Lap band in Mexico and fills in Arizona

need to lose · October 21, 2007

I considering getting the lap band in Mexico from Dr. Aceves but was wondering if anyone knew of a Dr in Phoenix that would do my fills here?

WASaBubbleButt · October 23, 2007

There are a few. Debarros and Orris from Tempe will but you have to join their entire program, the nutritionist, psych, the works. It's about $1K when all is done and over.

There is a nurse practitioner but I wouldn't go to her. She's a sweetheart and has a huge heart of gold and she's in Mesa monthly but the thing is, she doesn't use sterile technique. There are other issues but the sterile technique is enough.

There is Dr. Berger in Flagstaff, he does fills for $100 and it's under fluoro.

I quit looking when I decided to go back to Mexicali and have my own doc do them. So there may be more, I honestly don't know.

WASaBubbleButt · October 24, 2007

Fill Centers USA just opened a new location in Phoenix by Desert Ridge Marketplace.
Fill Centers USA - Weight Loss Surgery - Bariatric Surgery - Gastric Bypass Surgery - Lap Band Surgery Information and Support

Never ever go directly through FillCentersUSA. Always call the provider directly. Most of them will only charge you $100 vs. the $300 that FillCentersUSA charges. If you go through FCUSA they charge the full fee and the provider has no choice but to charge you that. They get $100 per fill, period. If you contact the provider without going through FCUSA they are more likely to just charge the $100.

Need to lose... if you do go to Aceves you can always go with us for our group fills. We have fun, you are always welcome to join us. It's a lot cheaper that way too. Most of all your surgeons do your fills and they do them under fluoro. It's better and cheaper.

WASaBubbleButt · October 24, 2007

Smatyas...

Whoops... do you work for FCUSA? If so, just ignore that above post.

smatyas · October 24, 2007

No Problem...

Your misinformed on the pricing structure, among other things but it's ok with me for you to post whatever you wish.

WASaBubbleButt · October 25, 2007

No Problem...
Your misinformed on the pricing structure, among other things but it's ok with me for you to post whatever you wish.

Isn't it around $300 for the first fill and $150 for each fill after that? According to the FCUSA person I previously went to she said they are paid $100 per fill regardless if it is the first or 30th fill for that person.

Anyway, I really didn't see your post when I wrote that. I do apologize, I had no idea there were even employees of FCUSA posting.

Someday I'll read ahead before posting.

smatyas · October 25, 2007

Isn't it around $300 for the first fill and $150 for each fill after that? According to the FCUSA person I previously went to she said they are paid $100 per fill regardless if it is the first or 30th fill for that person.
Anyway, I really didn't see your post when I wrote that. I do apologize, I had no idea there were even employees of FCUSA posting.

Someday I'll read ahead before posting. :eek:

Like I said before, no big deal.

Titslereaux · November 29, 2007

from "How the LapBand Really Works" thread: That is why the ALLERGAN protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill.

When you get banded in Mexico it's not a 1-time thing. Make sure you have tons of emergency money saved up for fills & aftercare. You may get overfilled & have to rush back there, or your band might slip or erode, or you might get an infection, or, or, or...

WASaBubbleButt · November 29, 2007

from "How the LapBand Really Works" thread: That is why the ALLERGAN protocol states that fills should not be performed on patients who will not have access to medical care for at least two weeks after a fill.
When you get banded in Mexico it's not a 1-time thing. Make sure you have tons of emergency money saved up for fills & aftercare. You may get overfilled & have to rush back there, or your band might slip or erode, or you might get an infection, or, or, or...

The OP is talking about Dr. Aceves. It's about 3 hours away from those of us in Phoenix.

For emergencies Phoenix has a gazillion emergency rooms.

I go back to Mexicali for everything, fills, aftercare, the works. Just like some folks in the US drive three hours to their doc, so do we. Tons of money? A fill is $75. Slips, erosion, etc. happen in the US too such as when someone lives three hours away from their US doc. Slips and erosion happen to non insured folks and folks that have a WLS exclusion on their policy. Kirshenbaum bands people and he is across the country for many. I'll bet you don't think that one counts though, right?

