kpiekkola

Call its easier then trying reply on my Blackberry714-722-1519.

Information on insurance I had my port reattached and covered without problems When they said it flipped again, the insurance said no to the surgery (1/2 hr before I was going under) and said I had to see a specialist The specialist saw me that day, after I begged to everyone The specialist was rude and punitive with the attitude "you went to Mexico that's what you get" He said the port was infected and had to come out He said he didn't believe another port could be attached because I have a French band not American band He said I would loose all my resistance and it would be at least 6 months before they'd do anything else So I left his office with you're going to end up with a band in you that won't do a dam thing So here's what I did.... I called and spoke to the IPA head guy, luckily I got directly through to him I was honest and said look.... I get that you don't want to keep paying for this, etc. But I said you approve this procedure as a weight loose tool and you believe in it's abilities. I said I've lost 30 pounds and during all the termoil I hadn't gained one pound back I said that the specialist was giving up on me and my band, but that the other surgeon (that I love) has faith that we're going to get this right He listened and then agreed to let me see my other surgeon. She said she didn't know what would happen in surgery I woke up to hear that I had a new plastic low profile port She said my tubing looked great (no slime that would indicate erosion, which the specialist said was most likely the problem) Now I am totally healed and hopefully problem free

I had the Mid Band in Mexico and I paid out of pocket for that. All the port problems have been covered my insurance carrier Aetna HMO. She didn't say it was defective more that my body wasn't surrounding it like it was supposed to. It could be because it was metal. She replaced it with a low profile plastic one and knock on wood all is well. I'm about a month post op. Good luck.

I had the surgery done in Mexico. All of my complication issues were performed in CA with my HMO covering the costs. The insurance said it works like this... (with my coverage) if I were to have breast enlargement, they obviously wouldn't cover that if after I had breast enlargement done at my own expense they would cover complications from that surgery up to but not including putting new ones in. So all insurance is different. It sounds like you're insurance is saying pre-existing... I wouldn't not expect that if you have been problem free for years that they can say this is pre-existing. I would petition my IPA group if it's an HMO. Keep fighting them. Most of the time if you join during open enrollment then everything is covered. Talk to your HR department, benefits should help you fight. Good luck.

Banded 11/07 Port incision leaking 3/08. Reimplanted 4/08 Leaking again quickly New plastic port reimplanted 8/08. The incision is healing nicley and looks good. My body didn't like the metal port. My sugeon keep working at getting things right. A friend who referred me to Mexico is having the same exact problem.

Banded 11/07 March 2008: Lost about 25 pounds I started having port rejection problems that were just resolved in August 08. I had a new port put in. The surgeon said she filled my band all the way up to 4cc FULL. I had great restriction but now just a few weeks later I feel like I can eat again. Example, last night for dinner I had 1/2 a baked pork chop, mashed potatoes, and peas??? Can I loose the fill that quick?

Banded in Mexico 11/07. Had port reattached in April 08. Port is now migrating out of my body. It's half way out, pretty. I saw a surgeon at Dr. LaPort's offices. He seemed judgemental that I went out of country. He was really down on "other bands" not available here. I need surgery TODAY... I'm still waiting on the "endoscopy" referral to rule out the E word. I now want to find a 2nd opinion in my area and compare apples to oranges. I found the naem Brian Quebbeman. Anyone out there have anything to add about this guy???? Thanks Kym

I was banded 11/07 March 15 noticed seroma Dr. said due to popped stitch and flipped port Been healed for about two weeks Now the seroma is back Right back where I started... See surgeon on Monday

I went for a pre-op check up. My port flipped and was moved. I asked the surgeon to do a fill today. My first fill was in Mexico with the xray... didn't hurt at all. I believe they only poked me once. Today without the xray lying on my back... I was a friggin pin cushion. I had to be numbed twice, not numbed first time. I was stuck so many times I lost count. I have the MidBand and the port is a lot smaller, but geeze. So now I'm at 3cc in a 4cc band. I really hope I don't have to go through that again. Anyone with fill issues.... get the xray fills. I'll make the trip back to Mexico next time I think. This surgeon is 10 minutes from my work, super easy, but ouchhhhh. Hmmm I really hope I don't have to have any more.:thumbup:

I was banded Thanksgiving. I had lost 30. I had gained 2 pounds since seeing the surgeon last week. I ate two foot long sandwiches yesterday, dam Subway. One at lunch and one at dinner, not two at once. But still that's a lot of food at one sitting. I never had a lot of restriction even though I was able to loose weight. Yeah... the fill sucked. She numbed me up so it didn't really hurt, but I have no desire to do that again.

