Hello all,

I would like to know from other bandsters who have a telemetric gastric band, if they own their "chip" card/receiver that allows them to have adjustments to the band done.

I have asked for mine, but they refuse to give it to me, saying that it is their policy to keep the card and that I have to go and see them. I don't want to go into details as to why, it is a long and quite stressful story, but I wish to use another doctor for my adjustments and feel trapped as I cannot do anything without the card.

I have read in another post that "Dr Focquet [a Belgian renowned gastric doctor] also told me that both he and I have the card that is necessary for adjustments, so therefore I can get adjustments wherever there is the available equipment." This doctor seems to have 2 cards and give one to the patient, but with the doctor that did my surgery he always only mentioned one card and that I cannot have it.

Can you please tell me if you have your card (and the surgeon has the second), or if you have the only card, or if your surgeon keeps the only card?

Do you also have advice on what I could do to get my card? I do not want to see the doctor, and have asked them to send me the card, or I could even ask someone to go and collect it for me if needed. The issue is that in the end the main reason for them keeping it is that they want to keep control over me so that I have to use them for adjustments.

I have been very ill with the band lately and all I want is my card so I can go and see Dr Focquet during his consultations in London so he can open the band for a while until I decide what is best for me. And hopefully I will also be able to build a better relationship with him than I did with the original surgeon.

Many thanks!!!

M x

I don't know anyone who has had this kind of band.

However, you or your insurance paid for your band, it does not make sense that you can not have the card to adjust it if you are the owner of the band. It may be their policy to strongly suggest they maintain the card (perhaps there is a fear that a patient might lose the card).

If you are definitely transferring to this other doctor, the other doctors office should be able to contact them and request that the card is sent directly to them.

If you are definitely transferring to this other doctor, the other doctors office should be able to contact them and request that the card is sent directly to them.

That would be my suggestion. They may not want you to have the card because they think you will be constantly adjusting yourself, but they shouldn't object to transfering it -- and your records -- over to another doctor.

In the US, it would be illegal to object. I don't know the UK system enough to know if it would illegal, but it seems like it would be and it would definitely be unethical.

Doctor to Doctor would be the way to go....... have your new Surgeons office contact the other to ask for your medical records and the card.

Sounds awesome by the way, I didn't know it was an option......

Good luck and keep us posted!