Always have a plan, yes. But it's workable, completely. If someone doesn't want thin and healthy enough to drive a little in some cases, they need to find a doc next door to them. If there is no doc next door or if they can't afford US costs, are you suggesting they shouldn't be banded?

karenjoy · November 29, 2007

The OP is talking about Dr. Aceves. It's about 3 hours away from those of us in Phoenix.
For emergencies Phoenix has a gazillion emergency rooms.

I go back to Mexicali for everything, fills, aftercare, the works. Just like some folks in the US drive three hours to their doc, so do we. Tons of money? A fill is $75. Slips, erosion, etc. happen in the US too such as when someone lives three hours away from their US doc. Slips and erosion happen to non insured folks and folks that have a WLS exclusion on their policy. Kirshenbaum bands people and he is across the country for many. I'll bet you don't think that one counts though, right?

Always have a plan, yes. But it's workable, completely. If someone doesn't want thin and healthy enough to drive a little in some cases, they need to find a doc next door to them. If there is no doc next door or if they can't afford US costs, are you suggesting they shouldn't be banded?

I would be so happy to find a doctor close who does not charge you a arm and a leg to get a fill. I was banded in tijuna and it was great!! I was banded march 2007 . could you please give me more info. on your Mexico trips. So glad to talk to you!

WASaBubbleButt · November 29, 2007

I would be so happy to find a doctor close who does not charge you a arm and a leg to get a fill. I was banded in tijuna and it was great!! I was banded march 2007 . could you please give me more info. on your Mexico trips. So glad to talk to you!

We go back to Mexico to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. He does fill people he didn't band so you are more than welcome to come with us.

It does get kind of expensive for those he did not fill, it's $175 with fluoro, they only do it under fluoro.

For his patients he doesn't charge anything but the hospital charges $75. For non patients it's $175.

We usually go as a group, you are more than welcome to join us if you wish. Just PM me your info. I know that there are two people making plans right now. Not sure if they have a date set yet or not, but if you contact me I'll send you their info and you can set it up with them if you are in need of a fill now. I think they are trying to go in the next week or two, not sure.

If you don't need a fill that soon I am happy to put you on our list and each time someone wants to go we email the list and see if anyone else needs one so they can join if they wish.

snowbird · November 30, 2007

karenjoy,

My husband and I live outside of Surprise and we were banded by Dr Ortiz in Tijuana. We drive over to Tijuana for our fills, so you can also check with us if you are needing a fill to see if we are headed that way.

Actually we are in San Diego right now and were both filled yesterday, so if you are looking for a fill in the near future, you can scratch us. For future fills, however, drop me a PM.

Liz1531 · January 26, 2009

Isn't it around $300 for the first fill and $150 for each fill after that? According to the FCUSA person I previously went to she said they are paid $100 per fill regardless if it is the first or 30th fill for that person.
Anyway, I really didn't see your post when I wrote that. I do apologize, I had no idea there were even employees of FCUSA posting.

Someday I'll read ahead before posting. :w00t:

Bubble,

You ARE misinformed. The price is actually $349 for the 1st appointment/fill and $165 for each add'l fill! You were being too kind in your pricing. I'm still going there though, because I'm OVER spending hours calling every doctor under the sun and trying to get my insurance to pay for aftercare. Screw it, I'm taking my tax refund and signing over to Fill Centers...lol :blush:

WASaBubbleButt · January 31, 2009

Bubble,
You ARE misinformed. The price is actually $349 for the 1st appointment/fill and $165 for each add'l fill! You were being too kind in your pricing. I'm still going there though, because I'm OVER spending hours calling every doctor under the sun and trying to get my insurance to pay for aftercare. Screw it, I'm taking my tax refund and signing over to Fill Centers...lol :thumbup:

No, my info wasn't wrong. That post was written over 2 years ago and at the time I wrote it, it was correct. They have had one price increase since that time.

RandyH · March 10, 2009

I considering getting the lap band in Mexico from Dr. Aceves but was wondering if anyone knew of a Dr in Phoenix that would do my fills here?

I am a nurse practitioner who works for a bariatric surgeon and have made myself available for fill or adjustments in the privacy of your home. Please feel free to contact me at azfnprn@hotmail.com for any questions or concerns.

Randy Hamilton RN,MSN,FNP-C