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.

LOVE Dr. Kim's analogy....GREAT!!!! VERY good way to put it!!! I am living with Power steering now!!! LOVE IT!!!

God Bless,

Melody

banded 3/20/06 -88lbs

:clap2: Went for my first fill today with Dr. Wiljon Beltre on Palm Springs Rd. Altamonte Springs. VERY nice experience. Full check up before, lots of questions by him and had 2cc's. The cost was $180.00 for the office visit and fill. Any fill after this will be $80.00. No fluro but he does the procedure himself and he also performs lapband surgery in his practice. I can't tell you what a relief it is to have had it done after NO restriction and back to exactly my pre-sx weight.He had no attitude about my having my surgery in Mexico. Highly recommended:scared:

I live just west of orlando and I saw your thread. I am looking into having a lap band placed but not sure where I should start. I will be attending a seminar offered by Dr. Kim who is located in Celebration but I have a feeling he will be very expensive. I am only looking to spend no more than 10K. Who does your fills. Do you have any important information I should know before entering into this procedure.

Help! I am reading that many of you have been banded in Mexico. Who do you recommend??????? Do you know who is the least expensive in the central florida area????

Hi there, I used Dr. Ortiz in Mexico and it was terrific. Everything included for 8500.00. Go to his website and check him out or just look at the other posts on this forum. I asked Dr.Beltre and he gets $5000, but that does not include the hospital charges that run close to $12,000!!! If you are self-pay and have to worry about cost, you can't go wrong going to Mexico to the Obesity Control Center. I had my consult in Celebration Florida at the bariatric center, but I found out my job (not Cigna) denies any gastric surgery.Out the 250.00 consult fee! Hope this helps, Monk

Monk...I am so glad to hear you had a good experience with Dr. Beltre. I will be seeing him for the first time too on 10/12, so it's good to know what to expect. Thanks for letting me know how it went. Did he hit the port the 1st time?

Hi there Ginger, He hit it just right the first time! I had water and it was fine and I left. Good restriction today and I just had a MUCH smaller meal than I've been having, had to stop eating and it feels good! Let me know how it goes! Monk

Hi there Central florida Bandsters! Orlando Here!

I called Beltres's office and the receptionist was kind of rude or she was extremely busy and didnt seem to want to answer my question. I told her I was going to be banded in mexico and I just wanted to make sure the doctor would except me at his office and she said they dont, but then I told her I read about the doctor on this sight and then she said that they do! Kudos to this sight:) ! Band Power! It was strange..... So I just somehow got this funny feeling about it. Anyway just thought I should share wth you guys since Ive been freeloading off this sight doing research for a month.:heh:

I have a few questions that maybe you can help me with. Im going to be banded on the 10th of October in Mex., going alone, dont know what I should be doing now?? Ive read I should set up with a doctor BEFORE I leave for Mex. What does that mean exactly? and In your opinion should I start following a special diet pre surgery? I have not been instructed to do so but........................? Also any tips, small or big on going it alone to Mexico so I can be prepared. Im getting excited and nervous.:speechles

I spoke to Dr. Beltre's office and they were very nice and answered all of my questions but are too expensive to have them place a lap band. Once again, I am asking if anyone knows of any surgeons in this area or even out of state but not too far away, who perform lap band at a reasonable price. I am a registered nurse and the thought of going out of the country (especially mexico) for an invasive procedure really scares me. Also, is there any way to get around the requirement of you BMI having to be >40 to qualify. I am self pay so its not like I am trying to qualify for insurance purposes. My bmi is 36.6 but steadily rising as this is the trend for the last 12 years. I am over failed diets and tired of being fat! I really want this done but can not afford the prices I have been quoted in this area. Thanks

bumpy bumpy bump..........where did the central floridians go?:clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2::faint: :heh: :D :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :clap2: :cry :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree wake up:notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree :notagree

I had my first fill with Dr. Beltre's office in Altamonte Springs yesterday. They are very nice there, but extremely busy. Dr. Beltre is awesome!! It did take him 4 tries to hit my port, but it was not painful, so all is good.

One thing I must warn you about is that they raised their prices. Originally, I was quoted $180.00 for the first visit/consultation/fill, then $80.00 per fill after that. When I went to my appointment yesterday, they told me they realized that they were under charging based on other doctors in the area, so now the price is $500.00 for the intial visit/fill and then $100.00 for each fill thereafter.

But, it is still cheaper and way less time consuming than going back to Mexico.

www.fillcentersusa.com charges 299 for initial eval and fill and 155 for each fill thereafter.

Telly did you make goal???? I haven't heard.....although I do recall reading you had some recent MAJOR reconstruction!!!!

I am ALIVE and WELL!!! Feeling pretty good and pleased with my success.... wishing it would fall off faster of course! I have been in a rut in losing but have not gained!! I think I"ve only been at this "plateau" the last 2 weeks...so not long!! But I sure do like losing each week!!

I started a new job and LOVE it....back in pediatrics!! Kids are so much more fun than big people!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -89lbs

Hi MelodyJ, it's good to hear that you are alive and well. I've been out and about, working hard and working out hard, trying to prepare to leave town, which I did about a week ago. Yes I'm home now and I just had surgery. I am still very swollen but I did manage to jump on the scales.

146lbs and counting. 16lbs to go..I can't wait!

Congrats on the new job!:clap2:

Loving my new job.....it is SO MUCH nicer and more relaxed!! And I work less hours and get paid the same! WONDERFUL!!

Keep going Telly....you are so close to the "prize"!!!! YOU CAN DO IT!!! You look great already!!!

I am back to exercising..got in a slump with the evening FL rains as an excuse then house hunting! Been a wild ride!! We are back in contract and we shall see if this one goes through....think it will and can't imagine why it wouldn't ....but this is our 5th contract on as many houses!! :confused: But this one seems like it may happen!!

God Bless,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -89lbs :plane: