WOW you guys, I feel so bad for you. I had lap-band surgery done in Mexico in 1995. I have NEVER had any complications. Lost over 100 lbs the first year and continue to lose about 2-3 pounds a year. I now weigh 138 and have never felt better!! I’m VERY careful about the foods I eat and the amounts!!I am able to “tweek” the fullness of my band because I am a nurse and was taught how to. The only OCCASIONAL side effect I’ve ever had was vomiting and that was because I didn’t chew the food enough or took too big a bite. You HAVE to change your eating habprove people’s eating habits.its!! I believe that every time you vomit or overfill your stomach it puts pressure on the stomach walls thus putting pressure on the band connection weakening the area of the stomach where the band sits and it eventually erodes that area. I also believe that a law suit would never be possible because you can’t

I have never had the lapband. My girlfriend of over 2 years has one though and she is constantly havning issues with it. She actually has to go in to do the Barium test on May 3rd to see if hers has slipped. Why don’t you all file a class action suit against this Allergan company? If it causes this much damage and can ruin peoples lives like this, why not sue? I can’t even imagine what it actually feels like to go through what you all go through having these things. I hope everybody here sorts everything out. I also hope this Allergan company gets what they have coming to them.

I had a lapband done in 2007 I lost 50 lbs before the surgery after that I have lost nothing they removed it in 2008. Because it rub a hole in my stomach an eroded my stomach lining im now having problems with acid reflux disease and dirriarra I was fine before only very obese is there anyone out there to help us remedy these problems is feel so weak after a week of dirriarra

I am so happy i found this site. i had my band installed January 11, 2011 and about 6 months after my surgery my surgeon ubruptly left the practice and before he left asked me if if he could talk pictures of my file thought it was strange at the time but never heard from him again. I was taken over by a new doctor in the practice who never really seemed concerned about my complaints about not losing any weight albeit not being able to keep food down or that my port and band around my stomach constantly ached. Finally last year, the #2 dr said he was deeming my lapband a failure and surprise on January 1, 2014 I received a letter from the practice saying he had abruptly left too. Now I found my own doctor who i am seeing in the next few days and two days ago started with excrusuating pain at my band site not the port. It feels like a tight fill but i haven’t had a fill in 2 years, I am nauseous and lightheaded too. I am so scared something bad happened to this band, i never felt this pain before, has anyone had this?

The stories on this page make me want to cry because they hit so close to home. Had my lap band installed in 2009 at a “highly recommended” clinic in Tyler Texas. Lost around 50 lbs in the first 6 months then the weight loss slowed down considerably. Didn’t blame this on the lap band but on my own stubbornness regarding the lap band “rules”. In the summer of 2013 I started to just not feel right, like every so often I was coming down with a bug, fatigue and fever that would go away. By Thanksgiving I was sick almost all the time, I was able to eat, but had no appetite, was tired and feverish almost daily. My left side by the port began to get sore close to Christmas and a knot started to develop. Because of the holidays, I couldn’t see my bariatric surgeon until after New Years. By then the pain and the knot had grown substantially. MY DOCTOR informed me that since I could still hold food then it COULDNT be the lap band and that many ports stayed sore. This was 4 years after it had been installed and I had NEVER had any soreness before. I took three weeks and every gastric test available ordered by my family physician before Dr. B would admit there might be a problem. I had the band removed on Jan. 22, spent 6 days in the hospital on massive doses of antibiotics. Dr. B wouldn’t say much about the surgery, but I did find out that the band and eroded almost completely into my stomach, and beside the abscess I knew about, there was so much infection they used over 15 bottles of saline washing me out. Came home with one open wound that had to be treated on my left side and an 8 inch suture down the middle of my stomach. Ten days later, when the staples were removed, the suture line started to leak pus in 4 different spots. Took Dr B three more weeks before he would admit there might be a problem because even a wound care specialist could not get them to start healing. Underwent surgery again last week, now have an open 2 inch deep cavity in my stomach along the original suture line, being treated with a wound vac system. Thank you to everyone else who have shared their stories. I honestly believed I was in the minority with the problems I’ve had. The lap band system is a scam that preys on desperate people who only want to lose weight. We’re not lazy, we were/are just looking for help in reaching a difficult goal, no one deserves the consequences of our decision.

