nan42

You may have a port infection

I am the one woh also almost died and ended up having to have a sleeve because so much of my stomach was dead. I had the VG by inmed 10cc it was sowed in and the front stiches had come loose. Doc said the band was in good shape and could have been re-positioned but my tissue had began to die so it had to come out. My piont is not the size of the band it is that something like the flu can kill you if you have a any size band. It is risky.

Two weeks ago I got the flu and vomited several times then I was ok for two days and started throwing up again this time the pain was unbearable. I had my band done in Mexico and found a fill doc four hours away from where I live. There is a doc here but he wanted $2500 just to see me because of the Mexico thing. My pain was so bad I was sure I needed to go to the ER my husband convinced the doc here to see me for an evaluation. The next 24 hours are a blur to me as my pain because so intense. My BP was 175/157, low grade temp., pain so intense it radiated through my abdomen, chest, back, both shoulders, and jaw, sever nausea, vomiting bright red blood lots of it; at one time the did and ekg because they thought I might be having a heart attack. He said I did indeed have an extreme slip to where my entire fundus had passed above the band and yes I had the stitch method used to prevent the band from slipping. That day my wonderful surgeon rushed me to the OR and removed the band. He said when the first saw the stomach it was COAL black. He was afraid the tissue was dead. Luckily, when he removed the band, the tissue above the band began to turn deep purple which meant the blood was beginning to return. Fortunately my doc does BAND TO SLEEVE revisions so that is what I asked for and got. Cost $17000. Ouch! band was $9000 and fills and time travel for fills was $2000. I am glad to be rid of the band if I knew the flu could cause a slip I would never have gone there. I am only 10 days post op from band removal and still very emotional. I am so happy that it's out. I was told about complications of slippage and erosion, but NO ONE every told me about complications of possible neucrosis/death. I keep replaying the whole thing over and over in my head and realize how close I was to losing my life. If I had indeed developed gangrene, I may not be alive right now. The doc said if I would have waited two days I would have died! NO I WOULD NOT RECEIVE ANOTHER LAP BAND NOR RECOMMEND LAP BAND TO ANYONE.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Seems like the sleeve is the way to go and having a doc near by. ***************

I need help advice I had the flu three days ago and threw up and I had acid all night. I have not had acid again but it hurts to eat I have put myself on liquids for a few days, Could the pain be a slip?

did you have pain when you eat? Three days ago I got the stomach flu and threw up I had acid re all night and have not been able to eat with out pain I put my self on liquids and it is a bit better today. should I wait a week or go to doc

I got advice from and attorney and he said I should let them know I was going to file a complaint to the better business and attorney general for our state and the next day they said the check is in the mail. It should have been for $775 but it was for $500 but something is better than nothing right?

I know how you feel sometimes it feels like a money pit and that we have been sold a bunch of cra__ but how honest with yourself are you willing to be? The band is not the end all it is a tool and we have to do our part or the tool wont work, right? I have lost 10 bls or so and that is it I go up and down 5 or so but I do it to myself.

get a sleeve

I was banded in oct 2007 and have had a hard time loosing also but I self sabbotage i see it I will loose and get freaked out so I eat suggary stuff. The band does not work on Ice cream and crap. I need to get control HELP

I went through a story much like yours and got them to refund my money!! by the time I got to a real doc I only had 1.5cc in and the old fill people did blind sticks and were not getting in but were charging me. I should have had 10cc in by their count!!! my advice dont ever have a fill with out fluoro. Good Luck

I have not lost much 20 lbs and the cost plus problems have been great. I hope I will change my mind and will be jumping for joy soon

did the fix a flat work?? Please let me know

If I had it to do over again I would have a sleve it is not much more and no fills. If you get the band make sure you know who is doing your fills. I did not research that so much and the fill place punctured my port after 7 months now I have to pay 4000 to fix it an am wondering if this thing is going to be a money pit for me only 20lbs lost about 19 in tears!!

I found out I have a leak in my tube yesterday and the doc is going to replace the port and tube is this normal? What is the longest anyone has lived with the band it seems as though most come out after five years is that right?

I had the same thing and yesterday found out I have a leak from all the sticking. I will never have a fill blind again if I have it fixed

I have a leak they found it yesterday how much did yours cost to fix and do they fill you when they do the repair?

I waw banded Oct 11 2007 by Dr Alverez out of Texas in Mexico $6900 he was awsome. I live in Spokane and my problem has been getting fills. I had the ladies at North West fill center out of Arlington doing it and They caused a leak I found out yesterday I saw Dr Neil in Auburn. So now I have to have a port and tube replacement. DO not have fills with out fluoro NO BLIND STICKS it is a costly mistake $3900. So do I have it fixed I am so bummed.

