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I am 4 1/2 months post op and had a fluoroscopy today. I have a large hole/leak on the band. My surgeon has told me that I will have to pay for a new surgery (another $15 K out of pocket) plus removal of the old band. Any advice? I need help here...I don't have $15K hanging around for another surgery.<o:p></o:p>

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The radiologist said that this type of leak was either causes from the installation of a defect in the band. I have contacted Inamed, the band brand, and all they have referred me to were different ways that I can finance a new surgery, disregarding the fact that the band may be defective.<o:p></o:p>

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Thanks.<o:p></o:p>

Melissa

Hello,<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

I am 4 1/2 months post op and had a fluoroscopy today. I have a large hole/leak on the band. My surgeon has told me that I will have to pay for a new surgery (another $15 K out of pocket) plus removal of the old band. Any advice? I need help here...I don't have $15K hanging around for another surgery.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

The radiologist said that this type of leak was either causes from the installation of a defect in the band. I have contacted Inamed, the band brand, and all they have referred me to were different ways that I can finance a new surgery, disregarding the fact that the band may be defective.<o:p></o:p>

<o:p></o:p>

Thanks.<o:p></o:p>

Melissa

Yes, unfortunately you have to prove the band was defective before it's removed in order for Inamed to pay all the expenses. That's pretty hard to do. So when you have the band removed then you send it to an independent 3rd party for examination and if it was a defect by Inamed they should pay for all your expenses. I would not send the band directly to Inamed as they can then say anything they want.

If it was a surgical error your surgeon should be paying.

Where (specifically) is the leak?

It is one the band right next to the tubing.

Hello, I had lap-band April 2004. The last few months, I had no restriction. After two fills with no luck, my doc said it appeared that I had a leak in the tube. He said I am the 6th patient with a leaky tube he's had to fix and he's had about the same number of defective ports.

I had the tube fixed yesterday. The surgery went well - I have the port incision reopened along with 5 ot 6 punctures for the lap tools. The doc have the mfg, Inamed, there for the surgery to see that the tubing had split.

I don't know if I'll get anything back from inamed - I am covered by insurance - but there appears to be some sort of reptitive issue. My doc said the 6 tube issues he has covers recent surgeries (3 months) back to my mine - almost 4 years. He says there is a new mfg that is coming out so possibly some market competitive will cause Inamed to do a better quality control job so we don't have to have the do-overs.