drcollier

I got my first fill last week. Once I was finished getting filled, the doctor put the fill needle back in its packaging, and gave it to me to bring back next time. This was odd to me. Please let me know if any of you have heard of this before. The packaging says it's a single-use needle. I didn't notice if the doctor sanitized the needle before he gave it back to me. I had brought the needle with me that first time because they gave it to me (unopened then, of course) when I was discharged from surgery. I thought that, in itself, was strange enough. I go for another fill next week. Let me know what you all think. Thank you very much.

I am back to update you all on this story. I'm glad to report that it has a happy ending. Late last year I reported the incident to the appropriate department at the hospital where the doctor practices. The head of the department looked into my complaint, and spoke to the doctor about it. She said that the doctor was very cooperative and forthcoming, and it all got straightened out pretty easily. The hospital now makes sure that my doctor has an ample supply of needles on hand at all times. So from that moment on, there has been no more talk of reusing needles. I spoke with the doctor's nurse about it, and it went very well. I was very glad about this because my doctor does have excellent technical skills, plus a very nice personality. So things have turned out really well in this case. In addition, since I started getting my fills at the hospital again, the doctor and I have had a much better connection. All's well that ends well. I want to thank everyone in this forum for all the support and well wishes.

I want to thank everyone for their responses also. I am 4 months post op, and right now am really still pretty confused in the head. What I gained from reading this thread is that this will all sort itself out over time. Is it safe for me to say that? Right now, I can eat a lot more than I actually do right now. I've just had my third fill last week, and I still haven't gotten to that "sweet spot" yet. I have experienced a lot of inner confusion about what and how I will eat each day. First I have this mindset of "dieting", then I remember "I'm not supposed to have to diet". And then I tell myself "I've got to make healthier choices", and then "I should eat one cup of food for a meal. Period." And on and on it goes. What I sincerely hope that I am hearing from you all is that my mind will finally clear, and I will find my "center", - that place where I am not thinking/worrying about food so much. And that my fills will get to a point where I can allow the band will just do its job. My job is to stay conscious, and to make as good a food choice as I can, at the time. I love having the lap band, and although I would like to lose just a little faster and more CONSISTENTLY, I have lots of hope; and I can't wait to see what my future will be. Thank you all so much. This message board does such a good service for people like me.

Also you might check out the section elsewhere on this messageboar under the broad heading "Food". Click on it, and then click on the link "Liquid Stage Recipes". This has different recipes that people have contributed. I'll bet it give you a lot of good suggestions and ideas. Good luck to you.

I definitely would ask him. Just to have the peace of mind is a valuable thing, I think. Good luck.

I have heard an equal number of people whose fill doctors use fluoro as opposed to those who don't. I think most have fluoro available whether they use it or not. The fills sound very expensive. I live in the midwest, maybe that accounts for the difference. Around here they are $100 - $250. I live in Kansas City, MO.

I have found this group to be a very friendly bunch, and the veteran lapbanders are the best. So I say all that to say, you will have very good "sounding boards" here.

It is a good show. I've seen episodes here and there. But I watched the show last night with Chance preparing to go home with his new family. He was so cute and it brought tears to my eyes too. What a good show. And educational too.

Dr Malley is at 5820 Lamar Suite 200. Where are you reading that he is not there? I assure you he is still on Lamar.

Dr Malley didn't go anywhere. He is still at 5820 Lamar. Just saw him last week.

Thanks Robyn. I want you to know that I reported this to the hospital's infection control recently and will update as to how it is taken care of. Since I asked for a clean needle, I have not been able to get an appointment with my surgeon (I'm not sure I want another one at this point). I'll keep the board posted.

Someone suggested to me that I might have scheduled to get my 2nd fill too soon. I've been looking around on the message board to see if someone had asked that question before. I didn't find anything, so I thought I would float this question out to some of the veteran bandsters. I had my first one on 10/31/2006, and have yet to experience any restriction. I can eat a lot with no problem if I am not careful. I took it upon myself to call up and schedule a second fill. The receptionist gave me 11/14/2006 for the date. It's not too late for me to reschedule or postpone it. So far, I am 6 days into my fill. I figured that if the restriction suddenly "kicks in" before the 11/14/2006 appointment, I could just reschedule for a later date. Is two weeks too soon?

