Leak

[frustratedbandster 1]

I've been reading several posts and decided to post my story to see if anyone has similar experiences. I received my band in July of 2008. I went for fills about every 2 weeks. I never felt restriction for longer than 2 weeks. It took a year and me switching docs to find the port leak. After years of arguing with original surgeon, my port was replaced. I assumed the whole system would be checked, but I guess not. I've switched docs and been receiving fills monthly. Again, no restriction. When they check Fluid, it's not there. I was suppose to have 12. I had 4. Was suppose to have 6 now I have 2. They looked at it during barium swallow. No noticeable leak, but the NP who is training says" it looks poofie there. I was told I may have a pin size leak in the band. So here I am after thousands spent and 5 years with a band, with a possible leak. I've only felt 2 weeks Max of some restriction after fills then it disappears. I have a 15cc band and of course my new insurance has bariatric exclusions. My surgeon wants me to convert to sleeve. I'm not comfortable with the sleeve nor do I have the funds. Has anyone heard of a pin size leak from day one? The lap band company is trying to sell it off so I was told they're not reimbursing for damaged bands.

Since my band I've been diagnosed with a wheat allergy. So I'm gluten free. I followed the lap band diet, quit drinking sodas, etc...What's very ironic is since the testing on my band last Thursday and being deflated to 1cc b/c of irritation, I have more restriction now than I ever have! They even gave me an injection to reduce the irritation. I'm at a lost and puzzled. Ideas?

[LEXUS86985 21]

Kind of off the subject, but what kind of bariatric restrictions does your insurance have?? If it's new you can request a transitional authorization.... That allows you some flexibility when you switch. Have you had any breaks in coverage?? If you have the band they really cannot deny you if you need to get it fixed!!!! Complications at this point are not bariatric in nature!! Don't take that BS!!!

[JACKIEO85 308]

It's not uncommon to have restriction (and I use that term loosely) at 5 years out, that may be from scar tissue underneath the band. To me a Leak is a Leak no matter when it occurs, and it seems obvious that you have one if saline isn't staying in the band. The lap band company isn't going to reimburse you or anyone(sorry that's just a fact)

They have all the complications listed in their literature and whether you were given/shown that literature is irrelevant to them. ( they have their backsides covered) What type of injection did you have? that's the first time I've heard that occurring. most often after an unfill a liquid diet is advised to reduce the possible swelling to the stomach.

AS LEXUS86985 stated having a removal is not a baratric procedure.

Sorry your having problems. keep us posted

[lellow 1,713]

I had what I term to be a persistent leak. I had two port replacements (both unsuccessful at stopping the leak) because I was leaking 'slowly' so they were sure it wasn't the actual band. I went through a period of being very disillusioned (and gaining weight) before deciding that someone had better listen to me or else.

2 months ago I had a full band replacement. They never did discover where my band was leaking from despite a barium swallow, and now I'm finally experiencing restriction that 'sticks'.

The leak was considered a band fault and not a patient fault and therefore my revision (as well as my port replacements) were covered by my insurance. The fact that I was consistently losing Fluid from my band - to me- meant that there was proof that the band was leaking. I didn't think they needed to actually locate the leak for them to fix it.