Cincinnati Bandsters

[Ellisa 6]

Dr. Watkins,

Is the price for fills the same in Columbus area as in Cincy? My husband goes to Barix where he had his lap-band. They charge $250 per fill. Ouch!

[DrWatkins 5]

Dr. Watkins,

Is the price for fills the same in Columbus area as in Cincy? My husband goes to Barix where he had his lap-band. They charge $250 per fill. Ouch!

I think our charge is $150 but you could call the office to find out the exact details for patients that had their surgery elsewhere. We have satellite office hours in Columbus.

[bellesmommy 0]

When i had mine i need to lose 95. The doctor told me to expect 60 percent weight loss but if i was dedicated i could get all 95 off. I had my operation in sept and i have lost 51 so far. I'd see another doctor if I were you.

[Ellisa 6]

My husband is two years out, has lost 140 lbs. and is still losing. This is about 80% of what he'd like to lose.

I'm 6 weeks out and have lost 28 lbs. I've only had one fill.

I don't think "all hope is gone." Some doctors are less educated about the process than others.

It is a tool; diet and exercise are required. And it's a lifelong process, just like any other successful weight loss method. It does help to reduce hunger. It doesn't eliminate the desire to eat for emotional reasons. It will work as well as you are willing to commit to it.

[Angie4b1g 1]

I'm having my surgery done by Dr. Curry on the 12th. But I live in Cleveland, so I'm driving down and driving back. The flaw in this elaborate plan is how the heck I'm going to get from the hospital back to the hotel for my recovery until I can drive. :party:

If I have my husband drive down, aside from it being logistically impossible with 5 kids, what would I do with the extra car? I don't have any friends that don't also have kids and can leave them for an entire day or more. My only family is my sister and she's a TOTAL flake and I wouldn't count on her for anything.

I have 11 days to figure this out. lol. I already had a hotel reserved for most of that week, it just never occured to me that I wouldn't be able to GET to it!!

[bellesmommy 0]

I can offer you a place to stay and some tlc after your surgery!! I work during the day but you could have some peace and quit and rest. What hospital are you having surgery at? I would be more than happy to help you out.

Christine

[Angie4b1g 1]

That's so sweet of you to offer! I really only need a ride from Jewish to the Sheridan in Sharonville. (18 minutes according to Google). I can take a cab from the hotel back to the hospital when I'm ready to leave. But I wouldn't ask you to take off work to shuffle me around when they release me. Thanks for the offer, though! Nice to see there are nice people left in the world!

[Ellisa 6]

Check with your hotel, many of them offer free shuttle service.

[Angie4b1g 1]

Hmm that's not a bad idea. Although they said they wouldn't release me to a taxi or such, it had to be a friend or family member.

This is my brother! He also happens to drive the shuttle to my hotel!

[aroarkster 0]

Help! I'm supposed to have the lap-band done on Monday. My doctor tried to talk me out of it, and instead go with the new gastric sleeve. He said the band is not nearly as effective as they first thought. He said expect to lose 30% of the excess weight. He also said in Europe studies are now showing 1 in 2 lap bands are being removed. So many people on this website are saying they aren't losing anything... but most of you seem to be doing well. Please give me some encouragement!

[Ellisa 6]

aroarkster,

Just curious, who is your doctor?

My insurance doesn't cover the sleeve but will cover RNY or band. I opted for the band because it's completely reversible, and far less invasive. I also reasoned that if I wouldn't obey the "band rules" I probably wouldn't obey the other surgery rules and if the pouch is stretched, you aren't going to lose weight regardless.

Also, during the information presentation our group was informed that only the upper most part of the stomach has the nerves that tell the brain we are full, so keeping the food in that area makes sense to me to reduce the intake.

Now on the other side, if you are a person who travels frequently, having the sleeve would mean not having to deal with emergency unfills with unfamiliar doctors. Also, you won't have to deal with routine adjustments, which can be inconvenient and costly.

It's certainly a personal choice. I have no doubt you can be successful with either option if you follow the plan.

[aroarkster 0]

Thanks, you make some great points. I just felt so discouraged after talking to him. I go to Dr. Kerlakian at Good Samaritan Hospital. My grandmother had hers done a couple of months ago at Jewish Kenwood and is having a hard time losing anything. Well, I guess it's worth a shot!

[bellesmommy 0]

Dr Kerlakian is my doctor too

I just saw him yesterday. He is a great guy but he sets realistic expectations. I had my surgery done in september and I have lost 51 pounds so far. Don't get discouraged, it works. It is not an easy road but it is so worth it in the end. I still have about 50 pouinds to go but even if i did not loose one more pound i would be happy.

[aroarkster 0]

That is so great, congratulations!!! I'm very, very glad to hear that. I do like Dr. Kerlakian, and you're right he's very honest. I am glad for that. I guess I'm just getting the last minute jitters. Vickie just called and said I'm in first thing on Monday morning. Here we go!

[bbw601 0]

I was going to go to Synchrony for my band... After my friend went there she said not to go.. She was in the waiting room and the girl up there at the desk was rude not to say the insurance lady that she was dealing with. She said that there was a patient she was talking to while she was waiting and said she had an infection. She said Dr. Mobley did her surgery that really makes me want to have my surgery done there.