I am looking still for someplace in AZ where I can get my fills done with fleuro. Anybody have any suggestions? Thanks in advance.

Hi littlelove,

I go to WLIAZ in Tempe. They don't do Flouro routinely with every fill, but they do have it available. It's possible they may do it if you request it.

Littlelove,

I just noticed a previous post of yours and wanted to expand my comment. I don't know what other doctors in the area do, but at WLIAZ they DO use the ultrasound machine routinely with every fill. They use it to locate and check the status of the port, and make sure that the needle is going in exactly where it needs to so as to not puncture the tubing. Some places don't do this. And yes, I have heard of some people that have fills and the doctor "misses" by just a slight bit and punctures the tubing causing a leak.

Where did you have your surgery done and how long has it been?

Hi, thanks for your suggestion. I had my surgery in Monterrey, 3 weeks ago. I am scheduled for my first fill in two weeks, with a guy that seems to do all the fills in Tucson, at least for the Dr. that is local here. :bounce:

What is WLIAZ? I figured out the AZ part. If I go to the Dr.Shwartz here in Tucson, it will cost me almost $1000. , and no floro. This guy works out of a clinic that services people who had their surgery elsewhere, and he doesn't charge excessively,$200, he uses the ultrasound. I would just love to have the barium security.

Hi, Shauna!

What is your secret to losing 73lbs already???? I was banded in Mexico on April 6th, 2007 and I am only down 40lbs. HELP!!

Do your doctors take non-patients for fills??

Michele

320/273/160

Dr. Robert Berger in flagstaff $200 with floro

thank you thank you thank you, I will look into him. I can always use a nice day trip.:clap2:

At WLIAZ they have an ultrasound machine that the doctor uses to find your port easily. They use the new, small ports over there and they have people in and out quickly. Also, they tend to do fewer fills than most because they are so precise. I know that people think that fluro is the way to go but I think that advice is way out of date because it can't be done any better or safer than at WLIAZ.

I use Dr. Schwartz in Tucson and have been really happy. I just reached my sweet spot at 9 1/2 cc in my 10 cc band. Scott (his assistant) does all the fills and will use an ultrasound if he feels the slight bit questionable about where he is aiming. They have great response times if you have any trouble and they are open on Saturdays for fills only. Good Luck!

That sounds great! I am glad that works for you. It sounds like you are doing very well. Congratulations.

Claytaco...are you in AZ? When was your surgery? Lost any poundage yet?

Yes, I live in Phoenix, Arizona. I have not had the operation yet but I have been around many people that have in my life. I might get the operation someday. Thanks for asking! It looks like you're doing very well!

Thanks for the compliment and the encouragement. Being around people who have had this definately is life altering to all. This is definately the best decision I ever made!!! Good Luck to you!

At WLIAZ they have an ultrasound machine that the doctor uses to find your port easily. They use the new, small ports over there and they have people in and out quickly. Also, they tend to do fewer fills than most because they are so precise. I know that people think that fluro is the way to go but I think that advice is way out of date because it can't be done any better or safer than at WLIAZ.

Actually, fluoro is better. It shows everything from pouch size/shape, esophagus size/shape, band placement, stoma swelling, stoma size, etc. You can see the barium as it travels through the esophagus all the way to the colon if need be, ultra sound cannot do that.

Some docs have ultra sound equipment in their office because it would just be farrrr too expensive to have xray for barium swallows. That is more for hospital use vs. MD office however some offices do spend the money and go the xray route.

Usually ultra sound is so they can find the port, it doesn't show the detail of barium studies.

Barium is by far the better route.

WLIAZ is a good practice but they are verrrry expensive. More so than most others in AZ. Last I heard they were $19K. Other docs tend to charge around $13-$16K. Dr. K in Denver charges $10K, Mexico it is $8K. They claim it is because they use two surgeons. That's kind of deceptive, all docs use two surgeons. There are four trocars to hold during the entire surgical procedure. Unless a doc has four hands, there are two surgeons.

I am going to Mexico Nov 19 to have my Lap Band done. I can't find anyone here in Tucson Arizona to do my fills.

The dr's here charge so much to do the surgery, and wont do fills if they didnt do the surgery.

If anyone knows of anyone here in Tucson Arizona that does fills. please let me know. Thank you,