happyinvancouver2

sorry to add some negative news. I when down July 31st 2011 had a lapband put in. one year later had lost 50 lbs, great. Then the area around my port started to ache. After about another 3 months the port starter to erode through my skin. I actually started to see the white plastic slowly over 1 month come right out of my stomach. Dr Almanza ( jerusalem clinic Tijuana Mexico ) (it's not a hospital, it"s in a strip mall next to a Staples) installed the port too close to the surface. I contacted them, they told me I could come back to Mexico and they would remove it for $2000. I has to beg a local Richmond Lap Ba surgeon to meet with me. A 40 year old man in tears begging a doctor to help. Eventually he agreed to see me with one condition. I pay him $2000 for a consultation. I was terrified so I paid. Didn't want to go back to Mexico. I removed just the port and let the hole close up. It took 1 month of daily visits for new dressing then 1 month of every other day. eventually it closed up. I still have the remaining ban inside. It will cost me another $5000 to remove that. If you want photos I can email them to you, just contact me. So here's my recommendation: don't consider the band. Get a Sleeve. Good luck.