Is This True?

[Kelly 0]

Hi everyone I am new to this website. I wanted to get some input on a problem I'm having. I had my lap band surgery in Mexico. The fill Dr. I use now, punctured my tubing and I had a port replacement 3 mths ago. They are filling my band back up slowly, so I've had no restriction. Anyway, at my last fill I was told Fluid was missing, 2cc. I asked the dr why they did'nt do a leak test before the port replacement surgery to make sure that was the problem. He said leak tests are not reliable and most of the time leaks do not even show up. Also, he said 99% of the time the problem is not with the band but with the port. Now I have another leak. The dr. is saying because I had the band in Mexico, the problem is most likely a leak in the band. He says doctors from the U.S. send all their expired medical products to Latin America, including the Lap Band. So maybe I have an expired / defective band. Anyone heard of this? And also, what should I do?

Kellie

[sunsett 2]

Wow you've been through a lot. Sorry to hear this.

I know that in the US they test the band several times in the operation room before placing it in you.

I am one of few that actually had a band and port leak. I just had everything replaced a few weeks ago.

It is VERY rare for the band to leak. I sent a PM to Dr. Ortiz and asked him how many band leaks he's had and he said none. He has done thousands and he's in MX, so don't let people scare you with negative coments on getting your band in MX.

We found out that it was a band leak through fluro. Have you been tested under fluro? I watched it come right out.

As for what you should do? That really depends on you. I have not had a pleasant time this go round, my recovery is longer than last and I also had some type of an allergic reaction to either the morphine or the antibiotic. However, for me, I am pretty darn sure I would even do it agian if I had to. The band, even though it has never worked properly, has truly changed my life fot the better.

Good luck with everything and if you want to talk you can always PM me. I know it stinks, but you'll get through it and will hopefully be happy with your results.

[NJChick 3]

Kellie geeeze am I sorry your going through this. I can't help you with your questions but I wanted to offer you my support anyway.

Hugs and kisses !!!

Eileen

[jude0426 0]

Don't believe what the doctor says about the U.S. sending old expired medical products to mexico (latin america). lol Unfortunately people speak through ignorance without researching first. Your problem I am sure has nothing to do with having had it done in Mexico.

[ljones4521 4]

Wouldn't it be unethical for a US Doctor to sale expired medical supplies to anyone? Also, my doctor gave me the box the lapband came in and the label state:

Not returnable for Credit Once Seal Is Broken. So, if a US doctor can get a credit on expired merchandise, why then woul they send it out of country?

It's funny how some US doctors try to discredit Mexico doctors despite the fact the Mexican doctors have been performing the procdure for 10+ years and train the US doctors.

[StephanieRaye 0]

Sounds to me like your doc is trying to place the blame for HIS mistake on a likely target- Mexican surgeons.

[Morsaille 4]

Doctor Pleatman started a thread awhile back about bands being sold on eBay. They were expired and the two highest bidders were in Bulgaria and the Dominican Republic. These bidders purchased only surgical equipment on eBay, scary. Some even appeared to be for veterinary use.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/showthread.php?t=14864&highlight=pleatman

I am thinking that this US doc was trying to protect his patient supply by instilling fear of going over the border for medical treatment. Still, choose a good doc with a clean record. Someone recognized by Inamed if getting an Inamed band (important if you ever want a US fill).