Hello out there, do you have any suggestions

Hi Everyone:
I am new to the forums, I had my surgery almost a year ago and I have not lost very much weight. Shortly after I moved to another provinces, not no that that Ontario does not cover fills. I dont want to have to pay 5000.00 for a few more fills, does anyone have any suggestions? :help:

Any help would be appreciated.

I live in Ontario. I am a 2 hour or more drive from the clinic where I had my surgery. My surgery date was June 8/06, I work 7 days / week during the summer season running our restaurant in cottage / tourist country.

There was no possible way I could travel to Toronto for my first few fills. The clinic gave me a DVD of the fill procedure to give to my family Dr. I talked to him about my situation....he had never performed a "fill" procedure before but was willing to help me out. I purchased the Saline Solution from him for $3.00 (some still left after quite a few fills). Since it only took him approx 5 minutes for each of the 3 fills he gave me he didn't bother to worry about billing me since OHIP didn't cover it.

He was happy to help me out because I was doing well with the band and he wanted that to continue for me knowing that my health would be in jeopardy otherwise.

Maybe you could make the same arrangements with your family Dr.

Carol

Hi Carol:
Thanks for the info, I am curious where you are living, I am in North Bay, and I had my surgery in Alberta, I am not sure if I can get that kind of help because it is hard to get a family doctor here. Thanks for getting back to my I really appreciate it.
Sherri

I just looked on the map... isn't North Bay fairly close to Ottawa? Why not go to the Dr. there?

Wheezy, how much does he charge? (I'm sure he doesn't just do his patients)

Well the whole problem is that I had my surgery in another province, I called the Clinic in Toronto and she basically told me that I would have to pay 5000.00 to have my life time fills, and that she was not even sure if the doctor would help me because he did not do the surgery, she said alot of doctors will not touch other peoples surgery's. I am not sure what to do but I would like to be able to continue my weight loss, I went through alot to even get the surgery. I called my Alberta Doctor and left several messages and have never heard back, I think my next step will be to send him off a letter.
Sherri

I would either drive a good distance to get to your old doc or consider flying to a doc that does help other patients and that doesn't charge 5,000. Who has that kind of money. I don't know what the flights cost, but there are plenty of docs in the U.S. that charge around $150 to 250.

You are in a tough situation, but I hope you don't give up. This journey is so worth it. Good luck to you.

Sherri.....they don't have regular Dr's in North Bay? I'm sure they do, why not call a few offices and share your situation with them.....one of them might be willing to help you.

Carol

Hey Carol:

I have called around, I went into one office he is a specialist that looks after people with intestinal probs and such, no luck. The only way around it I guess is to go back to Alberta and live with my daughter for 3 months until my health care kicks in and get a fill and move back here with my family. Thanks for all your help!
Sherri

Sherri
I wouldn't move back to Alberta so quick. I am sure if you "look" and call and talk to people you will find someone who will do one. The Toronto Lap Band Center gives out a dvd to train doctors of patients who live too far. Maybe one of those docs would do your fill. I live between thunder bay and Winnipeg and on this site got the number of a doc in Wpg who did my second fill (not the most tactful guy, but he did it) and it cost me $75.00 I flew to Toronto for my first fill ,that cost $300 plus .

Good luck. Keeping asking Docs in the area, I bet you'll find someone close.

Sherri, like I said, there is Dr. in Ottawa, who is NOT a Lap Band surgeon, but has been trained to do fills. Wheezy has gone to this person, even though she had her surgery in Toronto/Mississauga.... I'd really suggest giving them a call.

I met a women at TLBC from Sudbury and her doc was going to do her fills. You are located hours away from many large cities I am sure you CAN find someone.
And Delta Dawn had her's in Montreal that may be an option.
Which cities are you willing to travel to?

The Doc in Ottawa is :
Dr. Jose Gutauskas
7700 Broadview Avenue, #107
Ottawa
613 725 9180

He charges $75.00 a fill. I believe it's a 4 hour drive. Montreal would be about a 6 hour drive so Ottawa would be closer. He was taught by Dr Coburn from Mississauga, he is a General Surgeon and is quite skilled. I'm sure if your Doc from Alberta sent him your info he would do the fill.

Good Luck

Thanks so much guys! I am going to give this Doctor a call on Monday and see what they might be able to do for me.
Sherri

Sherryberry I live in North Bay also and My doctor supports me. I am getting banded Feb 8th. I am going to ask him if he does fills. I will let you know

Sherriberry! How's it going? What ever happened with your fills?

Gerry - if your Dr. is a reg. Dr, chances are he doesn't do fills, but he might be willing to learn from your surgeon, and/or if you're going to TLBC, use the teaching DVD. Who are you getting banded by?