I have a question for you all about this. I've had two fills since my surgery. My surgeon has been unable to access my port both times and another surgeon in the office has had to do it.

The first visit my doctor stuck me about a dozen or more times with no success. The second doctor was able to do it the first time.

This last visit, Friday, my doctor again tried to do the fill and after two tries the other doctor took over. It took him two tries and he was able to do the fill. I had so much restriction that I could hardly drink Water and he decided we needed to take some out. Needless to say I wasn't very happy about it because I was hurting pretty badly by then. Not only do they stick me multiple times they also keep pressing on the area over and over and over.

Well, he tried and tried and couldn't locate the port again. He must have stuck me about 8 times or more. So, I finally told him to quit. I couldn't take it anymore. Well, that ticked him off and he left the room and never came back.

Okay, so here's the weird part. I now have no restriction. None! I gained two pounds over the weekend because I ate too much. It wasn't intentional. I didn't realize how much I had eaten until I logged it all in.

I'm also angry because I'm tired of being treated like a human pincushion. Does anyone else feel this way or am I out of line? Seriously. My port area has never stopped hurting since surgery on March 12. The doctor even told me he felt a bump.

I think that if they can't locate the port after 2 or 3 attempts they should stop and do it under fleuro. Am I being unreasonable? Seriously. Should I just lay there and let them stick me again and again and again and not complain? How likely is that to cause an infection? If they aren't getting the needle into the port, exactly where is it going? Could they stick the tube and cause the saline to leak out? I know I'm asking a lot of questions here.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

I live in Knoxville.

You may consider filing a complaint to the board of Medicine.

From "CouncilA Guide toEthical Conductand Behaviour"

3.2 Dignity of the Patient

Patients must always be treated with dignity and respect. Rude and insensitive

behaviour towards patients or their relatives is unacceptable.

I have been thinking hard about this all weekend. I was so depressed that I was unable to sleep for a couple of nights and didn't get my exercise in. But yesterday afternoon I got really angry so I may very well file a complaint. I refuse to let this get me down. I will find a doctor that will take care of me. Somehow, someway. Until then....CHARGE!!!

Absolutely!

Thre is no reason that another doctor cannot take over your fills, even at another practice.

You are responsible for your own health, and if you are not satisfied with the way you are treated, then take action.

If your insurance helped pay for the proceedure, then I would complain also to your insurance company.

Remember, this doctor works for YOU. You don't work for him. Fibromyalgia has nothing to do with how many times it takes them to stick you and miss. If they have this much trouble, they should have been numbing you with lidocaine. I used to be like you and "non confrontational" with doctors. But I am now a nurse, and I have no problem firing a doctor if I feel he does not have my best interest in mind. I would get a copy of your medical records this week and doctor shop. You should be able to find another doctor there in Knoxville that will do your fills. Or you could make the drive to Nashville. Good luck to you.

Thanks everyone! I was thinking I probably should get a copy of my records. I'll do that for sure. Thanks again for the support!

If you need a doctor in Nashville, there are plenty of patients here that have Nashville docs. Mine is in Clarksville, and that would be an extra hours drive for you. Good luck, and keep us updated on how it goes. Your experience will help others!!

:waytogo:I agree with everyone on this. I am a nurse and have seen some pretty nasty doctors and nurses and they get away with it. I would file a complaint, he is unprofessional at best and certainly his records should be accurately documenting xactly how many time you've been there andhow many fills you have had. And....you are absolutely right what the hell business of his how many fills you have had??? My physician is wonderful, he completely trusts your own judgement on how you feel and how you are eating to decide on a fill. I had 4 fills since surgery and will be going for another on Wednesday. Don't let this eat you up. I would find another doctor, sign the paperwork to transfer your records and file a complaint. He's just a plain asshole...

the world is full of them!!!

I got a call from Dr. Boyce's office on Thursday. He's going to take me as his patient!! Whoo hoo! Now my fills will be done by the best doc in town under fleuro. (Wonder how many ways I can mispell that word?) :drool: Anyway, I see him on August 1 and I am so excited about it!

So, anyway I just wanted to share some good news with you guys and thank you all again for the support. I'm still so happy to have my band and I believe with Dr. Boyce as my doc I'll be even more successful.

Wow! just wow! I am happy that you got accepted by another doctor, but that is just terrible that it had to be under those circumstances.

I got a call from Dr. Boyce's office on Thursday. He's going to take me as his patient!! Whoo hoo! Now my fills will be done by the best doc in town under fleuro. (Wonder how many ways I can mispell that word?) :drool: Anyway, I see him on August 1 and I am so excited about it!

So, anyway I just wanted to share some good news with you guys and thank you all again for the support. I'm still so happy to have my band and I believe with Dr. Boyce as my doc I'll be even more successful.

congratulations....you will be so much better with a good physician. This journey is difficult enough without having the medical support you need to get through it. You're on your way so hang on...think of where you'll be next year!!! I can't wait....I love my band...I have 6 cc in a 10 cc band. I track my intake on www.mydailyplate.com and even my worse days aren't really bad. This is a big load off of your shoulders as I know how upset you were. Now don't let this deter from filing a complaint about that other physician. This is the only way that things will change....

sharon:waytogo:

SanDiegoPhotog...thank you so much. Yes, it has been very difficult to say the least.

Thanks Sharon. I will file a complaint after I get my hands on my medical records. They are charging me $62 to get them. I am so angry but I'm going to pay them. That will also be in my complaint. I'm also going to write a complaint to the medical director of the hospital.

Hey Sharon, you and I had our surgery on the same day! That is so cool!

Edited July 20, 200818 yr by squirrelcorn
Edited to correct the spelling of your name.

Once you get your medical records, I would write down your own experiences, on those same dates. They may says fill on date, but not list 8 attempts before sucessful. This info would be important of you found a leak from prior sticks. Also I would ask for a refund of fill services not received. You have been so good after all that has happened to you. You definatley are on you way. Congrats

Yes, I am going to ask for some compensation. I probably won't get any but I'm going to ask anyway.

I saw my primary doc last week and told him what happened. He was so upset he put everything I said in my chart. I think he may have called Dr. Boyce on my behalf but I don't know that for sure.

By the way, my latest lab results were "text book perfect" as the good doctor said! :biggrin2: This is the first time in years that I've heard that! Have I told you guys yet how much I love my band?! :thumbup:

I went through a story much like yours and got them to refund my money!! by the time I got to a real doc I only had 1.5cc in and the old fill people did blind sticks and were not getting in but were charging me. I should have had 10cc in by their count!!! my advice dont ever have a fill with out fluoro. Good Luck