Fill Advice Needed

[Naruto 0]

Just an update if anyone is interested. I was really sure things were going to get better but they haven't. I am not going back there again. I went in last week for a scheduled appointment and was met by the nut. We had about a half hour or so meeting in which I was told I wasn't eating enough. I have been following the guidelines they gave me (notebook) but was told I am doing it wrong. I'm drinking too many Protein shakes (I have one for Breakfast everyday) and that I need to eat more at each meal.

So, after all that I was told the doctor had been called to the OR and wouldn't be meeting with me. Boy was I upset. I have to take off work and while my employer is really great about it, the time off really starts to add up.

So, anyway I made another appointment for this past Thursday. I asked to be called if he wasn't going to be there. Well, he was there. He came in on the attack! First thing out of his mouth was "you've lost 11 pounds since your last fill. HOW DID YOU DO IT! Tell me what you eat everyday. I mean he was hateful! I couldn't get a word in because he wouldn't stop berating me. I wasn't eating enough, I wasn't eating correctly, I am drinking too many Protein drinks. I was absolutely mortified!:thumbup:

Then he started on how many fills I've had. I've actually only had 3 fills but he said I've had five (like that really matters anyway). I told him he was wrong and he said no I'm not. I've done two fills on you. :confused2: He's only done one! He said it's right here, I can read my own writing! If I had had any sense at all I would have gotten up and left right then and there.

Needless to say, he couldn't access my port. He kept trying to inject the scar tissue around the scar. He kept sticking and poking. It's really lovely when they leave the needle in and then move it around trying to find the port. But let me tell you, it really hurts when they think they've got it and just jab the needle in real hard and it isn't the port!:tt2: I had to make him stop several times. Finally I just told him to stop and forget it. He left the room and the PA had the nerve to say to me that "well if we've learned anything it's not to put the band in people with Fibro." What!?!:cool2: The doctor can't locate the port and now it's my fault because I have fibro? What I can't figure out is how all these egotistical, arrogant, uncaring people found each other in that office.

I wish there was a way to know what to expect from a doctor before you have this procedure done. They had me totally fooled. I would never recommend anyone going to these people to have their surgery. The care we receive after the surgery is so critical to the success of the band. Yes, I have to do my part, and I have. But the staff and the doctor play a huge roll in how successful we'll be. I refuse to go back there now. So, I've paid over $20,000 out of my own pocket. I'm hungry and I need a fill. I need it done under fluro and the only doctor in town that does it won't take me.

So, here I sit this morning angry and sad and with my belly hurting from the abuse I took on Thursday. I'm going to write a letter to the other doctor in town and plead my case and beg him to take me as a patient. If he doesn't I'm not sure what I'll do.

I'm still glad I got the band though. I've lost 50 pounds and I feel so much better. But, if I can't get a fill doctor I don't know what I'll do. Thanks for listening and letting me get this off my chest.

That's shameful that you have been treatd that way.

I am in TN too, what town?

[squirrelcorn 0]

I live in Knoxville.

[JamieNP 20]

You may consider filing a complaint to the board of Medicine.

From "CouncilA Guide toEthical Conductand Behaviour"

3.2 Dignity of the Patient

Patients must always be treated with dignity and respect. Rude and insensitive

behaviour towards patients or their relatives is unacceptable.

[squirrelcorn 0]

I have been thinking hard about this all weekend. I was so depressed that I was unable to sleep for a couple of nights and didn't get my exercise in. But yesterday afternoon I got really angry so I may very well file a complaint. I refuse to let this get me down. I will find a doctor that will take care of me. Somehow, someway. Until then....CHARGE!!!

[Naruto 0]

Absolutely!

Thre is no reason that another doctor cannot take over your fills, even at another practice.

You are responsible for your own health, and if you are not satisfied with the way you are treated, then take action.

If your insurance helped pay for the proceedure, then I would complain also to your insurance company.

