Lap Band Doc Needed in NC for Aftercare...

Well, it's been over 3 months since I had lap band surgery and I still haven't had my first fill...I thought I was doing everything right and found an aftercare doc before surgery.  Well things didn't work out w/him and I am looking for a new doc.  I saw my aftercare doc 4 times and initially had a seroma, then he couldn't locate my port.  I don't feel comfortable going back to him so I am looking for a new doc.   I also had a backup doc and he now won't except patients that were banded somewhere else unless you moved.  I thought since stayed in the U.S. and had surgery that I wouldn't have to deal with a lot of this stuff. Well, I found a few docs here and either they are like $600 a fill or they require a large fee for a yearly plan.  I tried the yearly thing with my previous aftercare doc and it ended up being a big mess.  Some of them also won't see me since I didn't just move here. I would really appreciate if anyone knows of any docs in NC that will see patients that weren't banded by them.  Or if anyone has had a similar experience and found a doc. I found a doc over the weekend that's located in Wilmington.  I am going to try to call him this morning.  I am in Raleigh/Durham NC and I am willing to go up to 4 hours or so. Thanks a bunch!! 

I don't know if you have called Dr. Moran yet, but I love him and his staff!  They are located across the street from Rex Hospital.  His web site is: www.alasurgery.com  781-0815 Good Luck!

Hi Lori W.,  I did contact Dr. Moran.  He was one of first people that I considered since he was nearby.  From the time I initially contacted his office (prior to surgery), the price has gone way up.  Initially it was $1,500 for a year and now it's $2,500.  I really can't afford to pay that much.   I believe he used to work w/Dr. Enoch.  Dr. Enoch is the doctor that I tried in Cary.  He charged $1,500 for the year. Earlier I called Dr. David Miles' office in Wilmington and I was also told that he only sees patients that were banded by him.

Oh, and thanks for posting!!!

Dang,,,,I am sure thats hard to deal with-----I really dont know about the lapband---I had the gastric bypass In Greenville, NC. I think they do the lapband there too. But you could call maybe and see if they will see you the number is 252-744-2018. Greenville is about 2 hrs from raleigh..Good Luck to you ----I hope you find a doctor soon...((((HUGS)))))) carol

Try Dr Pirello in Concord, NC - he's listed on this group site. 

I will give Dr. Pirello and the doc in Greenville a call tomorrow morning.  I think I have called Pirello before, but I will try again.  The name sounds familiar.  Greenville wouldn't be far at all... Thanks a lot for the suggestions.

just some food for thought... The $1500 a year is not much considering what you will spend on traveling 4+ hours away multiple times a year.  Then add to it the fact that you will have a doc close to where you live.  I think if I was you I may "re-weigh" my options.  Sorry for all of your troubles....

~misslaurap

 

I tried the guy that was $1,500 a year.  I agree, that was definitely my best option.  That was a long crazy situation that I posted a while back on the main board.  Basically, I don't feel comfortable/safe going back to him.  I wish he would have worked out.  He was only like 25 minutes from my house. The next less expensive doc here w/a yearly plan is $2,500 which at this point I don't even have.  I didn't get all my $$ back from the last doc w/the yearly thing ($1,500).  Thank God I did get most of it back though.  I don't want to go through anything like that again.  If you don't like the doc or it doesn't work out then either you are out of a lot of $$ or you have to fight to get a portion back.