I don't know if anyone else feels like this. He is completely unresponsive and doesn't seem to get the fill adjustment thing. I am self-pay so I am wondering if I should just go elsewhere for my fills. I got banded on 1/24, and have only lost 12 pounds so far. I had to beg for my first fill and now have absolutely NO restriction. So, I called to schedule another fill. At the time I paid for my surgery they told me that all care for the 3 months post surgery were included. However, when I tried to schedule my second fill, the doctor sent back the message that since he did not recommend that I do another fill so soon then I have to pay out of pocket @ the lofty rate of $350 per fill. What gives!! Anyone have such bad after care from their surgeon.

I wouldn't normally go against a doctor's recommendation, but I have zero restriction and if will power was not an issue, I wouldnt have needed a band in the first place.....

Sorry, needed to vent!:tongue:

My surgeom himself is great, but some of his office staff is really lacking. Enough so that I know a handful of people who have sought other surgeons for their aftercare, just so they wouldn't have to deal with the miscellaneous people.

Does your contract state that fills are free for three months if the doctor approves them? If not, then contest it.

$350 seems like a lot for a fill, too. My surgeon charges $150, and many people who had their surgeries with him and are self-pay are going to a different guy who charges $100. (My insurance covers, so they only cost me $20, not that I've needed one in the last year).

Explai to your surgeon that even though you're losing within the average guidelines, you're still eating <give example of what you can still eat>, your portions are <give example ofportion size>, etc. and explain that you need your band's help.

I too am having problems w/ my Dr. I have zero restriction even after a fill and have had difficulty scheduling appts.

Are you in So. Cal?

I've heard a lot of varying info on fills,costs, etc.

My doctor included 6 'follow up visits' (not a time limit), that are free. For fills, unfills, etc.

After my 6, they realized I needed another surgery to fix the port. Since I am self-pay, he did not charge me for his time, but I had to pay 2k to the hospital.. so I am on indefinite free fills/unfills for a while now.

Aside from that, I found a more local (still 1.5 hour away) fill doctor that would take me.. he said they do fills for free, unless they have to do fluero, which case it would be $100.

I would call around and see if any other area doctors are taking banded-elsewhere patients and what they charge.

If you find a good fill doctor it is so worth it. Where do you live? My doctor is only $200 a fill out of pocket and is wonderful. I would switch doctors if I were you. BTW, Since you have lost an average of 2 lbs a week that may be why he doesn't want to give you one. But if you are constantly hungry and don't have restriction you deserve one. Good luck.

Thank you all, I'm glad to know you don't think im overreacting. I am in Miami/South Florida area. I think i am going to start looking around to see if I find someone else in the area. Thanks!

There is a Fill Center USA in Miami.