Sparkette

Actually Downers Grove is not CLOSE to me either. It will be about a 3 1/2 hour drive for me. I'm in Iowa City, Iowa. Just happens to be the NEAREST one who will do fills for MX banded patients. There is one in Waterloo that will do fills, but the first visit is $700 or more. Then each visit after that is $405. Lynn, I find it strange that Inamed told you that. I think sometimes they get their own wires crossed. I spoke with Dr. Vitello, and he does lap band surgery, and uses the Inamed band. I also found him on Obesity Help, and there were a few on there who talked about getting fills, and siad he was GREAT. I guess I'll find out for sure this Friday. Talk to you all later! Donna

He is in Downers Grove, IL. Doing my fill next week. He charges 150 for a fill, and 125 if you get fluoro. Total of 275 with fluoro. He is the only one near me who will accept MX patients. Anybody heard of him? Thanks, Donna Sparks

Maziemommy- I just looked up Springfield. It would be 409 miles from me. Also, I called the clinic just to see how much it would cost, this is what they said... First consult: $284 The Fill: $250 With fluoro add: $108 So, if I went there it would cost $642 total. Thanks anyway. It's just expensive everywhere if you are self pay. It stinks, but that's life! LOL Donna

Maziemommy- I live in Iowa. I used to live in Tennessee. Farmington, MO is between the two, so when I go back to TN to visit, I pass through it. That is how I knew where it was. Generally, most doctors in the US will not do fills for patients who have had surgery in Mexico. Sad...but true! Most MX docs include free fills in their surgery package deal, so if I bought a round trip ticket to Tijuana, MX ($200 at the MOST) then it would be MUCH cheaper to fly back to MX for a fill. There is a doctor about 100 miles from me that has agreed to do my fills. However, my first consult/fill will cost $700. Each fill after that will be $405. So, add the cost of gas to drive there, and it's WAY MORE EXPENSIVE to get a fill in the US. The cheapest I have found here was $250, and that is 120 miles away...WITHOUT FLUORO. It's really exasperating. I'm thinking Springfield would be too far away from here.

How soon after surgery did you get your first fill? I know they say 6-8 weeks, but is 6 weeks too soon? I would like to get a fill at 6 weeks if possible. I can eat ANYTHING, and I don't want to gain weight! Also, has anyone used Dr. Vitello from Downers Grove, Illinois? I'm thinking about going to him. Thanks, Donna

Hi Lana, Do you know if Dr. Rosen does fills for patients who have had surgery in Mexico? Most surgeons around here won't. Thanks, Donna

Hello Maziemommy, Farmington is just outside St. Louis. Between St. Louis, and Cape Girardeau, if you know where that is. I live in Iowa, but I have family in TN. I would have never known where Farmington was, if it hadn't been for passing by, on the way home. I'm going to check the distance on Springfield. Could you send me some info about your doctor? sparks2n2@yahoo.com Thanks Donna

Hi Lynn, Good to see you again! $700 is RIDICULOUS isn't it??? Are you going back to MX everytime then, or have you found another doctor? If you have, PLEASE share!! I'm stuck...I'm SO ready to get a fill, but don't know WHERE to go! Let me know how you're doing! Donna

It's still there. I even spoke to them last week. They do fills with flouro, but you HAVE to pay an extra $295 for the hospital X-ray etc. It costs a FORTUNE to get a fill here in the US after going to MX! DANGIT! Donna

Check Dr. Woodman in Memphis, TN. He did my cousins lap band surgery, and he may be willing to do fills under your circumstances. Good Luck! Donna

Hi, I have heard of it, but haven't been there yet. I was wondering how good they are. Did you know about Dr. Glascock in Waterloo? I think I might go there. He's pretty pricey, but so is the fillcenter. Let me know if you try one of these, please! Donna

I don't believe what your ins agent said at ALL. Size of the company makes no difference. My cousin works for a VERY small company, about 30 employees. Her's was covered! My hubby works for a HUGE company Procter & Gamble, this plant alone has over 3,500 employees. That is not including the thousands of other P&G plants all over the world, who also have the exact same insurance plans. They have an exclusion, and it was NOT covered. I had to pay. Donna

Phew! I'm glad I'm not the ONLY one! I was sleeping on my tummy about 3-4 days post-op. I tried to avoid it if I could, because I was SO paranoid that I might tear something loose in there, if I slept on my side or stomach! LOL But most of the time I'd find myself on my belly, sometime in the night. :notagree I never had any pain in my tummy, even at the port site. I really wasn't even that sore. Hearing the rest of you talk about the pain makes me wonder if I actually got banded! :omg: LOL I guess it's just different for everybody, and I guess I was a lucky one! Donna

I had the same problem, it was no picnic! Especially on a 4 hour flight home! I used the GasX cinnamon like you did, but if it gets unbearable or returns, which it does sometimes, I found that an Alleve really helped A LOT. We camp a lot, we have a 5th wheel, but SOMEDAY, SOMEDAY we will be moving on down the road in a motorhome! LOL Can't wait! Oh, by the way, I was banded April 3rd too! Good Luck! Donna

