Hi folks,

I have a lap band that was placed in August 2008. It's been great but I recently started to gain weight and found out two weeks ago that I had inflamation and possibly a minor slip. My doctor is about two hours away and is no longer covered by my insurance. So I ended up seeing Dr. Billings at Puget Sound Surgical today. He says I could replace my band with a larger band (which seems to have less issues with slippage) or revise to a sleeve but that my surgery looks well done and I could probably do just fine with the band I have. He suggested starting with their year long aftercare program. I'm going to have an endoscopy on Friday just to make sure everything looks good inside.

Here's the problem. A revision would be covered by my insurance. But Puget Sound Surgical doesn't bill insurance for after care. It would cost $3,500 for a year of nutrition and behavior support. montly doctor follow-ups and fills. That's a lot of money but my husband is open to it if that kind of care would help me get back on track and losing to my goal.

Has anyone gone to Puget Sound Surgicals after care program? If so, could you share your experience and whether it made a big difference to your success?

I could continue with my current doc at $250 a visit an a 5 hour return trip travel. Or I could just visit the nutritionist separately. Or I could just cough up the $300 per month for aftercare and really commit to it. I'm not sure what to do.

I can't find any other docs around here that would take on a lap band patient banded by someone else locally. But if you're in the Seattle area and have a doc who takes on pre-banded patients I'd love to hear from you too.

Thanks!

Britt

I'm not certain if my doctor does take on pre-banded patients, but it's worth a try. He is Ross McMahon at Swedish on First Hill. They are a growing bariatric program, and he is very highly regarded.