington, WA (northwestfills.com) which is only 1 1/2 hour drive away and has reasonable rates. So, if I need to get a fill or defill and don't have time to make the trip to Colorado, I will make the drive there.

I would love to hear what other BC and Alberta banders are doing for their fill needs if your surgeon is quite some distance away (ie. Ontario, United States or Mexico).

Thanks for all that reply to this post.

JLB · August 5, 2007

Hi Gurlygirl, my surgery was done in Ontario and I live in Calgary. Dr. Cobourn, my surgeon, has trained many doctors throughout Cda on how to do fills. I use Dr. Botha in Calgary (ph:252-7277). He charges $99 per fill.

Gaffer · August 6, 2007

Hi Gurlygirl, my surgery was done in Ontario and I live in Calgary. Dr. Cobourn, my surgeon, has trained many doctors throughout Cda on how to do fills. I use Dr. Botha in Calgary (ph:252-7277). He charges $99 per fill.

I use Dr. Botha as well, and I find him to be great.

You may want to call his office & see if her will do your fills. I know that he does not do fills for mexican patients. The primary reason has to do with the warranty of the port. If you surgeon will replace the port if something goes wrong then he may do it.

Kep us informed about how it goes with Dr. K. I know some people who are considering him as an option & I would like to hear about your experience.

Andrew

Doddie63 · August 7, 2007

Hi: I use Dr. Woodhead in Delta/Ladner, BC. He sometimes does fills for the TLBC if the patient is referred to him. Dr Yaul trained him. He charges $400 for the initial consult then $75.00/fill thereafter. He offers no aftercare. That is the responsibility of the banding doctor. I have a turned port and he had a great deal of difficulty doing the fill, now he tells patients he will do fills providing there are no complications. The only way you can find out if he will do the fills it to contact his office and fill in an application form. Doddie

Doddie63 · August 7, 2007

PS to my previous message. I think he does do emergency calls. I have never had to call him on an emergency basis so will ask him next trip. Doddie

gurlygirl · August 7, 2007

Thanks for the info everyone!

Doddie63 - How many times have you been to Dr. Woodhead? What was your overall experience like? Was he pleasant or treated you differently because you had your band put in by another surgeon? Just curious.

$400 seems steep for the initial consult. :faint:The northwestfills.com is only $150 initially and $125 every time after that. Some other banders on this forum said they were really good. I am kinda leaning that way myself.

Do you know if you can claim the fills on your income tax if they are done in Canada?

argon · August 7, 2007

I'm sure you can... I have been saving receipts and will be claiming mine for sure.

argon · August 7, 2007

I'm curious what reasons, besides the aftercare (I'd like to know what kind of aftercare he offers that's so great to a long-distance-er, like me), you had for choosing Dr. K? Also wondering how much he charges?

Devana · August 7, 2007

Thanks for the info everyone!
Doddie63 - How many times have you been to Dr. Woodhead? What was your overall experience like? Was he pleasant or treated you differently because you had your band put in by another surgeon? Just curious.

$400 seems steep for the initial consult. :faint:The northwestfills.com is only $150 initially and $125 every time after that. Some other banders on this forum said they were really good. I am kinda leaning that way myself.

Do you know if you can claim the fills on your income tax if they are done in Canada?

Gurlygirl, I was banded in Mexico and have been to see Dr. Woodhead several times. (I've been trying to get to my "sweet spot" and I think I finally have it) He has always been pleasant and helpful and I quite like him.

I had also investigated northwestfills but chose Dr Woodhead because I'm on the island and he's in Ladner which means I can take a 15 minute bus ride to his office from the ferry and don't have the expense of taking my car over.

I chafed a bit at the $400 consultation charge, but I had my band done so cheaply in Mexico that I thought I'd just accept it gracefully.

Good luck on your journey.

Devana · August 7, 2007

Also, I claim my fill fees, gas, ferry fee and anything I eat or drink on the way there and back.

gurlygirl · August 8, 2007

I'm curious what reasons, besides the aftercare (I'd like to know what kind of aftercare he offers that's so great to a long-distance-er, like me), you had for choosing Dr. K? Also wondering how much he charges?

Dr. K charges $9950.

Which includes:

surgical assistant
anesthesiologist
LAP-BAND placement
outpatient surgery at JACHO accredited Surgery Center
3 months of follow-up care and adjustments
pre-op and a post-op consultation with our nutritionist
indefinite participation in our lap band support group

Costs NOT covered in the fee are travel expenses, food costs, hotel fees and prescription fees.

After the 3 months the fills are $15.

He truly cares for his patients and wants to give them another alternative to Mexico, which is why his price is lower than most.

I had my phone consultation over the phone with him while I followed along with pictures on a pdf file to illustrate what he was explaining.

I just cannot say enough about him.

I guess everyone has their own reasons for choosing the Dr they do. We have to do what feels right.

Doddie63 · August 8, 2007

Hi: Yes I like Dr. Woodhead very much and yes his initial fee is steep, but when I took into consideration the costs of flying to TO or going south it seemed to be a good compromise. I can't go to the states as I can't get travel insurance because of my health issues. Also, he does banding himself and he does the fills for other doctors as a favor. I also took into consideration, that he would be my emergency contact doctor as he has BC hospital priveleges and would know about banding. Surprising how many ER rooms don't want to tackle the problem of a band. At leastthat is what I have read on the postings. Doddie