Tacoma Radiology

[Guest guest]

what about dr ross fox out of tacoma or dr oh in federal way. They both do

fills in their offices...

Just a thought

[Guest guest]

,

I went to Dr Oh pre-op but, I prefer to have my fills done by fluoroscope.

Thank you for the suggestions )

Donna

[Guest guest]

You need to call 253 761 4200 and say you want to schedule an appointment

for a lapband fill. Was that the number you called? If not, then give them

a try again tomorrow on that number. I've never had anything but positive

experiences with them.

.

Tacoma radiology

> I called Tacoma radiology today to find out a some info about getting a

fill.

> Well, the woman on the phone was so rude. I didn't get anywhere with her.

At

> first she acted as though she didn't know what I was talking about. So I'm

> wonder if I called the right number. I believe I called the " South I "

office.

> She also said I cannot get any procedure done unless I have a doctor's

order.

> She threw me for a loop, I told her I don't have orders. After I hung up I

> realized the report I have from Dr Rumbaut must be my doctor's orders.

>

> Anyway, can anyone please tell me how they got there appointment there and

> the best number to call.

>

> Thank you,

> Donna

> Seabeck, WA

> 8/27/02 Dr Rumbaut - 43 lbs

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> You need to call 253 761 4200 and say you want to schedule an appointment

> for a lapband fill. Was that the number you called? If not, then give

them

> a try again tomorrow on that number. I've never had anything but positive

> experiences with them.

>

> .

Woops, I forgot to add that you don't need doctor's orders to get a fill

there. Dr Weis is well aware that alot of people have had their surgery in

Mexico and if the receptionist gives you a hard time about it, ask to speak

to Dr Weis directly - he will sort it out for you.

.

[Guest guest]

How much are the fills and tacoma radiology and is it flourscopy?

>

> You need to call 253 761 4200 and say you want to schedule an appointment

> for a lapband fill. Was that the number you called? If not, then give

> them

> a try again tomorrow on that number. I've never had anything but positive

> experiences with them.

>

> .

>

>

[Guest guest]

The cost is $250 in cash or check and yes they do use flourscopy.

Re: Tacoma radiology

How much are the fills and tacoma radiology and is it flourscopy?

>

> You need to call 253 761 4200 and say you want to schedule an appointment

> for a lapband fill. Was that the number you called? If not, then give

> them

> a try again tomorrow on that number. I've never had anything but positive

> experiences with them.

>

> .

>

>

[Guest guest]

for me they just used it to locate the port..i had to sit up completely

in order to sip water and eat applesauce. i plan on going back the end

of oct and i am going to ask about the barium swallow in order to see

the restriction.

Sandy Landry

Landco@...

Lynnwood, Wa.

[Guest guest]

TRA

253 761 4200

2202 s cedar st

ste 200 (upstairs)

tacoma, wa 98405

take the bremerton exit off I-5

Sandy Landry

Landco@...

Lynnwood, Wa.

[Guest guest]

> I had read previously on this message board that Tacoma Radiology

> will do a fill for free within 2 weeks of a previous fill. Since my

> first fill of 1.6 cc's didn't do much for me, I called up to confirm

> that. They told me that if you come back within 10 working days then

> you can get a fill for $50.00.

I don't know who said that it was free, but as far as I know (I've been

banded for almost 5 months), it has always been $50 within 10 days. I took

advantage of that 10 day rule on my first fill.

.

[Guest guest]

You call and make an appointment, http://www.tacomarad.com/index.html

253-761-4200 ine

Tacoma Radiology

I'm curious to know how exactly a patient of one clinic would go

about getting their fills done at Tacoma Radiology. Any suggestions?

[Guest guest]

I have had all my fills there. I have sort of determined how much I want.

They also want to make sure you can swallow water and eat some apple sauce.

I haven't had a problem with them at all. I know that isn't everyone's

experience but other than the cost I like them. I wanted my fills with

flouro so that is what I pay for. Jan H. Dr. Rumbaut 3-19-2002 240-158-158

Tacoma Radiology

Hi,

I am thinking of scheduling a fill with Tacoma Radiology and I

wanted to find out from your experiences how they do thier fills.

