SydneyGirl

Hey Professor,
You just made my day. I regret using Slimband, they've just left me high and dry and I can't afford them any longer, so I will take your advice and see that doctor in Mississauga. I really appreciate your feedback and sympathy!
If they see my comments about them on this site, they can sic their legal team on me. What have I got to lose? I'm not saying anything that isn't true
Have a fabulous weekend. I'll keep you posted with my progress.

Hi there,
I'm new to this forum. I'm at my wit's end and I thought I could vent to you all to see if anybody can commiserate with me
I was banded in Toronto, Canada on Dec 30, 2010. All was great, all went well until I started having liquid rising up my esophagus at night time. It turned out to be acid reflux, I had my band loosened a bit, and I went on my merry way. The acid reflux went away, and I was feeling great, except I gained about 30 pounds in the last 5-6 months. During this time, the liquid started coming back, it wasn't acidic (it didn't burn at all), so I was tested for H-Pylori - turns out I tested negative, but I was on a heavy dose of antibiotics just in case I did have the bacteria. I felt 100% better - eating better, sleeping all through the night. Well, the liquid is back now, and I have no idea what to do. I called Slimband (the company I used in Canada) and they told me that even after I paid the $16,000, my account was inactive and that in order for me to get a fill or de-fill, I'd have to pay $1,500 for 6 months. According to their contract, they only do these procedures for 5 years, and my 5 years is up on December 30 of this year. I lost it! I'm all on my own, I can't afford another penny and I'm so stressed it isn't funny.
Has anybody had a similar experience? Is there anything I can do?

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Hello.
I have been receiving more and more emails regarding the recent decision of Slimband to no longer support TLBC patients who had been receiving care up until this past December (2013).
Slimband now says that they will not honour the lifetime long agreement that we were told we would have. That means if you want a fill then you are paying for $200 for it but only after you get a referral from your GP and have documented what you eat with a 2 Week Photo food Log.
After Dr. Yau "resigned" from Slimband the other month, Slimband is now not treating any of his TLBC patients even if they pay.
So if you were banded by TLBC you are being left out in the cold.
Slimband said they would pass along information as to where I could go and get a fill but they never sent me the information. The support staff have been nothing but rude when myself and others have called so be aware that if you call they will treat you the same and will send you away.
The good news is that I have been working on a lawsuit class action case. I have posted on this forum and had little hope that I would find anyone in the same situation I have found myself BUT I was wrong. There are many of us who want to take action against Slimband and this decision.
I want to also make those who have had success aware of this because if anything happens in the future (i.e. infection) you won't get assistance from Slimband).
If you want more information on any of this, please email me at 2014takeaction@gmail.com
Thanks

Hey Professor,
You just made my day. I regret using Slimband, they've just left me high and dry and I can't afford them any longer, so I will take your advice and see that doctor in Mississauga. I really appreciate your feedback and sympathy!
If they see my comments about them on this site, they can sic their legal team on me. What have I got to lose? I'm not saying anything that isn't true
Have a fabulous weekend. I'll keep you posted with my progress.

I am so sorry to read this, @sydneygirl.
I also had a negative experience with Slimband Toronto (customer service) and pulled the plug on the lap-band surgery I had scheduled with them before it ever happened.
If you signed a contract for a 5-year follow-up, they are within their rights to honour that, although it sucks for you.
FYI: You should know that Slimband monitors this forum and will approach you with their legal team (as they did me) if you say anything negative about them and ask you to remove your post(s). Just a heads up.
If you are in the Toronto area, I recommend consulting with "Smartshape", (otherwise know as SWLC - the Surgical Weight Loss Centre), in Mississauga with Dr. Chris Colbourn. I was banded with SWLC 8 months ago (December 18, 2014) and had superb results. The follow-up has been outstanding. There is NO FEE for band adjustments. If Slimband is not giving you the love, see what Dr. Colbourn has to say.
Incidentally, I strongly feel $1,500 for 6 months for fills is absolutely RIDICULOUS, since they take 10 minutes. Money grab if I've ever heard of one!