Help.......PLEASE! Anyone else having band problems?

[taylor.karen 0]

I had my first band fitted by Dr Super in April 2005 and have had nothing but problems.

First I had no restriction what so ever, and after the 12/13 weeks of liquids, then mashed food then introducing normal food again, I had a fill under X-Ray where I had I think 1.5-2ml inserted. Went home and nothing, no difference at all. All of a sudden I was in horrific pain (lower abdomen), and my consultant (not surgeon) kept saying that it was nothing to do with the band. I was also told that I was being impatient as I still had no weight loss or restriction.<O >

Things got so bad for me that I couldn't even walk 100yrds without this pain, to try and sit on a seat or to lay down was horrendous and in the end I went to my Dr for advice. I was then sent for numerous internal tests, x-rays, and lots of fumbling around to see if there wasn't anything more serious wrong with me, everything came back normal, but each test was so painful I was in tears. <O >

Again, I contacted my consultant and was told the same thing but finally they arranged for a top-up in October. Mean while I was still in horrific pain and was having lots of time off work which resulted in a loss of pay. Went along for my top-up and it was then discovered that the tubing couldn't be located. All this time of being in pain and no one listening to me and I was then told this.<O >

Back into hospital on 5th Nov 05 to have an exploratory op, relocate the tube and reconnect it. My parents and I were then told that the tubing was located wrapped around my intestines, hence the horrific pain for the past 4 months and that once connected and <O >

Anyway, due to the tube disconnection I had no liquid in my band at all, and eventually went back for another fill (like a first fill as it was completely empty).

Still nothing, and once again I was told that I was being impatient.

Went along for another fill in Feb 06 (my consultant was also present) and bingo, was then told by the guy doing my fill and my consultant that the reason for me having no restriction etc was due to the band being fitted too high, and that this has been seen before. <O ></O >

Back into hospital again on 3rd March 06 for a complete new band to be fitted, then the usual liquid, mashed and then re-introduction of normal food again for up to 12 weeks, and during this time went on holiday which had been booked 11 months before. So yes, my holiday was ruined as a result of this.

Got back to the UK and went for my first fill with my new 2nd band, and again was told that I couldn't have it done as the port was completely over turned, not on its side as this can happed, but completely flipped over. Again my consultant and surgeon kept saying to me that they didn't know why this had happened, so back of into hospital again to have a new port fitted in May 06.

Since then I have had numerous fills (now have 6.5ml in the band) and still have no restriction at all. I have put all the weight back on that I managed to loose before my first op on the 800 cals a day diet. Feel completely shattered and have no faith in my consultant, his team, or the surgeon

I have now been informed that they can not continue to fill my band as there must be a structural problem with the band, and that it will more than likely have to be removed. What is even more worse is that I have been told that although the surgeon will take it out free of charge I will have to pay hospital costs (about £2000) of which I do not have. I have already had to borrow the £7600 for the original op and on top of that I have paid out about £300 in traveling costs, loss of earning and added stress all due to wanting to loose weight and have a better life.

My consultant has now arranged for me to have tests under x-ray this Thursday in central Birmingham, to see what is wrong (the guy doing this has agreed to do this under the NHS). If it turns out that it is an aneurism then the manufacturers have verbally agreed to pay the full costs of surgery and treatment, with a replacement. Not sure I want a replacement after all of this. <O >

However, if it isn't this and turns out to be and erosion or something else, then I still have to foot the hospital costs. (I have explained that this is not an option for me, so will end up with a foreign object left inside my body that is doing nothing for me, but will more than likely end up more harm).<

I am now at the end of my tether and can not cope with this anymore. I have been told to go for a 2nd opinion as well, but it always ends up with the same old answer – I can’t afford to pay to see another consultant or surgeon

If any of you have experienced the same problems or can give me any advice, please drop me a line.

Karen

Taylor.karen@talk21.com

[jahair 0]

Karen,

I have not had your experience and can offer you no practical advice, but I'm sending you big hugs to let you know that your cry of despair was heard. How frustrating and frightening it must have been to have your initial concerns just brushed off. Now, with better information, new possibilities can open up for you. All I ask is that you not give up completely -- continue working the system to get it to serve you in the way that you need, and the solution will manifest itself.

Take good care of yourself and please let us know how things are going for you.

Jo Ann

[taylor.karen 0]

Hi Jo Ann,

Thanks for your kind words, its nice to know that there is someone out there listening!

Will keep you updated, think I will write a book about all my experiences with these bands once I am sorted!

Karen

[Elisabethsew 50]

WOW, you've really had a terrible time and yes, you should write a book. What is the fill capacity of your band? I have an 11 cc capacity and am at 6.6 cc's without good restriction and will be going for another fill in 3 weeks. I have not heard of anyone else having the awful problems you endured and hope your tests allow you to keep the band AND get more fills.

