Liteweight

When your selfpay like we are Dr. K does not require pre-op testing if your a healthy patient. If your health history or medications would warrant for testing then he will have you do it. The more tests the higher the cost, of course he won't jepordize anyone either by not testing if they need it. :thumbdown:

When Dr. K was having trouble with my port he said he could schedule a fill under fluoro but it's about $90.00. He would have done it over at some radiology place across the street from his office. Sometime I think fills under fluoro is not a bad idea.

Are you sure your talking about Dr. Kirshenbaum? My friend had her band done in Mexico and Dr. Kirshenbaum does her adjustments too. She has never had any problems with him or his office. He does NOT refuse to do fills under fluoro it's just that he doesn't do them on a routine basis and there is an additional charge. If your having a problem with your band and you were banded in Mexico he won't treat you. It's called "LIABILITY". He didn't perform the original surgery so he won't take you on as a problem either. Dr. Kirshenbaum wants patients to succeed no matter where they had their surgery so I'm not sure he truly said "you get what you deserve". That doesn't sound like the Dr. Kirshenbaum we have all grown to love. When I was in the office I met a father / daughter team who were banded in Mexico and she told me that Dr. K even asked his nutritionist to speak with her father because he was having problems. Not sure what happened with your visit. He may not be the right doctor for you, I wish you all the best in finding someone who fits your personality and your needs.

You could not be further from home base. Dr. Kirshenbaum's price is no reflection of the kind of care you will receive in his office. The reason he refers patients to Dr. Snyder is because Dr. Kirshenbaum does not work with insurance nor does he do gastric bypass. Dr. Kirshenbaum is the top guy in town for doing Lap-Bands. He negotiated a cash price so patients like me who's insurance won't cover the surgery could afford to have the surgery done. Many patients who go to Mexico to have surgery come to Dr. Kirshenbaum for their fills. He decided that he wanted patients to stay in their own country for surgery so he negotiated the cash price. He does any testing he feels is necessary but does nothing that is unecessary and jack the price higher. He would never jepordize a patient due to lack of testing. If you want someone who offers all the bells & whistles with a $15,000 cash price go for it. Myself I would rather have the top doc with more experience and a lesser fee. We are all entitled to our own opinions and this is mine. Whomever you choose to do your surgery with the best of luck to everyone. The only thing that counts is the end result. Getting Healthier!!:party:

First of all let me educate you a little. Dr. Kirshenbaum and Dr. Brown do not work at the same facilities. Dr. Kirshenbaum works primarily at Crown Point Surgery Center & Dry Creek Surgery Center. Dr. Brown only works at Rose Hospital. Also, Dr. Brown has not done 1,000 lap-bands, the last check with Inamed/Allergan he had not even done 100. His fills ARE NOT free for six months, when I checked they were $50.00. If you want to look at a comparison got to Dr. Kirshenbaum's website Lap Band Surgery in Denver Colorado | Lap Band Surgeon in Denver | Gastric Band Surgery Denver | Bariatric Surgery When you calculate the cost of fills and the lack of experience Dr. Brown doesn't come close to Dr. Kirshenbaum. You can also read feed back on this site at "considering Dr. Kirshenbaum from his patient's.

I called Dr. Kirshenbaum's Office today to make a fill appointment. Marilyn told me about the BBQ and she said Dr. Kirshenbaum is going to do fills all day on Friday August 1st. He's doing it so if any out of towner's coming to the BBQ want a fill he will be available. (You rock Dr. Kirshenbaum)!:frown::thumbup::biggrin:

:confused2: I'm not sure exactly what you mean by "Your husband thought it was so funny a bunch of lapbanded people trying to enjoy a BBQ". There are plenty of healthy dishes people can have for BBQ's. Just because were banded doesn't make us freaks or any different from anyone else. Besides not everything has to be about the food. It's about networking with other patients and sharing ideas. Sorry that your husband thought it was funny but I thought it was a great gesture on Dr. Kirshenbaum's behalf to want to put this together for us and I am very grateful.:biggrin:

Tied thanks for posting about the BBQ that Dr. K is doing in August it will be so nice to meet all of you. I look forward to it.

I bought some spanx online and paid $41.00 for them. They work great to help hide some of the loose skin. I also bought some at JC Penney for $18.00 that work fine as well. I'm going to try the ones from Walmart or Target. Thanks for the tidbit.