My lap band was put in in 2007. Besides the daily vomiting, I thought everything was ok, although I really wasn’t loosing much weight. I was going in for my fills but each time I was told the band was holding well and no additional solution was added. This cost me $100. for each visit until they raised the price to $150. cash per visit. I paid cash for the surgery, not covered by my insurance. Due to the fact I was paying for each visit I couldn’t afford to keep coming in to find everything was fine. Not to long after the band was put in I developed lower back pain. I never related the pain to the band so my primary doctor suggested an ex-Ray. She didn’t see any arthritis so she suggested physical therapy. I showed the therapist my ex-Ray and she was fascinated by the lap band. Physical therapy didn’t help. Finally I saw an orthopedic surgeon and he stuck a large needle on my back that also did nothing for the pain. In the last 2 years I have suffered excruciating stomach pain and back pain. I went to the emergency room and they said I was constipated gave me an enima sent me home. Again in December 2013 I went to the emergency room with a temperature, excruciating pain, unable to eat, and constant diarera. The doctors ran a few tests and said they couldn’t find any reason for my pain. Also they couldn’t get my blood pressure stable but still wanted to send me home. After being very demanding the doctor suggested I may have an infection. I got home but couldn’t get out of bed due to th pain. My daughter and niece suggested I get an appointment to see my lap band Dr. The lap band doctor sent me for a CT scan and showed up to talk to me shortly after. He told me the band had slipped and needed to be removed.He scheduled the band removal for January 13th. The surgeon showed the band to my waiting family. The band had several holes and was covered in black erosion. My stomach had to be repaired because the band had eroted in my stomach and affected my liver. In the following days I first noticed my lower back pain was gone. I was on antibiotics and still wasn’t getting better. I went back to the lap band doctor and he sliced a deep hole in the area where my lap band port was removed. He said that should release some of the pressure. He packed the hole with gauze covered it and said I needed to repack it twice a day. I was also told I needed to see an infectious disease doctor.I now have what’s called Mycobacterium Chelonei. After seeing the disease specialist my antibiotic was changed to a Clarithromycin. The following day I started feeling panic , and uncontrollable anxiety. Also I was seeing and hearing things that weren’t there. Another trip to the Emergency room. They took me off all my medicines except the antibiotics. I can resume my lipitor , and antidepressant later if necessary. I will have this bacterial disease for 6 months or more. All this due to the lap band. I lost 25 pounds in 2 months fighting this pain. I honestly think the band was defective. I really need a lawyer.

I had my lap band in 2007 and lost 60 pounds in one year. I started losing my hair and became severely anemic. Exactly one year later in 2008 I started having band stomach pains. I went to the ER and was admitted due to low blood count. They ran several test on me to find out my lap band had eroded completely through my stomach cutting it in half. I had to go though 2 blood transfusions, have my stomach sewn back together and have a mass of infection scraped from my intestines. After 14 days in the hospital and absolutely no water or food I survived. The doctors say I am very lucky to be alive. I believe the lap band can be very dangerous and I’m upset now because I have gained every pound back since having it removed. I am now thinking of having the gastric sleeve but not sure if my insurance will pay for it. It seems like we should be able to be compensated for our pain and suffering.

I’m sorry and I pray everyone find a solution to the problems they have experienced with the lap band. I had the lap band placed in 8/2008. have experiences almost all of everyone problems. My doctor wanted to fix my band and my insurance would not cover nothing. He referred me out to another doctor and this doctor said he would not remove it without doing the RNY after it. My insurance still will not cover any of it. Okay….A year later with still the slipped band. I feel abandoned with this problem and I feel betrayed by doctors to want to do invasive surgery. I was also told that if I remove the lap band without nothing following it, like RNY, that I would gain double what I have lost. I will continue to pray that we all find restitution for our suffering and pain.

I just wish I could find money to have mine removed. I am very worried about the symptoms I’m experiencing. I just wish Allergan would help pay to remove it since they misrepresented the incidence of problems.

I had my lap band in 2005 I had the band slip in 2008. The Dr fixed it and I had success until now DEC 4th 2013 my lap band slipped again and had to have it removed after 100 lb weight loss. I went from a size 24 to a 12! I have never felt better. So now what, its a huge disappointment. I feel like it was all for nothing.

My twin sister and I had the Allergan lap bands 12/27/09, and today both our bands have eroded into our stomach. I believe out Allergan b-2260 bands had a recall on them, but no information regarding removal. Our insurances have a Bariatric clause, and will not pay for removal. Nor will the doctor help out. We must have surgery asap, but like most of you it is out of our financial capabilities. Can anyone help me with suggestions, and /or information.

Anyone looking for HELP https://www.facebook.com/groups/FailedBands/ over 900 members MitzyMAe=erosion isn’t from over eating Mary ~KARMA~;) Cindy=Join the group you’ll NEED it eventually Becky GREAT ADVISE DOCUMENT everything!! Dr’s DON’T listen AFTERCARE and a Lap Band is so IMPORTANT and they don’t provide it!! Tests are often run and they don’t show anything!! So many Doctors NOW aren’t even doing LB NOW their doing Vertical Gastric Sleeve. Even ALLERGAN has ALL the complications listed and they ALL happen ALLOT more than 1-5% like they say..http://www.allergan.com/assets/pdf/lapband_dfu.pdf LB removal/complications are 50% that WAY TO HIGH a complications rate to continue Class Action suit will Happen!!

Went to Mexico to have lap band surgery in 2003. Have never had ANY problems. I don’t even know it’s there. Have kept my 100+ weight loss with no problems. Sorry for all of you that it didn’t work out for!!

HELP! I had my REALIZE lap band removed 2 years ago because it eroded my stomach and I am so sick! Does any one experience severe bloating, belching and long periods of retching after eating???? I have this and the GI doctors can’t seem to figure out the problem! I retch generally after breakfast or lunch. It started out as a once in a while thing and is now daily. Its so bad I leave work early and had to apply for a leave of absence when it occurs. HELP!!!

I got banded on July 16th, 2013. I haven’t had any problems at all. I still get gas pain in my shoulder every once in awhile but only if i chew gum or get too fast. I have lost 35 lbs. So far i am very happy with it, time will tell later i guess.

I had lapband surgery in May of 2006. I lost about 75 pounds. I have gained about 25 of it back which I am not blaming the lapband from. I never had any real issues with it until July of this year when I had an abscess appear where my port was. I took some antibiotic’s that I had and the next day the abscess burst and it puss came from the area. I let it go for a few days but could see that it was really infected so I went to my doctor and she thought I had MRSA and took swabs and had them analyzed and found out it wasn’t MRSA. She put me on a high dose of antibiotic’s and it looked like it was clearing up. Well, after a month of that, I still have a small hole that oozes. I think my port has flipped on it’s side. I lost my job almost a year ago and have no insurance and one income so I have very little money. Has anyone had something like this happen? I am afraid that if I don’t get mine removed it will cause serious damage to other organ’s in my body due to infection. Who is responsible for taking care of this? I believe the doctor and the manufacture of the lapband should be but it sounds like that no one is stepping up to the plate.

I’m so glad I’m not alone!! I hate my lapband. I had it done feb 14, 2007. I did great for a while. Lost over 90lbs and was in great shape, then all of a sudden nothing would stay down. I’d even throw up water. I couldn’t eat or drink for a week. Finally I went to the dr to have the fluid removed. Since I had the band done in New Jersey but was living in Florida the dr down there didn’t seem to care much about me since he hadn’t done the initial surgery. I quickly gained all my weight back despite my efforts to not. It’s been 6 years and I try to get it filled every now and then in hopes that it will work this time but I can’t even get a bite down before severe pain and vomiting. And what sometimes stays down is food that is not healthy at all. I have terrible heartburn on a daily basis and sometimes even throw up and have pains despite my band being fully loose. I’ve started to get a sharp stabbing pain now where my port is and I can only imagine what this thing is doing inside of me. I had to make a trip to the ER countless times to have my band fluid taken out and X-rays done and have no insurance so I’ve ruined my credit and owe the hospital lots of money. I just want the thing out of me.

I went in for my lap band ? While the intobated me the fill my stomache so full it could of pop my stomached lining? The surgeon came in and thought I looked bigger than usual. The air was supposed to be removed however they kept filling it instead . The dr.made a incision and it pierced my stomach ( it made a hissing noise) so he knew he went through the lining. So he had to make several inssions to try and find the place he had pierced my stomache lining. Loud noises came out of my mouth that you could here in the next room. The annestolgist ran in and found the tube was hooked up to oxygen instead of removing the air the were forcing it in . My heart rate dropped and the next day I needed a permanent pacemaker. The lap band was cancelled. However I have balance problems a pacemaker neck pain and lots of head aches? I need to find someone who has a similar story Please. My whole life has changed. They admit they made the mistakes but Say it didn\\\\\\\’t cause the problems. Some one out there has to have a similar story. Please help

I had my Lap -band removed 10/2011due to comlications that almost caused gangrene in my stomach. A month after removal I had to have my gallbladder removed. About 2 months after that I had to repair a hernia, about 6 months later i got another hernia reparied in April 2013. Well now I have another hernia and my stomach looks horrible. I had lost a hundred pound and have gained 50 back….but I dont think it was worth all this pain I have am going thru. Please email me if you have any information on what I can do to stop my hernias….This is my third one and I just dont have the monies or time at work to continue going thru this.