I was banded Oct 11 2007 once I made it through the rough spot and through lots of bad fills I found my sweet spot and was never hungry It was awsome the band works. Yesterday I found out i have a leak and need a port replacement $3900 so today I wonder if it is worth it or is it a money pitt.

Your story is what has happened to me did you end up having a leak? how much was it to fix

Hey can anyone tell me about Dr Alvarez? He seems to be priced really well, and free fills for life.:help:

I know how you feel. Did they use fluoro to make sure the port is flipped? or was it a guess?

I knew I would I would hear this, is not the right place for this, why? because denial runs deep in all of us and as long as all is well with us as individuals its cool and we can try to sympathize with another but unless we our selves have experienced the struggle we can’t relate. OK! I am not trying to change anyone’s mind, when my band was working I loved it and the fact that it is not now working is not its fault. I still love my band. I take responsibility for not stopping all the poking and prodding my doc said I should have stopped them at two attempts. What I am hoping for here is to let banisters know there are potential problems that they can avoid. As a fat person I know our hope runs deep, we hope for the best but seldom plan for the worst. Here is the worst case, plan for it, it doesn’t mean it will happen but if it does take control of the situation. Research who does your fills and be clear you are the customer and be in control. If I had read my story I would have known not to let someone dig around in there because it could cause a potential leak. Don’t under estimate our readers they don’t want the glossed over version of the lap band they want to know the good, the bad and the ugly. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p> </o:p>

the fewer fills fewer leaks blind pokes high potential for leaks. vg band has fewest erosion numbers what band do you have

I had my band put in Oct 10ccband. First fill blind poke three tries 3cc in. Second two pokes dig dig 3cc in, third three pokes dig dig 1ccin RESTRICTION!!! Ya good weight loss happy. Fourth wanted to tweak a little only had restriction in the morning fill 1cc five pokes dig dig. Next day no restriction I think I have a leak. Drive another 200 miles for fluoro and she is able to get 5cc out I should have 8cc plus doc put in 2cc at time of surgery (that is 10 in a 10cc band) she adds 1cc more Fill # Five now I should have 11cc no restriction at all I have a leak. She said sometimes the tube collapses and you can’t get a true read. She said you don’t have a leak because I got something out. They don’t want to take any responsibility for f-ing it up. The obvious problem with having bands in Mexico is the after care. I knew this and yet chose to go for it. If I go back to my doc it is $2500 to replace port and tube. Then what who do I have do the fills? I should have had a sleeve that is what my doc is famous for and there would have been no fills, no leak and it was $2000 more than a band so in the long run cheaper after you factor in the cost of fills and heart ache!! ANYONE OUT THERE DO NOT HAVE NORTH WEST FILL CENTER IN ARLINGTON WASHINGTON DO YOUR FILLS. QUACKS!!! So where do I go from here?? Right now after I beat myself up I am doing nothing can’t afford it so I am trying on denial to convince myself that I have restriction. Any suggestions???

I had my band put in Oct 10ccband. First fill blind poke three tries 3cc in. Second two pokes dig dig 3cc in, third three pokes dig dig 1ccin RESTRICTION!!! Ya good weight loss happy. Fourth wanted to tweak a little only had restriction in the morning fill 1cc five pokes dig dig. Next day no restriction I think I have a leak. Drive another 200 miles for fluoro and she is able to get 5cc out I should have 8cc plus doc put in 2cc at time of surgery (that is 10 in a 10cc band) she adds 1cc more Fill # Five now I should have 11cc no restriction at all I have a leak. She said sometimes the tube collapses and you can’t get a true read. She said you don’t have a leak because I got something out. They don’t want to take any responsibility for f-ing it up. The obvious problem with having bands in Mexico is the after care. I knew this and yet chose to go for it. If I go back to my doc it is $2500 to replace port and tube. Then what who do I have do the fills? I should have had a sleeve that is what my doc is famous for and there would have been no fills, no leak and it was $2000 more than a band so in the long run cheaper after you factor in the cost of fills and heart ache!! ANYONE OUT THERE DO NOT HAVE NORTH WEST FILL CENTER IN ARLINGTON WASHINGTON DO YOUR FILLS. QUACKS!!! So where do I go from here?? Right now after I beat myself up I am doing nothing can’t afford it so I am trying on denial to convince myself that I have restriction. Any suggestions???