GB2011

I had my surgery in early May of this year and I can only attribute the 30 lbs I've lost so far to my own efforts (eating less than 1200 calories a day and working out everyday). My band is still doing...NOTHING. Needless to say, the last few months I have actually been putting on weight (which has been a result of weights...I typically have VERY muscular legs and put on muscle quickly). When I came in for my appt. today I was weighed and I put on two pounds. He didn't ask if anything had changed in my life, or if I'm doing anything differently, he just assumed I wasn't counting calories. He went on to gripe about my not counting calories the entire time I was there. I finally got sick of his mouth and got up from the table and got my purse. He asked about my sudden attitude and I informed him I didn't appreciate being berated by him over something I'm struggling with (my weight) and I don't appreciated being spoken to like a 3 year old. He said, "You are a 3 year old." It took everything in me not to lay his ass out in that room (he is probably a good 140lbs soak and wet). I cursed him out (aside from me choking him) left and asked the always confused receptionist to give me copies of all my records so I can go somewhere else. This man is doing nothing but billing my insurance company for my fills each month. I get .5cc per visit or less and my band holds 12CC. I have never been talked to in this manner by any "professional". Clearly he doesn't know who he is dealing with. Not only have I filed a complaint with the state board of medical examiners, but I have also filed a complaint with my insurance company and I plan to spend the rest of the day scandalizing his name via the net. I'm not done with this bastard just yet. I already have an appt with another fill doctor next month. Doctor: Richard Carter 515 W Mayfield Rd Suite 300 Arlington, TX 76014 Don't waste your time or energy on this SOB!!!!!!!!!

I filed a complaint with HIPAA. I have a few friends who are lawyers and they said this was the initial course of action.They are investigating. I know the punk knows about the investigation because someone called my cell from his office last week. I did not answer, but if there any additional phone calls I plan to add harasssment to the complaint as well.

Bluetigereyes, I already have and he is EXCELLENT. He actually "talk" to you when you come in. Had a fill last week and have already dropped 6lbs in a week. Thank you all so much for the support. He defitnitely won't be seeing or hearing the last of me. I plan to be his worst nightmare!!!!!

****Inappropriate Language Coming Fast and Furious***** For the asswhole who posted this comment and tried to cover thier tracks, trust and believe I have reported this to HIPPA and retained an attorney for the violation of my privacy. Sorry b*****s like you are the reason why people are so unsuccessful at weight loss even by extreme ventures such as bariatric surgery. You can post whatever your stupid ass wants to post because clearly you don't comprehend what an IP address is and that forensics can be done to figure out what computer this was sent from and who sent it. My attorney will be working on that (check). In the near future you may want to focus on your job at hand and the few patients you have left instead trolling the forums on lapband sites trying to "expose" people. I would suggest sending out resumes quick fast and in a hurry because that raggedy ass office and your incompetent staff will be collecting a welfare check real soon. Sorry b*****s!!!!!!!!!!!

Carfigure I had about 3cc in the band. I recently changed fill doctors and have a little restriction (little) right now. It's a lot better in the mornings than the afternoons. I can still eat with ease in the afternoons.

Shap it won't be that bad, I felt like I was back to normal after about a week. You just have to be sure you watch what you eat until they start filling the band. The way you're thinking positively about the changes you need to make will get you going in the right direction after your surgery. Good luck!

Since then I have requested my medical records and have an appt with another fill doctor next week, who will hopefully be a little bit more aggressive. I am coming close to my one year anniversary and have nothing in my band and I'm not even close to restriction. Every forum I come across or every web site that mentions him, where I can leave feedback, I leave a much negative feedback as possible. Hopefully this man will be out of business soon. @Humming Bird Thanks for you input. I agree that counting calories is not the answer. It works well when you have reached restriction because the band is going to prevent you from eating the number of calories you ate before, but when you can still eat anything, telling me to eat 1200 calories a day or less is a little unrealistic. Granted I don't eat like I did prior to my surgery, I can still have sandwiches, Pasta, pretzels, etc. The band is supposed to be doing SOMETHING.

The doctor who performed my surgery (whom I'm not fond of) does not use x-ray to do fills. You basically lay on a table and he pokes around until he finds the port and gets the needle in. The problem for me it that every time I have a fill scar tissue forms over the port. So, each time I have a fill, it becomes harder and harder to get the needle into the port. Needless to say, the last fill I had in Nov. took roughly 10 minutes and two different tools. It is uncomfortable and it hurts. I have an appt with another fill doctor next week who uses the x-ray. I am hoping for a better experience and also a doctor who is trying to help me reach restriction. I had my surgery 8 months ago and only have 3cc of fluid in my band. Talk about wasting my time.

Mmmmmm! Very good topic. Let's see if any haters will show up to rumble.

