Alli in StL

My copay is $45 for a fill. I once asked how much it would be if I didn't have insurance and I was told $150. I would call your insurance company to confirm. If you know which surgeon you'd like to do your surgery, you can always call their office and ask.

Wow. I feel like I must have missed something, although I'm sure I read all the responses, including my own, more than once. I really don't understand why you're so upset. Who, in this thread, is letting their weight loss go to their head? All I've seen is people trying to answer the question you asked. We can all tell you how much it costs US to get fills, but the only way for you to know how much it will cost YOU is to contact your potential doctor.

Sandy, your response to missy was uncalled. You asked and she answered.
Fill prices range from $100 to $1000, with lots of factors influencing the price. If you fear you will have a difficult time paying for the maintenance of the band then I recommend reconsidering it. Too many patients have complications because they can't afford to go to the doctor.
Just my 2 cents.

Wow. I feel like I must have missed something, although I'm sure I read all the responses, including my own, more than once. I really don't understand why you're so upset. Who, in this thread, is letting their weight loss go to their head? All I've seen is people trying to answer the question you asked. We can all tell you how much it costs US to get fills, but the only way for you to know how much it will cost YOU is to contact your potential doctor.

Who told you what not to post? You posted, I answered your question honestly. Nothing more.
Just because you don't like the response doesn't make it untrue.

It's a great feeling, isn't it? I've had so much fun, just shopping in my closet. Congrats on the loss!

i get mine at CVS pharmacy (its the cvs brand) my dr okayed it and that is good enough for me

Hello to all my bandster friends....
Wanted to share my 71lb weight loss before and after pics with you. This is just the tip of the ice, still lots more weight to come off but I am sooo ready to have it all gone!
I have hit a weight loss plateau, but I know this is temporary and I will continue to figure out how to 'jumpstart' the loss again.
Your Bandster Friend,

I went as soon as i felt comfortable laying on my stomach! I am @ 6 weeks post now and let me tell you it was amazing! I felt like a new women!

Personally, I would find a different doctor. With the amount of money I put into medical care, I refuse to see someone that I don't feel completely comfortable with. Having a doctor that purposefully hinders medical treatment is ridiculous.

My guess would be that your body is simply healing. The swelling is going down, so there is not as much pressure when you take a deep breath. If it's a big concern for you, call your dr.

It can be very encouraging to read everyone's stories about their surgeries and loss. What we all need to remember though is everybody is different. Some are ready to go back to work in just a few days; others take longer. Some lose quickly right out of surgery; some don't. I think the first few weeks after surgery were the hardest. We've just gone through this life-changing surgery and we want instant gratification! You will lose. Focus on healing, follow your doctor's plan, and the weight will go.

As you lose weight, the fat around the stomach also goes down. This can result in not feeling as much restriction as in the past.

I'm good! I got a fill the day before yesterday and I can sure tell a difference. I'm sure I'll loosen up some more as the swelling goes down, but I'm thinking that I might FINALLY be in my green zone.

Well, I got my fill this morning. I forgot to ask how much he put in, though. As always, my dr was fantastic. He was happy that I'd lost 4 pounds since my last appointment with everything I had going on. He reminded me (again) that slow isn't always bad. As long as I stay the course, I'll get there in the end.

The microwave isn't a bandster's friend.... Everything I try to heat up in the microwave dries out and I cannot eat it. Well except soup........Hope you are feeling better.

The replies are really good and spot on. There is one other thing I'd like you to consider and that is your want for your moms approval. See, no one can make you feel anything so if she triggers a reaction out of you then you need to do the work to change the reaction.
I have a very similar relationship with my mother. In our family dynamic I was the one that everyone dumped on. I was the one that was always asked to do all the favors even if others were in a position to do so and I wasn't. I feared disapproval and could not say no. One time when I was in a physically abusive relationship I called my mom in tears after getting beat up, and said that I didn't understand how anyone could be so cruel. Her reply, I kid you not was " Men like thin wives. You should lose some weight" .
It wasn't until I went to counseling that I realized that I needed to change. I needed to be the one who taught people how to treat me. I did not, nor will I, tell my mom that I had surgery. It is my business and I know she could not handle knowing because of who she is.
Believe me I know that it is a work in progress but setting the boundaries and changing the rules of interaction is so much healthier especially now since you are on a new journey JUST FOR YOU. you can have a talk with your mom, show her all the information in the world but the trash is on her side of the street and you can't reach far enough over to clean it up. She'll have to do that herself. In the meantime, set yourself up for success!
Bug hug to you!

Dr. Darin Minkin recently paired up with SSM HealthCare in St. Louis and is performing surgeries at St. Clare and DePaul hospitals for Exclusive Choice Insurance. He works for Des Peres Hospital mainly and does the majority of his surgeries at that hospital. He has a wonderful bedside manner and is very experienced with lap band. He also performs the other surgeries too. He has 2 other surgeons in his office. Office staff is very informative and helpful.
For new patients he charges $75.00 to join the practice. For people who have been previously banded from another surgeon the charge is $300.00 both only a one time fee. I can tell you that I grilled him pretty good with 2 pages of questions during the seminar and he was extremely patient and answered every question. He does do fills under fluoroscopy but is based on the patient and what is going on at the time. Even during my office consult visit, he was patient and answered all of my questions that I had prepared to ask. I am so glad that he accepts Exclusive Choice. St. Clare is also now starting to do the Bariatric surgeries there, which is a brand new hospital.
Here is a link to his website.
http://www.stllapband.com/