Lynn0216

Has anyone had something like this happen to them? Background: I was banded in TJ by Dr. Ortiz on 12/7/07. I decided to see a doctor with SF at sflapsurgeons in Sacramento, CA to get my fills. However, they told me via e-mail that I had to get my first fill under fluoroscopy on San Francisco because they only have fluro in the S.F. office. I was told over e-mail, and confirmed over e-mail the cost of the visit was $375.00 and that included the fluro for the first visit only. All other visits after that would be $375.00 w/fluoro and if fluoro was needed there would be an additional cost. Wow, sounded good to me because I been calling around and it is not cheap to be a Mexico pt trying to find a fill where I live. However, when I got there YESTERDAY they tried to up the price form $375 to $450 but I complained and got the visit for $375.00. So then the doctor who saw me could not help himself from making sarcastic comments about my doctor in TJ. He told me he was not going to do fluoroscopy even though I was told the reason I had to come to S.F. was because they needed to do fluoroscopy to locate my port otherwise I would have seen a doctor at their office in Sacramento where I live. Well, he told me that he would do fluoroscopy if he could not locate my port. I was like, "okay, I guess". So, like a dummy I let this fool push hard on my stomach. I can't tell you how bad this hurt. It doesn't sound like much but hurt really bad and still hurts. He then took the needle and poked it into me which hurt but I expected the poke so that was not so bad. What hurt really bad was how he kept pushing on my stomach and moving that needle around stabbing me on the inside. He told me to lean my head up so I was tightening my stomach muscles. He then says, you can’t do that? Wow. I said, "what do you expect? I was told no abdominal exercises for 3 months so my muscles are weak because I avoid using them" (by the way I could do them but it hurt and I couldn‘t hold it very long, he was so dramatic). So he kept poking and pushing for about 10 min as tears spilled down my face and I bit my lower lip and tried to forget the pain as I looked at the tiny dots in the ceiling tiles. At one point I yelped and told him forget it, take the needle out. I cant handle this pain. He then made one of his remarks saying, "The band just isn't for some people. Didn't your doctor explain to you what goes into having a band?" He acted as if all this pain was normal so I let him keep on until finally he said he couldn't do it and I could either come back next month and he would try again or fluoroscopy which he did not recommend because he says it really would not be much help to find the port since after he finds it he has to move the machine away and may lose the location. What? He contradicted what he said before. He said if he could not find the port he would have to do a fluoroscopy. Thank God my SO was there to witness all this double talk and crappie remarks. Well, I insisted on the fluoroscopy. He then told me "there is a lot to getting there". He described an elevator and crossing over to the next building. He then pointed to the top of the building right next door and said that I would have to go up there. Ya, big deal I thought. So the patient coordinator walks me and my SO half way there when he says that it will be $250.00 and what insurance would I like it billed to. Insurance? I told him, you people know I am self pay and you know that I was told $375.00 included the fluoroscopy and that is the reason I had to come all the way to S.F. because your office in Sacramento does not have Fluoro. He apologized and I turned around yelling down the hallway that I wanted a refund and to just get out of here. Can you believe that sneaky coordinator waited until we were half way there to tell me the cost? I bet the doctor did not want to leave the office to do the fluoro because he had other patients and was behind because he took so long on me. Then, they tried to be sneaky and charge me even more for the fluoroscopy to either get more money from me or discourage me from having it so he could save time. I told him I have an e-mail that shows I asked if the fluoro was included and I have a response that goes into detail explaining that it does with this visit only and following visits it does not. The pt coordinator ignored me as he had me wait about 20 min so he could talk to the doctor to "work something out". I guess the doctor did not want to see me anymore because I got a full refund. The pt coordinator told me he would set me up with an appt with another doctor in their practice that "has more experience with bands". What? So this guy who was poking me didn't have much experience? I bet the other doctors were not in the office that day because they were in surgery and maybe they knew what they were doing but this quack didn’t. I can't believe how I was treated and now I have no fill. I have to find another doctor in Sacramento or the Bay Area because I not going back there. That place is a Center of Excellence and it is gross, dirty and the doc did not wash his hand in front of me before he put his gloves on. I can‘t stand that. There is someone on this board that goes to Dr. Mckeen in San Jose. I might try him. If I can't find a fill doctor I am just going back to TJ to Dr. Ortiz where I know they have fluoro and it is inexpensive-the fill is free and the fluoro is $100.00. Thanks for letting me vent. I am just so disappointed about not getting the fill after taking a whole day off work and to be talked to sarcastically and told the “band isn’t for some people” even though I have changed my eating habits and have lost 25lbs since surgery and kept it off on shear will power alone because I can eat a house if I wanted to. Hope none of you go through this.

