72LB

Hello, I am 72 y/o, banded in 2009. I met insurance guidelines due to having new diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes and Hypertension. I understood the Band was a tool to assist in developing a healthy life style, however, class and manufacture information did not fully disclose potential complications that other's experienced and had disclosed years before 2009. As with most of you I attempted to follow instructions and dietary recommendations. However, multi-complications occurred from 6-8 weeks post-op. 2013 -2014 I read a couple of articles stating the Medical device manufacturers had been subpoenaed by the U.S. government regarding problems with its Lap-Band weight loss device, and it’s link to a high rate of complications and a number of deaths. I approach a Law Firm as to whether they were forming a class action lawsuit due to lap band being a defective produce. And informed no such filing were being done at that time. I also filed a complaint with the FDA (www/fda.gov), because of complications. At this time, I am not sure if the government has completed their investigation and order a recall of all brands of the Lap-Band. Lawsuits were allowed relating to Vaginal Mesh as well as Talcum Powder; now something need to be done about the manufactures of the Lap Band, especially failure to fully disclose potential injuries and etc. File a compliant with the FDA.

Sorry it has taken awhile for me to response. I am still planning to have the Lap Band removed. My surgeon suggested a revision, I declined. Delay in surgery has been relating to abnormal labs. As of this month, my physician moved his office to another city, a couple of days after I had submitted new test results. He referred his patients to the other surgeons that were in his group. I called the office, but as yet there has been no respond. Contact has been made with his new office staff, no respond as yet. This will be an added expense; it seems I cannot win for losing… I often question, why I allowed damage to be done to this beautiful body that God had blessed me with. Why did I not work harder to control the medical issues that were plaguing my health??? I guess most of us has asked the same questions. If anyone obtain information regarding a Class Action Law Suit please let me know. Thanks for support

I am new to blogging and hope I doing this correctly. Enjoyed what weight lost I had (25 lbs); never able to discount BP and Diabetic meds-in fact they have increased. I am 72 years old, had the Lap Band placement in 2009. Developed post-op wound infection and enlargement at port site. Dr. said enlargement is normal, will decrease overtime with healing. Gallbladder removed 2010. Since Band placement I have had bouts of daily nausea, occasional vomiting, developed many allergies and sensitives. Fluid was removed from my Band over one year ago due to gastric problems. My doctors and I have discuss possibility that my body is rejecting the band material, there is abnormality present; now having chronic Gerd coughing. I am so afraid, I have hear it is more dangerous to remove the band. My surgeon has suggested removing the Band and performing the gastric sleeve, (I decline sleeve). At 72, is my Quality of Life is better trying to live with the problems. Has anyone in the 70> group experienced the same concerns and issues as I?

Thanks 2muchfun for the respond. I am so very glad to hear you have not had problems with your band. I am embarrassed that I did not follow recommendations of some family members. "Do not have it". they were not supportive of me having the band. I could not convince them that Lap Banding may help to resolve or prevent exacerbation of current medical issues. I had the band, now must request support for having it removed. My plan was to have the surgery in April or May. I won't ask you to guest what has happen!!! The day I wrote this blog, is the day I was informed my surgeon has semi-retired and moved out- of- town. His patients has been referred to other physicians. So the only way I can be followed by him is to leave town for the procedure. Now, I am embarrassed to ask those smarter then me, non-supportive, "don't do it" folks, to take time off from work for traveling with me. As of yet I have not found a local surgeon to do the procedure. I feel like the Cowardly Lion...