Help Needed!

[Stacy]

Hi Everyone!!

My name is Stacy and I am looking into getting the lap band done.My insurance (BC/BS) will not pay for it so I will have to.My Dr. recommended going to Mexico to get it done as she just had a patient who did so and after research found Dr Ortiz.

Now my first ?? is how easy is it to get everything set up??How much does it cost??

I did also find a Dr here in portland who will do fills and how much do those generally cost?? Cause I wont be able to go to Tj for that.Is there anyone in Oregon going throught the same thing??

I am also nervous cause I had my tubes tied in 2000 and the pain was something else for me and I am scared of the pain too.

Thanks everyone!!

I am 320

Stacy

[lavaughnjs]

Greetings Stacy,

I am having my lap band done in Mexico with Dr. Rodriguez on Sept 21. I am so excited. The website is http://www.thebariatric.com/lap-band-surgeon.html if you want more information. They have a forum like this one as well and one on yahoo. I am paying less than $10k for the procedure and that includes airfare which is the only thing that was not included in the package price. There are numerous doctors that will do the fills, which I will be having done here in NC although 2 years of free fills are included with my package. If you would like further info please feel free to email me personally @ lavaughnjs@yahoo.com.

Hi Everyone!!

My name is Stacy and I am looking into getting the lap band done.My insurance (BC/BS) will not pay for it so I will have to.My Dr. recommended going to Mexico to get it done as she just had a patient who did so and after research found Dr Ortiz.

Now my first ?? is how easy is it to get everything set up??How much does it cost??

I did also find a Dr here in portland who will do fills and how much do those generally cost?? Cause I wont be able to go to Tj for that.Is there anyone in Oregon going throught the same thing??

I am also nervous cause I had my tubes tied in 2000 and the pain was something else for me and I am scared of the pain too.

Thanks everyone!!

I am 320

Stacy

[FurEllie]

Hi Everyone!!

My name is Stacy and I am looking into getting the lap band done.My insurance (BC/BS) will not pay for it so I will have to.My Dr. recommended going to Mexico to get it done as she just had a patient who did so and after research found Dr Ortiz.

Now my first ?? is how easy is it to get everything set up??How much does it cost??

I did also find a Dr here in portland who will do fills and how much do those generally cost?? Cause I wont be able to go to Tj for that.Is there anyone in Oregon going throught the same thing??

I am also nervous cause I had my tubes tied in 2000 and the pain was something else for me and I am scared of the pain too.

Thanks everyone!!

I am 320

Stacy

My surgery with Dr. Ortiz was $8000 but I believe it's normally $8500. This includes the surgery, pre-op test, post-op care, 2 nights in a hotel (3 if you're bringing someone), and one night in the clinic. My personal doctor gave me the name of Dr. Ortiz because he had done so many lapbands (they were approved in Mexico LONG before they were approved here).

It was VERY easy to get everything set up. Keep in contact with Lori or...can't remember the other lady's name, I've just dealt with Lori - and you'll be fine

I've recently had 2 fills at Fill Centers US. First one was $499 and 2nd one was $272 which I assume will be the price for each addition fill. Done under fluro.

[snowbird]

Dr. Neal in Olympia, Washington does fills with flouroscopy and at last contact charged $375. You can check out his website at pacsurgical.com.

Most of the folks on this website have gone to Dr. Ortiz in Tijuana.

You might recheck Blue Cross and see if they have started covering lap band surgery. Ours just changed in January 2007 and they now cover it.

Good luck!

[Portlandgriff]

Hi Stacy,

I am in Portland and am only 14 day post op. I had my surgery at the Obesity Control Center with Dr. Ortiz. I have been hospitalized 3 times before in 2 different states and have to say that It was the best medical experience that I have had. You have three Doctors that do your surgery and they are all great. The nurses were awesome too, I do not know much Spanish but they were very caring the entire time. It cost $8,000.00 and the only thing else was airfare to San Diego and PDX has several direct flights per day so that made it easy. I have had a previous laparoscopic surgery for removal of an ovarian cyst and the pain for that was worse and the holes were lower down on my belly so they were rubbed with clothing all the time. This time I was up with in a few minutes of surgery and walking around. Pain is absolutely dependant on the individual. There were 6 total patients on my day and each was different. Most took a nap right after surgery, took some pain meds when they woke up but all were walking within a few hours of surgery.

