I am curious how it is going for you and what fill level you are at.

My surgery isn't until 10/28/11 but from what I've read, I will NEVER get a fill, unfill, or anything else done without fluro. It seems so archaic and backwards that doctors will even attempt to do it without. They can't see what they're doing! It's a guessing game. It seems so wrong. It makes me angry that this even goes on - the health care system in this country has become so ridiculous, it's a freaking joke. I have a cousin from Italy who got the band. She had to pay like 300 Euro for the hospital stay, they kept her in for a week to make sure everything was okay, and she never had to pay anymore than that. She has now had the band for about 8 years and she's still doing great. That's about $500. Socialized medicine. I don't know about you guys, but if this stupid country doesn't improve and start taking care of it's people, I want OUT.

My family was planning a trip to Southern California anyway so I thought that since I'd never had it done under flouro, that I'd get a quick check. I'd had a few concerns with PBing and thought it was worth the time going across, which it was. I'd love to go back there for my next fill, but I'm in Idaho and that's not a whole lot better than Alberta! I've read good things about Dr. Muse in Salt Lake City and hope things will go well when I'm there in October. Thanks for asking!

Why did you end up going back for the test at all, what was wrong? What fill level did you finally get up to? I am now at a 10.3 in an 11cc band, has anyone else been near that? I agree with sticking with the Ortiz team they really are great, the problem just is the location (I live in Alberta) and yes crossing the border took forever, not three hours for us but a good hour anyway.

I don't know about getting a fluoro every time, it may be pretty pricey. The fills itself really aren't all that complicated. They take approximately 10 seconds (at least mine do). I go to a doctor here who does the surgery himself so knows what he is doing. But you just lie back on the bed with your stomach areched, he feels the port and injects your required amount - done. There have been a few times where I have questioned my total amount so what he does is inject the needle and can slowly withdraw the whole amount, read it and re-inject it. Don't be afraid of the fills.

My surgery isn't until 10/28/11 but from what I've read, I will NEVER get a fill, unfill, or anything else done without fluro. It seems so archaic and backwards that doctors will even attempt to do it without. They can't see what they're doing! It's a guessing game. It seems so wrong. It makes me angry that this even goes on - the health care system in this country has become so ridiculous, it's a freaking joke. I have a cousin from Italy who got the band. She had to pay like 300 Euro for the hospital stay, they kept her in for a week to make sure everything was okay, and she never had to pay anymore than that. She has now had the band for about 8 years and she's still doing great. That's about $500. Socialized medicine. I don't know about you guys, but if this stupid country doesn't improve and start taking care of it's people, I want OUT.

Although I do trust my doctor I would like to go back to Ortiz once too just to get an over-all check. The only reason is the amount of experience he has. I may do that this year. The doctors we all have always seem to be in such a hurry and it seemed so much more personable down south.

My family was planning a trip to Southern California anyway so I thought that since I'd never had it done under flouro, that I'd get a quick check. I'd had a few concerns with PBing and thought it was worth the time going across, which it was. I'd love to go back there for my next fill, but I'm in Idaho and that's not a whole lot better than Alberta! I've read good things about Dr. Muse in Salt Lake City and hope things will go well when I'm there in October. Thanks for asking!

I was banded at the OCC by Dr Ortiz on september 9th. That was the day after a huge power outage in s. Cali which also affected TJ. I was afraid they would postpone my appointment but it was business as usually at the OCC.

The Staff is great and my surgery was a breeze. I was in our hotel by 4 pm .

I am looking forward going back for my fill.