SydneyGirl

I was banded in December 2010, seems a life time ago! The company that I used is horrible, and I've lost my support, but I found a great place in Mississauga and they've been wonderful, but it's $1,000 per year. I went the last 8 months without seeing them, and I think I'll have to bite the bullet and pay the maintenance fee to get de-fills. My last visit to this clinic was a de-fill. I couldn't tolerate any food, I lost weight way too quickly and I felt like 2 lbs of poop in a 1 lb bag. Nausea, horrible taste in my mouth, fatigue, couldn't sleep, you name it. So I got a de-fill and felt much better. Until about 3 months ago. I started to wheeze, and when I say wheeze, I mean wheeze. Like I had the worst asthma ever. I've never had asthma. It comes and goes, and when I cough, it sounds like I have whooping cough. It's been horrible. I'm not able to eat a lot, I have excess stomach acid and this horrible wheezing cough. Has anyone out there experience this before? I really don't know what to do, I'm at a loss. Any advice is welcome.

Hi there, I'm new to this forum. I'm at my wit's end and I thought I could vent to you all to see if anybody can commiserate with me I was banded in Toronto, Canada on Dec 30, 2010. All was great, all went well until I started having liquid rising up my esophagus at night time. It turned out to be acid reflux, I had my band loosened a bit, and I went on my merry way. The acid reflux went away, and I was feeling great, except I gained about 30 pounds in the last 5-6 months. During this time, the liquid started coming back, it wasn't acidic (it didn't burn at all), so I was tested for H-Pylori - turns out I tested negative, but I was on a heavy dose of antibiotics just in case I did have the bacteria. I felt 100% better - eating better, sleeping all through the night. Well, the liquid is back now, and I have no idea what to do. I called Slimband (the company I used in Canada) and they told me that even after I paid the $16,000, my account was inactive and that in order for me to get a fill or de-fill, I'd have to pay $1,500 for 6 months. According to their contract, they only do these procedures for 5 years, and my 5 years is up on December 30 of this year. I lost it! I'm all on my own, I can't afford another penny and I'm so stressed it isn't funny. Has anybody had a similar experience? Is there anything I can do?

I'm not sure. I haven't heard anything. They should be sued and taken off the market.

I'm just seeing this thread now. I'll join you in the class action law suit. I had a call today from Slimband. It's ridiculous how they operate now. They want me to pay them $1,500 for 6 months of "maintenance" which includes a fill or two, if I'm lucky, and some lame consulting from their "professionals" - and I use the term "professionals" very loosely.

Hey Professor, You just made my day. I regret using Slimband, they've just left me high and dry and I can't afford them any longer, so I will take your advice and see that doctor in Mississauga. I really appreciate your feedback and sympathy! If they see my comments about them on this site, they can sic their legal team on me. What have I got to lose? I'm not saying anything that isn't true Have a fabulous weekend. I'll keep you posted with my progress.