wife had an awful experience with a "well liked" Dr. ....

Since you are self pay, I assume that either your insurance does not cover WLS or you don't have any.  If there was a problem other than a leak, your insurance might pay to have the band removed but not a revision.

I would not put another dime into having the band/port repaired.  I would take that money and go to Mexico and get a sleeve by a highly recommended surgeon there.  Many people have had good experiences in Mexico and it is considerably cheaper.   The sleeve has little or no follow up care and works like the band is supposed to work.

Your wife needs to be doing some research of her own.  I don't know what your recourse is as far as Dr. Curry.  I definitely would not pay him any more out of pocket money for anything.

I did not use Dr. Curry, but I do have the Lap-Band A.K.A. CRAP BAND by Allergan. And I have contacted them directly about my issue and Allergan does NOT stand behind their product!!!

I paid cash for mine and wasted about $15,000 In about 14 months I had 16 fills and 4 partial unfills. NEVER reached restriction! Either too loose or too tight. For many of us that have the band it is NOTHING like they advertise it to be!!!

Please join the failed band forum. There is a link on there to report your failed band to the FDA:

www.obesityhelp.com/group/failed_lap_bands/