I am in Orlando and know there are two Fill Centers USA locations within a few hours from me (Tampa and St. Pete). I am trying to stay away from the Fill Centers USA locations because I've read too many negative comments about them.

Where is everyone in Florida getting their fills? I would really like to have the first few fills with fluro (figure I've invested way too much $$ into this for a blind fill).

I've called a ton of surgeons in the area and no one is willing to take patients banded in Mexico. What was most surprising to me is that Dr. Lee Grossbard (who was trained in Mexico, is one of the co-founders of Fill Centers USA and was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico) won't take patients banded in Mexico either! *sigh* :cry

I am willing to travel anywhere in the state for a fill doctor that uses fluro and won't bankrupt me in the process. (Heard Dr. Kim in Celebration is great, but $1000 just to be accepted as a patient is a little crazy.)

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

I read your post JC and made an appointment with Kathy Gonzales is at Millennium Medical in St. Petersburg and I agree with you that she is great. I also liked the fill centers price of $299 with floro. I had it previous with Dr, Jesse and with floro it came to $750, plus with fill center it will be even cheaper the next time $155 for fill and $75 for floro.. Kathy seemed so caring and took that extra time with you that shows that she cares, Awesome fill...

I am glad you gave her a try a had a good result :-) . She has been a blessing to find!

JC

I just moved to Vero Beach and need to find a place or dr to do my fills. I was banded by Dr Ortiz in Mexico. Does anyone out there know of a place I can go?

I used to use Dr. Overcash in Ocala, FL. No idea if he's still doing fills for Mexican Bandsters as it's been almost 4 years.

I could not recommend anyone more highly than Kathy Gonzales at Millennium Medical in St. Petersburg. She is with fill centers usa. In my opinion when it comes to fills she is on the same level as the fill Dr.s at the Obesity Control Center and It's a heck of alot closer than Tijuana .

She asked who did my band surgery; when I told her Dr. Ortiz she said oh good he does great work. She really seems to care about her patients.

JC

There's a Dr. Michael Murr in Tampa who takes Mexico-banded patients...first visit $250...haven't been there yet but have appt.

for July 2nd for an unfill...have a condition which necessitates

that right now.

Have you gotten in touch with your surgeon in mMexico and asked him for a referral? I think that is a good place to start. I live in Jacksonville, but the Dr. I go to is a friend of Grossbard so my guess is that he wouldn't fill either. His practice is so busy there probably isn't time for someone he hasn't banded

i'm moving to saraota and would love to have my fills there ,$300 is a bit steep .i would think it should be in the range of fill centers prices.if its competitive i'm sure it will be worth their time.

Are they doing fills? I jsut was banded 3 weeks ago and need to plan ahead..thanks.

Brenda

Are they doing fills? I jsut was banded 3 weeks ago and need to plan ahead..thanks.

Brenda

yes she is and she is really great, and i have had a real bad fill dr. to compare her to. she is the best. go to fill centers usa and set up for the st.pete office not tampa her name is Kathy Gonzales you wont be sorry. good luck and take care.

barb

I live in Vero Beach also...been here since 1974. Maybe we can find one together...

Brenda

brenda_t@sprynet.com

Sorry, I did not look at your dates..Who did you end up getting fills from? I am still checking.

Hello, I was banded in FEB 07 in TJ Mexico and go to South Mississippi Weigh Loss Surgerons for fills. I would love to go to a fill dr closer and join a support group. Contact me anytime. Joyfulnan@comcast.net

I just got banded and am still looking for a fill doctor on the east coast of Florida--around Jacksonville or even south Georgia. Dr. Shariat in Jax Beach was on the list from Dr. Zapata but only because he accepts Mexico patients. He is very expensive and no flouro. I presented the idea to be Gyn but no reply. why is this so difficult? It seems to me to be a great capitalist venture. What is the darn hangup in the US with health care?

I would absolutely love to find a Dr. in the Miami/Fort Lauderdale area that does fills under fluoro at a reasonable cost.

There are a few Dr.'s who will do fills on patients other than their own that I know of, but their prices are ridiculous -- $800 - $1,000. It's not worth it to me to pay that because I can fly to other places, and have it done much cheaper than that and the savings will more than cover my travel expenses. That said, it sure would be nice to find someone to work with in South Florida.

I consider "reasonable" to be $200 - $300 for fills with fluoro.

If anyone has any info, let me know!

I am a new member of the banded family and I am not sure what y'all are talking about when you refer to using flouro when you get the fills? I was just banded on May 8th and next appt is June 20th, so I better get up to speed on all of this. Sorry if this sounds stupid. I guess I just thought they could tell where the port is and that they use a certain amount of saline in the needle and that is that. Seems that some have mentioned that you should drink after the fill in the office to be sure all is ok before you leave. Any other advice for us newbys? Thanks so much for sharing!!! I am in Jacksonville, Fl and my dr was Dr Robert Cwyes at the Jacksonville Weight Loss Center, his partner is Michael Baptista. They are both very nice. Tel 904-399-4004, in case anyone is interested to see if they do fills for other drs. Good luck to all of us!!