What I mean is do they fill you under flouro until you can barely get

something down and then take part of the fill out until you are

comfortable? How satisfied have you been with your fill results from

TRA? I was banded by Dr. Kuri and am trying to decide whether to fly

down and see him for a fill, as he has so much more experience than

TRA, or to just have it done locally. I have one fill already, but I

can eat just about anything and I know just because I can doesn't

mean I should. After I got my first fill I was pretty consciencious

about what I ate and the portions, but as I saw that I was not

loosing weight and that my measurements were not changing, I began to

get discouraged. I had even been going out of my way to incorporate

additional exercise in my life. I will be the first to say that I

certainly should be doing more and that there are definately things

in my diet that I need to change but I think I need a better fill so

that it will be easier to stay on track. Please any input will be

greatly appreciated. Thanks!

J

Dr. Kuri 3/22/03

216/200/150

Lost no weight since fill on 4/26/03.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My name is tinamarie...did I meet you yesterday at Tacoma Radiology?

How did your fill go? I feel fine. I got 3mls and felt restricted

when eating the applesauce but it went down alright. Had some soup

for dinner and a very thin sesame crackers. All seems well this AM

except for a headache that may or may not be related.

tinamarie

Dr. Frering

04/16/03

230/210/115

5'3 "

3.0mls

-

> Hi,

>

> I am thinking of scheduling a fill with Tacoma Radiology and I

> wanted to find out from your experiences how they do thier fills.

> What I mean is do they fill you under flouro until you can barely

get

> something down and then take part of the fill out until you are

> comfortable? How satisfied have you been with your fill results

from

> TRA? I was banded by Dr. Kuri and am trying to decide whether to

fly

> down and see him for a fill, as he has so much more experience than

> TRA, or to just have it done locally. I have one fill already, but

I

> can eat just about anything and I know just because I can doesn't

> mean I should. After I got my first fill I was pretty consciencious

> about what I ate and the portions, but as I saw that I was not

> loosing weight and that my measurements were not changing, I began

to

> get discouraged. I had even been going out of my way to incorporate

> additional exercise in my life. I will be the first to say that I

> certainly should be doing more and that there are definately things

> in my diet that I need to change but I think I need a better fill

so

> that it will be easier to stay on track. Please any input will be

> greatly appreciated. Thanks!

>

>

> J

> Dr. Kuri 3/22/03

> 216/200/150

> Lost no weight since fill on 4/26/03.

[Guest guest]

> Hi,

>

> I am thinking of scheduling a fill with Tacoma Radiology

Hi banding buddy, I used Tacoma Radiology for my fill. First 6

weeks after my operation I used for healing and made sure I had

large servings of protein. I drank EAS low carb drinks a few times

a day as my insides healed while increasing my regular food intake.

I did not have any fill in my band and after that time I made an

appointment at T.R. They are wonderful. Under flouro and so

precise and so nice. They let me choose my level of fill, testing

with water and applesause. They were not in a hurry and told me I

could rest and make sure I was happy with the fill before I left.

Plus you have 10 days to readjust at a discount price. I got 3.5

put in my band and it has been helping greatly. When I get head

hungry I drink a lot of Crystal light and chew on Oberto beef jerky.

This helps with my want to chew intensly and it takes a long time to

chew a piece of it. I am now on regular foods but still drink one

EAS protein drink a day. They are only approx 100 calories and

taste good. Usually in the morning for breakfast so I can sample how

my band is going to act that day.

Keep the faith. After all you have gone through to reach this point

you now have a hold on your eating binges. You deserve praise,

courage, and a good fill. Im losing slowly but this is my choice in

the food I eat.

Diane

03 04 03 Dr Joya

-35 lbs

[Guest guest]

I have had great fills with Dr. Piexotto (pronounced Pah-show-toe) at TRA.

He hits the spot, nice, quick, and easy. I don't even use lidocaine.

I have also used Dr. Ogle in Shelton, who is my follow-up care doc. He is a

total sweetie, and gentle as a lamb. Really likes his barium swallow with

fluoro, though... and sometimes all I can say is, Jessie is right: barium is

not food. Sometimes the swallow shows that you are really super tight, but

then you go home and eat a cow. But tiny tinkering amounts don't matter

until you're pretty tight, so I would recommend him for a first or second

fill in a heart-beat.

