LauraLA

Yesterday I hit a real wall. Was ready to go home and od on the insulin that I had to start after multiple problems that started last year. I was withing 30 lb of goal...165lbs lost. Then H pylori, anemia, kidney failure, kidney stone, dehydration, over medication, 8 car accidents. Then incompetent dr that punctured the tube from my port to the lap band. Finally went back to original surgeon (Dr. Rumbaut...great guy) who replaced my tube and started losing the 70lb + that were gained after fluid had been removed (after hospitalizations). So then I had to start insulin, but was beginning to loose weight. Now, I can't get fills, because of swelling. Barium won't pass through. But everything else can and am starting gain weight again. Diabetes continues to be real spiky, throwing up coffe color blood most mornings from irritated ulcer, gerd and pb. I am so tired of this and of fighting the losing battle. Hope to call Dr. in morning to see if it is the time of day or if the ulcer is making having the band difficult.. Am ready for something else, but not the weight gain and not the ocd dieting pattern again. Promised a friend I would not give up and hang in there a little longer....hope I can get some answers from the dr tomorrow. Thanks in advance or for any replys given. LA

Thank you all for the comments. First; It was ther american doctor doing the fills that damaged my lap band and he needs to pay for the repair Second. Needle pricks are a risk, but that is the risk of the practioner, not the patients Third, my doctor in mexico is fabulous. he fixed me for a reasonable price and the only problem with going down besides the distance is the gauntlet through the border with the mexican cartel. And yes first I will make a claim after I get the evidence and then follow up with a lawyer. Merry Christmas to all.

I just got back from Mexico having to get a port replacement. Apparently the tubing between my port and connector had needle pricks in it causing the fluid to leak out. I was within 20 lbs of goal and off nearly all my diabetes medication. I got sick and in order to take the medication I had to have the band emptied. Then the nightmare began. After 5 attempts with one doctor going in by 'feel' I finally went to another dr who used a flouroscope and found that my band was still empty. After a few times the second dr. put a thicker fluid in the port and found the leak. Now I am out $3200 for surgery, all the useless fills and transportation and lodging to Mexico to get things fixed. My diabetes is back with a fury and worse than ever (now on insulin) and diabetic kidney disease is back due to the contined weight gain as I went a total of 10 times over 8 months to get fills. Does anyone have any experience in how to make claims. I have the medical records, the damaged port and floroscopies. Would not like to have a big expensive lawsuit process if not necessary. Thanks in advance for any insight.

Oh. and the leak was caused by hypodermic needle pricks, causing the lap band to fail. If going on diets and following diet and exercise plans worked, I would not have needed surgery in the first place too.

Not impairing health? Well, I guess I did not share the whole story. My health is worse since gaining most of the last two years weight loss back. Where I was off of most diabetes medications, now I am on insulin and my kidneys are damaged and have diabetes kidney disease. My band was functioning perfectly until the doctor damaged it, so I beg to differ that I do not have any 'damages', but thank you for your input.

I have had a band for 6 years (Dr. Rumbaut) I have lost steadily and slowly. A recent obstruction and 'vacation' from the band followed by a re-tightening has resulted in weight loss as if I were just out of surgery....new motiviation and incentive to clean up my lifestyle and continue towards goal.

Thanks Will try that.......hopefully drinking plenty of fluid will help flush whatever out too........

:crying:I get the feeling that there is something rotting down in my pouch........a little better now that I handled the post nasal drip (sinus bath and benadryl) and nightime reflux (maalox) but there is something nasty down there...... any comments?