I called another surgeon's office today to see about getting some aftercare for hubby and me. They want a $500 each to join their "program" and $1,000 each if they have to touch us surgically.

I've come to the conclusion that the weight loss surgery gig is all about the $$. The profit from WLS is unbelievable. These surgeons are making a killing. I work for a doctor's office and I've told him we need to start doing fills.

So if the fees hold true we still can't afford aftercare. I'm almost to the point I want this damn thing out of me. With no one helping me with aftercare the future is a scary thing. :paranoid

Carrie,

I wished you lived close to me. Dr. Curry only charges 150.00 per fill and I think the first visit was 300.00 or 400.00 I can't remember. He is wonderful.

WasaBubbleButt might be able to help you find some aftercare, I remember seeing her post a list of doctors in someone else's thread who was having problems finding aftercare.

May I ask where you live? Did you move recently that you can't go to who you were?

That is a consideration for me as well, I know that even though I am having the band done in the US that doesn't guarantee that I'll be able to find aftercare if I move or go on vacation. I know the practice I'll be seeing does not see any patients other than those they banded. I understand the concern for puncturing a band they didn't place, or the risks to them if something happens and the patient slips, then they get sued, even though it may have had nothing to do with them and everything to do with either the original surgeon, or the patient themself. But that doesn't make it easier on those of us who need follow-up.

Ms.B...

What city/state do you live in?

Hey, I hear your desperation, I don't know where you live but, have you tried fill center usa? If you go on line, and register, i think it is 299 for first then like 150 after. They accept MX banded patients. Also, if you can find out who the doctor is you could contact direct and their fills should be around 100, or at least that is what i have been told. Hope this helps..

you must type faster than me

Ms.B...

What city/state do you live in?

See, she knew I was thinking about her!

See, she knew I was thinking about her!

I'm psychic I tell you, psychic!

Mesquite, TX should have some doc. close by that can do some type of after care.?. How far are you willing to drive?

Do you still live in Mesquite TX?

Thanks everyone.

I have good news and bad news.

The good news.

I found a doctor to take me and hubby.

The bad news.

I had to use the "who you work for" thing to pull a few strings. If it wasn't for my doctor that I work for being buds with a Lap Band doc then I would be SOL.

I live in Wylie now.

There are some good docs out there. Dr. Stephen Malley in Mission Ks (suburb of Kansas City) takes us Mexican patients for a $250 eval and 1st fill and then it is $100 per fill.

I do know he even has patients that drive from Dallas to see him and that is probably an 8-10 hour drive.

Dr. Maese in both Ferris and Highland Park takes MX patients. All I pay is my regular doctor office call co-pay....$25.

Hey, Sorry you are in that situation. I am very happy with my surgeon and I know that he cares very much about helping people struggling with obesity. He does get paid for his services, and imo he deserves to be well remunerated. Susannah

I called another surgeon's office today to see about getting some aftercare for hubby and me. They want a $500 each to join their "program" and $1,000 each if they have to touch us surgically.

I've come to the conclusion that the weight loss surgery gig is all about the $$. The profit from WLS is unbelievable. These surgeons are making a killing. I work for a doctor's office and I've told him we need to start doing fills.

So if the fees hold true we still can't afford aftercare. I'm almost to the point I want this damn thing out of me. With no one helping me with aftercare the future is a scary thing. :paranoid

Have you seen Dr Maese?

There are some good docs out there. Dr. Stephen Malley in Mission Ks (suburb of Kansas City) takes us Mexican patients for a $250 eval and 1st fill and then it is $100 per fill.

I do know he even has patients that drive from Dallas to see him and that is probably an 8-10 hour drive.

Wow... that seems fair. The docs really do have to verify it is an Inamed band (as that is the only FDA approved band in the US as of this date) and an eval before a fill is also fair. $100 for a fill is fair.

Cool doc.