Broken lap band

I had my band fitted 3 years 9 months ago. 5 months ago I found out it was bbroken.  I paid 6000 and now I have finally a nhs appointment.  Does anyone know if the nhs will fix it?

When you say broken what exactly is wrong?  Has it slipped, eroded, port issue, tubing issue, scar tissue issue?  Somethings can be fixed and some cannot.

It is leaking? Is the tube leaking? How did they determine that it's "broken"?

And I assume that the NHS is not an American entity, so perhaps someone from your country (UK?) could help.

Hi, I am one of the very fewer Brits on here and the only banded one! 

Was the original surgery done by the NHS? Trouble is there are lots of variables. If you give more details, I may be able to make suggestions. 

First of all, what do you mean by broken? A leak? Slipped? Detached port? Erosion? Too tight? 

the NHS has a duty of care and however the surgery was done, will operate in cases of medical necessity - pain, on-going damage, inability to swallow etc.. If the band was put in by the NHS, they should repair it if that is needed. If it was put In privately, they will just deal with any emergency. 

In addition, under the new NHS funding arrangements, there may be a different  response in different areas of the country. I would suggest your first visit should be to your GP asking for a referral to the local bariatric unit. 

Hi thanks for the reply.  My band was fitted by the hospital group privately. I was pretty much at my goal but one holiday I noticed I could eat a bit more I just thought it might need a fill. So I paid 110 for a fill and the nurse said it was empty.  I was in tears and went straight to my doctors. I have waited three  months but im at the hospital on Tuesday so im praying they will find out what is wrong and repair it. The hospital group were not interested and said it would be 500 pounds for an xray and a further 3000 for more surgery.  The first operation cost me 6000. Thanks for your reply

The NHS won't, to the best of my awareness, repair a leak. If it is not causing you a problem they might not do anything at all. It may be, with a very sympathetic GP and Bariatric unit, they would do the XRay.

THG are charging a lot! I had a leak repaired, admittedly a few years ago but medical costs don't seem to have gone up, and the XRay was £240 and the leak repair (it was in the tubing about midway between the port and the band) cost £2200.  Mine was through Spire, Southampton. 

I am actually very lucky. I was banded by Spire but then after about three years, the NHS in Berkshire agreed to take over all my care. I now live in Wales and because I was already an NHS patient they took me over. But it has been made very clear to me that that would be fills, XRays, routine care and advice. It would include emergency removal but not repair or replacement. 

But I truly hope I am wrong and the NHS will sort it out for you! Let us know how you get on. 

• Thanks im worried your right but I will let you know.  I feel like a looser my weight is going up by the day

If it's any consolation,  each month for my first year,  I kept getting fills.  Come to find out it was the port that was leaking.

Nothing too serious in the big scheme of things.  

I can't speak for the NHS , but the procedure for port replacement was very quick &  straightforward. 

Hi thanks for your reply.  I paid private first time nearly 6000 pounds.  I was only 7 lb off goal when I started putting weight back on. The band is completely empty.  Im at the hospital this afternoon so I will let you know how I get on. Regards tracy

How did the appt go? I had my fingers crossed for you! 

This is basically a U.S. board with some Canadians and a few others. If you ever want UK talk, let me know and I will send you a PM with my e mail address .  I have been here a long time and have good friends on this site so stick around but things work differently in the U.S.. Not just the system but even medical advice.