Since I am self-pay, I also pay for a 'program' which includes support meetings (in Anniston-3 hours from here), and 6 doctor visits.. for fill or other.

Since this is quite a ways from here, and we have lap-band surgeons in my city.. I was wondering, after I do my 6 visits with my surgeon for fills, how hard is it to swap to someone else to do fills? I'd rather have them done locally, and before doing the surgery get aquainted with a doctor in town for any emergencies. I'm also doing local support groups instead of the ones I had to pay for in the 'program'.

How mean are doctors about you saying "I want you to do my surgery, but it's more convenient to have my fills done elsewhere"?

Do they understand, you wanted them for the surgery, but would prefer fills locally? I haven't said anything to my doctor, or called the local doctors about this option. I noticed some people had problems getting local doctors for fill, but for people who go to Mexico..if I had done that, there would have been no way for me to fly to Mexico everytime I needed a fill, so I figured someone has got to be willing to do it?

Laura, I would call your local surgeon and ask him if he takes other peoples patients. You are correct, often times they will take the ones that are from the US. No big deal to move doctors after 6 visits. You should be fine. Julie