I filled out an application at http://www.fillcentersusa.com/ they told me I was high risk, even though on their online assessment I scored a 2 - low risk. Go figure?!?! They said I would have to be seen by one of their surgeons, the closest being about 1000 miles from my house. I felt like this center was suppose to be helpful for people to find support near their area? It made me feel hopeless, especially since the website tries to relay the idea that most doctors will not see you if you got a band in a foreign country.

Finally, I called all the bariatric centers in my area (St. Louis), and there were several that welcomed me (with decent rates too!) I have an appt on wed.

I just wanted to let others out there know, you can probably find help close to home.

What on earth makes them decide you are high risk? And what does it mean for you if they decide that?

I've been waiting for 2 years for them to open a center near me that has been "around the corner" or "coming soon" each time I asked them in all this time. *sigh*

I don't get that or even believe the Mexican patients thing. I live in Kentucky of all places. If there wasn't a Doctor near by believe you me if would be here. LOL I've called 3 and all 3 will see Mexican patients and I just looked up baiatric surgeons on the internet. I didn't use the fill center thing at all. Just call around. Like I said none of them gave me any trouble. I think you would have better luck just calling than using that site. It did the same to me when I first started looking.

What on earth makes them decide you are high risk? And what does it mean for you if they decide that?

I've been waiting for 2 years for them to open a center near me that has been "around the corner" or "coming soon" each time I asked them in all this time. *sigh*

I have no idea, there is a questionaire you fill out and when I log into their site it says I am low risk under the assessment, when they callled me they told me I was high risk. I asked them how they figured I was high risk and they couldn't tell me, but added that looking at my records, they couldn't understand why I was high risk either. If you are high risk, you have to meet with one of their surgeons, if you are low risk, you can just go to the center. Like I previously posted, meeting one of their surgeons required a 1000 mile trip.

Personally, I thought it was just a way to make more money off of me. And it is not practical. If I wanted to travel 1,000 miles, I would just go back to Mexico and get my fill done for free!

I now know that I CAN get a fill somewhere else, even though they try to convey this message that you won't get any support if you got your surgery in Mexico. Also, their prices are higher than the price I will be getting from a bariatric center in my own town, which does fluoro...unlike fill centers usa.

Like MySjerriJo said, call around, seach the net, etc. I felt like they were my only opportunity besides going back to Mexico. Believe me, a doctor/hospital near you will be more than happy to take your money :cool:

Another option, go to lapband.com and request a list of local Inamed approved sureons in your area. I did and I was surprised to get a huge list, some that were in the phone book as general surgeons. When I called they said they did bariatric surgery but also did gallbladders and such so they are listed as general surgeons. I kept my list and have shared it with several people here and irl. They you have a list of names, numbers and locations to call off of. ~Mandy