drcollier

I am back to update you all on this story. I'm glad to report that it has a happy ending. Late last year I reported the incident to the appropriate department at the hospital where the doctor practices. The head of the department looked into my complaint, and spoke to the doctor about it. She said that the doctor was very cooperative and forthcoming, and it all got straightened out pretty easily. The hospital now makes sure that my doctor has an ample supply of needles on hand at all times. So from that moment on, there has been no more talk of reusing needles. I spoke with the doctor's nurse about it, and it went very well. I was very glad about this because my doctor does have excellent technical skills, plus a very nice personality. So things have turned out really well in this case. In addition, since I started getting my fills at the hospital again, the doctor and I have had a much better connection. All's well that ends well. I want to thank everyone in this forum for all the support and well wishes.

I want to thank everyone for their responses also. I am 4 months post op, and right now am really still pretty confused in the head. What I gained from reading this thread is that this will all sort itself out over time. Is it safe for me to say that? Right now, I can eat a lot more than I actually do right now. I've just had my third fill last week, and I still haven't gotten to that "sweet spot" yet. I have experienced a lot of inner confusion about what and how I will eat each day. First I have this mindset of "dieting", then I remember "I'm not supposed to have to diet". And then I tell myself "I've got to make healthier choices", and then "I should eat one cup of food for a meal. Period." And on and on it goes. What I sincerely hope that I am hearing from you all is that my mind will finally clear, and I will find my "center", - that place where I am not thinking/worrying about food so much. And that my fills will get to a point where I can allow the band will just do its job. My job is to stay conscious, and to make as good a food choice as I can, at the time. I love having the lap band, and although I would like to lose just a little faster and more CONSISTENTLY, I have lots of hope; and I can't wait to see what my future will be. Thank you all so much. This message board does such a good service for people like me.

Also you might check out the section elsewhere on this messageboar under the broad heading "Food". Click on it, and then click on the link "Liquid Stage Recipes". This has different recipes that people have contributed. I'll bet it give you a lot of good suggestions and ideas. Good luck to you.

I definitely would ask him. Just to have the peace of mind is a valuable thing, I think. Good luck.

I have heard an equal number of people whose fill doctors use fluoro as opposed to those who don't. I think most have fluoro available whether they use it or not. The fills sound very expensive. I live in the midwest, maybe that accounts for the difference. Around here they are $100 - $250. I live in Kansas City, MO.

I have found this group to be a very friendly bunch, and the veteran lapbanders are the best. So I say all that to say, you will have very good "sounding boards" here.

It is a good show. I've seen episodes here and there. But I watched the show last night with Chance preparing to go home with his new family. He was so cute and it brought tears to my eyes too. What a good show. And educational too.

Dr Malley is at 5820 Lamar Suite 200. Where are you reading that he is not there? I assure you he is still on Lamar.

Dr Malley didn't go anywhere. He is still at 5820 Lamar. Just saw him last week.

Thanks Robyn. I want you to know that I reported this to the hospital's infection control recently and will update as to how it is taken care of. Since I asked for a clean needle, I have not been able to get an appointment with my surgeon (I'm not sure I want another one at this point). I'll keep the board posted.

So far I have spoken to the Inamed people. I am also filing a formal complaint. On another note, I have called around to numerous doctors, but so far all have told me that they only do fills on the patients they did the surgery on. I have a call in to Dr Malley, but haven't heard back yet. In case any of you know anyone who can help, I am on the Missouri/Kansas line (Kansas City, MO).

I was asked if I would keep everyone posted about "Needlegate", so here's the latest. I am in contact someone from the Ks. board, but I have not filed any complaints as yet. They wanted me a little more info first. So yesterday I called my doctor's office and spoke to the doctor's secretary (she told me that she was the one that I should speak to, when I asked for the doctor's nurse or one of the residents). Anyway, I told her that I am scheduled for a fill on November 14 and I am calling ahead to request that the doctor bring a new fill needle because I felt uncomfortable (quite the understatement) with the idea of him using the used needle that he sent me home with. She put me on hold. After a while, she returned to the phone and said that she would have to call me back. (I said OK). Today she called me back and told me that my appointment date had to be moved to a different day because the radiology room where the fills are done will be busy on November 14. I said "OK, what's the new date?" She said "December 21st." I asked if there were absolutely no earlier dates available, and she said no. (No info about the needle) Then I asked what the doctor had said about my needle request. She said he was ordering more needles, and that some of his other patients were also not comfortable with his practice of using used needles. Her exact words were, "He usually uses the same needle over and over when he does fills. But he said some of his patients weren't comfortable with that, so he's going to order some new needles." I said, "He said that?" She said "Yes, that's what he told me yesterday." And HarleyNana, I can't make this stuff up!

I did a barium swallow afterwards. My fill was done using fluoroscopy.

I've contemplated that same question. I am using my insurance. And yes it is an unsafe situation, -- questionable on so many levels.