Whats going on at slimband? Considering choosing them you might want to read this....

I am a post operative patient of slimband.  I had my surgery on April 25th of this year.  Thus far things are pretty great I've lost over 50lbs and continue to lose significant weight every day.  That being said... I'm somewhat concerned.  My advisor at slimband was great.  I recently wrote her an email to tell her about my success and to thank her for everything she did for me and got a weird response from someone other than her.  Supposedly the "director of communication".  I was pretty angry as this was a very personal email.  Then I was reading post after post on slimbands community board about people not being able to get in contact with slimband during business hours.  Indeed this is the case.  When you call during the day you get their after hours answering service.  Frankly after $16,000 in surgery when I call... I want my call answered.  I heard a rumour and let me be as clear as possible this is a RUMOUR that slimband recently let MANY MANY people go.  I'm now very concerned that my aftercare will not be what was promised.  I have specifically asked for clarification from slimband and will post here what the result of that is.  I now CIBO went out of business literally a few days before my surgery.  At that time I called slimband and inquired what would happen if they too went out of business.  I was told they are too big and wouldn't happen.  LOL ummmmm I'm presently not so sure.

 

Fortunately for me my sister is a fabulous RN and should I need fills etc I'm confident she can help me.  I am however concerned for those scheduled to receive the surgery and for those who may not have great access to aftercare like we were promised.

 

I was able to confirm that my advisor is no longer employed with slimband but not any details surrounding the specifics (for obvious reasons).  My advisors face is on almost everything related to slimband and that scares me more.  She was great and frankly I attribute my success to her more than any other.  I'm sure the surgeon would be pleased to hear that but I wouldn't have met him if it wasn't for my advisor.  

If anyone has any information I would love to hear more about what's going on.  Aftercare is HUGELY important and frankly we paid for it.  As you might be able to tell I'm pretty wound up at the moment because these problems have just come to my attention.  I'm having huge regrets about where I chose to have my surgery... but not the surgery itself.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/10/13/thick-to-thin-gastri c-band-weight-loss-clinic-denies-allegations-of-putting-pati ents-at-risk/

I don't think that applies to what's up today although I know they have some lawsuits that must be getting pretty expensive. I sure don't trust the owner but dr yau was actually very good. My concern is actually future support. Personally I think laying off 17 employees has got to be a sign! I'm losing weight not brain cells lol

 

That article sounds EXACTLY like Allergan and their lap band.  Advertising, minimizing complications, low weight loss, the works.

You are in Canada, I've never heard of SlimBand, but hopefully you are able to find another Clinic or Medical Facility that does bands, I hope you are able to find answers, make sure if anyone touches your port the needle is sterilized and a Huber needle, you don't anyone accessing your port, it can lead to infection, which can cause erosion or lead to a leak.

Good luck

Thanks nana! Good advice

I'm also concerned about my agreement and medical support and services that I signed up for under TLBC which is now Slimband.  Under TLBC I paid for a lifelong support and service system but I'm being told is no longer being honoured.  I now have to pay for each of my services.  Before I agreed to surgery I was told that I would pay one fee for all support and services (access to nutritionist, deflls, fills, etc).  I am what people call as being a grandfather patient.  Those banded under TLBC were also given the lifelong support for one lump sum.  I understand this changed when Slimband took over and that those patients only have 3 years of support before they have to start paying additional fees.  But now I'm being required to do this and this is not what I agreed to.  I was never informed by Slimband that my agreement with TLBC would be changed.

My hope is to hear back from individuals who were banded under TLBC to see if they have had a similar experience as me.

I'd love to hear from you.

I too had a life long contract and have just been advised that they can longer cover the cost to support old members, "its not fair to our new members"  I was told.  But they won't leave us out in the cold, it will just cost us money for support.   I had a large defill in May of 2013 and then in Nov 2013 I went back because it was too much and I wanted a fill.  I had to have a dietary assessment which I was on board with, met with the dietician, kept a food log for a week, discussed needed changes, made the changes but was still having issues of lack of fullness and eating too much so they sent me off to have a barium, all this was at no cost, then I call today to find out the results of the barium (which was fine) and was told that I would have to do another dietary assessment and food log but it would cost $200.00 and I got the long winded explanation about no longer honoring our contract.  I explained that I just went through that process and followed all their steps so why should I do that again and I was told "well, that was 3 months ago and how do I know what you were eating then is what you are eating now".  The reason it took 3 months was because by the time the dietician and nurses got back to me to assess me and then they forgot to send me my requisition for the barium, the process took 3 months, not my fault.  I was told that since old members are no longer under contractual obligation to slimband, we can be seen by anyone who is will to do a fill, that was my other option. 

Not sure what they next steps are and will definitely look into the legalities of the contract but I know that there are many tlbc members who this is affecting and will be left in the cold without support.  We need to band (ha ha) together.

Tamara from Sudbury, ON

Oh wow.  I'm so glad I got a response from someone.  I'm actually pursuing a lawsuit.  I'm in Toronto so it's much easier for me.  I wish you were closer but your distance doesn't mean you can't take action.  Perhaps we could gather other TLBC'ers.  They have kicked me off of the Slimband online community so unless people are actively searching for other TLBC'ers online, they won't find us.  Feel free to email me at [email protected] as it would be easier to communicate.  Best, Kat