I'm in Kissimmee. I just had my band placed on 04/11/06. Anyone in the Central Florida area? I'd like to keep in touch and maybe meet a few people. I am doing well. 6 days out and I lost 12lbs. I am excited and wanted to touch base with other successful people.

Hi. I am also in the Altamonte Springs area. However, I went to Dr. de la Garza in Monterrey, Mexico for my surgery. I just found a name of a doctor yesterday who I am considering doing my fills with. He is in Altamonte on Palm Springs. His name is Dr. Beltre, phone # 407-830-6868. You can give them a call. I don't know anything about him except that he is listed as a band doctor on the Inamed website.

They also do it in Celebration, however, it is about twice as much as I paid in Mexico. Feel free to email me directly if you have any questions about the surgery or anything else. Good Luck.

Thanks Ginger! I will probably take you up on that offer to ask questions! I am really learning alot about the procedure. I will definitely look into the doctor you mentioned. I should be getting insurance in a few months so I may wait until then. Thanks again! Trisha

Hey there, I live in Sweetwater and I REALLY need a fill. Do you know if the guy on Palm Springs will do fills from patients he didn't operate on? Does he use floro? I went to Celebration and paid the initial consult fee after checking if Cigna would cover my sx. I met the criteria and my job was changing to them on July 1st. After they sent in my request they told me that Cigna did not have a problem with the coverage but the company I work for put a stipulation in that they would not cover gastric surgery..bye bye 250 bucks. I went to Ortiz for sx and had a great experience but NOW I have no restriction at all and have regained my initial weight. AAAAHHHH!!!! Please post and let me know what happened when you called! Thanks!

Hi Monk, I am not banded yet so I don't know if he does fills. I expect my new position to include Cigna insurance and I called them to see if they cover it. They said they do for my company. I won't be in that position for a few months so right now I am just gathering info. :girl_hug:

Monk...I was banded in Monterrey, Mexico. When I called Dr. Beltre's office, they were more than happy to do my fills, even though I did not have my surgery there. They do not, however, use Fluoroscopy. The price is right, $180.00 for initial consultation and fill and then $80.00 per fill thereafter. The doctor states that he has several years experience in the lap band fills. My first appointment is October 12th, and it will be my first fill. I was dreading going all the way to Celebration and paying $995.00 just for the priviledge of going there, so I am thrilled to find a doctor that is close to my home/work. Give them a call. Good luck

Hey Monk,

www.fillcentersusa.com and I had Sandy do my fill out of Tampa. She was unbelieveable. She didn't use Fluoroscopy but she hit every single patient waiting in the lobby before me. People were leaving the office extremely happy. She is amazing!

I am currently filled at 2.8cc's in a 5cc band and I am definately restricted. Water and soups go down, no food or mushies yet as I am not eating food. Maybe next week or by the weekend. Since the fill last Friday, I've lost 6lbs but I've been feeling rather weak. I need to try to drink more calories and get onto mushies. Tomorrow will mark the ending of the 72 hour hold on food. Tomorrow I will do mushies.

Hi Telly and Ginger, I called Dr. Beltre's office and have an appointment on tuesday of next week. She asked for my insurance card ID said to bring my insurance card with an ID. I'll let you all know how it goes. Thanks for all your help! Monk

I'm considering getting a band. I attended an information session at Unniversity Community in Tampa (Dr. Dietrick) Does anyone have any feedback?

I am scheduled for a seminar this Monday in Celebration. It is Florida Hospital.

Celebrating lapbandsters in Tampa, Florida. Please come out to see us.

http://www.band2gether.net/showthread.php?t=552

http://www.band2gether.net/showthread.php?p=6272#post6272

Monk...definately let me know how it goes, since your appointment is before mine.

Do any of you have problems following the eating plan after being banded? I am considering the band but I am afraid that I may continue to over eat. Is it possible?

WandaM---you still have choices too make....but I am ABSOLUTELY miserable if I overeat now!!!!!! Just NOT worth it!!!!! Remember the band is not magic....it's about choices!!!!!!!!!!! You quit asking yourself if your full....you ask yourself if your still hungry?!? Big DIFFERENT way to look at things!!!!!!!!! I LOVE food....so at least now I am portion-controlled with the band!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -87lbs

Melody,

Thanks for your reply. That's exactly what I was hoping to hear. My fear is that I will spend the 17k and it will still be just another failed attempt at weight loss. I don't think I CAN BEAR ANOTHER FAILURE! Your response was encouraging. Thanks.

Wanda

Wandam,

I had some of the same fears you did until I went to a seminar today. I have also been reading through this forum and found that it is impossible to over eat. It is not impossible to gain your weight back though. I went to Florida Hospital in Celebration FL and Dr. Kim did a presentation about the surgery. He was really informative and let people ask all the questions they wanted. He said that the band is not a magic cure. You still have to make food choices. He said it like this, "Its like always having a car without power steering and now you have power steering. You still have to drive the car but it is easier. You can choose to drive the car into a ditch or stay on the road". I thought that was a really good way to put it. Ultimately, we still have to eat right and excersise. But with the band, the weight will come off much easier. I really hope you can find a seminar near you. I think it is the best way to get answers directly from a surgeon. Good Luck! Trisha