Thank you everyone for responding to my post. It is nice to be reassured that a fill does not have to be this way and that unfortunately I had a bad experience. My post was very long and you guys are great for reading even the first paragraph-I just had to let out my frustration- I was so mad. Anyway, I not responded to this thread sooner to thank you all because I not been on the board recently (busy at work making up for that day I took off to do the fill, j/k). Thank you tommaney for suggesting Dr. Husted in Fairfield and yes, there is something strange with that sf lap band office-and thank you juliegeraci for the suggestion of Dr. Mckeen in San Jose (by the way you are who I was referring to in my post that sees Dr. Mckeen just couldn't think of your name =). Kirajh-in my post I did mention going back to Dr. Ortiz-it is not that much to fly down to San Diego but I would have to do a lot of planning just for a fill in the fight, getting a passport, finding someone to go with me, hotel (Dr. Ortiz likes you to stay the night in case you cant keep liquids down and they need to unfill you before you go home). - I would rather just find a good doctor close to where I live because I think it would be easier w/my busy work schedule but if things don't work out-TJ here I come. I am sure one of the docs mentioned above will work for me though. Everyone here is so wonderful and so supportive. Sometimes this is the only place I feel I can go even if just to read the post to feel I have something in common w/others at least with this band. Sometimes my friends just don’t get that this is a lifestyle change. My best friend the other day called me when I was on my way to her house and asked if I was hungry and what I wanted from Carl’s Jr. (fast food). I just don’t eat that stuff anymore but it is hard not having restriction and you all truly help motivate me to keep on going and keep on losing even without the restriction. :biggrin:

I was banded by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico on 12/07/07. I attempted to have my 1st fill yesterday in S.F. by a well known office (I will just leave it at that) and my experience was terrible. The office was filthy and the doctor did not wash his hands before he put on gloves. He discouraged fluoro and tried to find my port w/out it which hurt like hell for like 10 min as he pressed on my stomach really hard and poked me with that needle. You can read all about it in my ranting post in the Fill section. My point to this post is that I went to a place that is very well known in the US and it was dirty, I was treated like crap and yet it is rated a Center of Excellence. My doctors office in Mexico was cleaner than any office I have seen here in the US and the doctors and nurses wash their hands! I think I am just going to go back to their office and have my 1st fill. Not to beat a dead horse but I agree that there are good and bad docs in the US and in Mexico. We just have to try and do the best we can by researching these doctors and makethe best choice for ourselves whether it be in the US, Mexico, etc.

TownDrunk...you are just a hateful, miserable person. Maybe you should have another drink.

Just wanted to report that my pain under my left ribs has now gone away (knock on wood). It has been gone for a few days. I hope you are all doing well!

TD, I am sorry you lost your band but you must understand that your surgeon's belief that all infected ports lead to erosion is very different than what most surgeons believe. At this time the cause of erosion is unclear so you should not be go around trying to scare everyone into thinking if their port is infected they should not take antibiotics and that they are going to lose their band. That is ridiculous. It seems like you have a lot of hurt feelings over losing your band and again, I am sorry to hear that but you need to stop personally attacking other members of this forum. We all come here for help and every members opinion is appreciated even yours (as long as you are not attacking). As for the posts by WASaBubbleButt, I have read her posts and other that have had the band some time before deciding to get the band. I appreciate all of her posts and I know she has personally helped a lot of people on this board so you should not be so quick to attack her. Finally, please don’t contribute to the rumors being spread by my lapband surgeon Dr. Ariel Ortiz. Is you know there are people spreading lies about him on the forum step up and give the names and put and end to it. It is the right thing to do.

Hi, I have the same pain on my left side under my ribs. I am just 3 weeks post op. It comes on randomly during the day and sometimes if I eat too much. I have called my doctor about it twice and they have told me both times not to worry. They said that they have to go through the abdomin and that that muscle runs from under the breast down tward the pelvis and can be sore for some time. I was told to avoid pushing, pulling and lifting over 5lbs for a couple more weeks and I should notice it getting better over time. I hope that it is nothing because it does worry me too.

