who pays to fix a leak?

[prasman 0]

If you have a different doctor doing your fills than the doctor that did your surgery, and you develop a leak, who pays for the repair surgery? The first time I went in for a fill they used no ultrasound or fluoro and stuck me 4 times at least 2 inches higher than where my port ended up being at. I was stuck 9 times inthe general area of my port before it was found. I have a 4 cc band, 1st fill was one cc (no restriction, done 27 days after surgery) second fill was 3 ccs (done 37 days after surgery) I now have 4 cc in a 4cc band and have no restriction. When I say no restriction I really mean it, I just ate a sandwich made with soft white bread to make sure I was not crazy. I can eat just as much as before my surgery. I do not drink EVER when I eat, nor for 2 hours after. Any advice would be appreciated.

If the problem is not due to a leak from the fill, am I expected to pay for whatever other problem may be there, or is that something the surgeon would be responsible for?

[prasman 0]

I have to pay for a repair even if they caused the issue? I was banded in the US

[lianna 3]

Isn't your doctor pulling the Fluid back out to check the fill level before he adds more? That would be a surefire way to determine if you had a leak. I thought that was sort of standard procedure. I hope you dont have a leak, maybe your doc could just check your fill level to see if you really have 4ccs in there. Also, is it possible that the second fill was only .3ccs not 3? It seems like they wouldnt give a 3cc fill for a second fill, or EVER, that is a huge amount. I had 1cc on my first fill and .2 on my second and .3 on my third, leaving my with a total of 1.5 when I finally got a little bit of restriction.

[prasman 0]

I have a different doctor for fills than for the surgery (I live in a different state than my surgeon) The fill doctor did pull out th einitial 1 cc. I thought the same thing about the .03 vs 3cc thing, but I called him and confirmed, and yes I do have 4cc in a 4cc band. I am going to see him monday and he will pull out the fill and see how much is there. I am pretty distraught at having paid out of pocket for the surgery less than 6 weeks ago, 500 for the fills and now another couple thousand in surgery costs, plus airfare, hotel, rental car etc..

[EricBermudez 0]

I had lapband surgery with Dr. Rumbaut. Had a fill with another Dr. and band got punctured. Dr. Rumbaut repaired it for free, I just paid for the Clinic about $160.

If it is a band defect the Dr. that made surgery can claim that to the band manufacturer for a reimbursement of the repair cost. Dr. must show proof it was a defect.

If the Dr. that made the fill was responsible he should fix it for free. Unless he explained the risk of doing fills without Fluoro.

[*susan* 1,709]

I think it depends on the doctor. My port flipped and I had to have revision surgery. I never saw a bill and didn't pay a dime for it. And, no, I did not have insurance, I was self-pay.

[cocakk 0]

I also have a 4cc band and am over 4cc with no restriction so I know how you feel...I have been getting filled for a year now every few weeks or so and paying 50 a whack for no fill