I have been on one hell of a journey with my lapband that was placed by Dr. Gonzalez in Tijuana Mexico on 7/21/07. Within the first three months of placement I lost 30lbs, and that was the most I ever lost. The next 14 months were fills that were either 2 tight or loose so I gain half that 30lbs back. I had a flipped port that was fixed by Dr. G on 3/5/09, but the fills never worked and I had to go back to Dr. G, and he removed some of the tube near the port connector on 6/29/09. I continued to have problems so I was checked here at home and was found to have a leaking port so once again I went back to Dr. G and this time he replaced the port in 08/09.

After all this trouble the port detached completely in 11/09. I decided to see a doctor here at home for this problem even though Dr. G offered me to come back to Mexico yet again. My insurance referred me to Dr. Husted which was the worst thing because I feel his care lead to me losing my band in the end, I also think I had a poorly located and/or secured port from the beginning. He said my band area looked inflammed and not detached so he treated me that way and caused my port to errode to the outside of my abd wall and the port fell off the tubing leaving a large open hole. Then I went through a lot of BS with him and weeks later when I thought I migh get help for this still open hole he informed me via letter that his privilages at the hospital had been revoked that he was moving and was refering me to a friend of his a few states away. I worked with my insurance and went through a lot of looking before I found a wonderful doctor who I trusted would help me with this mess. I had the open area closed and inner band checked and months later had the port replaced on 5/28/10. The incison came open in a small area a week later and drained large amounts of old drainage. After the drainage stopped my incision was only covered with a very thin scar and the under lying tissue was seperated. I had my first fill 1st of July and waited on my incision to heal from the inside out. On July 28th I had three small areas open up and weep puss. Now here I am scheduled for removal of my band on Wednesday cause my doctor said the inner band got infected from when the port detached and fell off tube thus cause thes new problems. I can't put into words the emotions I am having. I am mad,sad,depressed to name a few, and I feel like I could go screaming and throw myself off a cliff. I hate to lose my band but I will know it will not have problems anymore when it is removed. If insurance will cover the cost he said I could have a new band placed down the road or a gastric sleeve done. I don't think I will ever get another band, and even though in 2007 I was dead set against having stomach removed now it seems like a blessing after all these problems. Sorry for long post just need to share.

OH man !!! im sorry to hear about all this!

I'm sorry you have had so many complications with your band. But I understand what you mean, when I was first banded I was dead set against VGS as well but now I know that if I were to lose my band I would have the VGS. Its OK to change your mind. Maybe your body just didn't respond well to having a foreign object but would do well with the VGS. Don't give up, your complications were not your fault, I hope you find the solution soon.

Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry your experience has been awful. I don't think I could decide to go with another band either after all you've been through. I would probably go the VGS route too. Good luck and whatever you decide - don't give up!

Brad