jmckinstry

Hi Mississippi Girl. Sorry to hear about the issues finding an aftercare doctor. I promise that this is not an advertisement, but if you cannot find an after care doctor that will take you after being banded in Mexico, you might want to look at Dr. Kirshenbaum at www.lapbandrockies.com. He is in Denver and he is awesome. He did my surgery on 10/22/08. He is a US doctor that is trying to give patients an alternative to going to Mexico to have the surgery (not that there is anything wrong with that). The total cost for the surgery was $9850. And I believe that US doctors are more likely to take you on as a patient with a US doctor. I checked and the doctor's office just wanted to see his notes from my surgery and they would have taken me on as a patient. Like I said this is not an ad from Dr. K, but you might want to look at him and see if it might work. Email me back if you want some more info. on my surgery. Jeff

That is strange - I thought that was where mine would be. Turns out it is right in the middle of my chest between my bellybutton and breast bone. Actually, I would prefer mine to be there. After my first fill last Saturday it would have been much better to see the needle down there than sticking out from the middle if my chest :--) I guess that it is all up to the doctor.

I am going to FillCenter USA tomorrow for my first fill. Here is what they told me in the confirmation email that they sent: Per Fill Centers fasting guidelines, please fast on liquids 8 hours prior to your adjustment and have nothing by mouth 4 hours prior to your adjustment. Hope this helps and good luck! Jeff

I am going to be banded in October by Dr. Kirshenbaum (lapbandrockies.com). The total cost (less the airfare) is $9950. He is trying to give people an alternative to having it done in Mexico - not that there is anything wrong with that. I have had my phone consultation with him and he sounds awesome. He said that he will give all his patients his cell number and to call any time. You might want to check out the thread "considering Dr. Kirshenbaum in the Doctors forum. There is alot of good information about him there. Good luck!

Congratulations! I am going to get my band October 22. My doctor is Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver. Good luck and I hope that the insurance comes through for you!

mamary5, I too am from Georgia and am set to have the band on October 22. I am self-paying and am going to Dr. Kirshenbaum in Denver. Can I ask you why you chose South Carolina? I would really like to stay as local as possible, but I chose Dr. K for his reputation and price. When I saw that you were going from GA to SC, I thought you might be self-pay also and the cost for your Dr. in SC was pretty reasonable. Thanks, Jeff

Well, after a bunch of research and negotitation with my wife, I called Natalie and set up my consultation with Dr. K and also a surgery date. Boy did that make it real! I was not expecting a surgery date before the consultation. My consultation is on 8/5 and my surgery is scheduled for 10/22. I had to wait that long because my wife is a teacher and they get their Fall break during that week. Like I said, I have done (and am still doing)research but I know that I need to ask Dr. K some questions (mainly for peace of mind and to get more comfortable with him) - my problem is that I am having a hard time thinking of some. I have always been bad at that during a job interview when they ask " . . . so do you have any questions for us.". This is much more important so I really need to prepare for this. Here is what I have come up with so far: -- How does he determine the size of the band? -- Does he put in a mini-fill during the sugery? -- What happens if I have a complication after I get home (I live in Atlanta)? Can I ask what questions you all asked him and if there are some that you wished you had asked? Thank you for your help! Jeff

Christine, I too am from Georgia and am planning to get banded by Dr. Kirshenbaum. I have been worried about being able to find a fill doctor here. If/when you do find one, could you update this thread with their name or email me at j_mckinstry@hotmail.com? I would really appreciate it.