Lap Band Leakage

2bethin · November 8, 2006

Hi everyone! I am in a state of concern and frustration so I thought I would reach out to my fellow banders to see if you can give me some guidance. I was banded on 5/15/06...first fill 6/22/06. I was definitley restricted after my first fill, but went into get a second fill on 9/7/06. Two weeks after my second fill, I noticed that I didn't have much restriction. I went to my doctor to have it checked 2 weeks later and they gave me another fill....again, no immediate restriction. Went back in a week or so later...so they could check under flouro...they were unable to determine if I had a leak, until they realized that my band did not have any saline left from the previous fill...thus, they suspect a slow leak. Filled me up again...no restriction.

So...now I am schedule to go in to have my port replaced on Friday (this week). I am concerned about 2 things...first, I am self pay and it seems odd that I would not have any type of warranty with the procedure. Sounds like a defect to me?? My surgeon is of course waiving his fees, but he is trying to see what he can do to help me with the other fees. Does anyone have any experience with this?

Second, they really don't know the source of my leak and if I go in to get the port replaced, there is a chance that it may be more than that. I noticed that many people mentioned the port and tubing...is that standard that they would replace both or should I clarify with my surgeon? Also, if I have to go back to get the whole thing done, I am going to have to pay for the whole darn thing again??

Starting to have regrets about making this decision....

Any advice??:help:

bkgrandma · November 8, 2006

Hi, I had to have my port replaced in February, I have a lot of scar tissue and after hours (not kidding) of trying to get fills they (the 2 doctors) poked holes in the port. I didn't have to pay for the replacement. Good luck. Sue

stinaNYC · November 9, 2006

Hi...I am having the same exact problem. I have a slow leak in my port/tubing and am losing about 1 cc a week. I am also self pay, so I feel your pain on the cost issue.

Unfortunately, without any proof of what caused the leak, it's hard to point a finger at someone and say "It's your fault!". The danger with self pay is that we have very little back up when something goes wrong.

However, what my surgeon's office is going to do is talk to my health insurance company to see if they will cover at least part of the hospital's fees. I don't know what carrier you have, but Health Net (mine) doesn't usually require pre-certification and approval for outpatient proceedures, which is what the port replacement would be (unlike the first surgery, which was inpatient).

If you have insurance, see if your doc's billing coordinator can act on your behalf with the insurance company. You may have to push the surgery date back, but it'll be worth it to save a few thousand bucks.

If that doesn't work, there is always the option of going overseas or to Mexico, or to another hospital in the US that isn't as expensive. I think my hospital is probably one of the most expensive (they want $8K for a 20 min proceedure!), so if nothing can be arranged with my insurance, I'll be looking into those options.

Good luck, and I'm sorry you're going through this. It's really frustrating that practically brand new bands are falling apart like this. Personally, I think there's a design flaw, and if that can ever be prooved, I think there are enough people out there experiencing the same problem to file a class action law suit and get Inamed to pay for part or all of the cost of replacement. But that's part wishful thinking, part waaaaay down the road.

DrewsLou · November 9, 2006

Can you say dejavu? (sp?) I just had my port/tubing replaced last week. I would love to talk to you about this. I will send you a PM 2bethin.

antivicky · November 9, 2006

I had what my Doc suspected was a small leak... so what he did was treat me by giving me a fill with omniplaque instead of saline to see if it would take care of the problem.... BINGO it has. I am no longer leaking. I am also SELF PAY. I know that some say you should not do a fill with omniplaque... but just as many say it is fine. My Surgeon is a GREAT surgeon so I do not think he would do anything to harm me or my band.

judybellyband · November 10, 2006

Oh my word...I feel the pain. Found out yeaterday that my band has leaked and I only wish it were at the port or tubing. I know you are equally as disappointed. I am right there with you cause, if they do the re-banding, it's not going to be until after Christmas. . . they have to many RNYer ahead of me. Good thing it's not their emergency is it? Sorry, but I am in morning!!!!!

God bless us all.