Beware of Fill Center USA Albuquerque

SullivanFarm · March 30, 2009

I just wanted to share my experience with Fill Center USA with all of you.

They just acquired a new provider in Albuquerque, New Mexico. (Southwest Endocrinology). They called me and notified me that there would be a training day and if I were to get a fill done on that day I would get a reduced cost for the fill. I did not make an appointment for the training day because I paid for my band out of pocket and did not want to risk damage to the band by being used for training. But then about a month or so after this training day I called and made an appointment for fill… thinking they had done a few by then and it would be good. They set up everything for me and when I arrived for my appointment, after a 3 hour drive and almost a 1 hour wait to see the doctor, I was notified that they were doing training that day. They had never said anything about it up until this point. They had already charged me full price for my appointment instead of the reduced training price.

Now they have refused to refund any of my money even though they did their training on me (and others) and they are now refusing to cancel my membership with them because they say it is a “lifetime” membership.

For what its worth, I just thought I should share with anyone considering using Fill Center USA for fills and if you were another of the patients in Albuquerque on Saturday March 28th I wanted to let you know that I had made a complaint about what we were charged.

(The doctor himself was very nice and personable so if anyone in Albuquerque needs a fill doctor I would call him directly instead of the Fill Center…and it would probably be cheaper too!)

MissBS · March 31, 2009

Hi. I'm from Albuquerque. Thanks for the warning. I called one here in town - El Camino Imaging Center - and they want $473.00 for a fill. After I came to, I told them no thanks. I got my surgery done in Houston Texas, and it is cheaper for me to fly down there and take a cab to and from the surgery center than it would be for me to get it done there. Where are you from?? Good luck to you. Becky

SullivanFarm · March 31, 2009

It's really amazing what places think they can charge for a fill...especially when they want us to be the lab ratts! LOL It sounds like the imaging place would use Floroscoping to do the fill. That is probably why they charge that much...that would take a lot of the guess work out of where they are sticking you.

I live up by Farmington. It's nice to meet another New Mexican bander...keep in touch I would love to hear how you are doing with your band.

Want2bFatFree · April 22, 2009

Hi Everyone,

I live in Rio Rancho and I was wondering how you got the ball rolling on the process of being banded since there are no Lap-Band surgeons in NM?

Tracy

MissBS · April 22, 2009

Hi Tracy and welcome! How nice to see a neighbor on here!!! I may not be help to you on this question, but I hope that we can keep in touch and maybe even meet. When I decided to get the band, I also decided that I was going to pay for it. I have issues with insurance companies, I didn't want to wait forever, and I'm not good at hoop jumping. I just picked a place (it ended up to be Houston Texas - a place called True Results... who knows why). I have had to fly down there for my initial consultation, my surgery, and my fills. I got a pretty good deal and it included 2 years of follow up visits and fills. My doctor is Ken Hollis and I LOVE him and his staff. I know some people from here go to El Paso, some to Denver, some to Phoenix, and some go to Mexico. I think there might also be someone who does them in Pueblo CO. If you are going through insurance, I'm not sure what all the steps are, but I bet someone on here will help you. I love my band and I am soooo happy that I got it!! I had my surgery on September 19th, 2008 and I've lost 70 pounds since I began this journey on August 20th, 08. I feel so good. Good luck to you. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you. Take care. Becky

SullivanFarm · April 28, 2009

Tracy I sent you a PM. Hi again Becky! I hope all is going well with you!

josette68 · May 27, 2009

So where do people go for a fill in New Mexico. I live in Socorro which is 70 miles south of Albuquerque. I drive to Greeley Colorado to see my doctor which is 9 hours away to get a fill. It would be really nice to have someone locally.

thanks,

josette

Vinca · June 8, 2009

Hi, do you know the name of the Dr? My sis is about to get the band in El Paso and they do the fills in Albuquerque thats where she is, she told me there are no places to get banded there.