So far I have spoken to the Inamed people. I am also filing a formal complaint. On another note, I have called around to numerous doctors, but so far all have told me that they only do fills on the patients they did the surgery on. I have a call in to Dr Malley, but haven't heard back yet. In case any of you know anyone who can help, I am on the Missouri/Kansas line (Kansas City, MO).

I was asked if I would keep everyone posted about "Needlegate", so here's the latest. I am in contact someone from the Ks. board, but I have not filed any complaints as yet. They wanted me a little more info first. So yesterday I called my doctor's office and spoke to the doctor's secretary (she told me that she was the one that I should speak to, when I asked for the doctor's nurse or one of the residents). Anyway, I told her that I am scheduled for a fill on November 14 and I am calling ahead to request that the doctor bring a new fill needle because I felt uncomfortable (quite the understatement) with the idea of him using the used needle that he sent me home with. She put me on hold. After a while, she returned to the phone and said that she would have to call me back. (I said OK). Today she called me back and told me that my appointment date had to be moved to a different day because the radiology room where the fills are done will be busy on November 14. I said "OK, what's the new date?" She said "December 21st." I asked if there were absolutely no earlier dates available, and she said no. (No info about the needle) Then I asked what the doctor had said about my needle request. She said he was ordering more needles, and that some of his other patients were also not comfortable with his practice of using used needles. Her exact words were, "He usually uses the same needle over and over when he does fills. But he said some of his patients weren't comfortable with that, so he's going to order some new needles." I said, "He said that?" She said "Yes, that's what he told me yesterday." And HarleyNana, I can't make this stuff up!

I did a barium swallow afterwards. My fill was done using fluoroscopy.

I've contemplated that same question. I am using my insurance. And yes it is an unsafe situation, -- questionable on so many levels.

I am keeping the needle. The outer bag has a hospital label on it with my name, DOB and the date I was discharged on it. I just figured I should hang on to it. I'm not looking for trouble, but I might need another fill doctor. Who would believe such an odd story without proof?

I wish I was pulling your leg. But I am not. It's absolutely true, with no embellishment.

I knew something was wrong wih that. I refuse to reuse the needle and I don't mind telling him. And I will follow up with a report. Who would I report this to? The surgery went well. No infections or complications. To answer your question, raynie, I decided to schedule another appt for a fill just in case this one didn't start providing any restriction (I have 1 cc in my 4cc band right now). It's so hard to get into my surgeon that I thought it would be better to schedule the appt, and re-schedule if i don't need it; rather than really need it and then have to wait two more weeks to get in. Maybe that is not the best reasoning. So far I am feeling no restriction eating normal nutritious food after 6 days so far.

I hear the VG bands are the ones that have a capacity to hold 10 cc's of saline solution. Mine is one that holds 4 cc's max. I don't know of anyone who has been filled to capacity with either one. I have 1 cc of solution in my 4cc band. Hope that helps.

THAT IS GOOD ADVICE. LISTEN TO LEATHA_G and ASK YOUR DOCTOR TO TRY TO PULL BACK ANY SALINE FIRST.

Fluoroscopy only.

This is what is driving me kinda crazy. I would like for my doc to be a little more participatory in helping me find my "sweet spot" earlier on. I know that the reason I am feeling this way is that I know I have the band, and I don't want to go 2 - 3 months not getting the full help of the band. But I decided on the other hand that I would be a bit more proactive in telling him that I am getting not enough restriction. A friend of mine has a doctor who has her hang around and eat and drink a little to "test out" the restriction of the band. If it's not enough he adds a tad more right then on the same day. In other words, he tries to get it as good as he can before the patient leaves. My first fill was 1 cc on 10/31/06. I called my doctor's office and I will get a second fill on 11/14/06. I almost hope he puts in another 1cc, but I will discuss it with him, ask some questions and then leave it to his expertise.

That makes me feel better. I will give it several days. I know it sounds a bit dramatic, but I was feeling fearful because for me, it feels like this lap band is my last real hope for losing this excess weight and getting a shot at regaining my health. Thank you so much for your response.