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My first fill


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I want to book my first fill today and I'm wondering how important it is to have it at OCC. I can have it done at the hospital (blind) with a local surgeon for about $100 or can drive to a number of places in Washington State for fills with or without floro for anywhere from $150-$300 and be home the same day. Going to TJ will be around $700 after flights, hotel, paying for car service and the fill. Is it really worth the extra money and hassle? Has anybody had their first fill anywhere else? If you're in Washington, even better. Who do you see there?

Sabrina:)

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Hello Sabrina,

Its not necessary, many don’t. I’ll just let you know what I did.

I had my first fill done at the OCC, I really wanted to make sure everything was OK and to have that added assurance that the people who placed my band were checking on it.

For the rest of my fills I went to Pacific Surgical Weight Loss Center in Olympia, WA. They do it under flouro, which for me is important – I’m not into blind fills since and I like to see the pouch and watch the fill to make sure everything is good. Last I checked it was $375 per fill at Pacific Surgical. I haven’t had a fill for over a year and had an unfill 8 months ago to start maintenance.

Here’s just a couple of pros and cons of going to someone other than the OCC.

If you don’t go to the OCC and someone damages you’re band – you own the cost of replacement. (That’s why I won’t do blind fills)

If you don’t go to the OCC you save on travel cost and the extra time

If you go to the OCC you can make it a mini vacation and have some fun

If you go to the OCC you most likely will require less fills than those who use other options

Some places aren’t keen on taking pts from other doctors and can make you feel like dirt

It can actually end up costing some more since you may get more fills and you pay per fill

Its also can get confusing, different doctors have different view points on how to work the band. I really try to stay focused on following Dr. Ortiz’s rules and I’ve been very successful with it.

I've had more fills than most - I have the VG band which is the bigger one – but still – I do believe if I had gone to the OCC I would have had less fills and spent much less $$. My main reason was time – its hard for me to get away and I already travel a lot for work.

I’m glad I went to the OCC for my first fill, and it was convenient for me to go to Pac surgical and do it under flouro. If you come down – let us know you’re going right by Bellevue and a group of us could meet up. I do wish I could have done all of mine at the OCC, I’m jealous of those who can!

Best,

Lisa

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Sabrina,

I wasn't going to go to the OCC for fills. But, the more I thought about it... which included all of the things Lisa mentioned, happened to change my mind. Also, the things that Dr. Ortiz told me had great weight on my final decision. However, I don't have the luxury of having fill center/doctor close to me. If I don't fly to San Diego... I would still have to travel 400+ miles to get to a doctor that would be willing to take me as a patient. There are a couple a tiny bit closer, but my sister lives in Salt Lake City so I'd go there to save on hotel costs.

Kristy

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I know this won't be popular, but I've decided not to go back to OCC for my first fill. I'm going to Northwest Fill Management on Thursday January 14th and, yes, they will be doing it under fluoro. I know people who go to them and would trust their lives (and the lives of their bands) with them. They just moved from Arlington to Marysville. I will be spending the night so if anybody is in the area and wants to meet up, there is lots to do there....a beautiful resort with good restaurants (although I guess I'll be on liquids)a nice new casino, a great spa, The Seattle Premium Outlets are there! Let me know.

ps- flights from Bellingham to San Diego (and many other hot spots like Vegas) are DIRT CHEAP with Allegiant Air right now. $130 return including tax! The catch is, you need to go Sunday-Thursday and I just don't want to be away that long.

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Sabrina, I've only heard great things about Northwest Fill Management - you'll be fine! Good choice and have fun - I love the shopping out there!

I'll be basking on a beach in Kona thinking about you (in my new bikini - if I get the guts up to wear it in public). Its a Betsy Johnson and it is sooo cute!!

The stores there are great and right now the after Christmas sales are going strong and will be for most of Jan.

Take care and may your first fill be a great one!

Lisa

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Thanks Lisa! Have fun in Hawaii.... and you've worked for that bikini so you better wear it!!! We're going to Florida in February and I'm not looking forward to putting on a bathing suit. We'll probably go back to Hawaii next year so maybe by then. You'll have to let me know what you think of Kona `cause that's where my husband wants to go next time. We've been to Oahu, Maui and Molaki so far. Have fun!!!

Sabrina:)

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Hey Sabrina... it's really not about your decision being popular or unpopular... you need to do what is right for you and your adorable little family! Oh and Lisa... I say go for the bikini! Love Hawaii! I hope you have a wonderful time! How long do you get to vacation? Or, is it for work too?

