Since I've had continuing problems with my band -- which I'll detail in another post soon -- I am faced with the liklihood of having my band removed.

Last night -- one of those middle-of-the-night thoughts...I decided when I have it removed, I want the band. I paid for it, after all.

Then I read Lisa's post about her removal and Jack's question about Dr. Billy letting her keep it. (He didn't; said it had to be returned to Inamed.)

Well I say if Inamed gets it back, we're due a refund. On my bill for my original surgery, I think the band itself was billed at $5000! I'm half kidding; the money spent went for a product that did do its job...for awhile. Warranties?!!!

VERY hypothetically -- what if someone thought the band was flawed and caused their problems and wanted to have the band "studied" by someone other than Inamed, say for legal recourse. That is NOT where I'm headed, at all...just curious that you can't keep it.

I do know Inamed has to report problems to the food & Drug Administration. One of us should probably do some online digging to see what the latest findings are. Anyway...for another day.

Just rambling...another night of insomnia because of reflux and feeling like I have a huge fill when I actually have no fill. Yuck. Tomorrow is another day.

Elizabeth

8-28-03

lapband on ebay i have now seen it all

If the bands cost $3K, then why did my surgery center decorate their christmas tree with them?

I am so not kidding. I had to look at the tree for a few minutes to realize that it was covered in lap bands and yards of tubing strung like tinsel.

Oh wow, that is weird. Creepy weird. Whose idea was that?

Perhaps they had a bunch of samples lying around. Medical supply companies throw demonstration models of things like this around like candy.

Also remember, OUR cost of the band is $ 3000.00......what the Doctor actually pays for it is a whole lot less!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm so not an attorney, but...

1--send the hospital a demand letter for the return of YOUR band stating the price if it is not returned and giving them ten days or whatever CA law says;

2--give them their ten days;

3--go to small claims court in Ventura County and file the case.

Plan a trip to Ventura County.

When the hospital says, "Oh, we gave that to...." ignore them. It is THEIR job to retrieve it, not yours.

Small claims limit in CA just moved up to $7500.

If the bands cost $3K, then why did my surgery center decorate their christmas tree with them?

I am so not kidding. I had to look at the tree for a few minutes to realize that it was covered in lap bands and yards of tubing strung like tinsel.

I would make the assumtion that these were bands for one reason or another were not to standard & therefore could not be used. If they weren't, also I would still calll them today to ask what & why they were used like that, I would question the office's standards.

CAll them and ask- you have the right.

What I'd like to know is...whooooo the heck is buying these bands and other surgical supplies on Ebay? Someone who's doing things they shouldn't with them or some back alley quack that thinks they can put them in? My God that is really scarey and just down right wrong! I highly doubt it's all any legitimate surgeon buying them knowing full well they'd be sued because they are either HOT or defective. Even a teaching hospital shouldn't use them. Where did these sellers get the stuff? Did the box fall off the truck lol. Seems any surgical items should not be allowed on Ebay.

I contacted Inamed on the 24 hour 800 number and they are contacting Ebay about this on monday. There were 2 other bands that have recently sold from the same seller for $250 and $350. They also sell ports, sutures and disposable scalpels (sp?) Scary huh? I am going to follow-up with Don Mills on monday and see what he has to say about all of this. Something else that is scary on Ebay is disposable tongue piercing kits with an instruction sheet. It is a do it your self kit. Scary huh? ~Mandy

It's to the point where they are selling toast that has Jesus' face on it to surgical equipment to do it yourself tattoo needles etc. It's crazy and it's scarey to think who's buying it. Some idiot out there will probaby buy the lapiscopic equipment to go with it. Oh yes they are on there too. I really don't see why Ebay allows items that are suppose to be used by Licensed physicians, surgeons, tattoo artists etc to be sold to the general public. Not like the seller is going to do a back ground check of cridentials. UGH. So so very scarey. People......where ever you go make sure there is a valid license out there hanging on the wall if you're getting something done lol. Check for the fine writing on it too

Hi Delarla. I am not banded but have been researching it and have attended a seminar ect. Sorry the band didn't work out for you. Do you think you would get rebanded after you heal. I have noticed that there are several post about erosions to patients of Dr. Lopez. Maybe not more than anyone else but it seems like I have read several by his patients. Not as many by that other one, Dr. Kuri, (as far as the MX doctors go). I think you are right, if you paid for the band, you should get the band. The drs. that put them in should be able to tell if they are defective when removed. They are supposed to be trained in all aspects of the band. Surely they give them a good going over before they put them in? Good luck to you what ever you decide to do now that you don't have the band. I have read about so many problems, I am getting cold feet.

Sue, thanks for the advice - I sent my demand letter yesterday.

Sugarbear, good luck to you. I'll never go to Mexico for surgery again. Last week while lying miserably in pain, I swore I'd never have another WLS, but I'm fickle and might change my mind in 5 years once things are perfected. You might want to ask Lopez if he changed anything in the way he places bands since Me, Penni, Donali, Karen, Michelle and Franceca were all banded around the same time from he & his old partner. Be good to yourself and get regular endoscopies.

My husband told Dr. Billy he wants to toss my band in a pot of boiling Water with my old bras and make Soup. He's an ill man.

Hi,

I had my band removed last month after lots of problems (you can see an earlier post of mine) and before I was taken into surgery I asked if I could have the band and my surgeon said sure... and he gave it to me. I keep it under my pillow in my bed. :) It's also an Inamed band....

Or, someone works in a hospital supply area and ripped it off... Medical devices are big business these days..

Cost to the account I work for, is around $ 2000 -$2500 TO THE hospital, for a band. This will vary depending on vendor contracts with each facility/corporation.

I spoke with Don Mills at Inamed and they are going to send a letter to the seller demanding that they stop the auction. He also said they can track the serial number and know what doctor origanilly purchased those particular bands and the correct action will be taken. The bands listed on Ebay are expired that is what the little hour glass and the 2004/12 means. They are not considered safe for implant as they only have a certain "dry self life" Don thanked me for the information and took my number and said he would get back to me. I'll let you know what I find out. ~Mandy

Craig from Inamed returned my e-mail today and said they haven't received my band, nor can they force surgeons to send it to them. He asked for permission to contact my surgeon. I told him that Inamed was more than willing to inspect it as long as they returned it to me when they're done. Let's see where the ball bounces.