Jacksonville, Florida

[LoisinStA 1]

Hello Jax Bandster,

I have been away for a while - or at least away from this forum. Good news is that in that time period I hit my goal. Bad news is that my type 2 diabetes hasn't been helped by my weight loss YET! Anyone out there in Jax who is diabetic and gotten to goal and is in the same boat I'm in? I am now on liquid metformin which is much easier for me to take since my band is a little tight right now so hopefully with my taking it more regularly I will start to see a difference.

If I recall there are a bunch of us in or near Mandarin. I work in Mandarin on Old st. Aug road and phillips hwy in the Woody's shopping center. If anyone wants to get together to share, count me in.

[jvflorida 0]

I am in Jacksonville and just starting the process. In fact, waiting on my referral to see Dr. Webb.

[fluffycat 1]

Wow,

We all have a lot in common. I live in Jax and I was banded by Dr. Zapata too. I am due for my 2nd fill next weekend. I go to Fill Centers in Moultrie, GA which is a 7 hour round trip. I haven't been working with my band so my results have not been impressive but I am so glad I took this journey.

I have a friend with diabetes who is overweight and lives in Jax. She has been contemplating the band longer than I have. Let me know how your process is going because she wants to do this locally.

Sandy

[jvflorida 0]

I am still waiting for my referral to Dr. Webb but hoping to get it within the week. I have Tricare insurance and they are less than easy to deal with! I'm nervous about the whole process but determined to keep moving forward. Glad to see so many here from Jax.

[crazy4jags 0]

Hello All,

I'm sorry :smile2: that I haven't posted in a while but things have been rather hairy at work. In a nutshell, had my appointment today with Dr. Cywes (tomorrow is my one-year 'bandiversary') and cannot get over the 100# lost mark...got to 98 lbs. Dr. C says he's fine with where I am (I'm on the low side of the weight goal range he gave me) but I'd still like to hit the mark and get to this plateau.

Kelly and Kerrie - I know we were going to get together and would still like to meet up if you still want to. Let me know what would work for you.

Let me know how everyone else is doing.

Sue

[LoisinStA 1]

I get my fills in Altamonte Springs, which is just outside of Orlando. I live in St. Aug and it takes me 1 1/2 hours to get there. The doctor is fabulous..I have sent 3 others to him and they love him. His name is Dr. Beltre. If you need his number or more information, let me know.

[fluffycat 1]

How much does he charge?

[JOHNST027 0]

hey guys,i was banded 4/08 and i've had about 5 or 6 fills , i had a fill the other day and i totally feel no restriction. i usually feel pretty tight at first but this time isn't the same.Dr B usually gives me my fills but the nurse p did this time .she pulled out Fluid ,so i know she got my port and she gave me 1/2 cc. but i felt more restriction before i had my fill than now.so i/m wondering should i call or wait a few days and watch it?

[Jagator88 1]

I just came from the seminar at St. Vincent's (Dr. Chappano & Dr. Herrera). I question how much cheaper it is if you have the surgery done at a day surgery center vs the hospital. The total cost here is $17,500 with $10,000 going to the hospital, $5,300 to the doctors and $1,200 for anesthesia. They also charge a $500 processing fee. Do other doctors charge this? My insurance covers the surgery but I may have a slight qualification issue. I'd like to have the surgery done this year as I have already met my deductible. I wonder if the processes prior to surgery are different between doctors?

[Chris61 0]

Every doctors office is differant in what they require as preop. Also some office charge a fee to put together all the information and submit it to the insurance company. I would check with your insurance to see what you will need to submit for approval. I have a letter that I used with United Health Care and was approved in less than 30 days. From the time we meet the doctor went through all his requirements and submited it for approval and then banded was about 60 days. So I doubt that you would get it for this year unless you hav allready done a lot of the test and have the paper work ready to go in and the doctors office pushes it through. Plus insurance companies can take up to 30 days to give approval or not. If not then you have to appeal. I can forward you a copy of the letter that my wife and I used to get approval. It took me almost 3-4 months before meeting the doctor to get all the medical information together and in a letter from my own doctor. My wife had a letter from here doctor but UHC would not use it and we had to go to her OBGYN and use the same letter and got her approved that way. If you want to do it by the end of the year you will have to work real hard with everyone on it.

Chris

[JustCallMeKelly 0]

Would still love to meet up sometime, just pm me for my number and we can coordinate. KKG

Hello All,

I'm sorry :cursing: that I haven't posted in a while but things have been rather hairy at work. In a nutshell, had my appointment today with Dr. Cywes (tomorrow is my one-year 'bandiversary') and cannot get over the 100# lost mark...got to 98 lbs. Dr. C says he's fine with where I am (I'm on the low side of the weight goal range he gave me) but I'd still like to hit the mark and get to this plateau.

Kelly and Kerrie - I know we were going to get together and would still like to meet up if you still want to. Let me know what would work for you.

Let me know how everyone else is doing.

Sue

[msalamehjax 0]

Got it done much cheaper in mexico, dr huacuz was very clean, in and out in 2 days, let me know if you want more info. The only prob is finding fills close to jax.

[msalamehjax 0]

The sandwich company on emerson has Breakfast and lunch items that are easily digestable for lapbanders.

[lisa1976 0]

I have been reading the jax posts for over a month, and I joined the site yesterday. I'm going to my info meeting on 12/11 and I'm wondering is the jax folks have their own social group? Also if there is anyone out there who is hypothyroid I would love to hear from you.

[msalamehjax 0]

my sis in law is hypothyroid, adrienne, and i know if no social groups for those who got surgery in mexico