The absolutely worst thing has been the liquid diet after surgery. I had heard that people called it Bandster Hell and I am now a believer.

If you work for the state or any other Govt in Oregon BC/BS will not pay for anything but the gastric bypass...but keep trying the appeals process you never know. I was also 320lb but my BMI was not high enough for BC, Kaiser or providence to have bariactric surgery because the state Govt has higher standards that you must go through.

I have rambled long enough so If you have any other questions this is a good forum to start. Also Lapbandtalk.com

Dayna

[snowbird]

Federal employees and retirees' Blue Cross does pay for lap band. They call it "gastric restrictive procedures" and pay part of the cost of your surgery if your BMI is over 40 or over 35 with co-morbidities. There are other hoops to jump through, but I called FEP Blue and they do cover lap band.

[Stacy]

Thanks Everyone!!

I just checked with my insurance last month and the plan we are on said no weight loss surgeries.. I will call again to see tho.

I have heard alot of good things about DR Emma Patterson in portland so I am gonna check with her to see if she does fills.

The whole thing is scary for me but exciting.I am 36 and have been this weight since my son was born he is now 8 years old.

The thought of being able to shop where ever I want and having more energy is thrilling for me.

I would love to hear more experiences form you all and is there an Oregon support group??

And Dayna I wish you all the best on your new journey!!

Stacy

[Portlandgriff]

Hi Stacy,

Let me know what info you get from Emma Patterson. I was going to have my surgery with her then I decided to go through Dr. Ortiz.....I asked them if they would do aftercare or fills and there receptionist was a little upset because I canceled my surgery with them and they told me that she would have to charge several hundred dollars and do a bunch of test to see if the surgery was done properly before they would even do anything. I have also emailed the clinic at OHSU about after care and they just have never replied. I have heard good things about Dr. Neal in Olympia doing fills.

Dayna.

[Stacy]

Hi Stacy,

Let me know what info you get from Emma Patterson. I was going to have my surgery with her then I decided to go through Dr. Ortiz.....I asked them if they would do aftercare or fills and there receptionist was a little upset because I canceled my surgery with them and they told me that she would have to charge several hundred dollars and do a bunch of test to see if the surgery was done properly before they would even do anything. I have also emailed the clinic at OHSU about after care and they just have never replied. I have heard good things about Dr. Neal in Olympia doing fills.

Dayna.

Hey Dayna,

I actually got her name from another board where they said she was really easy to work with.... hmmmmI will try and get info this week and will let ya know!

Stacy

[ValerieH]

I was just banded 9.5.07 and am doing great. Since I live in Battle Ground, Wa. I would love some info on any Portland Dr.s that perform fills and how much $$$. I thought I would go back to T.J to have my fill but with cost of airfare, hotel, x-ray for the fill and transportation, I am hoping I can get in done here less expensive.

[Mistymoon]

Hi,

I also was banded on 9/5/07 - It was very easy to set up, in fact I could have gone the week after I first called. but couldn't get a flight. I live in Brookings OR way down here in the South West. Just few miles from the CA border. We had a support group but my friend who ran it got tired of it and no one else pivked it up so now I get my support from the forums.

Pain is such a subjective thing - I feel sore but it doesn't stop me from doing things.

I chose Dr. Ortiz because of his experience - I have a number of co-morbities plus I'm 65 and I had previous weight loss surgery in 1972. For those who are wondering they don't do that surgery anymore as it proved to dangerous. I lost the weight but in 1987 I had to have it reversed due to malabsorbtion. Gradually the weight came back but while the surgery was intact I lost weight and kept it off.

I hope to go to Dr Ortiz for my first fill it is included in the "package" but you do have to pay for the x-ray. Here in the states the doctors ask you to come back time and again. With Dr. Ortiz it is usually 2 or 3 times. I attribute that to the number of surgeries he has performed. Dr. Tersigini in Coos bay will do my fills if I can't get to MX - the initial charge is 185.00 and subsequent is 200.00 each time.

Hope that helps.

Nance