hi,

I am getting my band on 4/27/06 in Mexico. Is there anyone else on this site from Arizona. What have your experiences been where do you go for fills etc.. thanks, tina

HiTina, Another AZ bandster here!!

Welcome to LBT!

I had my surgery done in Flagstaff in Nov. 04. I usually get my fills from my surgeon in Flag or in Snowflake by Wendy Hall. She also travels to The valley once a month to do fills there. She does a very good job and always finds my port with no trouble at all. She is also a bandster and has lost over 100lbs.

Good luck and again Welcome to LBT!!!

Another AZ bandster here. Banded 9/06 by Dr. Blackstone in Scottsdale. Welcome and good luck!

Hi Tina!

Welcome to the AZ Bandsters club!!! I am from Gilbert & was banded 7/15/05 in Mexico by Dr. Ortiz. What doctor are you using? I get my fills from Wendy Hall who lives in Snowflake but comes into town every 3rd Monday of the month. I would definately go back to your doctor for the first fill & then decide what you want to do after that.

Your surgery isn't very far away!!!! Good luck!!

hi guys,

thanks for responding. I am very apprehensive but optimistic.. I am just thinking what if it doesn't work for me? what if it does and then it erodes? What if i can't control my eating (that's the big one). I am sure this is all typical. I am 39 live in gilbert and weigh 225 (in my mind I am 150). I am glad to know there are others close by who have been through this. thanks and good luck on your continued journey. ps. any regrets??

It is so nice to have the support of such a great group. Can you tell me how you are managing getting in enough Protein everyday. Seems like it will be difficult on a liquid diet for the first few weeks after the band is in place.

Robin

2 weeks pre-op:hungry:

232 lbs. 5'4"

240 BMI

Yep, Arizona here too. I live in Surprise (NW valley of PHX). I am moving in 2 months to Show Low though. Gets me closer to Terri though and we can party it up!! I am going to expect her to keep me sane with the new "country" digs. I use Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana for my fills. Its a nice little mini vacation and costs about the same as getting one here.

I don't know how tall you are, but I was also 225 when I had my surgery. My stats are listed below.

i am in chandler and was banded by dr kieran in scottsdale. nothing but great things to say about the doctors there. welcome

Just wondering how you have been feeling since you have gotten banded? I will be attending a first timer's seminar this Sunday for Scottsdale Bariatric - Dr. Blackstone's office.

I was planning to go to Mexico last month...but found out I might be eligible for insurance coverage...so here I go again.:faint:

Are you still on liquids or mushies now? :hungry:

Cross your fingers for me...thanks.

Robin

i loved dr blackstones office. both my husband and i were banded three weeks apart. dr blackstone did his and dr kieran did mine. they are very thorough and very knowledgeable. they are also one of the top bariatric centers in the us. i dont think you will be disappointed. im no longer on mushies. i am eating basically anything i want. ive lost 32lbs and my hubby has lost 55 since we started our band adventure in january. i was banded in march and he was banded in april. their office is great as far as working with insurance also. good luck to you!

I am thinking of getting lap band surgery and my insurance does cover it, so nothing but smooth sailing, all I need to do is find a great doctor and start the process. Any other suggestions so I can do my research? I am 267 lbs....can't wait to start my newer healthy life!

Christy, I'm not sure where in AZ you are but I had my surgery done in Flagstaff with a Wonderful surgeon. Dr. Robert Berger. But if you Are in the Valley then I heard that Dr. Terry Simpson is really good.

Good luck and Welcome to LBT.

Hi Christy,

Yes, I have heard that Dr. Simpson is very good. Check with his office before you attend his seminar to see if he works with your ins. He chooses not to work with every company out there. My best friend was banded last Nov. and has lost about 80 lbs. so far.

Dr. Blackstone is also good. Their center is one of the highest rated in the country for all types of GBS and they have a seminar in Scottsdale 2 times per month.

Check out obesityhelp.com. They have a listing of ALL the doctors in our state, what types of surgery they perform, testimonials, locations etc.

Good luck to you and God bless.

Robin

Hey I see you are moving to show low there is about 10-15 of us that have bands in the Taylor- Snowflake area that is 15 miles north of showlow and we are starting a support group that meets everymonth soon,. INtersted? Anyone else from the whitemountain area??

How much do you love your doctor?? I was banded in Mexico but I tried to get banded by doctor Berger with insurance and I wish I would have paid for it anyway,,But di you trust everything he says,, Is there any dr that you think is better?? wondering I think he is great but I have only talked with and seen him 3-4 times?..!

I think dr Berger in flagstaff is the best I have heard of I have seen him post op.. But I have friends who reccomend him, and they run a business that help people get the surgery, and find good dr's!