UnProven Leak

[Scrapkarla]

When I got my last fill (July 2nd) the Nurse (or PA whatever she was) drew out what was in my band and as suspected it wasn't much... should have been 2cc but was about .5cc... I have felt like I've been "losing" my fills and sure enough I'm right...

So apparently I have a leak. In the past I could go 3 months on a fill (had a fill in October and actually made it until May) but this time I noticed the lack of restriction within 2 WEEKS... :Cry:

Major problem = right now I have NO INSURANCE coverage... and I don't know when I will again. (DH changed jobs and the ins. is over priced and high deductible and limited coverage ... so not much point.)

I plan to call the surgeons office (who didn't perfom my surgery but did take over my care when I moved here) and see what they'll charge me for a fill and also for a consult about what my options are... I might be able to call them Friday afternoon but most likely it will be Monday...

I'm so close to goal.. that I wonder if maybe I should just "let go" and get my act together (exercise and better nutrition) but it's so hard (duh.. that's why I had the surgery in the 1st place)

Sorry for the book... just had to get this all out... It's TOM for me and this is a bad time to have problems with food LOL and that's a whole other PROBLEM.. my monthly cycle is leaving like 1 week where I'm actually losing...

[Idahobeauty]

OH man!! That is really bad timing. I hope you can get this issue fixed soon. If it were me I would want another fill to help me get to goal but I would need it. keep us posted.

[gigemkc]

I have a friend whose fill kept dissapating and they gave her omnipaq instead of saline. It's a thicker solution. So far, she hasn't lost any of her fills yet. You may want to ask you doctor if he uses omnipaq. I don't know if it will work, but it's at least worth asking you Dr. about.

[JDru]

I hope you get it all figured out soon Karla. Being without insurance can be so tough on your pocketbook! Let us know what happens...

[Lily]

Ohh man, that's rough. Maybe you can ask your doc if he has any sort of warentee.

[PhotoNut]

Hey Karla, it might not be a leak at all. Do you have the VG band? If so, it's common to lose some restriction as the air gets out of the band. Not sure how to explain that any better, but I hope to give you some encouragement. I have had fills that kept me with good restriction for a long time, and then others that felt like there was nothing in there after a week or two. A lot of women say they feel more restriction around their TOM but I've always felt wide open during that TOM. Odd but possible with you as well I guess.

Anyway, think positive thoughts. Odd things happen with the band and it doesn't always mean a negative thing is happening. I'll be praying for you.

(sorry if this didnt make a lot of sense - I've been so stressed out lately, my brain's rebelling against any form of strenuous activity right now. heh)

[Scrapkarla]

Lily - the surgeon who placed my band is in Kansas City... I'm in Utah now so I don't think I'll be able to go see my old surgeon

Kim - I'll check on the omnipaq stuff Thanks!!

Susan - I don't think I have the VG band... wasn't that the 10cc one??

Everyone else!! Thanks for the support I have a feeling I'm going to need it to get to goal LOL
I am going to call my Dr in a few minutes and see how much a fill is going to cost me with no insurance.. I think it's less that $100... I'll update again when I know more :)

[PhotoNut]

Susan - I don't think I have the VG band... wasn't that the 10cc one??


Yeah, the VG holds 10cc (or more). Well, it was just a thought. I've mysteriously lost fill before but it wasn't due to a leak, so I'm hoping the same outcome for you girl. *hugs*

[Scrapkarla]

I've got an appointment with my local surgeon (who I've actually only seen once - but I've been in 2 other times for fills) next week (8/15 10am) so we can discuss my options.

For a fill it is $75 (not bad) OR I can buy a "package" for 1yr of fills $200 so I'll get the fill next week and then probably get the package deal and work like hell to get this last 50lbs off...

[chrispygal]

Oh Karla I'm so sorry to hear about the leak! I'm glad the fills are reasonable though, and you have such a great attitude about it. Good for you. :)

[Will]

Good luck to you Karla.

[Scrapkarla]

Went to see the Dr this morning... and there was only .5cc in my band. So it looks like a leak is confirmed. He filled me up with 2.5cc and gave me all the info on what it will cost for port replacement (around $3000)

So in the meantime next month I'm going to get a 1yr fill package for $200 and then save up for the surgery.

Right now the fill is pretty tight (this is the most I've had in my band) so hopefully it will get the 10lbs off that I've gained and stop me from gaining more before I can get in for another fill..

He was also interested in any info I could send him on that thicker solution (omnipaq or something) so I'm off to find out what I can and send it to him

[JDru]

I'm sorry to hear you have a leak Karla! But at least if you get ht fill package you can keep getting fills until you can pay for the port replacement. :)

[Scrapkarla]

Yeah.. and Dr. Hansen is awesome. The office said they would work with me on his fees (set up a payment plan...)

[JDru]

I really like Dr. Hansen a lot and the nurses are great!

[kebsa]

Sorry to hear about the leak. at elast you have a reasonable cost fill plan to keep you going until you can get a port replacemet- one more hurdle to deal with!

[JudyBellyBand]

From one who understands just how you are feeling, I wanted to also tell you that I am praying for you. I sincerely am praying that you will have better news when next you meet with your Dr.

After 10 months with no restriction and fighting UHC (who enabled me to have the VG lap-band ... company changed the policy) to replace my band, I understand the since of deep personal loss. But I have found what really helps is my faith. I wish I could say not to worry and that everything will be all right. But sometimes life is not fair. I am so very sorry about what you are going through. Keep trying and don't give up. Never give up. Never give up.

[Scrapkarla]

Well it's weird but after the fill the Dr gave me I ended up TOO TIGHT and had to go have some taken out... Well the Nurse irrigated my band and came out with a total of 3.7 CC's... WTF???? So it looks like when the Dr thought I only had .5 in there I really had 1.7.... (should have had 2cc) so I guess I don't have a leak after all.... really weird... I'm at 2.2cc's right now and have lost most of what I had gained (I'll update my ticker on Monday..) so lets hope it was just a fluke and I'm all better now...

[jenjuice]

What surgeon did you use in KC?? I was banded yesterday in KC and am in the hospital. I was just wondering.

[Scrapkarla]

Dr Malley did my surgery in Kansas City... then a year ago I moved to utah

[JDru]

Good news Karla!! Congrats on you weight loss. :)

[JudyBellyBand]

Karla!! ...do you believe in miracles? ...I do. I am so very happy, overjoyed for your good news.

AMEN, AMEN!!! :)