daisychain22

Unfortunately, it all had to be paid at once. Well, almost at once. Half was due at the office visit before surgery and the other half the morning of surgery, if I remember correctly.

Thats good to know thanks so much.

Welcome, Daisy! Glad you are here--I live in Utah county, too (at least for a few more days--we are moving to Midway soon).

There is a whole discussion topic on here about fills--you will get lots of info there. Basically, the band is not inflated when it is put on. Depending on the doctor, you can start having fills around six weeks. It has taken me a while to get restriction (6 fills) but finally seem to have a bit since Tuesday. It's sometimes difficult to find the right fill level--not too tight where you can't eat anything but tight enough that you have help controlling your hunger and food intake. If you are banded in Mexico you will need to go back for fills or find a place where you can get fills. I have no idea how much fills are in Utah or where you can get them.

I went to Dr. Hansen in Sandy and was very happy. I self payed and it cost around $13,000, which includes fills for a year plus seminars and consultations. I'm glad I haven't had to pay for a fill every time I've gone!

As far as weight loss--it really depends on a lot of things. I haven't lost a lot but I am older and started with a lower BMI. Others who were banded when I was in March have lost lots more--maybe 60-70 lbs! And some without fills yet. People do lose weight slower with the lapband than with other WLS but it is safer surgery and reversible. Check this out for a great comparison of surgeries: Weight-Loss Surgeries Compared

I don't know about pregnancy but some people on here have had lapband babies by being unfilled during their pregnancy. I'm sure there are threads on here about that.

Hope this answers some of your questions--there is a plethora of info on this site so take a few days and explore. Let me know if I can help in any way. Good luck!

Thanks so much for answering my questions it did help me out. I will do what you said and take a couple of days to explore the site. OH and another question do you have to have 13,000 upfront if you are paying outta pocket?? or is there a payment plan??

Hi there I am new here and I have ALOT of questions. My name is Dawn and I am a parttime student and stay at home mom to 3 little ones, I have been married for8 yrs and we live in utah county.

Ok so I think this is the WLS I have decided on but I am really confused with the fills I'm not quite sure I understand that. Also who are good doc's to go to here in utah and how much does it cost?? I have looked into a doctor in Monterey mexico and he does it for $10,900 I believe it is and the gastric is $14,900, It will probably be a while before I can get it done due to the whole money issue but I want to be well informed when the time comes that I can do it. SO I have ALOT to loose I am in the 300's not the lower end of them so do you think that the weight will come off fast at first and then slow up or does it start out slow and get faster or is it pretty balanced all the way? I hope this makes sense I am trying to type this with a wiggly baby all over me. OH also how long after you have it do you have to wait to get pregnant?? :help: