Gastric band has a hole in it.

Robbed_2

I hope this is ok to post my story here, I am now at the end of my tether.

In December 2005 I had a gastric band implanted, self funded at the cost of £6,000.

I lost 2 stone as time went on, but the weight loss was slow, I found
the only time I had good restriction was after a long haul flight,
this being pressure related.

One morning in February of this year I woke up feeling different, and
I just knew that I could eat whatever I desired...dont ask me how I
knew this, I dont know.

To cut a long boring story short, it was discovered after a few tests
that my actual band had a hole in it. In total these tests and attempted band adjustment cost me approximately over £500 , just to
ascertain where the leakage was.

With waiting lists and struggling to get an appointment this was
confirmed in May 2008.

The surgeon at Spire (previously Bupa Southampton) told me that I
would have to pay for the entire surgery again!!! The band needed to be removed and a new one
fitted.

He very kindly contacted the manufacturer of the band, who agreed to
give me a new band free of charge as a gesture of goodwill.

The company have said they do
not take any responsibility and they wish to examine the band before
going into the matter further. I need surgery to remove the faulty
band.( I am now 61, and retired, I was frightened about the initial
surgery, but this time its worse.)

However, how do I get the faulty band out and the new one implanted? I
have used my savings for the initial operation and dont have that sort of
money any longer to pay out all over again.

I believe the cost of the band is between £1500/£2000....which still
leaves a lot of money to pay for the surgery and aftercare.

Since February I have gained all of the weight I lost and more besides.

I have sought legal advice and there doesnt seem to be much hope in
the near future, apparently these things can take years to be
resolved.

I am now £6500 worse off and am back to square one, plus I am not
getting any younger.

I am angry and upset and cant see any light at the end of the tunnel,
the reason I opted for surgery was because all my life I have dieted,
and failed and I was at the end of my tether.

The operation seemed like a miracle, and I was just starting to feel
good about myself, more comfortable, feeling healthier and able to fit
into airline seats amongst other things.

Alas all of that has been snatched away from me and I dont know what to do.

I am and have been for the past 6 years the main carer for my 93 year
old mother who has Alzheimers and at the present time I am struggling
to provide this care, as the extra weight has brought back all the
pain of my arthritis and has made my asthma so much worse.


It has been suggested to me that this may be a consumer rights issue,
would you be able to advise on this, if possible.

your comments and thoughts would be gratefully received.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

avstar

Aw dear - don't know much about gastic band problems but just wanted to say this sounds dreadful.
I would expect a gastic band to last longer than 3 years so I'd go and see a solicitor (most do a free hour constulation) so see if the hospital that did the original surgery should cover the cost of replacement. Could the band have been faulty when it was orginally fitted?

Good luck!

silvercar

Can you now get NHS funding. If you are seeing your GP as a patient with a faulty gastric band, clearly it needs removing. Why can't he refer you on the NHS?

lisaloo1977

That is shocking that they can do that to you, and then expect you to fund the repair job for something that was faulty or broke.

I personally would go mad, contact the media, try watchdog and the local papers.
I would also as suggested see what your own GP can do for you, surely it is not good for you to be left like this.

I still cant believe that they have told you, you have to pay for the actual surgery again. It kind of makes a joke of the "have surgery in the UK" stuff they spout to you!! It seems at the place you have been treated you get no aftercare either, they just want to line their pockets with more of your money.

Robbed_2

Thank you all for your replies and comments.

I have consulted my own solicitor who told me he didnt do that kind of stuff and wrote to someone on my behalf who took 2 months to reply, and then to say sorry we dont cover that sort of thing

I saw another solicitor, the 'no win no fee' type, and they are in the process of deciding if they could possibly win if we went ahead.

My GP referred me to the PCT, wherein I have to attend weight management classes for the next few months, I will be considered for surgery by a consultant in 12 months time

I have mailed Martin Lewis, but I believe its the board moderators who read his mail, and I havent heard anything back.

I also wrote to Fern Britton, back in July, but no reply.

I wrote to Take a Break magazine with my story, not for the money but was hoping that the publicity may help, but after mailing me back asking for photographs, I heard nothing else

Everything seems to be against me, doesnt seem like there's anyone really interested enough.

And you're correct ,all they want is your money, no aftercare or guarantee.

Its a total disgrace, if I had been NHS funded they would have done the op for me and replaced the band.

These private hospitals and surgeons are just greedy to my mind, no morals at all.:mad:

abbecer

As suggested I think you would be wise to contact Watchdog etc. Let those involved know you are going to do it because the thought of negative publicity may help them to change their mind. As an absolute last resort you could go abroad. I had a full tummy tuck and muscle repair in Feb in Prague. It was spotlessly clean and the surgeon was amazing. Obviously you would need to research extensively.

I wish you well and hope you get this unacceptable situation resolved.

Rebecca x

Sagz_2

I've just read this in Martins weekly email:
RIGHT 1. You must be a SAD FART! If goods don't follow what I remember as the SAD FART rules, i.e. be of Satisfactory quality, As Described, Fit for purpose And last a Reasonable length of Time, then they're faulty, take 'em back.

I reckon your band qualifies.

Robbed_2

Thank you, I think its a good idea to contact Watchdog, I didnt think of that.

And yes I would go abroad, and will if I can get £3500 together, but I think by the time I have saved up that much I may get the NHS funding.

My husband wont allow me to take out a loan, because he says the manufacturer should be paying for the surgery as well as providing the new band.

I forgot to mention that the band wasnt 3 years old when it failed, the surgery was done in December 2005 and the hole became apparent in early February 2008, thats only just over 2 years.

How can I contact Martin to put my case forward, I cant seem to get him to read my mail?

silvercar

Norbertsmum wrote: »

I've just read this in Martins weekly email:
RIGHT 1. You must be a SAD FART! If goods don't follow what I remember as the SAD FART rules, i.e. be of Satisfactory quality, As Described, Fit for purpose And last a Reasonable length of Time, then they're faulty, take 'em back.

I reckon your band qualifies.

I think its the "take 'em back" bit that is the problem here.

If you funded the replacement would the manufacturer refund the operation costs once it was shown that the band was faulty?

silvercar

My GP referred me to the PCT, wherein I have to attend weight management classes for the next few months, I will be considered for surgery by a consultant in 12 months time

I think is the norm for NHS funding. If you had had the band fitted on the NHS originally, they would probably have required you to manage your weight for some time first.

simpywimpy

Hello there. Did you have an adjustment to your band at a time shortly before you started having problems?

If you did, the person who did the adjustment could be at fault. If the needle misses the port it can pierce the tubing from the port to the band. Have they told you where the hole is? If the hole is in the band itself then this has to be a manufacturing fault.

I doubt if you had the band fitted privately that you would qualify for NHS funding to put it right.

The cost of the band abroad now is around £3500 - much cheaper than here. If the hole is in the tubing, then I shouldn't imagine you would need a whole new band. I personally would seek a second opinion. If you get this in the UK you are looking at £100-150 for a consultation. In France, it would be half that but of course you have to get there.

I can also recommend a good website for you for all weightloss surgeries though I think there is small charge to join but not sure. www.wlsinfo.org.uk
There will be loads of contacts on there or alternatively I can give you the name of my surgeon in France if you choose that route - he speaks perfect English too.

I've had my band for 8yrs now.