Wow, so many horror stories just on this page alone. I am also an ex lap band patient, I just had mine removed after 3 yrs of chest pain, severe constipation and vomiting almost every night in my sleep. I was lucky that my doctor didn’t care that I didn’t have insurance and got that thing out fast. Makes you wonder what he knows. I think there needs to be a class action lawsuit against the makers of the band. On facebook we have a failed lap band group where we get together to vent and bounce ideas and thoughts off of each other as well as share information that is helpful to one another please feel free to join us. It is called lapband complications and failed lapbands no drama. https://www.facebook.com/groups/402359106541817/

It absolutely saddens me that we have all fallen victims to these failed lap-band procedures. I got my lapband put in 2008 and it has been absolutely nightmare! I no longer go out to dinner with friends, only the ones that know that my food gets “stuck”. My stomach is always on fire due to have some type of ulcer on the top portion of my stomach. After many years of suffering, I have finally decided to go back under the knife and get this POS removed immediately. Absolutely saddened that my fiance didn’t want me to intially get it and I still didn’t listen and went ahead and did it, but how was I supposed to know that this would change my life drastically? After doing research, usually lap band reversal patients need to get some sort of stomach reconstruction due to the erosion, so my doctor has recommended the vertical sleeve, i’m totally nervous. BUT! THIS THING HASSSS TO COME OUT OF ME. I’m so done!

After reading all these posts I have decided to share my story. September 2008 I had my first Lap Band placed in Tucson Arizona. I did fine for awhile lost weight pretty quickly and had gallbladder issues so I had my gallbladder removed in 4-2009. I then had issues which my doctor thought my port was leaking so surgery number 2 to replace port. I still had no restriction so he thought it could be a faulty band, so back to surgery I went! This time he replaced the band because it was faulty and leaking he suggested the realize band this time. While I had my band replaced he had to repair one of the largest hernias he said he had ever seen, before placing the new band on. Did ok for awhile but then started to have complications such as aspiration at nighttime and only when I would fall asleep. I tried explaining to him that it was only happening when I fell asleep and I think he thought I was crazy. I went in for the usual series of tests and apparently I had another Hernia which he had to go in again and repair as well as I had contracted pneumonia. While he repaired the 2nd hernia he had to also adjust the band which my insurance didn\\\’t cover. Meanwhile I also developed incisional hernias which had to be surgically repaired on two different occasions. In the middle of all this mess I had to have a partial hysterectomy as well! (I almost forgot that one) I was having so many intestinal problems and choking at night and again aspirating only when I would dose off to sleep. My surgeon finally told me that he could do no more that its up to a gastro doctor. By this time I was on every kind of gerd and acid re flux medicine there was. I would make several trips to the ER begging for them to admit me that something was wrong, but every time being sent home with more medicines. I finally got my primary care doctor to order an esophogram test which the radiologist read wrong and said I had another hiatal hernia. I contacted my surgeon once again for him to take a look at my hernia, he viewed my test results phoned me immediately and told me to go to ER. I got to the ER where my surgeon had phoned ahead to tell them I was gonna be admitted for emergency surgery my band had become so dilated it was about to rupture!!! On 12/8/12 I had my band removed!!! I am now having issues with adhesion\\\’s, scar tissue and possibly more incisional hernia repair issues due to all the surgeries and complications I have had! So today I await the results of a CT scan to determine what is wrong with me. My stomach contracts and gets a bulge whenever I try using my abdominal muscles, bend over, bowel movements or if I twist or turn wrong. I will keep everyone updated on my test results and would love to hear from you if anyone out there has had an experience like mine. The best of luck to everyone out there and please join me to spread the word of the dangers of Lap Band Surgery.

