After being severely tired of doctors being out of country, and no other doctor being here, and sick and tired of the idea of flying 1000's of miles for a fill, i did it, i got a huber needle, cleaned myself with pyodine, hit my self with a sterile needle in the center of the port and boom i have restriction.

I wanted to know how many people have tried doing this? and can the huber needle be reused, or i have to get another for each fill/unfill thanks

ok so im not going to tell you why this is a bad idea im sure you must have some sort of medical trainiing if you even attempted this lol. good luck hun keep those fingers crossed that you dont get infected and yes those needles are not reusable. They need to be sterile.

Oh, man, I don't support self-care in the sense of being your own expert! Not with something like the band. I do support self-responsibility, and that means working with an expert.

'Nuff said.

Wow, I have thought about this too but would not think of trying it. Friday I finally went back to the dr. to get a fill. Much to my surprise they did a test to see how the band was working. Well, found out I have been too tight for the last 6 months! so they took some out! I thought I needed more restriction but acutally as I was too tight I was going for more slippery foods.

Actually feeling so much better. So be careful

Wow, I wonder how long it will be before you give into temptation and UNFILL so that you can eat for a special occasion, or enjoy your vacation? Because of course, then you can refill so easily aftewards.

Good luck. I think you've just started on a slippery slope.

If this is really a serious thread and not just a hoax though, I think the problem of people flying across states for fills is a really bad one in the states. I cant understand why in a country that size, there's not doctors everywhere, I've never heard of people having to do that in Australia, its usually a matter or driving across suburbs (apart from people who live in remote areas of course). I just dont get why its the case there.

wow,be careful. What if you midded the port and don't know it. even Drs.sometimes miss the port.

That's pretty darn scary! Be careful!

What if you pierced the tube that goes to the port somehow and damaged it? Also where the heck do you live that you have to go 1000 miles for a fill? There are like 10 places I could go to in my area.

I admit, I've also thought about doing it myself, but would be too chicken. I'm be afraid I would poke something I shouldn't and bleed to death.

No, the needle cannot be reused. Lack of knowledge of this very, very basic tenet of aseptic technique makes the fact that you are doing this on your own worrisome.

Are any of your healthcare providers privy to your activities? I ask, because if you've gone maverick, you may well void any sort of possibility of gaining medical care related to the band in the future.

It's scary, for physicians, to care for patients who practice medicine on themselves without a license. And for good reason!

Also consider that you may queer your possibilities of having care for any complications that may arise covered by insurance.

I'm glad you're feeling wonderful, and hope you do well. But in your shoes, I think I'd work on locating a nearby professional to carry this task out. Look, if you can do it, your PCP---whereever you are---can learn to do it. Have him/her phone the doctor who banded you for instructions.

After being severely tired of doctors being out of country, and no other doctor being here, and sick and tired of the idea of flying 1000's of miles for a fill, i did it, i got a huber needle, cleaned myself with pyodine, hit my self with a sterile needle in the center of the port and boom i have restriction.

I wanted to know how many people have tried doing this? and can the huber needle be reused, or i have to get another for each fill/unfill thanks

Really?

You did your own fill, and yet you are unsure if you should re-use your needle?

REALLY??

I don't think more need be said except that, please if anyone is reading this - please know this is a seriously bad idea. Do not attempt this.

OMG, I am a nurse and would never even dream of doing that to myself.....you are surely headed for major problems down the road if you keep this up.. There has to be a doc somewhere near you that can help you.. best of luck to you and finding a MD.

Idiot.

S.

Thanks for your long perspective, Jack. I sure hope it's #1.

Hoax is a good possibility.

However, what concerns me is that someone might take the OP's suggestion that it CAN be done seriously, and inflict some serious damage on themselves and/or their band.

There are several instances on this forum of people who have stated that they are self pay or have lost their insurance and cannot afford and fills. I am concerned that one of those individuals will see this, and try and do it themselves.

Part of me says this thread (and those like it) should be deleted, another part says leave it up with all of the DON'T DO IT comments that people are making.

It is a ridiculous and dangerous notion, and anyone who suggests that someone without training, credentials, and proper materials should be doing this, should be bounced from this forum.

Again: Idiot.

S.

Great reply jack! :-) I, too, hope it's number 1

Ok, I must admit that I actually considered the idea of self filling BEFORE I found out the process of filling and became more educated. I figured that I give myself shots all the time for a heath condition and I know how to use a Huber needle, so whats the big deal? Fortunately, I realized what a dangerous (and dumb) thing that would be to do and will not ever be doing that. I also had some flashbacks of some pretty wicked infections on some of my patients that occurred as a result of home doctoring. Hopefully, as others have said, this was just a hoax.