What to Do

[3636millie2 0]

First a very brief, quick run down of what has happened: I was banded on 5/22/08 by Tempe AZ surgeons. Was doing well until the first of this year (had had one unfill after chewing a medication that should never had been chewed, developed swelling, etc). Had surgery on Feb of this year for adhesions (was having pain in the epigastric area like someone had punched me in the abdomen every time I swallowed something and it would round the curve at the back of my throat. Started getting the band refilled gradually (was unfilled for the surgery). I do not even have the amount in the band that I had before surgery and am once again having problems eating. Approximately 4 weeks ago had an episode of vomiting over a "life issue" with resultant swelling, etc. This lasted 2 weeks. During this time I had a barium swallow with follow through that showed that I was having espopageal spasms and that the band was not too tight. Then I was able to eat normally for 1 wk. Then, one week ago, I awoke with SEVERE hiccoughs. Couldn't eat anything afterwards and for a few days couldn't even get Protein Shakes down. Went to see the surgeon yesterday and here was the response:

"You should be happy that you have lost over 80 pounds. You need to diet and exercise (I wrote on their questionnaire that I hadn't exercised-didn't think I needed to when I couldn't eat anything. I normally walk 2 miles per day and ride a bike 5-10 miles per day but answered the question as to what I was currently doing)". During this time I was trying to tell him what had been happening but HE WOULD NOT LISTEN. He just took out 1 ml of Fluid and acted like I had no business bothering him and was an inconvenience. I'm currently at 209 lbs and am 5 ft 9 in. I feel like this was totally inappropriate, and that he was basically telling me that I should make due with abdominal pain, diarrhea, etc and that I was a whiner. I also felt like this was him telling me that I had gotten all of the benefit from the band that I was going to so just quit bothering him. Couldn't answer me when I asked him why these symptoms were happening or what I could do to help with the pain. I only have 4.5 ml in a 10 ml band and when I am feeling good can eat anything I want without difficulty or restriction. This same office has shared my personel infomation with my supervisor who has also had the banding done by them. In fact, my supervisor knew all about the results of my exploratory laparoscopy and adhesion removal after she went to the office for a fill a week after my surgery.

Today, after the 1 ml unfill, I am still nauseated, having the abdominal pain, having diarrhea, etc. Still not really able to eat anything although having no problems getting Water down.

Now for my delimma: I don't ever want to see these surgeons again. However, there aren't many lap band surgeons who will see a patient who has surgery done by someone else. Does anyone know of a lap band surgeon in the Phoenix/Tempe/Mesa/Tucson area that will take a patient of another surgeon for follow up? My family physician does not really want to take over managing my band and feels that the problems I'm having are lap band problems in nature. I really need to see someone fairly soon but don't really know of any other surgeons who will take over another lap band surgeon's patient. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I am getting weaker every day. Thanks to all who offer guidance in advance. Millie

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

This same office has shared my personel infomation with my supervisor who has also had the banding done by them. In fact, my supervisor knew all about the results of my exploratory laparoscopy and adhesion removal after she went to the office for a fill a week after my surgery.

Millie, this is an ethics violation by your surgeon's office. I would report it to the medical board. I mean, this is so against several laws that their office is supposed to disclose its privacy policy on an annual basis.

As for finding a new doctor, I can't help much (I'm in Atlanta, GA) but I would think if you explained to another surgeon's office that your surgeon's office violated the HIIPA Act and you don't feel comfortable going back there that they would be more amenable to seeing you.

GOOD LUCK!!

[hope2bthinr 0]

If you end up not finding some one up there, try Dr. Sarah J Lee in Oro Valley, north or Tucson. 520-797-3000. Good Luck!! I understand why you'd cut and run.

[emjay 8]

I'm sorry I can't help you with finding a new physician...and you should definitely find a new one. Violating HIPAA is very serious and you can and should take action against this practice. Extremely unprofessional and unethical to blab to your co-worker about your personal medical issues.

You can file with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR) with the attached form. Send to the Regional Director as follows for your region (can be faxed):

Region IX - San Francisco (American Samoa, Arizona, California, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada)

Michael Kruley, Regional Manager

Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

90 7th Street, Suite 4-100

San Francisco, CA 94103

Voice Phone (415)437-8310

FAX (415)437-8329

Hold these people accountable for what they did. It was total crap on their part to blab your personal info to a supervisor. Good luck!

hipcomplaintpackage.pdf

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I'd certainly follow up on the HIPAA violations. That is without excuse.

There is Berger in Flag and his partner. $200 for a fill/unfill under fluoro. Or, Aceves in Mexicali (50 miles west of Yuma) for $75 under fluoro. If you go to Mexicali tell them you belong to the Phoenix bandsters group and you'll get it for $75 instead of $175.00.