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I was extremely lucky the slimband gastric band did not cause any complications....removal and gastric bypass done on May 8 and so far so good[emoji3] Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using BariatricPal mobile app

I had my lap band inserted in March 2017 in Toronto and went home to Alberta with promises of support and help from my ‘coach, Cathy’. She sat with me prior to the procedure and explained how everything was to go after the band was put in place (she is still working for Slimband Canada). After the procedure I was experiencing discomfort and call to talk to the surgical nurses on site and was told it was normal. After 4 weeks Cathy was supposed to call and check up and start the coaching me on starting the plan but never called. Every time I called I left a message and she never returned any of my calls. She would respond by email is I wanted to pay for a fill request, but would not answer any of my concerns or questions. I eventually went online a few months later, only to discover the clinic shut down and I was left out in the cold and $12,000 poorer. I’ve had nothing but issues and had to go though referral and wait time to get into the bariatric clinic in my city. I just recently had a barium swallow done and discovered that the band ‘slipped’ and is sitting at the top of my stomach around the asophagus. This would explain why had have suck difficulty eating and having food getting stuck almost daily. This causes me to force throw up to dislodge food multiple times a week. I never go out with friends because it’s embarrassing and family get togethers are challenging. I now have a 6 - 8 month wait to have it removed. At that time they will be able to find out if the band slipped or was improperly placed in the first place. If someone is planning a Class Action Lawsuit.... I’m in!!!!!

KimMac, just wanted to mention that the dye in your Slimband port is normal. They put it in the fill fluid so that someone doing a fill or defill knows they have accessed the port properly.

I am also someone who has had nothing but issues with this band (Slimband), which I paid over $25,000 for (I was financed thru them) the band which I had placed at a private clinic in Toronto in 2013. I didn’t/do not live in Toronto, so I had to fly up there & back, stay at a hotel. Factoring in the medications I was instructed to take post-op, along with the necessary OTC medications (stool softeners, gravel, etc), I am probably out around $30,000. Most important to me though, is not the money (that pisses me off) but it’s the day-to-day impact this goddamn thing is having. My quality of life has be adversely affected. Most recently, I have a distended upper abdominal area; chronic constipation (I drink over 64 ounces of water daily); nausea, vomiting and have looked into filing a lawsuit without success (firms I contacted weren’t interested). I am unable to be spontaneous in eating, because I never know/can’t predict when I will get what my husband has come to refer to as “backed up”. When I get “backed up”, I typically have been constipated, and then have a painful bowel movement, quickly followed by a swollen & tender upper abdominal area, nausea, dry heaves, then vomiting (bike usually as I’ve not eaten in the 12 hours prior to these attacks). The doctor who preformed my surgery was reprimanded by the College of Physicians & Surgeons in Ontario, & lost his license for 3 whole months (big deal) & has since relocated to practice in another area of Ontario the last I heard. During my surgery, he also did something that I wasn’t aware he would do/would ‘need’ to be done. He did something so I wouldn’t experience any heartburn or GERD...when I woke from surgery to find that out, I started to feel like I had made a mistake. See, I never, NEVER had any issue with acid reflux/heartburn...ever. I also woke from surgery with a pain in my shoulder & bruises on my body that I am unsure how they would have gotten there (upper arm, outer thigh). Other than the 1-week follow-up phone call, the clinic never did follow through on their promise of aftercare service & check-ins. I had called because I was concerned when I had my first ‘attack’ approximately 2 years after the band was installed, only to get a voicemail to leave a message, which never was returned & the symptoms abated. Then to make matters worse, if that is even possible, the clinic closed its doors a few years back, meaning I have been & am unable to have my band adjusted, which were always defills for me. These were another area of problematic treatment. Each time I went (only twice because there was a large period of time that Halifax didn’t have anyone doing this), I had requested a defill because I was vomiting after drinking water. When the ‘nurse’ wasn’t able to access my port...well, she said she wasn’t sure if she accessed it or not, my doubts and regrets were reinforced. I remember telling her the last time I was in, that I wanted it removed. She encouraged me to give it time, especially since we had just ‘defilled’. I remember that last time I went, it hurt when she inserted the strings & it felt as if it ‘hit’ something hard in my body (hard to explain, but a very weird sensation & it felt substantially different than the first time I had a defill). I seen that when she removed the syringe, it looked as if it were filled with blood, watered down blood, but not clear fluid. She reassured me that it was ‘probably just some scar tissue’ that had developed around the port site and that was why it looked like blood was in the syringe. A few weeks after this interaction, when I attempted to book another defill, and to look into removal, I found out the clinic was closed. No advanced notice to its customers - I was still paying them via the financing they provided - paying for a service I was no longer able to receive. So here I am, 6 years later. I have lost weight, not as much as they said I would, but I attribute that to the fact that I can’t eat so many things, and when I do eat (rarely ever hungry), I am terrified of having an attack. It has negatively affected my work life, my personal life and, since I am waiting on a long list for bariatric surgery to remove this goddamn thing, my life for the foreseeable future. I really wish there were a class action lawsuit happening. My sister had the same procedure, and has had a similar journey, minus the ‘attacks’. I had done research prior to having Slimband installed and didn’t find much long term information. After having the procedure, and joining their on-line community, I realized that any negative comments/stories were removed/deleted/erased, as the clinic had control over the site. If anyone hears about a class action lawsuit, please contact me because I would be interested. I live in Nova Scotia, Canada. My e-mail is kemaclean@ yahoo.ca As a almost 54 year old woman, I can honestly say there are very, very few things in my life that I regret - and my life has not been an easy one - Slimband is the only regret I have...and it is a huge one.

