Hi, Linda. When are you going to TJ? My husband and I are headed over around June 9, for a fill and some dental work. Husband has the Inamed VG band, while I have the smaller 4 cc band. I checked Dr O's website, and it says he does do the Realize band also. I believe he wait until he actually gets into surgery to decide which band is best for you.

I had the endoscopy at the request of my PCP up in Washington state, because I had had some fairly severe GERD for several years and because I had tested positive for the bacteria causing stomach ulcers (which name escapes me at the moment). The endo found Barrett's esophagus, a cellular level change in esophageal tissue due to chronic reflux, so I am supposed to go back in every couple of years to check it. I still have reflux, though not as severe as before getting my band. I had an older friend who died of esophageal cancer a year ago, so it scares me.

Dr Ortiz's clinic does fluoroscopy with every fill, which gives them a look at band position, but they have not mentioned having an endo regularly. I will ask when we are there in June.

Thanks for everyone's kind words. I'm kind of stalled out on weight loss so close to goal, so it helps to reflect on past accomplishments!

Hi Snowbird. My band date is June 16. Sorry to miss you by a week!

I'll ask @ surgery about the band, I spoke with Carolyn yesterday and she said the same thing...that the Dr. chooses the band at time of surgery.

I like the idea of softer and wider regarding the band, Technically, it sounds like a better physiological solution. Not that I'd know though ;-)

Thanks for your reply!

I just go the call today to confirm that I will be at the orientaion at WLIA tomorrow at 1pm. (anyone else going to be there? Send me a private message) I talked again this time with some guy who I again told them I will be on BC/BS of Mass next month. I told him from the sounds of it they will cover the entire cost of the surgery itself. Like someone else told me here he informed me that one of the surgeons isnt on that plan and will be out of network.
I really dont understand that. Why if they are "partners" working in the same office would one of them not be on the BC/BS plan? My out of network really wont be too bad but it's the principle of the whole thing. Has anyone ever asked this from them and what was the answer? Isnt the simple solution to just ask the one who accepts BC/BS to perform the surgery?

Be really careful when you schedule your surgery that EVERYONE involved is a preferred provider for BCBS. Our son went to the ER and checked that it was a preferred provider, but then we got an outrageous bill from the anaesthetist because he wasn't one. They just did an article on the news last night about this, how while your doctor might be covered, the lab he sends your work to isn't. It is really near criminal what the health care industry can do to those who think they are covered by insurance and too late, find that they aren't.

Hi again, I said I would report back so here I am. I ended up canceling my appointment with the doctor I had and found another who I had went to in the past who I hadn't seen for 3 years in Sun City West. I had only seen him 3 times or so prior to that so it's not like I know him really well. He was very receptive to talking about my weight and is very supportive of me having WLS and will help me in the process. What I'm not getting is a doctor who knows a lot about the band. I don't think he is very knowledgeable but to be honest what I need at this point is a supportive doctor who is in agreement with my goal of being banded. From what you said, Snowbird, I don't think that helps you. you wanted a doctor who knew about the Lap Band and the side effects etc.
I'll still give you his name if you'd like though

Thanks, mariem. That might work for me, especially if you break him in first! My daughter's doctor didn't know anything about the band until she went to him and said she wanted to be banded. He jumped on board the "bandwagon" when he started researching for her, and now that he has seen how successful she has been, he is an enthusiastic proponent of Lap Band surgery. Maybe that will happen with your doctor too-- if he has band patients, he may educate himself about the band.

I really am looking for a doctor who at least knows what banding is and understands how it works. I would like his name, if you don't mind. Thanks for remembering me and replying.

I went to Robin Blackstone At Scottsdale Bariatric Center. Fabulous
experience, they have a great setup, great training, and I am so happy I went there. They are really professionals. You can find it on internet and visit their website.
Best of luck

Not looking for a surgeon or fill doctor, but a gp. I'm already banded and very happy with my surgeon and his clinic. Thanks for trying to help, though!