[JamieNP 20]

Remember, this doctor works for YOU. You don't work for him. Fibromyalgia has nothing to do with how many times it takes them to stick you and miss. If they have this much trouble, they should have been numbing you with lidocaine. I used to be like you and "non confrontational" with doctors. But I am now a nurse, and I have no problem firing a doctor if I feel he does not have my best interest in mind. I would get a copy of your medical records this week and doctor shop. You should be able to find another doctor there in Knoxville that will do your fills. Or you could make the drive to Nashville. Good luck to you.

[squirrelcorn 0]

Thanks everyone! I was thinking I probably should get a copy of my records. I'll do that for sure. Thanks again for the support!

[JamieNP 20]

If you need a doctor in Nashville, there are plenty of patients here that have Nashville docs. Mine is in Clarksville, and that would be an extra hours drive for you. Good luck, and keep us updated on how it goes. Your experience will help others!!

[sharona 2]

:waytogo:I agree with everyone on this. I am a nurse and have seen some pretty nasty doctors and nurses and they get away with it. I would file a complaint, he is unprofessional at best and certainly his records should be accurately documenting xactly how many time you've been there andhow many fills you have had. And....you are absolutely right what the hell business of his how many fills you have had??? My physician is wonderful, he completely trusts your own judgement on how you feel and how you are eating to decide on a fill. I had 4 fills since surgery and will be going for another on Wednesday. Don't let this eat you up. I would find another doctor, sign the paperwork to transfer your records and file a complaint. He's just a plain asshole...

the world is full of them!!!

[squirrelcorn 0]

I got a call from Dr. Boyce's office on Thursday. He's going to take me as his patient!! Whoo hoo! Now my fills will be done by the best doc in town under fleuro. (Wonder how many ways I can mispell that word?) :drool: Anyway, I see him on August 1 and I am so excited about it!

So, anyway I just wanted to share some good news with you guys and thank you all again for the support. I'm still so happy to have my band and I believe with Dr. Boyce as my doc I'll be even more successful.

[SanDiegoPhotog 0]

Wow! just wow! I am happy that you got accepted by another doctor, but that is just terrible that it had to be under those circumstances.

[sharona 2]

I got a call from Dr. Boyce's office on Thursday. He's going to take me as his patient!! Whoo hoo! Now my fills will be done by the best doc in town under fleuro. (Wonder how many ways I can mispell that word?) :drool: Anyway, I see him on August 1 and I am so excited about it!

So, anyway I just wanted to share some good news with you guys and thank you all again for the support. I'm still so happy to have my band and I believe with Dr. Boyce as my doc I'll be even more successful.

congratulations....you will be so much better with a good physician. This journey is difficult enough without having the medical support you need to get through it. You're on your way so hang on...think of where you'll be next year!!! I can't wait....I love my band...I have 6 cc in a 10 cc band. I track my intake on www.mydailyplate.com and even my worse days aren't really bad. This is a big load off of your shoulders as I know how upset you were. Now don't let this deter from filing a complaint about that other physician. This is the only way that things will change....

sharon:waytogo:

[squirrelcorn 0]

SanDiegoPhotog...thank you so much. Yes, it has been very difficult to say the least.

Thanks Sharon. I will file a complaint after I get my hands on my medical records. They are charging me $62 to get them. I am so angry but I'm going to pay them. That will also be in my complaint. I'm also going to write a complaint to the medical director of the hospital.

Hey Sharon, you and I had our surgery on the same day! That is so cool!

Edited July 20, 2008 by squirrelcorn
Edited to correct the spelling of your name.

[SueAZ 3]

Once you get your medical records, I would write down your own experiences, on those same dates. They may says fill on date, but not list 8 attempts before sucessful. This info would be important of you found a leak from prior sticks. Also I would ask for a refund of fill services not received. You have been so good after all that has happened to you. You definatley are on you way. Congrats

[squirrelcorn 0]

Yes, I am going to ask for some compensation. I probably won't get any but I'm going to ask anyway.

I saw my primary doc last week and told him what happened. He was so upset he put everything I said in my chart. I think he may have called Dr. Boyce on my behalf but I don't know that for sure.

By the way, my latest lab results were "text book perfect" as the good doctor said! :biggrin2: This is the first time in years that I've heard that! Have I told you guys yet how much I love my band?! :thumbup: