pioneerheartland

Hello, I am new to forum but not new to LAP-BAND®. I was originally banded in Feb 2008 and lost 100 pounds. Part of last few plounds was due to slippage, "significant" slippage, that resulted in removal of my band last Tuesday. I am devestated. I am surprised as I was told of possible reposition of band, not removal. My fear is this, I am a self pay. If I were to pay for a second band, would I slip again? What experience have you had with rebanding due to slippage? Is it worth it? I have read several articles stating LAP-BAND® itself is very risky as the years go by in reference to issues that may cause removal. I also read to new Realize band is significantly a better band. Any insight would be great. Sad and disillusioned in Tucson, AZ.

Hello, I am new to forum but not new to lapband. I was originally banded in Feb 2008 and lost 100 pounds. Part of last few plounds was due to slippage, "significant" slippage, that resulted in removal of my band last Tuesday. I am devestated. I am surprised as I was told of possible reposition of band, not removal. My fear is this, I am a self pay. If I were to pay for a second band, would I slip again? What experience have you had with rebanding due to slippage? Is it worth it? I have read several articles stating lapband itself is very risky as the years go by in reference to issues that may cause removal. I also read to new Realize band is significantly a better band. Any insight would be great. Sad and disillusioned in Tucson, AZ.

Hello All, I was banded on 2-14-08 and have only lost 15 lbs. Since the surgery, I let me NP know I felt no restriction and he just keep bringing up exercise and recently, a food diary. I tried to tell him I was eating "good, approved" food but I was not feeling satisfied. As we talked, I happened to of mentioned after his last fill of 8cc I felt like I had been kicked by a horse in my chest afterward. He became concerned, checked my port fill, and explained my pain was due to the saline leaking in my body. He explained some of the ports have leaked but if the leak is in the line I would be responsible for the cost. If the port is leaking (which I hope to gosh it is) then the Lap Band company would pay for the port and it could be taken care of in an outpatient setting. The NP did stated he had a patient who experienced my situation and her port "fixed" itself with no further problems. He filled me up and left that appt with an appt in 7 days. This weekend, I know it has leaked again and now I think it has flipped since the port area is extremely sensitive and there is hard spot on the port. I know must give him a call tomorrow about the pain I am feeling. I am very frustgrated and concerned since I was a self-pay and the self-pay covers for 12 months of visits only. I have already lost 6 months of free visits and now I may be liable for more costs. Can anyone give advice on how to handle this situation and share your thoughts if my port has actually flipped? Thanks-tucsonmom

Hello, The doctor has never used fluroscopy or anything like that for my fills. They just stick the needle in. Even with the doctor performing the fills, they still state that a nick in the line by the NP is not covered. They stated I signed off on that before the surgery.