I have noticed that if you are a calm person, fills usually go just fine. If

you are at all high strung or easily scared by medical stuff, you should

really consider going to a local surgeon with strong follow-up care. If you

have already been banded out of the country, then maybe taking a friend

along for support is a good idea.

One friend of mine got really freaked out during her fill and ended up going

home with not enough fluid - and then, of course, she was mad at TRA for not

giving her enough! She was so upset by the whole thing that I had to go with

her the next time to hold her hand - so that time she was fine.

My other friend who is cool as a cucumber has had no trouble with fills

there...

Basically, just remember that sometimes you have to go with the flow. If you

use a radiologist, remember they are not band surgeons, they're

*radiologists* - which means they have patients coming in for broken bones,

diagnostics for cancer, and all kinds of things. Don't expect to be waited

on hand and foot and doted on by adoring nurses - it won't happen. They know

how to hit a port and fill a band, they are efficient, but they aren't going

to sit there hoding your hand.

In my experience, they are happy to have you sit in the waiting or changing

area for as long as you like testing your restriction (with the needle still

in), as long as they can use the x-ray rooms for other patients. But if you

start freaking out or whining, you're only going to stress them out - again,

they sometimes are busy caring for people with serious problems, so they

don't have time to coddle high strung fat people!

Just my experience and observations.

Sarina Mc

MIDband, Dr. Frering

Lyon, France - 11/06/02

215 / 115 / 115

[Guest guest]

I have been to Tacoma radiology six different times and I wasn't expecting

them to wait on me hand and foot. And I personally find it rude that you

lump all fat people as high strung, I am sure they are efficient in a lot

of areas, however, my experience all the time there has been very engative,

and highly priced. They never did get my fills right nor did they treat me

well. and I was extremely well behaved. Just my two cents. Or I should

say my 1200 dollars. I don't recommend them at all. They do however have a

pretty lobby with interesting glass work. billybob

Tacoma Radiology

I have had great fills with Dr. Piexotto (pronounced Pah-show-toe) at TRA.

He hits the spot, nice, quick, and easy. I don't even use lidocaine.

I have also used Dr. Ogle in Shelton, who is my follow-up care doc. He is a

total sweetie, and gentle as a lamb. Really likes his barium swallow with

fluoro, though... and sometimes all I can say is, Jessie is right: barium is

not food. Sometimes the swallow shows that you are really super tight, but

then you go home and eat a cow. But tiny tinkering amounts don't matter

until you're pretty tight, so I would recommend him for a first or second

fill in a heart-beat.

I have noticed that if you are a calm person, fills usually go just fine. If

you are at all high strung or easily scared by medical stuff, you should

really consider going to a local surgeon with strong follow-up care. If you

have already been banded out of the country, then maybe taking a friend

along for support is a good idea.

One friend of mine got really freaked out during her fill and ended up going

home with not enough fluid - and then, of course, she was mad at TRA for not

giving her enough! She was so upset by the whole thing that I had to go with

her the next time to hold her hand - so that time she was fine.

My other friend who is cool as a cucumber has had no trouble with fills

there...

Basically, just remember that sometimes you have to go with the flow. If you

use a radiologist, remember they are not band surgeons, they're

*radiologists* - which means they have patients coming in for broken bones,

diagnostics for cancer, and all kinds of things. Don't expect to be waited

on hand and foot and doted on by adoring nurses - it won't happen. They know

how to hit a port and fill a band, they are efficient, but they aren't going

to sit there hoding your hand.

In my experience, they are happy to have you sit in the waiting or changing

area for as long as you like testing your restriction (with the needle still

in), as long as they can use the x-ray rooms for other patients. But if you

start freaking out or whining, you're only going to stress them out - again,

they sometimes are busy caring for people with serious problems, so they

don't have time to coddle high strung fat people!

Just my experience and observations.