Is it normal to feel a little tight in the chest after surgery? It's not bad, just like a dull little ache. It's not when I breathe or anything. I'm still on the clear liquid stage, so I "think" it's too soon to feel restriction. I did take my Wellbutrin SR tablet this morning, it is maybe 1/4 inch across. I'm just hoping I didn't get it stuck or something. Any ideas? Thanks, Donna

I'm not eating at all yet. Just clear liquids, but yes, I'm taking small sips. Donna

No, it's not painful. It's almost like a real dull heartburn sensation, but not really LIKE heartburn. Hard to describe I guess. I see we were banded on the same day!! Are you still on clear liquids? I'm sick of broth, and juice!! They told me I could add drinkable yogurt yesterday, and that was a "little" better. Still doesn't compare to REAL FOOD. LOL:hungry: Donna

Yep, that's where it hurts right at the breastbone area. I just felt SO GOOD yesterday, I was a little suprised by the tightness today. It's not bad or anything, it's just a constant reminder that it's there! LOL Thanks for the replies! Donna:)

Yeah, I showed the Dr. my Wellbutrin, and he said it would be OK. I do feel better now though. I just talked to my cousin who also had the surgery, and she said this is a normal feeling, caused by the swelling/healing process. I thought maybe that was it, but you never know! LOL I see you were banded on the 4th! How was it? Better or worse than expected? I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. We had a BLAST, and now I have 4 new band sisters. We walked the halls together during American Idol commercials, and the nurses gave us AWESOME back massages!! LOL Donna

I just got back from Tijuana. Had my surgery with Dr. Ortiz Tuesday. I cannot say ENOUGH good things about him, and his staff. The whole experience was AWESOME. It truly was like a vacation with a minor surgery thrown in, of course it is considered major, but you know what I mean! LOL The nurses were great, and Dr. Ortiz is one of the few who use the alternate inflatable thingy in your throat, rather than intubation. THerefore you have no throat pain after surgery. Generally no pain at ALL after surgery, unless it's gas pain. Which generally don't last very long. LOVED the hotel they put us in, and me and my husband both thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. I was VERY skeptical about going to MX, so I reasearched like a fiend! LOL If you'd like to know more, I'd be happy to give you all the details. You can e-mail me at sparks2n2@yahoo.com Good luck! Donna

Hey, I have a cousin that is an RN at Vanderbilt. She also has the lap band. She went to Dr. Woodman in Memphis to get her's done. I lived in TN all my life, until I moved to IA 4 months ago! Donna

I have insurance as well, but it just so happens to have a rider saying that they WILL NOT cover any type of obesity surgery. So, I had to explore other options. If you opt to fly back to Mexico to get your fills, you can. If not, the surgeon will generally give you a list of fill doctors in your area, that do fills for MX patients. It costs $110 for use of fluoro at Dr. Ortiz office. I can fly roundtrip for about $120. That means a fill would cost about $230 dollars. If you get a fill here in the U.S. after going to MX, it can cost as much as $1,000 for the first visit, and about $400 thereafter. I was going to go with a local fill doctor, but after reading Dr. Ortiz book, I think I'll fly back there. Mexico has the leading surgeons for lap band surgery, and they do their fills differently there, than in the US. Also, if you are really considering it, you can also check into www.fillcentersusa.com Donna Oh, and if you do go back to MX, your surgeon does the fill.

OMG, I'm so sorry that happened to you, but I swear I am trying to pick myself up off the floor laughing! That is the CRAZIEST thing I've ever heard! I bet you wanted to make that pharmacist chew up a few. I'd probably try the Centrum chewables after that episode. Hope the funk leaves you soon!:sick Donna

I know how you feel! I have two lovely daughters, ages 4 and 6 and I'm thinking, OMGosh, am I doing the right thing??? And yes, it worries me big time that I am CHOOSING to go under the knife. So I'm right there with ya! My surgery is next Tuesday, and I'm already feeling a little crazy. On the other hand I know this is the ONLY way I'll be able to lose weight, and I definitely want a better "quality of life" for me, and my daughters' sake. So, yes, I think it's a good decision! Hang in there! Donna

Mine cost 8,000 in Tijuana, MX. Haven't got there yet it will be next Tuesday, that includes the surgery, Inamed band, fills for life, transportation to the hospital from the airport, and back, 2 nights stay in a 5 star hotel, all pre-op evaluations, and one day and night in the hospital. Also, the surgeon is AWESOME, has been on Discovery Health Channel, and was the very first surgeon designated as a proctor surgeon, by Inamed. He has trained many US surgeons. He also wrote the book, "Lap Band for Life" and you can order it from Amazon.com. Can you tell I'm a little excited????? LOL:biggrin1: Donna Oh, and they do have SEVERAL financing options!:clap2: