Hello,

My name is Courtney Hernandez, and I am a physician assistant currently practicing in Monroe, LA, at Premier Urgent Care & Bariatric Services. I have been performing lap band adjustments on patients since October, 2011. Our office uses fluoroscopy on every patient, which allows me the luxury of being able to directly visualize the port, so that there is no "guessing game" when it is time to access it, to either inject Fluid into or withdraw fluid from the band system. We also utilize the fluoroscopy machine, along with a barium swallow, on every patient, so that the position of the band can be determined, along with the size of the gastric pouch, and the flow of barium through the band, which gives me a good idea of how "tight" a patient is. Band slippage, pouch dilatation, and obstruction can all be diagnosed through the use of the barium swallow as well. A local injection of a small amount of lidocaine is injected subcutaneously before accession of the port is made, which burns for a couple of seconds, but then numbs the area so that when I place the huber needle into the port, some pressure is likely to be felt, but no sharp sensations. We accept most commercial insurance plans, along with almost all Medicare and Louisiana Medicaid plans. We are located at 3130 Mercedes Drive, Monroe, LA, 71201, and we do positive adjustments "fills" on Monday-Wednesday 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM, and will aspirate fluid out of the band for complications any time we are open "defills", Monday-Thursday 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, and Friday 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. Please call our office for any inquiries: (318) 537-9323, and if no one is available to answer your call, leave a detailed message, and one of our friendly staff members will be happy to return your call at their earliest convenience. We accept all gastric band patients, no matter which surgeon placed it or where you had your procedure performed. Our cash pay price is $200, for those that are either uninsured, or have a plan that does not cover adjustments. We look forward to hearing from you!

I wonder if you can give me some advice. I was banded in 2010. Things with my band were great for almost 6 years.

Then my band slipped. My doctor repositioned it earlier this year. Since then, she has adjusted the fill 3 times, the last one "under flouro". The doctor now is sure it is adequately filled and I have no sense of restriction. I think my doctor thinks I want my band overly full. I think I want it adequately full. Has anyone had a similar problem? Do you have suggestions? Please!