My first fill is in a few days and it will be done with the surgeon and the radiologist down in the x-ray dept. Is this common practice? My doctor is very conservative and I was only the second person he did the lap band procedure on. My only reason for concern is that the insurence company won't cover it because I have to use a certain company for all radiological procedures!

My doctor's practice is one of the busiest banding practices in NJ, and they have been doing it since 2000 when they were in the FDA trials. They do ALL of their fills under fluoroscopy in the radiology department, because it allows for precision adjustments. In fact, just this week Dr. Abkin has been handing out a copy of a published article stating that better results are being shown when adjustments are done this way rather than "blind" (i.e., in a doctor's office).

It may be expensive, but the upside is that fewer fills will likely be needed since they can actually SEE what effect a certain amount of Fluid has on your band. It's definitely worth it.

I LOVED my radiologist and having my fills under flouro each time. You're lucky to have this at your disposal.

all of my fills are under fluoro, and I like it like this, this way I can see everything is in place and see the barium going through the band. I would not want it any other way, I love fluoro

I also get all my fills (but one) under fluoro, I go to the Ambulatory surgery dept. at the hospital. where I meet my surgeon and nurse. It's fast and easy. It is included in the cost of my surgery for the first year.

Thanks everyone, I feel alot better. I didn't know that this was standard practice. I am not worried about the cost, I just have to meet my deductible and then I get a certain percentage back. Thanks again.

I have had only one fill so far and am going for my second on Wed. My dr. couldn't access my port when I went for my first fill. I had to have it done under flouro. Under flouro it showed my port is tilted. The dr. was able to press on my tummy and the port tilted upward and he was able to fill me. I'm having the second one under flouro also. I will probably continue my fills under flouro until I get proper restriction. I really prefer it since I've had one done already. I'm hoping it will get me to my "sweet spot" soon.

Patty

None of mine have been done or undone under flouro, although, I would much prefer it was. It's so obvious it's much safer and more thorough. Since I was self pay, I got a year of free followups, including fills, I guess he's gotta cut costs somewhere.

I had my fill done today. It was like a circus in the fluroscopy room. There were two x-ray techs, the radiologist, my surgeon, his associate, and the nurse coordinator for the bariatric program. They were quite impressed that my port was so near the surface. The doc put in one cc, watched me swallow the barium, and everyone started to mumble (apparently they saw no change). The surgeon said "well i don't want to put in another cc" and I said "please do, my insurence doesn't pay for this!". He hesitated but did give me another cc. Again they looked under floroscopy and all mumbled again. This time the surgeon said "well, you can't tell until she eats solids". So I figure that I will not have much restriction with these two ccs!

I had my first fill done under flouru, but have had the other two done without at a cost of an additional $300, I'll skip it for now until I can win the lottery and can afford to pay the $600 for each fill. I haven't had any problems getting my fills done without the flouru, so I've been very luckey. Let us know how your doing.