Short version There are thousands of people like me that have the same medical problems that I have, problems that will NEVER go away, side effects that we were NEVER warned about. We all had Lap Band surgery to lose weight but what we received instead is a medical nightmare that changed our lives forever. Lap Band installed, vomiting and pain started immediately thought it was normal. Started going to Doctors and hospitals nothing could be found, then the diarrhea started, again Doctors and hospitals, finally a colonoscopy 02/2012 found lap band had eroded into my stomach. Lap Band removed 02/2012, very ill, still pain, vomiting and diarrhea. Constant vomiting caused a hernia so another surgery to repair hernia 11/2012. Still pain, vomiting diarrhea continually going to Doctors and hospitals, specialist does another endoscopy 07/08/2013 and finds major problems where my stomach was repaired, sends me to a surgeon immediately because he was so worried, saw surgeon within two days on 07/10/2013. Surgeon did his own endoscopy 07/22/2013, told me the lap band did a number on my stomach and he did not do any repair said I need to see him in his office so he can go over my alternatives with me. So in the mean time I am still vomiting and have diarrhea more times a day than I can count. This is what my life is, I go nowhere except to Doctors and Hospitals and when I do I take a bag that consists of trash bags, paper towels, baby wipes, water and a change of clothes. I vomit and have blasting diarrhea EVERYTIME I eat anything no matter how large or small, I hate the thought of food so I no longer enjoy meals. I am single but cannot date; my boyfriend broke up with me because he could no longer handle my illness. I pray for death and have attempted suicide to the point of having a mouth full of pills a week ago that I physically could not swallow because I have a hard time swallowing anything including water. Think about how your life would change if you crawled from your bed to the toilet several times a day, sometimes you would make it sometimes not and when you would leave your house you vomit and have diarrhea all over the car you are in, or you make might get the car stopped and barely make it out of the car but vomit and have diarrhea on the side of the road while people watch and a police officer wants to know what you are doing. How about you are so sick that while you are on the gurney in the hallway of the hospital the vomiting and diarrhea won’t stop and even a hospital employee makes a comment that you hear “disgusting she crapped all over herself”. Oh and the pain, like having hundreds of hot knives cutting into your stomach. I have so many scars it is embarrassing, I will never be able to take my clothes off in front of anyone again. This is a small list of what I have been through and there are others just like me and some are worse like losing their eye sight. I have all of my documentation along with pictures to back up my story. Can you help or do you know anyone who can. My main beef is that I was never warned of the side effects, if I had been I would NOT have had the surgery. I hate my life or should I say lack of it. Even my own bariatric surgeon stated on 07/10/2013 that he hated lap bands and no longer does them because they are dangerous. Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

Hi Traci, complications were not known when a lot of us got the surgery a few years ago. A lot of forums do not allow complications to be talked about, saying we are band basher’s and the like, that we failed not the band. It is hard to reach out to new patients like yourself and warn you as our posts get deleted!! Search for failed lapbands on facebook and please join and learn all of the horror stories that patients are currently going through. We are supportive and non judgemental and only want to save you from going through what we currently are, best of luck.

After all the comments I have read on here it really gets me to thinking about not having the lap band done. I’m about 190 pounds over weight and really need your imput on why you all wanted it in the first place. I know it was weight loss but did you all know the complications of the surgery and got the surgery any way.

Please join our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/FailedBands/. We have 685 members and growing daily. There is also an Australian failed lapband page as the story is the same worldwide. The louder our voice they will have to listen to us!!

I had my band put in 04/2009, I just barely qualified for it with only having a bmi of 35 with sleep apnea and was up to a 90lb weight loss in under a two years and everything was great up until a year and half ago. I got a fill that put be at 9.5 CC’s and couldn’t even get liquids down. Lost 10 lbs in 4 days. Severly dehydrated, went to doctor got the last fill removed. Since that time I have seen my doctor 15 x in less than a year, yo-yo affect, I am either too tight and everything comes up or I can eat the same foods that I ate when I was at the 90 lb weight loss and now I am gaining weight- (gained back 40lbs in the last year eating the same foods I ate before!) Had barium test to check for slippage a year ago and was told I was fine. Now a year later and I finally told my doctor today I have had enough…something is wrong. That if they didn’t do something I was talking to a lawyer because I refuse to continue to suffer daily. The last visit I saw the other doctor who basically said it was in my head and that I must be eating stuff I shouldn’t. I’m sorry but I don’t want to be seeing doctors every month, not exactly my idea of fun -and I know this is not in my head!!! Today my doctor finally listened probably because I did mention a lawyer and will be scoping me next week to see what’s going on. Even if he doesn’t find anything, I am now back up to a bmi of 35 again and would be able to “re-qualify” to have a surgery so we talked about removal of the band and doing either the sleeve or full bypass. No one should have to live with vomiting on a daily basis or the stress that living like this has brought on. I know when I had the band placed I was told I would have the same weight loss as full blown gastric surgery after 3 years. Talk about misleading! It’s funny because now most of the hospitals in my area are refusing to even do the band due to all the complications, and after seeing this page I REALLY cannot believe there hasn’t been a class action filed yet!!! But like another poster said, document everything because I am sure it’s coming!

