xPost -?? on time between fills

[Guest guest]

I am 16 weeks post-op, 3 fills, and at 4.25cc in a 10cc Inomed

Vanguard band (same as 1.6cc in a 4cc band), I have zero restriction

and can eat/drink any amount any time. Having had 3 fills just to

get to this level, my Doctor does not seem to want to schedule fills

in shorter time periods than 3-4 weeks or greater than increased

volumes of +1cc. I am so frustrated and would appreciate

other's point of view.

So I was wondering if anyone here would enlighten me. Could there be

a financial benifit somewhere for this approach. I understand that

some Doctors want to be assured that a patient hasn't lost in 3-4

weeks then would need a fill. But I haven't loss 2 lbs in over 9

weeks and post-the last two fills. I was hoping that he would see me

every two weeks but he keeps saying no without a reason. Is it

possible that insurance won't approve or paid for one that soon? I

have United HealthCare - does that make a difference? Any help to

what I might say to him would be helpful. Also does anyone know what

the max. fill at one visit could be for a 10cc band?

Thanks in advance for your responce.

Judy

[Guest guest]

Friday, August 20, 2004, 9:45:29 AM, you wrote:

JB> I was hoping that he would see me

JB> every two weeks but he keeps saying no without a reason. Is it

JB> possible that insurance won't approve or paid for one that soon? I

JB> have United HealthCare - does that make a difference? Any help to

JB> what I might say to him would be helpful. Also does anyone know what

JB> the max. fill at one visit could be for a 10cc band?

Every doctor has their own policy on fills. Some like to fill you

right up right away (what I think is right in most cases) and others

like to " sneak up on it " . The numbers are irrelevant for either type

of band, as you just can NOT compare fills. I know that many doctors

will " tighten you up " on the first fill, unless YOU want to " phase

into it " .

I have no idea on insurance, but you could ask the insurance company.

Personally, I'd be VERY irritated, but....you can still do all you can

to eat like a bandster, even if your band will let you eat more. Work

at eating the right foods in the right quantities, eating slowly, and

so forth...which will make it easier for the transition when you do

get tightened up.

dan

Dan Lester, Boise, ID honu@... www.mylapband.tk

Dr. Ortiz, Tijuana, 4/28/03

323/211/199 Age 61