Sarina Mc

MIDband, Dr. Frering

Lyon, France - 11/06/02

215 / 115 / 115

[Guest guest]

///and I was extremely well behaved.////

Bob - this statement was a killer. i laughed and laughed. you

are such a hoot for sure.

gayle in seattle

[Guest guest]

It is really good to go with an empty pouch, and I always like to take

extra bottled water with me, because I like to chugalug the water (that

may just be me) because the thing you always want to guard against is

getting over filled. The problem with fills at least with me has been that

for some damn reason, they don't take immediately. So I am not sure if I

am not filled enough. I know at Tacoma, I went through the whole process

where they kept poking me over and over and over again (and not in a good

way) and I actually at one point because of so many fills (all of which

I paid cash out of pocket for) and not having any restriction feared that I

had a broken port. So I had to go back to tiajuana and be opened back up,

just to find out that I didn't have a broken port or a hole, it just

happened they weren't hitting the spot. And also I had kind of a fibrous

lining that was kind of tough, so they were pumping me full, just not in my

port. So to make a long story longer, I highly recommend particularly to

newbies to take complete charge of your fill care, and if you are not

satisfied, make them do more, or less. Your paying for it, it is your

body, if at all possible don't be intimidated. The previous post by

someone about fat people being high strung, made me stop and thing, that

we are every bit as equal as someone who is having some other sort of

problem, so if you need to be high strung or vocal, do it! Your success

depends on it. As far as fasting goes, I amnot sure, I try not to eat

five or so hours before getting a fill. If I had to do it all over again,

I would insist on a very aggressive first fill, because I have found that

as the weight drops off, I become less and less interested in the whole

meeting the goal thing, and have also met people that have not met there

goal that have become satisfied with where they stopped. Just my thoughts

on it. So when you are all done with your first fill I do hope that you

will report back and tell us how it went! You go girl!

RE: Tacoma Radiology

On 8/26/2004, " billy bob bosen " <billybobbosen@...> wrote:

// They do however have a pretty lobby with interesting glass work.//

, you're a hoot. This just made me smile. Thanks! I've got my first

fill appointment with Dr. Neal's office in Olympia. Any suggestions for a

first timer. I know I need to call and ask the doctor, but what's you're

take

on eating before a fill? Should I fast?

Take care,

Mona

Dr. Kuri

July 17, 2004

226/208/135

[Guest guest]

Sarina & Dan,

I'm really glad that you had a good experience at Tacoma Radiology. I have read

many posts here that are good experiences. Also, I've read about bad

experiences. IMHO, Those experiences are just as important as the good ones.

Healthy people are able to read through all the posts, take what they like and

leave the rest.

bob, seems to be very forthright and honest. I'm that way too... sometimes

without much thought. However, I appreciate hearing about the bad experiences as

well as the good experiences. And I hope that this honesty from bob and

from others I've seen on the board continues.

I've scheduled with Dr. Neal for my first fill but that wasn't because of what

bob said. He was the first doctor that I contacted about fills. Actually, I

started an e-mail with Peggy who works there. She was always courteous and

timely in answering my questions and that's basically why I chose them. I

believe that doctors (all of them) are hit and miss. Sometimes it's just about

personalities, sometimes beliefs in types of health care, and all sorts of

things.

I'm really thankful for you and for all the people who post here--you and the

bobs.

Take care!

Mona

Dr. Kuri

July 17, 2004

226/205.5/135

down 20.5 pounds Yippee!

Re: Tacoma Radiology

bob, I think you need to read more carefully.

#1 - When I said " don't expect them to wait on you hand and foot " , it was

as a warning to newbies or pre-bandsters to seriously consider staying local

for their surgery if they are at all nervous about follow-up care.

Newsflash: I wasn't talking to you, or about you. I did not even know that

you had six fills at TRA.

BTW, that *is* a lot - who was the doctor who stuck you on six different

occasions and failed to access your port? I'll bet it wasn't Dr. " never

miss " Piexotto!!!

#2 - I'm sorry you had a bad experience at TRA, but you making a big deal

out of how awful it was, does not help anybody researching aftercare on

these lists. Many of us depend on TRA for our fills, and have done just

fine. Don't you think it's important for newbies to know how to get an

experience like mine, instead of the one you had? My post was intended to

*tell* them how to.

And finally,

#3 - Where did I say that all fat people are high strung? I said

radiologists do not " have time to coddle high strung fat people! " - that's a

direct quote. Ergo, *IF* you are a high strung bandster, you MAY want to

consider going to a local doctor for surgery in the first place so you will

feel more secure. Capice?

