I am so frustrated and worried right now, and I guess I just need to get it out of my system. I was a self pay for my band which was placed 07/07 in Mexico by Dr. GONZALEZ and his crew. I weighed round 215 lbs at that time, today I weigh round 190 lbs, the most I have lost was 45 lbs total. Due to health reasons over the first year and a half I had to have unfills, and I have had problems with my band for approximately this last six months so as a result of all that today I have only 25 lbs off from my starting weight. Back in Feb. my port flipped and I had the surgery to reposition it with Dr. Gonzalez in early March. After that surgery I came back home and when I got my first fill at six weeks post-op I didn't feel the restriction I normally do. I continued to have this problem over the next couple of weeks while I had several more failed attempts at fills that wouldn't stay in my band. After the second one the doctor always removed less that half what he had placed with each fill. My incision had been sunk inward and looked thin skinned since my port repair, and this past week it turned pink & sore and in another day or two opened up and started draining. When another fill was tried at this time the fluid ran back out the open area shortly after being placed. I feel so frustrated and have been out a lot of money with wasted fills, lost work time, travel expences, and now here I face another procedure and I just need to vent. I love my band but I have never got to enjoy the good benefits like others on here have. I pray there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

Edited June 22, 200917 yr by vmills

uhhhh, FIND A DIFFERENT DOCTOR....FAST!

I agree, maybe seeing someone else who can give you their opinion of what is going on will help. I'm sorry things are going that way for you but try to stay positive. Keep your head up and all of us posted ! Good luck

I am so frustrated and worried right now, and I guess I just need to get it out of my system. I was a self pay for my band which was placed 07/07 in Mexico by Dr. GONZALEZ and his crew. I weighed round 215 lbs at that time, today I weigh round 190 lbs, the most I have lost was 45 lbs total. Due to health reasons over the first year and a half I had to have unfills, and I have had problems with my band for approximately this last six months so as a result of all that today I have only 25 lbs off from my starting weight. Back in Feb. my port flipped and I had the surgery to reposition it with Dr. Gonzalez in early March. After that surgery I came back home and when I got my first fill at six weeks post-op I didn't feel the restriction I normally do. I continued to have this problem over the next couple of weeks while I had several more failed attempts at fills that wouldn't stay in my band. After the second one the doctor always removed less that half what he had placed with each fill. My incision had been sunk inward and looked thin skinned since my port repair, and this past week it turned pink & sore and in another day or two opened up and started draining. When another fill was tried at this time the Fluid ran back out the open area shortly after being placed. I feel so frustrated and have been out a lot of money with wasted fills, lost work time, travel expences, and now here I face another procedure and I just need to vent. I love my band but I have never got to enjoy the good benefits like others on here have. I pray there is a light at the end of the tunnel.

You may adore your doctor but he doesn't have the greatest of reputations. Don't make the mistake of favoring loyalty over good medical care.

uhhhh, FIND A DIFFERENT DOCTOR....FAST!

Agreed.

I never said I adored my doctor. He has a great bedside manner but I don't have to like a doc to receive care from him, I just have to trust his skills. I am not sure if Dr. Gonzalez has a bad rep or not, this is the first time someone has told me that directly. At the time I went to see him back in 2007 I did so cause I needed to get a handle on my out of control eating, and he was the best value for me at that time. I am complaining but I am in no way trying to lay blame on anyone. There is many things that could have happened but it all amounts to the fact that the LapBand is a very complicated thing that is and continues to be know to everyone. I am glad that this board is here and all you out there who take the time to give me a sounding board for my complaints.

Edited June 23, 200917 yr by vmills