I just got back from my doctor's appointment and am a little annoyed and need to vent. I'm getting my surgery done in Toronto, but I live in Halifax. I was told that most people have no problem getting their family doctor to do their fills. Well I guess I lucked out because mine said I was "putting him on the spot", he didn't want to get into legal difficulty, and the clinic was just "passing it off to someone else like they always do." In short, he said no. When I told him I was getting the surgery done he literally had nothing to say. No questions, no positive or negative feedback, nothing. Now I don't know where to go to get my fills done and I'm frustrated. It's looking like I'm going to have to fly to Toronto every time whichis going to be so expensive. Any suggestions? Anyone live in the area that knows someone I can go to? I don't feel like making appointments with a dozen random doctors hoping one will say yes.

Elizabeth

lizze. Congratulations on finding a fill doctor. I correspond with Marilyn all the time and she is one fantastic friend and supporter if you make the effort to get to know her. Good luck on your journey to a fantastic body and health. Doddie

Hi,

I too have had some difficulties getting fills (I live in Manitoba). It has been quite a distressing experience. I did have a chat with the TLBC about the situation (they were very open to hearing my concerns and did make some good efforts to rectify the issues I had). There is a doctor in Winnipeg who was trained by the Missisauga clinic, but was quite willing to do a fill for me ($75.00). As we (the people from out of the Toronto area), are paying the same for the surgery and supports, but aren't able to access them, it would make sense for them to use the resources not used on us to recruit doctors in major centres across Canada to train and be available to do fills. How's that for a long winded sentence? I struggle with the fact that we are all desperate in a real sense to submit to such an invasive and scary procedure in the first place. It would be good to know that wherever you live in Canada, there would be someone who could help.

I heard of a woman in Winnipeg who recently presented at one of the hospitals. She was in dire need of a Defill. She was in the emergency department for hours while dozens of people "had a go" at trying to extract saline through the port, all without success. Nothing would scare me more.

My own doctor reassured me by saying that the success of this procedure is going to increase the demand for it. In time, there will be many, many patients who need fills. She asked me to be patient while the system works out the bugs. She is willing to spend her own money to go and observe the procedures in order to help her patients with the fills. How lucky am I?

S

extremely lucky I would say. I have been criticized in the past by some bandsters. They had the audacity to suggest I should have thought about the fills before I had surgery. The fact of the matter is, priority is placed on selecting the best doctors in our own opinions. You can research until the cows come home and feel assured you will have a fill doctor/nurse when you have the surgery but what happens when they leave, etc. . The band is for life and in my case, my fill person reneged. Thanks to TLBC and a WLS support group, I found a bariatric surgeon to do my fills and look after me. But my fear is what if he leaves. Then what. Probably it will mean travelling to Toronto for fills and hoping the ER staff know about defills. Still harship aside, I still am thrilled I have the band. My weight is going down and my health is getting better. Doddie

I heard of a woman in Winnipeg who recently presented at one of the hospitals. She was in dire need of a Defill. She was in the emergency department for hours while dozens of people "had a go" at trying to extract saline through the port, all without success. Nothing would scare me more.

This happened to me.... luckily I found out that my little hospital had a flouroscope, and made arrangements to have the radiologist 'have a go at it'. It was quite an ordeal, but worked out.

I live in a province where the is 1 Dr. banding people (from all over the maritimes, and he's also the only one doing fills (for his patients), BUT, I can not for the life of me see him... he refuses. He's too busy, too many of his own patients. How can they deny me health care for something that's supposed to be covered provincially? Granted it was done elsewhere but would someone who got a pacemaker in Ontario be expected to go back there if they had problems? Doesn't seem fair. I've written to the provincial healthcare, but they never reply. It sucks. I would have gladly driven the 1.5 hours to see him rather than let all the emergency staff get to have jabs at me for 2 hours.

GRR!

Know what you mean Argon. Until the BC WLS group and the TLBC helped me find Dr. W. Dr. W. is doing it as a favor to Dr. Yau. I was at a loss wondering how doctors can refuse aid because a fill is a medical proceedure NOT a visit to the doctor. I know that doctors can limit their patient list to as many as they like but that is for general care not for a procedure. So why are they getting away with it. Probably becuase no one has complained to their Medical Association. I don't know but so help me, even if I had to go back to Toronto for every fill and defill, I would gladly do it as I am feeling so well. Now off my third BP pill and 4th diabetic pill.

Way to go Doddie on the medication :clap2::clap2: that is is just great. :whoo:

Maria

Thanks Irishmist. I am only loosing 3 lbs a month averages about .75 lbs per week since the band but the side benefits are unbelievable. Now I have BPing fairly undercontrol, I am thinking of getting another 1 cc fill. Little bit scared because I am so close to being at the sweet spot. I feel comfortable eating 1 cup a meal, not hungry after and only BP if I don't chew properly. Still I think I should be loosing 1 - 2 lbs per week. Maybe a 1 cc fill?????