Kristy

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Sabrina,You'll love NW Fills, they are so nice and never missed my port yet or my sons, and that was without fluoro. You will be in good hands! I never thought about spending the night when I went there, what a good Idea, I even got overfilled and had to drive all the way back 2 days later. I would join you but the 14th is my wedding anniversary so I better spend it with hubby, (although I think it would be more fun with you lol)

Oh Lisa I am so wishing I was going to Hawaii too! I am so tired of this cold and snow and it's snowing right now! You better wear your bikini, you worked hard for that body and time to show it off. You will be one hot Mama (grandma) Have fun

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If anybody does want to stay in Marysville in the future, I've stayed at the Holiday Inn Express across from the outlets and it's very clean and nice. There's also great specials for the new Tulalip Resort Hotel which is just beautiful!!! Lisa is right too, the shopping there is fantastic...we do a girls shopping weekend about twice a year. The Ross and Kohls across the street are great too!

Sabrina:)

ps- yes, you'd probably have more fun with us than your husband, ha ha ha

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Hi Sabrina ~ like Lisa says, it is not necessary and Kristy said it best when she basically said it's up to YOU to get your aftercare. If I, myself, lived in the east coast, I would still go to OCC for my fills because of their reputation of doing fills and with them, I may not require as many fills as I am hearing others are having. Also, I would do my fills under fluoro, too, so I can have a visual of how my band really is, for my own peace of mind. This is my opinion. But I am one of the the lucky one who lives in San Diego and I have this luxury benefit. But no matter, it's the aftercare of your band. I knew when I researched about this band surgery, that I would need good aftercare. This is where your homework comes in, to chose wisely for your aftercare fill doctor who is knowledgeable. One who would advise you and your band, and have a successful, fruitful life together and not have any hard issues like I've heard of others experiencing.

Thanks Lisa for listing the pros and cons of having fills elsewhere...good points to consider.

Best of luck!

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Hey Sabrina

I was just wondering how much they charge at NWFC? I am getting a bit nervous about doing my first fill blind with the Dr at St Paul's so I am starting to think about going to Washington too. I think I did call these guys and it was $375 for a fill but I can't remember.

Louise

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It's $275 with fluoro and it's North West Fill Management, not to be confused with other fill centres in the area. They used to be in the Arlington pharmacy but have moved to Marysville. They are not doctors, they are two female nurses, one of which has a band herself.

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I had no intentions of going back to OCC for fills. It is just too expensive for me. But luckily there is a fantastic doctor here in KC that sees patients for aftercare and I made sure of that before I even scheduled my surgery. Many people don't go back, and like has been said before you have to do what is best for you so don't even stress about it.

From the others it sounds like that is a good place to go up by you, so you will be set! I insisted on flouro my fist time so I could feel assured all was well, but my doctor only does it that way anyway. But it always a good question to ask before.

For any folks reading this who are considering banding, that is probably one of the most important things you can do before you even schedule is decide if you are going back to OCC or not. And if not, get your aftercare all lined up. I called the day I scheduled to set my first fill and i'm glad I did - it takes months to get into my doctor so I hit it just in time.

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I read on NW fill site that they go to McCleary once a month so that will make it alot easier for me. I think I remember reading that if you went to someone else then they wouldn't touch you. I hope that is wrong as my wife and I plan to go back to the OCC for our first fills to make sure everything is ok and for the peace of mind. Bit more expensive but I could go to Revolucion Ave again. YIPEE !!

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We’re going for 8 days, work for the husband – vacation for me. (If you call golf work – I don’t, but that’s a life long dispute we have).

Linda, its still snowing here (every night) I just can’t believe it and to top it off, I have to leave for Halifax the day after I get back from Hawaii – which is colder than here right now! (And I’ll put on the suit – its just a bit scary though…..) I'm going in for a spray tan, if I'm putting on a bikini I'm going to have a perma tan..... To help hide the flaws.

I love Kona, been there about 8 times so anything you want to know – let me know!

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I read on NW fill site that they go to McCleary once a month so that will make it alot easier for me. I think I remember reading that if you went to someone else then they wouldn't touch you. I hope that is wrong as my wife and I plan to go back to the OCC for our first fills to make sure everything is ok and for the peace of mind. Bit more expensive but I could go to Revolucion Ave again. YIPEE !!

I THINK IF YOU GIVE THEM A CALL, YOU'LL FIND THEY'LL BE MORE THEN HAPPY TO SEE YOU EVEN AFTER YOU'VE BEEN ELSE WHERE.

http://www.northwestfills.com/

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I THINK IF YOU GIVE THEM A CALL, YOU'LL FIND THEY'LL BE MORE THEN HAPPY TO SEE YOU EVEN AFTER YOU'VE BEEN ELSE WHERE.

http://www.northwestfills.com/

Thanks Pammie !!

Probably wont need to see them until around mid march. Just hoping they dont tire of the McCleary thing before that.

Chris

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