His name is Dr. Patrick Yau. You can read about him in the article I posted. The article also quotes, "Credit Medical and Slimband director Michael Scot-Smith is a former developer who was convicted of real estate fraud and sentenced in 1993 to two years in jail. In 2000, he was convicted of obtaining bank loans under false pretenses. He didn't respond to Marketplace's requests for comment." I think Michael Scot-Smith is the person to go after as he's STILL collecting money through Credit Medical loans. He's the one with the money. Please read the article: https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/gastric-band-surgery-marketplace-1.4479735

I would contact your General Doctor and asked to be referred to a internal surgeon and have it removed. I had to have mine removed and it has caused me massive damage to my esophagus and upper stomach. I had issues with cancer in my esophagus three years ago and the surgeon felt definetly it had to due to the lapband and the negligence of the Dr. Lau's insertion of it. Please go and talk to your local MD asap so that you are treated for the pain and regurtiation immediately! Its very serious. There was a W5 series where two lapband patients suffered from this and both died because they left it too long. I have spoken to the woman that won the Small Claims against Slimband but because they filed bankruptcy she hasn't been able to collect. I am thinking about filing against Dr. LAu personally but she also told be about a law firm in Vancouver that is doing a class action suit that are suing the company that makes the slim band. She has told me she will provide me with the law firm. As soon as I have info I will post info.

I have not personally sued but I want to. Unfortunately I am not sure how to go about it either. I did read this article which might be of interest. At some point I think almost all Slimband patients will have to have their bands removed. https://www.cbc.ca/news/health/gastric-band-surgery-marketplace-1.4479735 If you want to chat in person, add me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jennifercoulter

I got my Slimband in November 2010 and have had issues with vomiting since day one. Almost 10 years later I'm starting to have almost unbearable symptoms (haven't been able to keep anything down since Friday, pain in my chest, difficulty breathing). I would love to hear from anyone that has had their Slimband removed and anyone that has sued them.

I am definitely interested in a lawsuit against Slimband. I have lost thousands of dollars in pay due to having to take unpaid sick leave (in fact, I am lucky to even still be employed). Also, I'm told that almost everyone will need to eventually have to have it removed (mine hasn't been yet). My personal e-mail is jenannecoulter@yahoo.ca if you would like to connect with me. Jennifer, Ottawa

Hi There, I'm glad you won your case. Did you go to Small Claims? So all doctors have to have errors and omission insurance which lawsuits fall under. So I would think that they would be required to pay you out of that. I;m thinking that the company name, and all Dr's that are partners in the company are named personally. I had a lapband performed Dec 2007. I lost over 250 pounds in total during my time but I was never able to get a fill. I would throw up for days and have to go back and have it unfilled. I mainly drank protein shakes, water and exercised non stop. The clinic never returned calls. And Two years ago I had to have my band remove because it has destroyed my esophagus so badly and I was constanly bleeding internally and my hemoglobin had hit so low that I was going weeks not able to get out of bed. Dr. Yau was suspended after and sold the Lapband Clinic to Slimband but apparently kept performing and working there. I have spent so much money and lost so much money because of being self employed and not being able to work so often due to my health. I would like to begin a law suit if anyone else is interested.

Really tough. Had Slimband Dr. Yau 2008. Dr Yau won't answer phone. Last word from Slimband was they wanted $1400. My family doctor says I need to find another surgeon. All for taking a CC out with a needle. I was thinking I might need to share a needle with a junkie but am pausing on that idea a bit:)

Hey everyone! Where do you go these days to get your band adjusted? How much? How easy/difficult?

I wish I had not gone through with getting my slimband as it was nothing but problems. Are you comfortable sharing how you went after them? Thank you

Hey if you google slimband it will take you to a site saying slim and is no longer taking patients and there is a contact email the person will contact you back and make a appt where you want a fill but it will cost you 300$ if you can’t find it let me know I can probally check my email and forward it to you

Hi everyone , has anyone been in contact or had a fill from slimband that could pass on contact information ? I just found out in the fall when I had something stuck in my band that the office is closed . I went to emergency where they defilled me but now I need a refill !! HELP please !! Not happy gaining weight back !!