[taylor.karen 0]

Hi Elisabeth,

Thanks for your reply.

I have a 10ml VG Inamed Band fitted and I am now up to 6.5 in my band. Still no restriction at all, very hungry and can eat big adult size meals and still not feel overly full.

I have been informed by my consultant that he will not continue to fill the band as there must be a structural problem.

Anyway, I just feel extremely cheated and robbed of my money, and now can't see a way out of this deadful mess.

Karen

[Parvathi 2]

Karen,

Like the others, my experiences with the lapband have been completely different to yours. I can't imagine how frustrating this all must be for you.

I would think if I were in your shoes though, that I wouldn't trust the surgeon very much as a) he fitted the band to high in the first place and wouldn't listen when you insisted something was wrong. It doesn't seem right that you have to pay (emotionally, physically and monetarily) for his blatant mistakes.

When my band slipped, I was refitted with a new band and paid nothing out of pocket - at all. Not for the surgeon, not for the hospital, not for the anesthesiologist - nothing. And that wasn't even the surgeon's fault .. it was just one of those things that happens.

I wish I had some practical advice for you, but unfortunately, I have nothing to offer other than sympathy and support. Just know that if you need to talk, we are all hear to listen.

[ralheit 0]

I also have a 10cc VG band and am at 5cc and have restriction. I am so sorry you have gone through all of this, I've never heard of someone going through so many problems related to the band. You have our sympathy and support for sure. I hope this can be resolved for you and not cost you more money. We'll all be thinking of you here at LBT and hoping for the best. Keep us informed.

[taylor.karen 0]

Thanks you all so much for your kind words. I will keep you informed as to what is found tomorrow when I go for my tests.

I know the band works for some, but I seem to have had many, many emails from people that have had no restriction, no weight loss and have also suffered with complications. These are things that were never mentioned to me by my consultant, and now feel completely ripped off.

Karen

[ted12345 0]

Hi Keren best of luck in Birmingham tomorrow i hope you read this b4 you go, Some advice if you are driving you will need some change heartlands Hospital car park is very expencive. Second, Lock your car door's its a pretty no i mean very rough area just drive steady its like Bayrut round there. Note the shop is called the super shop lol try and keep your x rays or even copies of your x rays being NHS they may not let ya but you can request em later.

All in all best of luck keep the faith and remember your not alone and we are here to support you. I wish i could come along and offer some support but i am just not well enough right now. its no consolation that there are others having prob's but least you know when i say i know how you feel i truly mean that. I have and am walking a mile in you're shoes. xxx

[libertysuzanne 1]

Karen,

I hope that everything gets sorted for you! I'm sorry that all I can offer is support and a friendly ear for when you need it.

Where did you have your original surgery done? It seems wrong that you would have to pay hospital costs for a problem that is obviously surgical! Was it done in Europe? If it was you can get a european health card. Although I am not sure if they would cover you for a return trip. It's more like an insurance if your on holiday in any european country.

It may be worth contacting a specialist lawyer and applying for legal aid if you do not get any joy. This type of shoddy treatment shouldn't be allowed to continue!

Wishing you all the best

Suzanne xx

[taylor.karen 0]

Thank you so much for your message which I have just received. It was so nice to read first thing this morning, and know that you will be thinking of me.

I was telling my parents last night about your unfortunate experience too, and they were shocked to say the least at the level of care you have received.

I hope today brings some answers to my problem and that this will be sorted out once and for all. Think now its time to have this thing removed and to live with the fact that I will always be big!

I really do hope you are feeling a little better today, and know that every day is an uphill struggle for us, especially you at this incredible hard time.

I will update you later with what happens later.

Kind regards

Karen

Hi Keren best of luck in Birmingham tomorrow i hope you read this b4 you go, Some advice if you are driving you will need some change heartlands Hospital car park is very expencive. Second, Lock your car door's its a pretty no i mean very rough area just drive steady its like Bayrut round there. Note the shop is called the super shop lol try and keep your x rays or even copies of your x rays being NHS they may not let ya but you can request em later.

All in all best of luck keep the faith and remember your not alone and we are here to support you. I wish i could come along and offer some support but i am just not well enough right now. its no consolation that there are others having prob's but least you know when i say i know how you feel i truly mean that. I have and am walking a mile in you're shoes. xxx

[taylor.karen 0]

Hi Suzanne,

Thanks for your message.

Firstly, I had my band fitted here at the Priory Hospital, Birmingham in April 2005 for £7600 and now on my 2nd band that is still not working.

