Ok, here is the deal. I was the first patient to have my lap band placed by my doctor. He was awsome! He always asked my opinion and input on what was going on. Sadly, he is leaving at the end of the month. The NP in the office, whom I absolutely love, set me up with one of the other doctors in the practice. He is also new at the lap band thing. He gave me my 3rd fill and it went fairly well since it was the first time doing it in the office. It only took him 2 times to hit the center of my port. I called yesterday and got in for today to get another fill. He came in the room with 2 residents with out asking if it were ok. They each felt my port. It feels like a bruise when he touches it. He got ready and before he cleaned my skin I pointed to the spot that he used last time and I said "right here where this spot is, is where you got it last time." He didn't say anything and cleaned my skin and then poke 1, he missed, poke 2 and 3 he missed. It stung soooo bad when he wasn't over the port. Poke 4 he completely missed and I could feel it go past the port and said something. Poke 5 still not right and he said that I had the scar there and that could be why it stung so bad. At that point I realized that he was near my scar and not down low enough. Poke 6 he hit it good enough and drew back fluid and then added my new 1/2 a cc. I looked at my stomach and I was right that he was right under the scar about a good inch away from the small scab from 2 weeks ago. I asked for a bandaid because my stomach looked like mince meat. He put a steri strip over it. As he tried to explain the steri strip I looked at him and said, "Do you know that I am a nurse?" He told me no with kind of a shocked look on his face. He asked me a few questions about that and then he and 1 of the others left the room while the other one listened to my stomach, heart and lungs. I was very upset as I thought about the situation. I didn't say anything but I am thinking of telling the NP when I call her tomorrow. Would anyone else be upset at the lact of personal attention? He didn't even listen when I pointed and told him where he got me last time. Maybe I am just blowing this out of perportion but he could have nicked my tubing. I don't know, but thanks for reading (listening)

Hugs everyone!

Maybe it can be traced back to training. I know in my own training, Chiropractic care was not a method of treatment discussed as a successful treatment. Who knows? It could be one of those sorry, passed-down stigmas, too.

I recently attended a pain seminar. FYI, chiropractic care was mentioned as pain control for those with severe back pain although it was not recommended long term as the MD felt that some individuals become dependant on it rather than seek what he felt would be more permanent treatment for what could become a chronic problem. It was recommended for immediate care and for a set number or treatments or even a specified duration. After that, it would be determined that chiropractic care was not appropriate for this individual and he/she would need something else (ie: injections, physical therapy, surgery, etc)

I wouldn't tell a doctor like that, that I was a nurse either. I would mention after the 3rd miss, that I am a hitman for the Mafia.

I asked the NP about the possibility of damaging my tubing and she told me that the needle is designed so that it doesn't actually poke. I forget how it actually works because I didn't hear it all. My kids were being loud when I was talking to her. If you looke at the tip of the needle it has a curve to it. It is the same thing with the needles to access implaned ports for IV medications. Still I worry because I have never been sore after a fill. The fact that he was pushing and pressing on my port has to be a factor as well, but regardless he will not be touching me again!

OUCH!!

I would NEVER let that Dr. touch me, either.

I watch the needle go into the port on the TV (flouro). It hurts even when they hit a bullseye!

Why don't you ask the doctor (or NP) for a little Emla cream topically before their next attempt?

Why don't you ask the doctor (or NP) for a little Emla cream topically before their next attempt?

I don't really need it because when they do it right it isn't that bad. When they are not over the port it stings. At least it does for me.

I pull the nurse card when I notice BAD technique... there is no excuse. Just think of all the other patients who are experienceing poor care and do not even know it.

Mia,

I'm curious how a needle designed to access a port can't put a hole in something else. The needles we use are "L" shaped with a beveled edge so that when you hit the port you push in and check for blood return. I guess the equivalent in this would be pulling back saline but how in the world that could happen without a sharp somewhere is beyond me. Maybe there's new technology out there I haven't seen.(We don't see alot of lap bands in Pediatrics)

Is anyone familiar with the tubing/port system with the band??

Jeannine-I keep a deck in my purse for just such an occasion!! 'I know you're going to wash your hands right? Don't make me get my cards out' (she says in her nicest nursey voice) and by nursey I mean *itchy.