Pre-op and newbie bandsters deserve to have all the facts. Your side of the

story isn't the only one out there - TRA is not perfect, but for many, it

will do just fine (especially if you know how to make it a good experience,

which is what I was trying to share). If you had told me you were having

trouble getting a proper fill with them, I would have gone with you just as

I have others, if you had asked.

So please don't put words in my mouth anymore. You have picked on me like a

jealous highschool girl since the day I met you, and frankly I am getting

tired of it. Go take out your bandster rage on someone who truly deserves

it.

S.

Sarina Mc

MIDband, Dr. Frering

Lyon, France - 11/06/02

215 / 115 / 115

[Guest guest]

Mona: " Healthy people are able to read through all the posts, take what they

like and leave the rest. "

That was my exact point Mona! There are bad and good fill experiences - the

question is, how do YOU get a GOOD one? If you need to go to TRA because you

had surgery in Kalamazoo and now you live here, you need the info. on how to

make it a good experience - right?

I have my favorite technician at the Poulsbo nail salon too, the other girls

just don't do as good a job. Would I recommend Star Nails without the caveat

that the person must ask for Kim? No. But if they know to ask for Kim, they

will get a good set of acrylic nails without having to commute to the city.

Dr. Neal and Dr. Ogle are great, but some people just don't want to (or

can't) drive to Shelton. And some day, they may stop taking outside

patients... For that matter, Dr. Piexotto may not always work at TRA

(shudder). What then? Hopefully there will be another radiologist there who

has mastered the art of the band fill. If there is, we all need to know

his/her name.

I agree that hearing about all the good and bad fill experiences is

important, but I *would* like to save people from becoming so freaked out by

the horror stories that they return to their original foreign surgeon for a

fill, needlessly. I flew back to FRANCE for my first fill, fer Pete's sake -

talk about an expensive fill!

So, where can you get a good fill experience? With the docs in Shelton or

with Dr. Piexotto at TRA (and if Dr. Piexotto were not available, as

happened to , I have to admit I might turn around and leave). These are

things I know about and have experienced, and can share with others. I don't

know anything about the Puyallup place.

FYI, I don't have a personal relationship with Dr. Piexotto, nor do I work

for TRA. I just know a lot of people who have had fine fills from him, and

want people to know this so they can get the aftercare they need too.

There's nothing I love more than seeing bandsters succeed, and that's the

bottom line for me.

Best,

S.

Sarina Mc

MIDband, Dr. Frering

Lyon, France - 11/06/02

215 / 115 / 115

[Guest guest]

Mona,

I just called Dr. Neal's office yesterday to get info on fills, $,

etc. I was informed that his nurse does them and the cost is $150

for the fluoro and $150 to the nurse.

I was just banded last Sat by Dr Kuri, and was looking at my

options. Not very impressed at this point with Dr. Neal's office.

The first person I talked to didn't even know what a fluoro was and

told me the fills were something new to their office. I said excuse

me? My Mom had lap-band with Dr. Neal 18 months ago, so I know this

is not new to this office. I then asked to speak to someone else

and told her that they needed a more informed person on their phone.

I'm glad your experience(s) with Dr. Neal have been more positive.

Deb

Banded 8-21-04

285/272/135

> Mona,

>

> I just had a fill about 1 month ago with Dr. Neal. He said no

food after

> midnight the day before and I was able to drink as many clear

liquids as I

> wanted. The floro and barium are very cool. It's very reassuring

to see you band

> and watch it work! You're going to love Dr. Neal. I do! He made

everything

> very easy.

>

> Sue

> 282/213(by my scale)/1something

> 9/9/03 I'm almost to my bandiversary!!!!!

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Oops, should have address this to Sue

Sorry

> > Mona,

> >

> > I just had a fill about 1 month ago with Dr. Neal. He said no

> food after

> > midnight the day before and I was able to drink as many clear

> liquids as I

> > wanted. The floro and barium are very cool. It's very

reassuring

> to see you band

> > and watch it work! You're going to love Dr. Neal. I do! He

made

> everything

> > very easy.

> >

> > Sue

> > 282/213(by my scale)/1something

> > 9/9/03 I'm almost to my bandiversary!!!!!

