I thought it interesting that someone was selling LapBands on Ebay. Recently a seller named "granitegrp" sold 2 "new" lapbands to a buyer named "endoscopic62." The LapBands were still in the original packaging material, but both had expired in 2004. Though I personally believe that the bands are probably fine, and would perform the same as new unexpired ones, I wonder about the ethics of one who would implant them in an unsuspecting patient who paid full price... aside from the fact that doing so would be highly illegal. In case anyone wants to check it out, you can look up the auction id numbers, which are 7577019063 and 7577019163.

Mark Pleatman MD

www.laparoscopy.com/pleatman

Well, I guess Inamed didn't solve the problem afterall since the last issue a few months ago.

This is just plain scarey.

However, I do wish to buy one so that way I can better explain my band when people ask. Maybe I will bid.

Well I called Inamed and spoke to Mr. Mills. I swear these people can now officially SUCK MY TOE! He stated it is a "gray sale" and he turned it over the legal department last time it was reported to him but the legal department has decided not to act due to the fact that it is not part of their liability. He was aloof about the situation and said that he is aware that the seller is selling them. He said that their is nothing he or Inamed can really do to stop the selling and they would be spinning their wheels and wasting money to try because they would just be sold another way. So basically, NOT THEIR PROBLEM. He didn't even want the information.

UNFREAKINGREAL!!!

Hmmmpf... and to think... I have one of their implants inside of my body. REAL comforting.

I agree Jenna. My personal thought on medical supplies is that once it expires it should have to be returned to the manufaturer for proper disposal, which I am sure would be a pain in the butt to do but atleast then we might not be seeing lap-bands for sale on ebay. I really hope that the buyers of these items are not doctors. What is next ...organs for sale on ebay....damn I probably just gave some wacko an idea for making money....LOL

I guess from now on when ever we go to the doctor for anything and they have to use packaged/dated supplies we better be asking to see the expiration date before it is used on us.

You can be sure that the person who is buying them (as well as the others who bid for them) plan on implanting them. I've got plenty of sample bands lying around my office. There is no reason I would go out and spend $345 on Ebay to get one unless I planned on using it.

If I were a prospective patient I would want to know WHO these buyers were, and then make sure everybody knew who they were. A boycott would be the quickest surest way to stop this type of behavior.

Another approach would be to contact the FDA. They might be interested in dealing with the problem.

Mark Pleatman MD

Ethical docs, from my experience, provide the serial number of the band they implant in someone. The package also shows the expiration date. In Mexico, bands are sold to the hospitals, not to an individual doctor. Those docs doing a great many band surgeries every month will use and replace bands quickly, and they would be unlikely to expire. The other docs performing far fewer surgeries could certainly have expired bands they should be returning.

Being "expired" does not have anything to do with the functioning of the band. Medications"Expire" too, but are considered safe to use for at least 12 months after the "expiration."

One of the (imo) questionable Mexican doctors about a year ago was promising an Inamed band, and charging for that - but then implanting a less-expenseive, non-US-approved band. This are likely the type of person bidding on and intending to implant these EBay bands. It would save them several thousand dollars and an unaware patient would never know the difference. We have every right to see and inspect the unopened Band package. renee

Well, guys - this situation is exactly why you want to be sure you choose your surgeon wisely! My personal take is that I would only use physicians who are registered with Inamed. Inamed makes the only band that is FDA approved in the US. You can very easily find a physician in your area by going to their website, www.inamed.com. All of the Inamed physicians I have come in contact with, professional, have been wonderful!

Inamed has trained all of the surgeons it seels bands to. They can still be dishonest doctors. One <MX doctor has been in jail on Medicare fraud and is again practicing. the one who promised a Inamed band and placed a cheaper one was also Inamed certified. This is why you must go with only the longterm, well-known doctors espceially in MX. You get what you pay for, and the best doctors are not the cheapest. But even this is not always safe - one very longterm doctor was very drunk at the recent Seattle Bash on the doctor's panel and another quite so. very pathetic. who is to say they were not also drunk when they operated on you. :scared: Renee

My Mexican doctor gives every patient the actual box that your appliance came in (with the documentation and Inamed booklets, and the expiration date is right there. He packs the box with your operative report, your prescriptions and your medications, as well as the signed Inamed wallet card for child-menu and senior-menu prices.

I think all US docs would be doing their patients a service to do the same for them. It's hard to keep track of things on your trip home, so having everything in a box is nice.

Theresa

I'm SHOCKED that Ebay allows such sales and it's just so appauling to me that any doctor would even think about putting that in someone. I think if they are going to allow sales of stuff like that that the consumer should be able to see who's purchased it.

If you look at "endoscopic62"'s buyer history, you can see all of the medical supplies he's been buying. This is seriously shocking!

If you look at "endoscopic62"'s buyer history, you can see all of the medical supplies he's been buying. This is seriously shocking!

How creepy is that.... YUCK!

Thank you Dr. Pleatman for letting us know about this. I will make a call or two as well and hopefully we can create enough of a nuisance to encourage people to do the right thing. *cue hokey superhero theme music*

endoscopic62 says he is in Bulgaria, so cancel your flights hopeful bandsters.

I have a question. If these bands are made to be in our bodies presumably for life, how/why do they have expiration dates?

I am going to guess the expiration date has something to do with the sterility of the item. When instruments in the operating room are sterilized they come back with an expiration date on them. Of course the instruments are still good....but the sterilization date expires. This is just a guess on my part.