My dr. won't tell me my fill volume

[shortgal 5]

You could explain to your Dr. that you would like to know in case of emergency. If you had a problem and had to go to an ER someplace, you'd know how much is in your band and could tell an ER dr.

Or if you were traveling and had a problem, same thing. This is the reason I want to know how much I have in my band.

Tell him it's kind of like going to another Dr. that asks what medicines you take and you'd have to say "i don't know my Dr. didn't tell me". Now that's not right.

an educated patient is the best patient in my opinion. We have to use the information we gain about something wisely and not to convince Dr;s to do something that isn't in our best interest. They will most likely always know more about the subject that we do, but there could be very valid reasons for us to have certain info.

The Dr. might be worried you want to compare your fill amount with other people and ask for more than you need, so letting him/her know why you want the info might be helpful.

[cQQlgirl 0]

I had a girl at work come up to me and ask me how it was going with my band. She'd been banded 1.5 years ago and has lost 60 pounds. She could lose maybe 40 more.

So when she asked me about my band, I told her that I was getting close to restriction and maybe one more adjustment would do it. She says "My doc says that I am maxed out. I don't know what I'll do after this." I told her that seems hard to believe and maybe she should see another 'fill' doctor.

She says 'Oh no. They don't put anything in...they take it out! Thats how they tighten it. And I'm almost empty so they wont be able to take any more out and I'm not happy about that.' HUH????

When I asked her what sort of band she had, she couldn't tell me. She knows NOTHING about her band. No education at all. She does know some of the band eating rules but you have to learn those or be in pain constantly. I felt bad for her and though I wanted to educate her, I felt it would be presumptuous and it was change of shift so I didn't have time.

It's kind of scary you know?

So you make that doc to tell you. Mine gives me a paper each time saying what I had in and what was added or subtracted. For my records. It seems like a power trip to me. You have a right to know whats happening to your body. And if you think he'd be vindictive, change docs. You should be able to trust your doctor even if you have a difference of opinion.

Valerie