I was scheduled with my DR's office yesterday for my first fill. I did all the work before my surgery to make sure it was all covered and scheduled. I went in to see the band DR yesterday morning. He was very nice.......... then had additude because I went to TJ to get my band. My weight wasn't high enough to get it here! He was going to do my fill, but said because my insurance didn't approve it, they wouldn't cover my adjustments. He said it would cost about $400. (my mom see's a DR 10 min. away who does it for $75 - no insurance) He called billing while I was sitting there..... they said it doesn't matter, I only have my $10 co-pay, everything else is covered. He was still very nice with an ADDITUDE! Even though they coded everything and told him it was ok, I would have no other charges, he wanted to get approval from the insurance company directly. I got the run around for 4 hrs.

Then I called OCC and asked what time their last fill appt. was. (now it's 1 pm - I live 2 hrs. from the border) They said 3:30. I explained how far I was and I still had to go home and get my passport. Gloria said as long as you can be here before I get off at 4, you'll be ok. I got my passport, got my mom --- and off we went. Left the house at 1:30!! Of course we caught some San Diego traffic!!! Got to the border at 3:45! Called Gloria, she said we're waiting go ahead and cross, we'll be here. THANK GOD ~ we walked across, got a cab, walked in the office at 3:58! They are so great. The cab waited, we were there no more than 20 minutes. My fill was 5.5cc. We were blown away, my mom's had like 5 or 6 fills in the last 17 months and she only has 5.25cc. She's lost all her weight, but they only gave her 1cc on her first one. He said I may not need another one at all, but if I feel like I need one he'll do another in 5 wks. I know my DR's office is going to call me on monday and say they heard from the insurance company, and got approval to come back in. 4 GET IT!! I'll take the trip across the border and spend the $100 + $20 for the cab.

This goes to show how much things change daily........ my moms last fill - she was on clear liquids for 2 days. He told me yesterday, liquids for 2 days (doesn't have to be clear) - yogurt, creamy soups, smoothies..... we all know the drill. He said this is the only fill i'll be on liquids. If I get another, he'll send me for lunch after, then i'll come back so he can see how the food is going down. Her band is 10.5cc and mine is 11cc. They are different brands so may be thats the difference, I don't know, it's just so strange how different our adjustments are. I can only lose 50 lbs. She's lost 85.......... maby that has something to do with it as well. I'll find out when we go back.

I can't say enough about OCC ~ even though they waited for me yesterday and they had a surgery to start when they were done with me...... he took all the time needed, talked to me for a good 15 minutes, answered all my questions and explained in depth! I wasn't rushed at all. Also told me to call directly if I forgot anything.

SO GLAD I WENT THERE ~ WOULD GO BACK TOMORROW IF I HAD TO DO IT ALL OVER AGAIN!!