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

You could contact your new doctor's office and sign papers so that your records and the card get transferred to his office before your appointment. That should be part of your medical record. If the old doc does not send it to your new doc, you may be able to contact your new doc, or the manufacturer to find out how to get another card.