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Dr. Neal does do fills - he did mine...but you have to specifically request

him. Who knows what the circumstances were with the uninformed person who took

your call. Bad customer service is a pet peeve of mine.

Sue

[Guest guest]

Serena Please don't take it personally, when I express publicly that I think

you are an idiot. Because I didn't just have one bad experience with

Tacoma radiology, or just two bad experiences with Tacoma radiology. But

actually three plus and a good solid half bad experience with them.

And paid cash for all three and a half times.

AND AGAIN I ENCOURAGE ALL PEOPLE TO TAKE AND HANDLE THEIR OWN PERSONAL FILL

CARE!

Its your body, its your money, its your care, demand the best!

Serina you may view me as a jealous high school girl, ( the squad leader of

the cheer leader team. (tall and blonde) GO TEAM GO! Dating the

football captain) naturally, the one " all " the girls hate, because I am

outspoken, and pushy, and pretty.

The fact of the matter is that I speak the truth. Tacoma radiology f*****d

up over and over and over again with me, (and cost me a lot of time and

money) and your nasty, scathing, hateful, jealous, self defeating,

slandering, backwards, ill productive, toy poodle attitude doesn't

change the fact that it happened, and it probably will happen again to

someone other than me, and damn it it needs to be brought out in the open.

Again to any newbies or oldies or anyone needing a fill, if you are reading

this, demand the best, and be high strung if you need to be. and don't

ever feel that you are SMALLER or less than or not worthy than the next

person.

We as fat people (or formerly fat people) deserve equal treatment.

So my dear if you want to pay me 1200 dollars, and do a couple of days of

wasted time, (sitting in one of the prettiest lobbies I have seen, with a

nice selection of magazines) fly to mexico and get your self cut open again

while laying awake, and fight your way through the airport both coming and

going. (alone mind you) then I will glady give up my pom poms and my

crown as homo coming queen.

AGAIN TO ALL PEOPLE NEEDING OR LOOKING AT GETTING A FILL: take charge of

your own care! And don't let the " LITTLE " people intimidate you!

bob

326/204?/199

Follow the yellow brick road!

Re: Tacoma Radiology

bob, I think you need to read more carefully.

#1 - When I said " don't expect them to wait on you hand and foot " , it was

as a warning to newbies or pre-bandsters to seriously consider staying local

for their surgery if they are at all nervous about follow-up care.

Newsflash: I wasn't talking to you, or about you. I did not even know that

you had six fills at TRA.

BTW, that *is* a lot - who was the doctor who stuck you on six different

occasions and failed to access your port? I'll bet it wasn't Dr. " never

miss " Piexotto!!!

#2 - I'm sorry you had a bad experience at TRA, but you making a big deal

out of how awful it was, does not help anybody researching aftercare on

these lists. Many of us depend on TRA for our fills, and have done just

fine. Don't you think it's important for newbies to know how to get an

experience like mine, instead of the one you had? My post was intended to

*tell* them how to.

And finally,

#3 - Where did I say that all fat people are high strung? I said

radiologists do not " have time to coddle high strung fat people! " - that's a

direct quote. Ergo, *IF* you are a high strung bandster, you MAY want to

consider going to a local doctor for surgery in the first place so you will

feel more secure. Capice?

Pre-op and newbie bandsters deserve to have all the facts. Your side of the

story isn't the only one out there - TRA is not perfect, but for many, it

will do just fine (especially if you know how to make it a good experience,

which is what I was trying to share). If you had told me you were having

trouble getting a proper fill with them, I would have gone with you just as

I have others, if you had asked.

So please don't put words in my mouth anymore. You have picked on me like a

jealous highschool girl since the day I met you, and frankly I am getting

tired of it. Go take out your bandster rage on someone who truly deserves

it.

S.

Sarina Mc

MIDband, Dr. Frering

Lyon, France - 11/06/02

215 / 115 / 115

[Guest guest]

It took me a minute to understand, but it made me laugh too! You are a fun

person to be around I am sure!

Re: Tacoma Radiology

///and I was extremely well behaved.////

Bob - this statement was a killer. i laughed and laughed. you

are such a hoot for sure.

gayle in seattle