Hello all, I had my lap band surgery in March of 2009. I initially lost 10lbs and then really nothing. The band never worked for me as far as even controlling hunger. I had my fills to the point that I couldn’t have anymore. Every time I ate my food would get stuck in my esophagus, even things like yogurt. Finally in Feb 2013 I had all fluid removed. I Have suffered with pain under my ribs, excessive gas and burping and my stomach has always been bloated since the band was put in. I am happy to report that I had it removed today!! Dr told my husband everything went well, I didn’t get a chance to find out if everything was still in place but, he sent me home with pain meds and no special instructions. Ill find out details at my post op visit. I will give it to my dr though… He advised me to have the bypass since day 1 but, I was adamant about the band after my research. Plan is to do the bypass in 2 months. We will see how I feel about it then… Oh yeah… my Dr here in FL stopped doing bands 6 Mons ago and has since removed most of the ones he put in.

I had lap band surgery in June 2010, I had no problems initially. I started throwing up after every meal, started looking sick. After a year i started getting pnemonia all the time. The dr did an xray and I has abcess\’s all over both lungs Was very scared. Went to a lung dr and it was an infection caused by food backing up into my lungs. I had the band emptied After 3 days hospital and 2 weeks on I/V antibiotics I was ok. After a month, the dr slowly added more and more fluid. No problems. No weight loss. 2 weeks ago I started not being able to hold down solids again. Felt like I was chocking, like my stomach was clogged. Went to the dr last week, he removed the fluid again…I have been in pain since. Really bad gas and bloating like I am 9 months pregnant. Getting worried!!!

I had t the procedure in 2011. and had to have been removed in 2012. this was the most dramatic and horrible experience of my life. went through the year of constantly beonging sick making me bulimic, after the band surgery. As well as the port slipping. the tubing also dislodging from the port. my surgeon moving to California and having no surgeon. having my gallbladder removed in part of my liver. and just what I think it’s all over I have now developed a hernia where the port once use attached. as well as a bad stomach ulcer. I do not wish this for anyone the procedure caused me too many surgeries. I had other issues that related from it. Hope there r sucess stories im not one. I read alot of comments mine are like the others

An update to my post from 2011: Have now been diagnosed with autoimmune disease after lap-band erosion and removal in 2011 and now having irregular heart beat/tachycardia with even the slightest exertion. I’ve been searching the internet for lawfirms who handle lap-band lawsuits or even class action lawsuits & guess what? No one wants to touch the damned thing! Did learn that Allergan is selling the division who makes/markets the band due to…..well they SAY poor sells, but I believe it’s due to the impending lawsuits. Rats are jumping ship, lol. But still haven’t heard anything from the FDA about this, no studies, nothing. Good luck to all and my advice? Write everything down and keep good records of every doctor visit, every pain, every missed day of work, EVERYTHING!

WOW…I feel bad for all of you that have had serious problems with your band. I went to Mexico in 2002 to have my surgery. I had it on a Weds. flew back to the states on thurs. and worked a 12 hour shift as a Labor and Delivery nurse on Friday. I have never had any pain. I’ve lost 100 lbs and my weight has held steady. It was good for me…sorry about the problems.

I had the old fashioned banding in 2004. Its a mesh put around a portion of you stomach. It abcessed 4 yrs. Later and when they went to remove it, it ruptured. Anyone know of any lawsuits because of the mesh erosion

Wow! I had lapband in Dec 2011 and lost 33 lbs in 6 months. No problems at first but after 2nd filll was told I was losing and didn’t need further fills. After 6 months didn’t lose. Maintained weight for 1 yr then started slowly gaining. Went for fill and was told I had ‘bulging’ and didn’t need fill, but needed to cut back my portions. Steadily gaining weight and now being told I can’t get fill until I lose a few pounds. Have been to ER with severe chest pain and now feeling almost constant pain in left rib cage area above port. Have appt to have all fluid removed, but after reading all this wondering if I have infection or problem with band. I want this thing out of me. Uncomfortable all the time and dr. just keeps saying it’s not the band….

People got what they deserve, they were stupid enough yo do itin the first place

PEOPLE…you have to change ur eating habits!! If u do…no erosion!!

I had my lap-band surgery in 1995 in Mexico by Dr Joya. I have lost the weight and have never had a problem with it. My problem recently has been a loss of appetite. I’ve lost no more weight because of yhis, but no appwtite.

