Might upset some

Okay so yesterday I posted about not being able to have fill for 90 days due to insurance issues or I could pay out of pocket for hospital and doctor and have it done.  My surgeon does it under fluoro therefore a hospital bill. Just so everyone understands MY POINT OF VIEW....I choose this surgeon, I choose to have the surgery and I am doing everything in my power to make this band and myself succesful during my WLS journey.  It has be brought to my attention by a few on this board that I should SERIOUSLY consider having an adjustment WITHOUT fluoro.  I am TOTALLY against that....and here is why: While doing an adjustment under fluoro you can actually see if the barium is going thru the band or if it is getting held up in the esophagus....therefore a better chance in NOT being OVER FILLED What happens when the doctor who doesn't use fluoro to find the EXACT position of the port misses the port and hits the tubing? Yes, there will be a LEAK. What happens when the port is flipped?  Would you doctor know if he didn't see the fluoro image?  To that question, I am not really sure? What happens if for example you have a 4cc band and during your fill you doctor adds 3.5cc and you really still don't have any restricition?  Well, at that point that should be a red flag that there may be a leak in the system and have the surgeon inject some gastrograffin (type of contrast) to see if there is a leak in the system.  If there is the gastrograffin will spill out of the tubing. I hear so many times on this website that people think that they might be overfilled....well I believe that that could be more seldom on this board if more doctors used fluoro as NO doctor would let ANY patient leave overfilled. These are just my thoughts and opinions and I know that this will probably upset a lot of you on this board....and for that I am sorry. Just an FYI I am an X-ray Tech and I actually am with the surgeon when he does his fills under fluoro so I see first hand why it is so important.  I hope you all respect my decision as i respect yours.  This post was a little bit of venting as well as trying to be informative.

Hi,           Please tell me what "under fluoro" is and does all insurance not cover it? Thanks

Fluoro is "live xray" andd I am not sure is all insurance won't cover it.  Mine I have to wait 90 days.

Why would anyone be upset? It's your band and your decision.  I can tell you though, that this is not rocket science. Fills are pretty simple, and fluoro is not needed. A needle goes in the port, which can easily be felt by a doctor, a little saline goes in. If it's too much, they go back in and take some out. If it's not enough, you'll get some more next time. Really not a big deal.  But if you want to wait, there is nothing wrong with that either.

OMG Youré so cute! Who cares if some random people on some web based support board get upset? It's not like you're being mean or inappropriate. Find your groove and stick with it, no one can live your life for you. Good Luck and take care. BTW I am five months out and just got some restriction with my last fill two weeks ago and have lost a lot of weight. I attribute it to my high starting weight and the fact that I haul a$$ at the gym six days a week. Anything is possible, try to stay positive! Good Luck!                                                            ~Cathleen

Thanks Cathleen!! I don't want to ruffle any feathers on here but they sure ruffled mine!!!! I too work out and do what I am supposed to eating wise....just check all the 8pm food list postings! Thanks again for your support and good luck to you and keep up the great work!!

Have your fill under fluro.....and live your band life the way you want to.  To much stress in other areas of life to not do what feels right and makes us comfortable.

Hijack-- I love the new photo.  You are too pretty (if that's possible!)

Thanks Susan! Very sweet words...I hope all is well with you.

Fluro is great isn't it? It is neat to actually have a visual of what is going on. I think it is good to stick to what you believe is the right thing. Just leave room for you to change your mind if you want to. I would love to have had all my fills done under fluro. I also would love to drive a BMW but I can't afford either one! LOL Just kidding around. Sucks about the insurance though. Mine changed half way through. The ins paid for my surgery 100% then hubbys employer swiched ins and now they don't cover it at all! Guess I got luckey with the first one. Good luck getting your fills done. Maybe once you save enough to get it done under fluro you can get filled enough to not need it done again for a while.