My Kaiser experience is a little different. I was banded in Mexico in Dec. 2006 while I was living in the Pacific Northwest. My initial fill management was done by a nurse practitioner in the area who was affiliated with the surgeon.
In June 2007 I moved to the SF Bay Area and sought out a surgeon to do fill management for me. I found a GREAT surgeon -- Dr. Husted -- who went into private practice about the time I got Kaiser insurance at my job, so I sought fill management from Kaiser and to my surprise they were willing to see me (not many US docs are keen on Mexico patients).
By the time I saw the doc I was 14 months post-op and had lost about 40 lbs, but was beginning to regain, and I had never had a satisfactory fill (that lasted more than 10-12 days). I questioned whether my band was leaking. The doc's treatment plan was to have me keep a food diary and talk to the dietician. It's all in my head, he said. What I probably needed was education and portion control Really. If that worked, Jenny Craig or Weight Watchers would have been the answer 20 years ago.
At a followup appointment, I had my obligatory counselling session with a young woman who clearly has never had a weight problem in her life, and who told me it's all in my head. I just need to practice portion control. The doc told me that 20% of all band surgeries fail and clearly viewed me as a "failure" on a number of levels. He did seem appropriately concerned however when he checked my fill level after adding a small amount and didn't get the same amount back. Gee, maybe there is a leak.
I should also mention that this surgeon -- Dr. Im -- has the WORST technique for accessing my band which left me so physically exhausted after that appointment that I literally fell into bed and couldn't get up for 14 hours (and it takes a LOT to take the wind out of my sails). I remember thinking this must be what I felt like post-op except that they give you pain meds to mask the discomfort. So I have been reluctant to pursue another followup with this surgeon.
Has anyone else had a better experience with another surgeon at Richmond?
At this point I'd almost rather pay the $350/visit for my non-Kaiser doc.

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Banded Dec. 27, 2006
Dr. Joya, Puerto Vallarta