Hi My name is Cindy and I got my band May of 2009. From the beginning I had acid reflux. The doctor told me that I must have always had this…but I didn’t. I have such a hard time eating what I should eat because I throw up…I just had a barium swallow…all came back good they told me. Yet my Vitimine D is always so low I have to be put on a prescription of high weekly doses. I did lose weight initially but not any more…I’m filled to a 9 right now and pretty much can eat more than I should. They told me it’s my fault…I have to have better control…not the band. After reading all theses comments I’m ready to have it out. My daughter has wanted me to have it out since I got it. I feel so tired any more…now I’m bloated…more than usual…I’ll have to call me doctr tomorrow…I have cronic back pain as well…I just thought it was due to my back issues but I wonder if this is aggrevating it…

My wife and I both had the lap band surgery a few years ago, my wife has had to have emergency surgery to fix her lap band, which slipped out of place. Now, the band had slipped again and in a week she will be getting her band removed and then they are doing an actual gastric bypass. I am getting mine taken out a month or so later. These lap bands have been nothing but a nightmare, constant vomitting, heartburn, drowning feeling at night and the chest pain. The doctor who did this surgery pushed these bands down our throats thats all he wanted to do. I lost about 100lbs but gained about half of that back. My wife lost about 50lbs and kept it off but that was it. She has seriously suffered with her lap band.

The gastric band never worked. It caused me to develop a hernia. I had it repaired, and I was miserable. Then, another hernia developed. I am going to have to have the band removed. It has never caused me anything by vomiting and acid reflux. The companies who manufactured this spread false information about the studies, the end results, and the side effects. I think they should be fined and sued for their false advertisements.

I had a lapband inserted about 6 years ago. I was never morbidly obese, but my doctor suggested that I might benefit from the lapband. I did research it carefully, and the manufacturer did not disclosue all of the painful side effects. After the surgery, the port moved and the surgeon was not able to fill it. Then, I had another surgery to restore the port. I never lost any weight except for the initial surgery itself. I developed acid reflux which just about killed me. Later, I developed a hernia from the band. I was in so much pain that I had the band taken out. At the same time the surgeons repaired the hernia. The surgeon said that I would be in surgery about 1 hour; I was in there 3 hours. Also, I was supposed to only stay one night, but I stayed 5. I had all types of complications like fluid retentions that caused me to have high blood pressure. The pain when I came from the hospital was unbearable. I felt like I was being cut with knives. The surgical team told me that the band had caused a lot of scaring. The nurses in the surgery unit told me that they had removed almost every band that had been inserted. The surgeons said that they would never insert one again, but that the sudies that came out indicated that there were vertually minimal side effects. They said that they felt the manufactures had deceived the public and the AMA. They also told me to tell all of my friends and family not to ever even consider one of them. I feel like that I have excellent surgeons. They have great reputations; however, the lap band research was insufficient. I will have at least 3 months to recover. I have to eat soft, soupy foods for weeks. Now, I am walking with a walker because I can hardly stand. I am walking every day, but I still have horrible pain. I have been back to the hospital 2 times, and once was in an ambulance. I am still having trouble with my bowels and very weak. If you or anyone you know even considers this, please tell them that it is very dangerous. The people who manufactured this should be put in jail for lying to the public about the side effects. I plan to join a class action law suit and am looking for an attorney who handles this. Does anyone know about class action law suits. I just don’t want another human to suffer this pain. It was misrepresented, and the manufacturer lied and lied to make money.

I had my lapband put in 2010. I had nothing but problems with it and the doctors who handled it. I had the initial surgery done in Dallas, TX. They don’t have them where I live. The doctor put the port right under my ribs and I started throwing up. I was going to Lubbock, TX for my fills and they moved the port. I lost weight but my stomach was always upset. Finally in April of 2012 I couldn’t stop throwing up, I aspirated into my lungs, got pneumonia in both lungs. They thought I was better sent me home only to have to return two days later. The doctors said the lapband had caused an occlusion in my throat and that was causing all the problems. They took it out, thankfully, and I am much better. Even if I could I wouldn’t do it again. A friend asked me if I would recommend it and I told her absolutely not.

Loved my band, had no idea it had erroded my stomach to the point of major surgery, cutting me open from breastbone to navel. It began with my port popping through my skin in Dec 2012. Emergency surgery that day to remove the port. Jan 2013 a new port was installed. I continued to feel awful for 2 weeks. Finally returning to the hospital jan 30. Emergency surgery Jan 31 to remove infected lap band (due to the port popping oit) imfection was so bad they had to open me up to wash my organs on antibiotics. The band had erroded my stomach to extent that it needed to be patched. I spent 11 days in intensive care, very sick. Upon returning home, my bowels shut down and I spent 7 more days in ICU. I had no symptoms of errosion! If you have a band, get checked!

Many problems with lapband surgery. Installed in 07 problems from the start. never felt the feeling of being satisfied, pneumonia, vomiting, nausea, pain and discomfort and projecting port problem.

I would be interested in a law suit! I spent over all 24 days in the hospital 18 if which were in Intensive Care. Even my surgeon said that I almost died. I had a 1/2 in whole in my stomach from lapband erosion. Please… If there is one out there or if anyone can give me any information about a law suit, please email me.

