I need Help/words of wisdom/someone to listen who can understand what I am going through.

First some background. I was banded 8/13/08. I have been having some troubles with my fills for awhile. Every time I went for a fill when they would draw back the Fluid to check the volume, I would have way less than what should be in there. At first we were not concerned because sometimes you can't get it all out, but at this point if I had every cc that they had put in I would have over 12cc's in a realize (9cc) band. (I wouldn't be able to swallow my own spit!) Throughout all this, up until the last couple of months I have been doing fine weight loss wise. I have lost over 50 pounds and gone from a size 24 or 26 to a size 18. Not so much anymore, since January 2nd I have only lost 10 pounds.

Today, they injected contrast dye into my port to check for a leak and you guessed it I have a leak. I kind of knew that I must have a leak although I was hoping for not and I had prepared myself (sort of as much as I could) for the possibilty that they might have to replace my port. But, the leak is not in my port or tubing it is in my actual band. And, even though I thought I was prepared for bad news I really wasn't and I really wasn't expecting this. I am devestated. I am scared. I have worked so hard to get this far.

So now I don't know what to do. I feel real good after a fill for about 3 1/2 weeks, then I lose that comfortable feeling and go back to struggleing with increased hunger. Better than before the surgery, but not like when I have a good fill. At that point when they check the volume before my fill I usually have about 2-2.5cc's. So, I am faced with a decision do I could continue with the way things are now, keep getting fills and just lose really slow, (But my doctor is a little concerned about doing fills too frequently, secondary to the risk of infection) and see how things go, or do I just replace the band? If I just replace the band how does that work? I am at a point where I would no longer qualify for the surgery and as of April 1st my insurance has changed. I know that the new insurance covers lapband surgery but where I had the surgery under another insurance company and I don't weigh enough anymore do I even stand a chance of them covering a new surgery? Oh god, I am so sad and scared. Any advice/words of wisdom would really be appreciated.:smile2:

P.S. As if all this were not enough, I ran over my own cat last night. We don't know if she is going to make it. I am just a basket case right now. I can't stop crying. Everything is getting to me.:frown:

o gosh sorry to hear what you are goind thru but your insurance should cover it if you have a leak have you asked or talk to your doctor he should know a way around the insurance company.dont worry too much everything has a solution you are gona be ok hope you feel better soon.if you need someone to talk to just send me a private mess...lol ps hope your cat is ok.

So sorry about your cat. I hope things work out for you!

I'm so sorry for your troubles. I agree, speak to your doctor. I would think that having to replace a band would be a whole different ball of wax, so to speak, than initially getting the band. I'm sure your doctor can answer all your questions.

Step away, Breath Deep, Relax and everything will be ok. Take care of yourself and your kitty. Stress can and will make things seem and be so much more worse.

If the band is defective, shouldn't the manufacturer pay for replacement, and if it is something the doctor botched while placing, shouldn't he cover removal and replacement with a new band? Does anyone know how this would work? I'm kind of curious myself. I am so sorry about your kitty. I hope she is ok.

I have not been on here in awhile, I am trying to re-focus and get back to basics, since my surgery was January 06 and have not lost much weight in the last 20 months since my daughter was born. ANYWAY, I had my original band in August 06, and a month had gone by and I could not swallow water, long story short, all kinds of problems and band was removed. I was pissed because my Insurance (St. Mary's) only covers bariatric surgery once per lifetime per patient. Anyway went back to the doctor and he said I could have it replaced, he wrote a letter to the Insurance Company as to why I needed it again and it was covered, just had to pay my $250 outpatient co-pay. So maybe that is a route to go, you need your surgeon on your side and defense as to why this needs to be replaced, it is defective for god sakes!

Thank you Everyone for your responses. I think I am calmer this morning. Still upset but not the basket case I was yesterday. I am just going to have to take it one step in front of the other and keep plodding along. This is just another bump in my road.

Has anyone out there had this happen to them? what happened?