Horrible, I would not recommend him to an enemy. Staff are idiots and give incorrect information and don't think once you have the surgery you will have a doctor who cares because he won't. All he wants is to bill your insurance company.

Horrible, Horrible, Horrible. Verbally abusive and doesn't take the time to talk to you. Herds patients in like cattle.

Wow, that's terrible. UHC is usually one of the better insurances when it comes to bariatric surgeries. Keep trying and don't give up. I went through the entire process in 2006 only to change jobs (where they had United Health care insurance), only to get to my orientation to find out they had switched insurance to some local mess that did not cover weight loss surgeries. I just got my surgery done in May. If you want it, keep pushing for it. Good luck to you!!!!

I was banded on 5/6/11. I have seen my doctor 5 times and he only does .5cc per visit (in my opinion, to bill my insurance as much as he can). Needless to say, I found a new fill doctor today and after I receive my records from his office, will be moving on to someone who is going to put the band in action. My band has 2.5cc in it after 7 months. This is BS. I paid for this band to work not to get bilked for all my insurance coverage. I can understand anyone's frustration when you have NO restriction after so many months.

A lot of them are just billing the insurance company..such as mine...and not trying to truly provide a service. Set his ass up and call him out.

Thanks Skinny. You can tell which doctors are out to get as much insurance money as possible and the ones who truly care about your weight loss success.

2bSmaller, my issue is not the amount of weight I've lost thus far. As I've stated before when I start using weights I ALWAYS put on weight as oppose to losing. I can tell I'm getting leaner because I'm fitting into pants I've never been able to wear, but the weight loss is not reflected on the scale. My issue is the rudeness of the a*****e who presents himself as a doctor for those who are struggling with their weight. I have already found another fill doctor and when I called and told the receptionist when I had surgery, she was amazed I was not at a level of restriction. With only 2.5cc of Fluid in a 12 cc band, I guess not. Scooterbug, THANKS for the info. I plan to add to those sanctions because I am also filing a complaint with the hospital he works at. He is going to be real tired of me. Seasons Greeting Ass!

Horrible experience post-surgery. His only concern is to keep you coming in each month for fills so he can bill your insurance company. He called me a 3 year old because I wasn't counting my calories and had put on weight (a result of putting on muscle because I had been walking more...didn't even ask if it was a result of exercise). I have filed a complaint with the state medical board and my insurance company on this piece of trash. Every fill has been painful and his staff is less than competent. I will be officially taking my insurance to another doctor in Jan. It's my life's mission to have this man shut down.

I had my surgery in May and since then I have had 4 fills of .5cc each. At this rate it will take me a year to reach my sweet spot. I'm hoping that my doctor will vamp it up at my next appointment this week. These monthly visits are already getting old.

I am on fill #4 and I have little restriction. The only time I feel anything is when I eat sandwiches (bread) and when I eat things like pretzels. I started out really good, working out, counting calories, and watching portion control and I figured I'd be at a better place by now and I'm not. The discouragement of not having more restriction has caused me to go back to old habits, and eating too much of the wrong thing. So far my MD is only adding .5 cc each visit. It may be 2012 before I actually get some restriction, but I am back on track as of today. I have my gym clothes laying on the bed and I'm hitting the treadmill today. I've paid too much money to go back to the old me. Don't feel like you're alone because we all go through it. Just start a new day and vow to do better. I rooting for you!

I have been using My FitnessPal since before I had my surgery and it is the only reason I'm losing weight right now (only had one fill and having no restriction yet). It has been my lifeline.

Fast Food is how I got the way I am, so I have avoided them since being banded. I have days that I go straight from work to class and have to consume something during my 45 minute commute. I usually just plan ahead and make an extra protein shake then eat when I get home. I have no control over the type of food they use in fast food establishments (fatty ground beef vs. lean ground beef), so I avoid them all together.

No, but I know of others with the lap band who really need to seek counseling for their food addiction. Since my surgery I don't eat the same or think about food the same anymore. I am really embracing a healthier lifestyle.

My doctor told me pre-surgery that I have a limit of 1200 calories a day. I use My Fitness Pal on my phone to track my calories. He told me not to eat the extra calories I get from exercising. So far, I'm down 10 lbs since surgery listening to him with no fill yet. I also sometimes struggle eating the entire 1200 calories.

Go girl.

I wasn't really hungry after surgery. I guess it was the meds. I stuck to the liquid diet, but had to cheat a little and move into the mushies at day 3 instead of the staying on the liquids until day 6. I got tired of the bathroom visits. The nice thing about the liquid part is it lets your stomach get used to not eating as much. Once the swelling goes down you will be able to eat ANYTHING until you get your first fill so allow the stomach to get used to not holding much. That way when you eat more than necessary you WILL feel that it's too much.