Congratulations John...way to go!! That is a great pic of you and Dr. K. Keep up the great work!!

Tied - Can I ask if you guys ever meet anywhere else besides the RR?:sad: When I think of the RR I think of all you can eat french fries!!! I was just wondering if you ever met in different areas, someday I may be in the are and join you all. You sound like a great group.:scared2:

Bookholder is correct....Dr. Kirshenbaum will do your fills for $200.00 for the first and then $150.00 after that. He does ask you to bring a copy of your operative report with you so he can read about your surgery and where the port was placed. Welcome back to Colorado!!!:scared2:

Green - so sorry for the mix up with your appointment but it sounds to me like the issue at hand was that you came in for a fill and you got one. I know that when I have been in Dr. K's office before it is just crazy :frown:. Mix ups are bound to happen but it seems to be twice as bad when they happen to us. Bottom line you got your fill and your doing great . Keep up the hard work and best of luck with your new fill doctor. Keep us posted on your progress.

I was told by Dr. K that it has a few drops in it. You will have some restriction after surgery because you are swollen. Once the swelling goes down you may feel hungry again until you get your first fill which is usually at 4 weeks. Some patients may not need a fill at 4 weeks because the band is still tight. I hope that answers your question.

Reminder to send your cards to Dr. Kirshenbaum no later than March 13th

The band comes with very little saline in it. He does not add any saline until your 4 week appointment. Hope that helps:biggrin2:

Hey Ladies, I was in Dr. K's office today having a fill with Tom and Marilyn was saying that Dr. K's 65th Birthday is March 16th. She said the office is having a card shower for him. She would like everyone who is/was or is going to be one of his patients to send a card to the office. She thought if would be nice to write how Dr. K and the lap-band has changed your life. They are going to make a scrap book for him of all the cards. She said send the cards no later than March 13th to: Gerald Kirshenbaum, MD 1421 S Potomac #200 Aurora, CO 80012 :thumbup:

No fill wow that's great sounds like you are doing awesome. You will be the "Star" patient for Dr. K's office. Whatever your motivation is I wish you would pass some along to me. I'm down 50lbs since my surgery so I guess I'm doing fairly well. Keep up the great work I'm rooting for you!:biggrin: I wish I lived closer to meet some of you.

Dee, I also saw an episode on Oprah with her personal trainer where she says to use the three bite rule. If there is something you really are craving take three bites and be done with it. Get it out of your system. Good luck on your first fill today! Would love to know how it goes. :biggrin:

Dr. Gerald Kirshenbaum in Aurora Colorado is the cheapest and best surgeon in the nation. His price is $9,950.00 it is his all inclusive price. He has a great reputation. Visit him at Lap Band Surgery in Denver Colorado | Lap Band Surgeon in Denver | Gastric Band Surgery Denver | Bariatric Surgery . His Bariatric Coordinator is also a Lap-Band patient.

Tied - I had the same kind of knot after surgery. I was told it is part of the healing process just some scar tissue. It should go down by your six weeks post-op. It sounds like your doing quite well. Keep up the good work!:thumbup:

I found out at my post-op appointment. You will get a card and a booklet when you go. If you are out-of-state they will mail it to you.

Dr. Kirshenbaum does it in Colorado for $9,950.00. That includes everything but travel expenses. Check him out at Lap Band Surgery in Denver Colorado | Lap Band Surgeon in Denver | Gastric Band Surgery Denver | Bariatric Surgery .:biggrin:

First of all don't be so hard on yourself. It is hard to tell after the first fill if it's a good one or not with water. It sometimes can take 1-3 fills before you get it just right. I also wanted to let you know I had a fill with Tom the PA in Dr. K's office and he was great. He is very gentle and takes his time. I called to set up another appointment and they are booked 3-4 weeks out is what the office told me. Dr. Kirshenbaum is on vacation or something all of next week so his appointments are backing up. My advice to you is stay with Dr. Kirshenbaum for your fills if you can. Hang in there.

L.A. I think this is a great idea to post on the Obesity Help Website, thanks for the link. I too would have not found Dr. K if it had not been for lapbandtalk website. Some of you who have great stories to share should post your stories there.