My Doctor won't tell you how much the fill is. WHY???

[help1977 0]

I had my first fill May 28. And my Doctor won't tell me how much he is putting in the band. I just know it hurt and with all the pain I was in I would hope I would feels more restriction. I feel like I could eat anything and everything. And I can't go back for 4 weeks. Will I start feeling something soon?

[Apples2 19]

Just be patient and see what happens with the fill you had. My last one took 3-4 weeks to show itself. I have had only two fills and have been banded almost a year. My doc does not say how much he has put in the band either. All he has said to me is that I have been able to lose with very little in the band. I have a large band and very little in it. But, I have restriction. I get hungry every 3-4 hours and like it that way. Never want to be too filled.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I have no idea why your doc won't tell you; ask him! (or her!)

I can say that especially being a medical type myself, I wouldn't tolerate not knowing. It's info about me and what is in my body; I have a right to know that info.

Some people don't care and that is their right and prerogative; we do what works for us. Me? You aren't coming at me with a needle until I know what's in it, how much, and what it's supposed to do. i don't care WHO you are! LOL

So ask. I think legally he HAS to tell you. If he won't and you feel (like me) you have a right to know, you can report him or find another fill doc.

[heschete 0]

It isnt uncommon to not be told how much Fluid you have in your band. My Drs office doesnt usually tell how much fluid they add but for some reason I had the conversation with mine and found out. I think it was the day I had to have an unfill. The next appointment I wasnt told but I peeked at my chart when it was bring written in. Then the next time I was told again.

[sistasassy 6]

My doc doesn't think I should be concerned with how much is in there but I told him that I "just wanna know." He is ok with that and now he lets me know.

He teases me but it is all in fun. He is a great doctor and I would trust him even if I did not know how much was in there.

I am just nosy and want to know.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

It's your body and I think you not only have a right to know but that it is medically necessary to know. If you had to go to an emergency room with a problem that required an unfill to treat, they would need to know how much was in the band to unfill it or maybe a leak in the band is the problem. I don't understand the secrecy and would be suspicious of any doctor not willing to divulge that information. And I think we all need to be concerned about everything being done to our bodies.

[jujuvee 0]

I have not had a fill yet but here are my thoughts, we do have every right to know things such as what size band we have and how much is going in, but seriously wouldn't that just give us more to obsess about. Not that all bandsters obsess but many do get caught up in the numbers and again this is just my opinoin but all I want to focus on is eating healthy foods and exercising.

But for what it's worth I am prone to obsessing and it's just healthier for me to not know those details.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I usually agree w/you jujuvee but I have to say I don't obsess about it...it would freak me out more to NOT know. And as a medical professional myself there's no way I'd have it in me and not know what it is, how much of what is in it, etc. Docs should let each patient decide.

[canadagirl33 0]

I'm of the belief that if you want to know, your Dr should tell you.

That said, I think that the comment on being obsessive is very valid. How many posts have you read on this board about "How many CC's did you need for restriction?" or "How come 6 CC's is enough for you but not for me?" etc, etc, etc... Like one poster said, she's lost a good amount with almost no fill, others get no restriction until the band is almost to it's 'limit'.

I have no issue with knowing how much is in my band (personally I am at 3.65 in a 4cc band) however I think it becomes an issue for those that compare fill levels with each other. Like so many other things on this journey, yours and mine will never be, feel or look the same :blushing:

Patricia

[Band_Groupie 3]

It's your body and I think you not only have a right to know but that it is medically necessary to know. If you had to go to an emergency room with a problem that required an unfill to treat, they would need to know how much was in the band to unfill it or maybe a leak in the band is the problem. I don't understand the secrecy and would be suspicious of any doctor not willing to divulge that information. And I think we all need to be concerned about everything being done to our bodies.

Amen. 'Medically necessary to know'...how does your doc know you won't be traveling to some other city and have a problem. No way was I leaving my first fill without knowing. You have a legal right to review your own medical files.

[jujuvee 0]

Oh Restless I was not saying that you obsess, heck you're my idol!!!! But I think about how many posts we see where bandsters want to compare numbers and this is such an individual process.

But I agree completely that the information should be available to us, so I guess I can see both sides.... Very unlike me to be on the fence about something :blushing:

[jerseygirl518 3]

I had my first fill on 5/21. When I asked how much he put in he said "alot". I asked again and he said it was unimportant. Asked why he wouldn't tell me and he finally said 4cc. He said it's like putting air in your tires, you don't usually know how much goes in, it's the end result that's important.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

JUJUVEE Hugs! LOL Lord help you if I am your idol you wanna be short fat and mean! :thumbup:

And jerseygirl that tire thing doesn't work, or maybe only to a point! ...I check the air in my tires to find out where they are at, then inflate them as needed to factory specs. You never just grab the old air hose and plop a little in until you feel like it.

I may not know how MUCH air I put in, I'll give it that. But I know my tires are inflated to 32 pounds psi. (or whatever depending on the tire) I still think it's kind of our business to KNOW. I'd bet that doc wouldn't ever want a band one without knowing how much, what brand, etc!

I think the big thing for me is I grew up in a time when docs were treated as little godlets and we fought to equalize things some. I personally feel like it's in ME, it's MINE, you tell ME about it. :crying:

[JosieK 120]

hi help,

i think legally he has to give you access to your charts which would have this info

i never really asked for this info myself but i know alot of people want to have it....and you should be able to get it.

i would call and tell them you are going to pick up a copy of your chart. or they can fax them to you or mail them.

i think it is covered under the HEPA laws. it is one of the many forms they have use sign when we go for surgery.

josie

[Cleo's Mom 257]

I not only know what kind of band I have, I have the catalog reference number and serial number for it. I found out the hard way when my (former) doctor told me I had a different band than I had. I went for a second opinion and this doctor told me what band I actually had. I investigated and got to the bottom of it. Imagine if I would have been a patient who just accepted whatever my doctor told me - or didn't tell me. I am a proactive patient and my philosophy is - if the doctor sees it, I see it.