I HAD A LAP BAND ERODE AND ALLERGAN INFORMED ME THEY WOULD HELP AS INSURANCE WOULD NOT PAY FOR REMOVAL IT ERODED INLESS THAN 14 MONTHS AND EMERGENGCY SURGERY TO REMOVE ATTEMPTED TO GET MONEY FROM ALLERAN BUT THEY ARE A FARCE AND NO LAWYER WILL TAKE SINCE I AM NOW IN RECOVERY ANDAM GOING BANKRUPT BECAUSE OF THIS COULD NOT WORK FOR MONTHS CAN SOMNEONE PLEASEE HELP

I had my first lap band in 2003. I felt the effect of the band straight away. Along with vigorous exercise, diet and therapy I lost 45kg in a year. After this time, however, I began to notice that I no longer felt the food restriction of the band. I stress there were NO other symptoms. I had this checked by my surgeon, who informed me I was “one of the 2%” who experienced erosion, and that my band would have to be removed. I fell to the floor in the hall outside his office, and cried for half an hour. It was more than devistating. My surgeon insisted that there was no physical reason for the erosion, that it was just “unlucky”. I was not sure whether I believed him or not. I had the band removed, waited 12 months (in which time I regained ALL my weight) and had a new band inserted. The second surgery was attempted as key-hole, but did not work and I was subsequently cut from my breast bone to my naval. Still, I did not care, as all I wanted was my weight loss back again. I would do ANYTHING. This second band has never appeared to function. I have never felt the same sense of restriction as with the first. My surgeon seemed extremely angry with me when I told him this. Tests showed there was no malfunction with the band but I simply didn’t feel it working. My surgeon stood over me and shouted at me that I wasn’t working with the band. I was so frightened, Ive never been back to see him. That was some 5 years ago now. I still have the band, it still doesn’t work. I still have my weight. Love to hear of any other experiences like this, especially in Australia.

I had the realize band placed in June 2010, I did great with it for about 1 year, then the problems started. I began to have excruciating pain in my left upper abdomen everytime I would eat, I underwent multiple tests and nothing was ever found. The doctor along with myself decided to go through with removing the band to prevent any further damage. I went in for surgery in 10/2011 to find that I had a severe stomach infection, the band had adhesed itself to my stomach and liver and had lacerated both. I had to have a partial gastrectomy and was in surgery for over 3 hours. After talking to multiple people who had the same band placed in that year all had the same problems and had to have the band removed. I believe this is something someone should definitely check into, I almost lost my life due to this. I have 2 children and cannot afford to leave them.

I had a band fitted lost 7 stone but suddenly it appears to be leaking its been a year now they offered to re do it for £1500 I didn’t take them up on the offer left so shocked after everything I have been through feel left out in the cold I feel they took my money now they don’t care not sure what to do can you tell me where I stand legally .

BAND # 1: I received my first LapBand in May 2007. Did post-op diet, received two fills, lost a few pounds, and then in August 2007 began having pain when eating…even small amounts. Lost 60 lbs from May to Oct., but only because I couldn’t eat without pain. From Aug. to Oct. 2007 Doctor’s solution to pain was to remove fluid once, twice, thrice…even though he claimed each time that band had been emptied. Pain did not subside. On a Friday in Oct. 2007 I had to leave work because of the pain. Was crying when I called the Dr., and when I got to his office he again removed fluid, and said, “This drama needs to stop..” Sat. and Sun. I couldn’t even drink without pain. By Monday he put me in the hospital for dehydration. Tuesday I was released but had to call him because the pain was so bad, that the only relief I could get was when I was on all fours. Wed. AM he did emergency surgery, and replaced the band. The symptoms when I was at my worst was pain (mostly in my back and shoulder blade) every time I ate or drank anything. Another weird symptom was that for weeks I could not burp…so the air just stayed inside of me. At night I could hear it trickle out about every 10 seconds. BAND #2: Because of the trauma of the first band I chose to wait about one year to have a fill (interesting that his office never called me in that year’s time). Once we started periodic fills, I never once felt the band, even though he was filling it. I kept telling him I could eat like a glutton and not feel the band. The only speculation that he gave me was that my esophagus must be stretched and holding the food. Worried that there might be erosion, I finally just asked to get it out…which we did in Sept. 2010. So the first band caused me to be sick, and the second band never did anything. Three surgeries. The first was self-paid. The second two were mostly covered by insurance. Out of my pocket was about 20K. What I am thankful for is that I seemed to have escaped the horror that I’ve read in this forum. But I do wonder sometimes if I might be able to sue. I’ll stay posted to this forum and watch for updates on possible class actions.