O.K. I know I am going to get a lot of grief about this, but here goes. Does anyone have any info on people doing there own unfills. I don't mean myself but a trusted nurse I know. I know you will all be giving me a million reasons why I should just go in but there are numerous reasons why it would be difficult to go in and get it done. I would just like some input. I dont need to hear why it is a terrible idea. Thanks in advance.

Sorry that you don't need to know why this is a bad idea but this is the most insane thing I have ever heard. If you have to ask this question on a message board I suggest you get to your doctor. There is really no other way.

Why would you want to put your band in danger of someone who is not skilled in fills?:teeth_smile:

this is just as stupid as the posts I saw earlier on giving your own fills, you spend that much money on a band then you cant cough up enough to do a PROPER fill/unfill? ugh I hate posts like this

I asked my doctor if he'd ever had a patient that had to have her band removed. One - she was a nurse and did her own fills/unfills without his knowledge. She ended up having some major problems. You have to use a special needle and not every nurse can do it. I know you don't want to hear the reasons why you shouldn't, but you opened the door. You are risking infection and unforseen side affects. It is just plain stupid.

Robin,

I know its not the smartest idea, and I'm sure you have your reasons. I have not always followed doctors orders. I was a cnacer patient for years and did a lot of things I probably shoudn't have.

Does your friend know what she is doing, has she ever had any experience with someone who has had a lapband?

Just think long and hard about the complications that can arise, are they going to be worth it.

I am sorry for the harsh comments but I want to be the voice of reason. if you don't see any other way then do what you have to do.

I had to have an unfill due to some circumstances in my life. I talked to the nurse in my doctors office under the utmost of confidence and she told the doctor I needed a partial unfill, no reason given to him, she just assured him that I needed it. I did not have to pay for it. I went back a month later and got a re-fill. I had to pay for that one.

Good luck in whatever you decide.

thank you for not being nasty. I thought the whole point of posting was to get feedback. Not people jumping down my throat. When I first posted this I did not want to go into details but now I feel I must because of the mean people that have been e-mailing me.I had my band done in Mexico and was sent home with my operation papers. Since then I had a fire and lost my paperwork and my doctor is no longer practices in Mexico and I cant get a copy of my paperwork. I have been trying for over four months to get a Dr. in the states to see me and no one will without the paperwork from my Dr. I am not some crazy person looking for the easy way out. I just wanted some input but most of you people are being mean. Dont worry, I will never post here again. Thanks for your support

ever think about telling the whole story? ever think about trying to find where your doctor went and gettin copies of the papers? Finding a fill center? Etc etc. Doing your own fil isn't the only option. We aren't being harsh to make you not want to post, we don't want you to hurt yourself. It's called TOUGH LOVE.

I think it is imparative to find a doctor that will see you. Not only for fills, but in case you have complications or an emergency situation.

Did the doctor completely leave the field or move to another location? I can't believe no one will see you at all. There has to be an option out there for you.

I wasn't trying to be mean, just honest. It scares the crap out of me to have anyone that isn't trained about my band to make any adjustments. As for your post, it would have helped to have all of the facts. I know you are looking for help, and we cannot give advice without all of the info.

If a doctor won't take your case, at least research the nearest fill center to your city. You're one of us sister girl!! We're just worried about you!!!

I'm not going to slam you like others have. That said, I am a nurse who is experienced with ports and I would not feel comfortable accessing a port which is so deep in the abdomen. Has your friend who is a nurse ever accessed a port this deep? Where would you get the non-coring needles at so you didn't hurt the port? I understand your frustrations, but it just doesn't sound like a safe idea to do something like this at home. Your friend could also risk his/her nursing license by practicing out of the scope of his/her nursing practice.

No blaming or flaming from me but I do have serious concern for your well being. I understand what people do in times of desperation and I think that all of the responses that you received here (not via email) were posted out of serious concern for your welfare. Some people have difficulty expressing themselves and at times their words get lost in written form.

I really think that you should consider making some phone calls to Drs. in your area, explain your situation to them, and then develop a game plan.

If you feel uncomfortabe making the phone calls, I will gladly make them for you. If you PM me your zip code I'll call around to some fill centers and/or bariatric centers in your area. Let me know.

No blaming here, just concern. I hope you will keep trying to find a doc who will treat you. There has to be one out there.

Good luck. This is not a DIY kind of thing.