At my initial consult on 5/21/10 my mother & I met with the surgeon. During this visit the surgeon was a royal douche-bag and did everything he could to be-little me and talk me out of getting the Band. He made sure we knew that he had very little confidence in the Bands ability to help me lose & maintain weight loss. He told me I would be better off having gastric bypass (which he also does). He said that it works faster and has less follow-up. He told me to go home and think about it some more and exited his office. I walked outta of his clinic in tears and my mother was ticked off.

On the drive home my mother said not to let him discourage me & that if I had to find another surgeon 100's of miles away we would make it happen. But before we even reached the house I had already made up my mind. I ran inside and called the clinic I had just left and told them to go ahead and schedule my surgery. Hell, I didnt have to sleep with the man, I just had to let him perform my surgery.

I had to lose about 15lbs pre-operatively for insurance purposes. I went through all the pre-op appts & requirements, never seeing the surgeon. By the time my surgery rolled around I had lost 32lbs.

On the day of my surgery I never seen the surgeon 1 single time. Never seen him in recovery, never seen him for the 3 days I was in the hospital post-op. I did however see his nurse practitioner a few times and one of his partner surgeons, but never him.

I am almost 3 months post-op now and I still have yet to see my surgeon. All my follow-up appts have been with one of his partners. I am now down 55lbs without any fill yet.

Could the surgeon be avoiding me? I hope he feels like the douche-bag that he is. I hope he monitors my progress and eats his words of negativity. I think in a way, his negativity has motivated me to prove him wrong.

On a different note, the partner surgeon that seems to have taken over my case is far more pleasant. However, I am concerned that he is a bit inexperienced. He seems to avoid having to give me a fill. I realize I am losing at a good rate but whenever I express concerns to him about my constant feelings of hunger he tells me a fill will not help me. I thought that was the point of the LAP-BAND®®, to help curb the constant hunger. And it's not just head hunger, I am following the program to the letter but within a hour of eating I am hungry again. It feels like torture. He's not allowing me to utilize my "tool".

My next appt is 11/12, I've cut way back on my usual excersize routine just to slow my weight loss so that he can't use that as an excuse for not giving me a fill. Am I wrong for that?

Any input will be greatly appreciated.

-Amy

As for you not knowing what band you have.....I thought your band was actually "registered". I recieved a packet and a card (temporary) that I actually went in and registered with LAP-BAND®....it states that I have a LAP-BAND® AP STANDARD....10cc. Also a system id. DEMAND this info...for yourself. GET A NEW DOCTOR. I agree with the last poster...it is a science, NOT an art. Although I have not seen my doctor since a week after my surgery, I know I could if I wanted. I deal with his PA for fills and question...and the office is great at answering anything I may ask. If they do not know, they will find out. You should have some kind of a relationship with them. Honey, find a new doctor and let them know what has happened thus far. This should be a good experience, not a bad one. AND a fill WILL help you.

I didnt get any packet or card. Thats all news to me.

I would demand a fill. If he doesn't, you have two options...either find a new doctor or threaten to report this jackass for fraudulently installing a band and refusing to do the followup that actually makes it work. It's a bit like selling you a car with no tires. I would ask the 2nd doctor 'why' he's not giving you a fill. According to the band literature, fills should be given if you're hungry and able to eat to excess. If you're losing weight without the band, bonus...but as we all know, that won't continue to happen long term for most of us.

As for seeing the surgeon...I had/have very little contact with mine. He saw me at the seminar, on the day of surgery and at the 2 week post visit to check my port and incisions. All the rest of my visits have been with his nurses, who do the actual fills.

Addendum: Just read the 2nd post where someone compared this to selling you a car with flat tires. ROFLMAO...GMTA.

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They actually haven't had the band yet.