I had my band put in 11/07 (Thanksgiving). My port never seem perfect, but didn't think much about it. Well I popped a stitch and my port flipped. I was worried about the cost and having to return to Mexico. Don't get me wrong my surgery was fine, everyone was very professional, but there something about the hand holding I get from my doctors here. So I finally (after nearly a month of my port incision ozzing) I called Aetna and explained what was happening. They said they cover all complications for the lapband including removal - even if you had it done in Mexico or out of network. I jumped on the bandwagon yesterday. Called my primary... their office faxed a referral to the surgeon. I was in the surgeons office by 11 am. She said it's an emergency... because it could get infected and then I'd loose the band. I'm scheduled for corrective surgery on Friday. They'll use a local with a twilight sleep. Then all better. My moral for the day is don't wait to get help. Call your insurance carrier and find out what is covered. Cost was my fear and I wish I had acted sooner. After all it's tax time and property taxes are due... I didn't really have $1,500 set aside for port revision. Thanks for listening. Kym 225/194/135 start/current/goal

Thanks for the support. It's all good. The band is my friend and I want to get this fixed asap. I don't want to risk my friend.

Turns out it was a stitch on my port that had come loose. It was working it's way to the surface and irritating the incision on it's way out. All better. Dr. said it didn't even look infected. Positive Thinking works Kym 224/199/135

Turns out I popped a stitch on my port. The stitch was trying to work it's way out and irritating the incision on it's way out. 10 minutes with the Dr and the stitch plucked out. She said she didn't think it looked infected. All Good !!!! Thanks for all the positive thoughts. Kym 224/199/135

I'm sure it's just a local infection that will clear up with antibiotics... and I pray you'll all think those positive thoughts right along with me... prayer is always helpful also. Thanks

I've got some type of infection and I am scared to see my own doctor. She actually had it done herself in Mexico three years ago.

I've got some type of infection and I am scared to see my own doctor. She actually had it done herself in Mexico three years ago.

I've got some type of infection and I am scared to see my own doctor. She actually had it done herself in Mexico three years ago.

Okay I hate to even say things out loud because I don't want negative energy out there focused on this even with the best of intentions. So with that said.... It's fine... There isn't a problem.... This is going to go away. I was in the tube on Saturday and noticed the skin over my port "very small area" like a pencil eraser size was think and white/clear underneath. I had my surgery on Thanksgiving 07 and no problems. I think my port kinda sticks up, but other than that nothing. The incision is still pink, but it's the same color as my other little ones. No fever, no pain..... I sterilized a needle and poked the area and there was drainage, clear yellow liquid.... not a bucket full, but enough... Thoughts..... How long does erosion take to show up? It's not that, don't even say the word.... I keep thinking that I got it wet right after surgery and that this is just a reaction to Water getting in there?

You do not currently need a passport to DRIVE over the border. I think it's 1/1/08 when that goes into effect. If you fly you do need a passport for everywhere now. I'm driving down on 11/23... I'm excited.

I actually heard about it from an old friend from high school. She knows several people that had it done there which was why she felt safe going there. I went down with her a couple weeks ago for a check on her turned port. The Dr. was really late to the appointment, but oh well not a huge deal. He told her that her port was okay and that they would fix it when she had a tummy tuck. She'll need one for sure. Since they charge for the fills and other things seperately he could have done it and charged her, but he seemed straight forward and honest. I felt comfortable and that's when I knew I was going through with it for sure. It sounds like we got the same financing. I didn't want to spend more than $200 per month so that works. It's a lot better than the $17,000 + fees my friend paid for a doctor in Irvine. Here's my email kpiekkola@yahoo. We'll have to keep in touch. I'm scheduled for 11/23, day after Thanksgiving. Have you told a lot of people? How much do you plan on loosing? I'm so excited for us. Yippee.

I was interested when it first made the news back in 2002. I've gained and lost the same 40/50 pounds since high school. I'm like everyone here I've tried everything with moderate success. I have a low BMI so insurance will never pay or approve. I got the hubbys okay and support to get this done and finance it. I went to Obesity Goodbye in TJ with an old friend from high school on Saturday. I liked watching the fill with the x-ray. That put my fears of fills to rest. The fills seemed like the biggest problem (too tight, too loose), but with the x-ray he could see exactly how much she was passing. That was great. I've gotten the okay for a surgery date of 11/23... too bad I can't have one last Thanksgiving. I didn't want to tell my best girl friends because I just wanted to wait and I didn't want them to try and talk me out of it. BUT I think they'll notice on turkey day when I'm having broth. Not to mention we're bailing on the annual Thanksgiving campout and I'd like to tell them it's for a good reason. Since we're not going everyone is staying home so we can all eat together.... funny right. I guess all that's left for me is to fill out the financing application. I would expect it won't be a problem. I'd love to hear of any companies you've worked with that you recommend. I could wait and save, but I don't wanna. The surgery is $6,800 is there tax? Do I finance just that amount? I can handle the extra little costs. I don't have any travel expenses because I live in So Cal. So anything anyone can offer is appreciated. I like to be mentally prepared... hate surprises. Thanks, Kym

You'll be so grateful in a week. Everything I've read and seen it's a good decision. Think positive ALWAYS.