I too am fighting that fact that I shouldn't have to pay for surgical problems with this 2nd band, but my consultant and his team are sticking to this unless it turns out that it is an aneurism which the manufacturers will then pay for the operation and treatment. However, it is no consolation to me if it is something else and I have to pay out another £2000+ for hosptial costs.

Just feel like I am being pushed into a tight corner at the moment, which is proving difficult to get out of.

Unfortunately I am not entitledd to legal aid as I have already looked into this.

Will update you with what happens later today in Birmingham with my tests.

Karen

Karen,

I hope that everything gets sorted for you! I'm sorry that all I can offer is support and a friendly ear for when you need it.

Where did you have your original surgery done? It seems wrong that you would have to pay hospital costs for a problem that is obviously surgical! Was it done in Europe? If it was you can get a european health card. Although I am not sure if they would cover you for a return trip. It's more like an insurance if your on holiday in any european country.

It may be worth contacting a specialist lawyer and applying for legal aid if you do not get any joy. This type of shoddy treatment shouldn't be allowed to continue!

Wishing you all the best

Suzanne xx

[white rabbit 0]

Hi Karen,

Several options available:

1. Get Dr A to fit a telemetric band he's been getting a lot of press attention for -- the first in the UK to alter the band restriction digitally without the need for a port, tube or injections (this might help with one of the medical problems)

2. Second opinion -- go to UK hospital group (Anne Diamond recieved corrective surgery there following her disaster in Belgium) or BUPA website on obseity surgery (they suggest 3 different bariatric surgeons: two commercial and one private NHS).

3. Negative press -- GMTV, the Daily Mail and other media outlets would love this kind of story. They may pay you some money -- enough to pay for corrective surgery.

4. find a lawyer on legal aid -- got to citizens advice about legal aid, ask the UK lapband forum for advice on lawyers and generally ask around.

Ultimately, it depends what you really want.

Dr A will have malpractice insurance so suing him, whilst a nice revenge, isn't really going to hurt him - but it will make you feel better temporarily. Depending on the severity of your problems, it could even make you rich -- but maybe not slim!

Before they cut you adrift though, I would make sure that the problems you have suffered have not left you with permanent health problems. That would be the worst of all possible worlds.

PM me if you want to talk.

[white rabbit 0]

Unfortunately I am not entitledd to legal aid as I have already looked into this. Karen

If the Murdoch brothers (who were tycoons could get legal aid), I'm pretty sure a sharp lawyer could work the system to get you legal aid.

Where there's rules, there is always a way round them.

[taylor.karen 0]

Hi White Rabbit,

Thanks for your help regarding my situation.

I have again asked about legal aid, and I seem to be getting the same reply each time which is that I am not entitled to it as I am earning over £14000.00 a year (although not a huge deal more)!

I know very little about this new telemetric band which my consultant showed a few of us at a meeting back in October, but again this would not be available to me unless I pay to have my 2nd band removed and replaced, if this is what THEY agree to do.

My only option at the moment is to have these tests today to see if they can find out why the band is not working, and if it is an aneurism then the manufacturer has verbally agreed to pay for the operation. If I then have an option to have a replacement fitted I will asked about this new one.

I know that my surgeon already works with the Hospital Group & BUPA so would feel very stongly about NOT having him again. I am seeking other surgeons as we speak.

Yes......definatley thought about going down the route of the negative press, and once this is sorted out (hopefully), then I will be in contact. At the moment I don't want to make things anymore difficult for me. I have also spoken at length to my solicitor who I have to get back in contact with later today with my results.

Thanks

Karen

Hi Karen,

Several options available:

1. Get Dr A to fit a telemetric band he's been getting a lot of press attention for -- the first in the UK to alter the band restriction digitally without the need for a port, tube or injections (this might help with one of the medical problems)

2. Second opinion -- go to UK hospital group (Anne Diamond recieved corrective surgery there following her disaster in Belgium) or BUPA website on obseity surgery (they suggest 3 different bariatric surgeons: two commercial and one private NHS).

3. Negative press -- GMTV, the Daily Mail and other media outlets would love this kind of story. They may pay you some money -- enough to pay for corrective surgery.

4. find a lawyer on legal aid -- got to citizens advice about legal aid, ask the UK lapband forum for advice on lawyers and generally ask around.

Ultimately, it depends what you really want.

Dr A will have malpractice insurance so suing him, whilst a nice revenge, isn't really going to hurt him - but it will make you feel better temporarily. Depending on the severity of your problems, it could even make you rich -- but maybe not slim!

Before they cut you adrift though, I would make sure that the problems you have suffered have not left you with permanent health problems. That would be the worst of all possible worlds.

PM me if you want to talk.