Hello everyone, I was banded by Dr. Yau in 2011. I've had numerous complications...still have discomfort, and I can't get any support from Slimband now. I still have my band. I would be interested in meeting and talking with others who share similar experiences. My email is: bryndayman@hotmail.com Take care, Bryn

I've had the Slimband since 2011. Dr. Yau was the surgeon. I've been having some complications, and there is nobody to go to with this anymore. If there is a class action, please notify me. Thanks! Bryn ... bryndayman@hotmail.com

I also went to see Dr Cyriac on my own in Toronto because my port is protuding out and is very uncomfortable . Hes a very pleasant man no doubt and of course he said at the price of almost the band he could fix it. Doctors are allways pleasant though if you have $$$$ . I think Canada should take all bands off the market and stop the surgeries because it enables companies like this to make millions and take advantage of people. It is said at some point all of these bands will have to be removed most likely in a emergency room. I feel foolish for being fooled by flashy smiles and big stories by the slimband employees. I know some are failing because they are not following the rules but slimband didnt provide the support they promised to all of us . That is what I am most upset about. I may have received half a dozen contacts (if that) by the support team . They said DNA testing was part of the service which when I called about my results was told the service was cancelled and they would be refunding for that.

I am Interested in joining or starting a class action lawsuit against slimband. Please message me to join or to begin one. Medley

I am interested in a class action lawsuit as well, banded April 2014 and had it removed October 2016 (by a different Dr in a different province) due to complications that Slimband didn't want to help with. The kicker is... I am still paying the weekly payment for something I dont have and something that never worked properly in the first place

Hello, my name is Wyleen. Had my surgery in 2014. All was good, except that my band had flipped and it was showing through my skin. Litterally poking out of my skin. My doctor fixed this problem last year, but since then, I've been consistly putting on weight. I think I need a fill. Does anyone know where I can get a fill in Toronto or Winnipeg. I used Slimband in Toronto and can't get a hold of them. Please help!!!

I found this doing a search. Yikes. Sorry to anyone who got scammed or injured by these thieves. So I won the lawsuit against SLIMBAND IN TORONTO how do i collect So to make a very long story short, I paid 16,000 dollars to the SLIMMBAND CLINIC IN TORONTO, TO INSERT BY LAPOROROCOPY AND GENERAL ANESTHETIC A DEVICE WHICH WAS TO CONTROL MY APPETITE AND HELP ME TO LOSE AND MAINTAIN MY WEIGHT, FOR MY HEALTH. I was blind sighted, I should have done my homework, this very clinic and doctor had jumped ship on hundreds of other innocent unsuspecting, patients. I went through the courts and won the case against the clinic, big deal they shut their doors one week prior to my court date. My only hope is to tell anyone who even thinks about this way of life in the Toronto area be certain it is not the same owner, nor the same doctor that took my money and left me with a nonfunctioning piece of silicone band in my abdomen. Three surgeries later and many heart aches and physical discomfort I had the monster removed.DO NOT BE FOOLED THEY HIRE SKINNY PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THEY HAD THE SAME SURGERY. I HAVE ASLO BEEN IN CONTACT WITH PATIENTS THAT ENDED UP WITH SEVERE INFECTIONS AND MANY COMPLICATIONS. https://www.bariatricpal.com/index.php?/topic/398746-So-I-won-the-lawsuit-against-SLIMBAND-IN-TORONTO-how-do-i-collect/page__view__findpost__p__4482030

Are there any class action suits started regarding Slimbands deficient patient care?

So to make a very long story short, I paid 16,000 dollars to the SLIMMBAND CLINIC IN TORONTO, TO INSERT BY LAPOROROCOPY AND GENERAL ANESTHETIC A DEVICE WHICH WAS TO CONTROL MY APPETITE AND HELP ME TO LOSE AND MAINTAIN MY WEIGHT, FOR MY HEALTH. I was blind sighted, I should have done my homework, this very clinic and doctor had jumped ship on hundreds of other innocent unsuspecting, patients. I went through the courts and won the case against the clinic, big deal they shut their doors one week prior to my court date. My only hope is to tell anyone who even thinks about this way of life in the Toronto area be certain it is not the same owner, nor the same doctor that took my money and left me with a nonfunctioning piece of silicone band in my abdomen. Three surgeries later and many heart aches and physical discomfort I had the monster removed.DO NOT BE FOOLED THEY HIRE SKINNY PEOPLE WHO TELL YOU THEY HAD THE SAME SURGERY. I HAVE ASLO BEEN IN CONTACT WITH PATIENTS THAT ENDED UP WITH SEVERE INFECTIONS AND MANY COMPLICATIONS.