Hello everyone. I am so upset about what happened to me today. First, let me begin by telling my story:

About 2 months ago, I had my third fill. My doctor has been aggressive with the fills from the very beginning. Always adding 2.0 cc at a time. The last fill took me over the top. I was so tight, that I had to go back to the office twice to get Fluid removed from my band. When I was tight, it was difficult for me to swallow food and liquids. I had a doctors appointment for December 2, but I had to reschedule that appointment for personal reasons. They could not fit me in until today, January 6th. As always, I had to take time off from work. I keep reading on this forum that we need to take control of our band, and today that's exactly what I did. I told the nurse that I was going to speak to the doctor because I am no longer going to allow him to fill me without asking me how I'm feeling. All my doctor does is say: "lay down" fills me and then sends me to the waiting area to drink Water. He never asks me about hunger, portions, or anything else. He does not tell me how many cc's I have unless I ask him.

Since I did not want what happened the last time to happen again, I told the nurse that I was not laying down, and that I wanted to speak to the doctor about my concerns. I told her that the doctor makes me feel like all he cares about is money (I am self pay and I have to pay $200 for each fill). When the doctor walked in the room, he seemed indifferent. He asked me what was wrong and why did I look mad. I told him that I wasn't mad, but concerned. That I did not want to be filled too much because I did not want to go through what I went through the last time I went in for a fill. He became very upset (I think his nurse told him what I had told her). Anyway, he refused to fill me, and instead sent me for an X-ray. I asked him why I was being sent for an X-ray, and he said that he needs to make sure that everything is okay with my band. I asked him, what made him think something was wrong, and he said that the last time I had a fill, I couldn't get anything down. I responded by reminding him that I couldn't get anything down because I was too tight. He said that I needed the X-ray, whether I agreed I needed one or not, and that he's not going to have his patients vomiting after a fill. I told him that I have never ever vomited in the six months I've had the band and that I didn't know why he was diagnosing me with vomiting when I have never vomited.

There was so much confusion with the back and forth. He was very upset with me and spoke so loud that I'm sure all his other patients heard him. I do not mind getting an X-ray because I would be happy to know that everything is ok with my band, but don't say that you are sending me for one because of vomiting when I have NEVER vomited! Nevertheless, I go in for the X-ray tomorrow morning, and I was informed by hospital staff that I have to pay 30% of the bill which comes out to $591.00. This is ridiculous! Now, I have to pay, almost $600, plus the $200 to him if I get the fill, plus take some time off from work again.

I am an advocate of speaking up for yourself even when it's your doctor. I also feel that if you are not getting the results that you believe you should have or care, then seek out another doctor with your insurances approval. Your life, time missed from work, etc., is more valuable than fighting to get the care that you need and deserve.

Good Luck and stay encouraged!

Do you 'have' to get it tomorrow? I'm not advocating waiting on something that is urgent, but is there another facility that you could get an x-ray? I have crappy insurance - high deductible - etc. I've learned to shop around for the x-ray. My doctor's office (normal primary - not surgeon) has the capability and it's only $25 for a chest x-ray (two views or something like that). That includes a radiologist reviewing it too. If I'd go to the hospital, I think it would come out about what you're being asked to pay. Sorry to hear of the issues you're having.

Where in Florida are you located? Do you have the option of finding a new surgeon doctor to monitor your fills? I'm in Clearwater and love my surgeon, but then again I have not gone through any fills yet.

I will be thinking of you tomorrow - I hope everything goes well! Let me know if I can help in any way

CHANGE DOCTORS. don't get an xray. what is it going to prove anyways. that your band is in the correct place, not how liquids or food goes through. there are lots and lots of doctors in florida. look above and check the tab with surgeons. your doctor isn't treating you as a individual. he is treating his patients as if they all are the same body type, same internal types etc. save your money. 200.00 a fill is also expensive. we had a long long thread about this last month or the month before. you are not in distress right now. so take a deep breath and decide what you really want. a doctor that cares about you and listen to you. some ppl can handle rapid fills but there are others i am one of them that need them to be a bit slower and smaller amounts. you have done nothing wrong. you just need to find the right doctor. good luck

Thank you a Terry!

I already had the X-ray done for my own sanity. Thank God everything is great! My band is where it's supposed to be, there's no slip nor any dialation. Now, I'm just going to sit and wait to see how long it's going to take him to respond to me. In the meantime, I'm going to try my best to do what I can on my own. I will also start looking for other doctors. The doctor who saw me at the hospital today, told me what I already knew: that I was too tight. I go back to what I said before, I think that he was trying to make me mad for what I said.

Wow, that is crazy. I hope you can find a Dr you are comfortable with.