Hey People,

I'm moving back to the Florida area soon and I wanna see some bansters!! Where are all you guys from the sunshine state???

Celeste,

Thanks but I have not heard anything positive about Fill center USA.

Amelia

mrclaf.....

I finally got banded on 09/12/07, by Dr. Dietrick at UCH. He was wonderful. I'm having some adjustment issues as far as drinking the fluids and adjusting to the new diet, but overall I am so glad I had it done.

Do you attend the support sessions at the clinic?

How is everything with Dr. Dietrick? I went to a seminar with him last year... I thought he seemed good, but I am still in the researching phase!

P.S. I am in Polk County too... Auburndale. I moved here 4 years ago from Pennsylvania, and it's alright!

Good luck on getting BC/BC FL to pay for anything. My husband works for them, and they stopped paying for bariatric surgerys 3 or 4 years ago.. period.

I am curious if they pay for fills...

Paula

Edd ~ Good luck on your surgery. I am moving to FL next week and start a new job on 9/4. My Lap Band surgeon here in IL gave me Dr Grossbard name as the Dr to go to when I come to FL for my Follow-up/fills. I will be in the Sarasota area but may have to travel to the Tampa area to see him.

Good Luck on you Surgery on 9/4.

Dr Gary Bunch has offices in Sarasota and Bradenton, he's terrific!

Hey, how have I managed to miss this thread for so long? I could swear I looked for a Florida thread months ago! Oh well, glad I found you guys. My name's Eddie and I'm in St Johns (halfway between Jax and St Augustine). I was banded on 5/16/07 and am down 36 pounds so far. I haven't read every single post on here - is there anyone else from N FL?

Hi Eddie! I'm St. Johns County too! Near the corner of US 1 and 210. Nice to meet you!

I am completely satisfied with fill centers usa. I also go to the one in St. Pete and she is GREAT! I have had port complications all along the way and had horrible fill experiences with my other doctor. She is professional, quick and the office staff is friendly.

How is everything with Dr. Dietrick? I went to a seminar with him last year... I thought he seemed good, but I am still in the researching phase!

P.S. I am in Polk County too... Auburndale. I moved here 4 years ago from Pennsylvania, and it's alright!

I live in Winter Haven so we are really close!

Hi everyone.. I am from Tampa, Fl.. I am going to be having my banding surgery in OCT with Dr John Dietrick from the UCH weightloss center.. He is an amazing DR if anyone needs a good one give him a call 813 971 6000.. I am looking forward to my new and challenging journey and am excited to meet and talk with fellow banders :ohmy: ...... :crying:

I did try fill center usa a couple of years ago and they sent me to Tampa. The people where really nice, BUT........ she could not get the needle in. She went through 4 needles and even bend 1. I was sore for a week after, and really pissed OFF. So I reverted back to what I have always done.......... wait. I waited till I went back to NY and when I got the fill. I was in & out in 20 min's. That was as I said a couple of years ago and I need another fill as I have had leg problems and can't do much in the way of working out. So I am stuck at 304 to 318 lbs.

I have had the band for 6 years and have lost 345 lbs. I clocked in at 645 !!!! They could have floated me down 5th ave in the Thanksgiving day Parade. I am really happy with the weight loss, but I would like to get the Pann-neck-na-me (sorry, have no idea how to spell it) but would like to get some think closer to a goal weight. I can eat too much and I know it. SO.......... that's my story, I have been in Florida (Citrus County - About 80 miles north of Tampa) for 6 years and I need someone to check out the band and do the fills, but I have tryed so many doctors. Then when Fill Center usa did not work, I lost all hope. Now I got an invite to check out this thread and I have read you guys have had good things to say about other places to get my fill and my band checked out, instead of going back up to NY. I will check it out again, I don't care about travel, I would love to find someone good down here.

Thanks, Butch

Butch,

I am just starting the steps to banding.. CONGRATS on an amazing weight loss.. I work at University Community Hospital in Tampa and am seeing our weight loss doctor there. His name is Dr. John Dietrick. Just call 813 971 6000 ask for the weight loss surgery center .. See if they have information they can provide you. He is an amazing doctor and his staff is very friendly. I am sure they would be able to help you out in one way or another. Maybe even suggest a doctor closer to you if you are unsure about driving to Tampa..

Good LUCK !!

west palm beach

Thanks for the info. and good luck on you journey with the band. If you follow the plan in the begining you will have no problems. I am very happy with the band, the only bitch I have is getting fills here in Florida, I have some horror stories. Most of the Dr's I talk to here will not do fills on people they did not do the banding on. BUT....... I will call and see what this guy says. I have been at this weight for way too long and have lost no more weight for over a year. I do really count on the band to control my eating, without I would be up shits creek without a paddle.

Thanks again for the info, and if any one else has someone to do fills I would really be thankful for that info as well.

Butch

Butch... I was just curious if you had a chance to call Dr Dietrick and see if he could do your fills??? Hope all is well. Just check on your status. Take care..

ME