I am having the same problem with the left shoulder pain. Mine started about a week after surgery. My gas pains were never in my shoulder but in my chest. Once that was gone or at least I thought it was gone, I started getting the shoulder pain. It almost feels like something is torn in there. I didn't have any problem with my shoulder prior to surgery and have not done anything to strain it since so I don't understand what the problem is. I am two weeks out from my surgery. If the pain lasts another week I will call my doctor about it.

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Hi everyone, I was banded on 12/7 and my doctor uses glue over my incisions. I have been scrubbing at it (gently) trying to get it off but it is hanging on. I also have this residue all over my stomach and hips from the glue that is turning a shade of grayish black from all the black shirts I wear (it looks terrible). How long is the glue supposed to be covering my incisions and how do I get is off me? Any advise would be great. Thanks

Thanks for all of the advise. I got some off with the alcohol then used babyoil and scratched the rest off my stomach. I think I got most of it off my stomach. As for the glue on the incision I am leaving it be just like you all said. Thanks again!

I would call her and let it all out. She is already ruining your Christmas by putting you in the awkward situation of being at her house with your dad while she goes to a movie. I can't believe she would do that to you when you are driving 200 miles to spend Christmans with her. She sounds like a 12 year old that is displacing her issues with both your dad and your mom on you.

Dr. Ortiz, TJ Mexico 12/07/07

Okay, I think I fixed the list. To add your name to the list please put your username in alphabetical order followed by your city and/or state. Then cut and past the entire list back into your post so that we can keep the list going and we do not lose anyone along the way =). USA 100lbsforsale - Bennet, NEchatita - Houston, Texas Antsmith101 - Irvine, California brez1015-pittsburgh, Pennsylvania buckeye_jc - Ohio christasha - Chula Vista, California DonHoll1 - Indiana egorsgirl1 - suburb of Dallas,Texas Ellisa - Ohio freebird - Cheyenne, Wyoming grannyk - Missouri inthecitygirl - Las Vegas, Nevada Jazzywoman - Ohio jomama36 - Sterling Heights, Michigan jwright - Michigan Kennergirl - Louisiana Linetta - South Dakota Lynn0216-Sacramento, Ca motocrossgirly - Liburn, Georgia MrsKrzyz- Western New York OnMyWay2Fit(Evie)-Ohio RonKat-Wheaton, IL Sandy63 - Dahlonega, Georgia sfeiner - Baraboo, Wisconsin sghatl - Georgia ~Sheila~-Washington thundandlight - Massachusetts tomecia25 - Dallas, Texas Twilight - Montana CANADA Bert99-BC Canada Meghan1983 - Hamilton, Ontario AUSTRALIA Fanny Adams - Perth Sewenup1 - Sydney

Okay, I will leave it alone. Thanks for letting me know so I stop messing with it

I take Centrum Chewables-they are orange flavored and kinda gross at first but I got used to them. Now I hardly taste the orange flavor.

Hi, I dont think it has anything to do with keeping you from losing weight. I was told by my doctor that I was not to drink carbonated drinks for 6 months following surgery because it can bloat/stretch the pouch above the band and cause slippage (like if you keep stuffing your pouch with too much food that can also cause slippage). After 6 months I was told that I can have a carbonated drink on occasion but was warned it was to be a rare occasion. I would avoid the soda because to me it just not worth messing this up-it just not work losing the band or compromising my health.

Hello, I was banded on 12/7 by Dr. Ortiz in Mexico. I have been having the same left side pain under my ribs. It comes after I eat and then at random times during the day. It was especially bad on the 3 day through 6th day but has started to get better and I feel a slight pain now but it is barily noticable. When I was having the pain at it's worst it also hurt to breath deeply. The pain in my left side felt like I was being stabbed with a knife under my left rib cage and then I felt almost short of breath when would try to breath. I called my doctor's office and spoke to his assistand doctor on day 5 and he told me to keep taking over the counter liquid pain meds. I was still in pain from day 5 through 8 and then now it is much better but I wonder if there is still a problem after reading this post. Did the people that had a problem with this have a barium swollow test done after their procedure? I had one the morning after I was banded and was told that everything looked fine. I thought that test was to make sure that there was not punctures or problems with your band. I would like to know if you all had the test because if you did and the test was fine but you still found a problem later then I am definatly going to call my doc again to have this checked out. Thanks for your help.