Guest guest Posted December 17, 2006 Report Share Posted December 17, 2006 +I had my port replaced about 18 months ago. Dr T went through the same scar and yes it is sore but not as bad as the first time. I went back to work 2 days later lindysharon wrote: Hi Guys.Having my port replaced on Wednesday, can anyone tell me about it.I'm assuming he will go through the original scar.Stiches??Soreness??I Know my Dr stitches his ports deap into the muscle so i am assuming i will be a bit sore.Can a fill be put in at that time?.....hope so!!!Any info would be greatShaza Send instant messages to your online friends http://au.messenger.yahoo.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Sandy, Can you tell me what your experience has been with other posters on this board regarding port replacement? I have my port replaced in TJ within 1 year of initial surgery.. I contacted Allergan to refund me for another port. They requested a multitude of documents, physician op reports, receipts, weigh reports, they even requested the port be sent to them.. I complied with all their requests and answered all questions.. Once they built their file and had all my info for statistical analysis, they declined reimbursement stating that it wasn't their policy to refund for a defective port since it was done out of the USA.. They knew from the very beginning that my lapband was down in TJ.. Typical corporate America.. I really feel like this was a double cross and I'm not at all happy with the way Allergan conducted themselves.. They never once mentioned anything about declining my request because it was done in TJ... I've since been to TJ for a fill and shared my experience with Allergan.. I was told they have in fact refunded port replacements.. Any suggestions on how to proceed with a refund. I'm now out approximately $2,000. Thank you, Colleen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 18, 2011 Report Share Posted May 18, 2011 Hi, Colleen - sorry you had port trouble. Most port problems (I'm guessing about 98%) are due to fill errors - the fill person (doc, nurse, med assistant, whomever does fills for your surgeon) accidentally punctured the tubing or damaged the edge of the port. The fill needle has to go into the CENTER of the port membrane to not damage the edges of the port. The target area is quite small - and, considering that most of us are very heavy at first and the needle is going through several inches of fat and the fill person cannot SEE the port so it's a " blind " stick - it's very amazing to me that so relatively few punctures occur. An accidental puncture is never covered, as it is someone's mistake. IMO, the surgeon's office should replace the port for no charge, and cover all expenses. However, few to none do. For the VERY, VERY few truly defective ports, Allergan had a clear protocol that must be followed carefully. The surgeon must remove the problem port, ship it directly to Allergan, and Allergan does a complete exam of the port. They also want copies of the fluoros showing the leak or problem, office notes and surgical reports showing the band and port were placed correctly, and other paperwork. If the port is found truly defective, Allergan in the past HAS covered all replacement fees - the port, hospital or surgical center, travel, hotel, meals. I know for sure they have done this for both US and Mexican clients in the past. Apparently, this has changed. I'm afraid I'm quite out of touch by now - really have not worked with a band surgeon for a couple years, and have not been able to keep up with current things well at all. However, In the last couple of years, Allergan has not supported the Mexican docs very well. The Mexican docs cannot get the new version of the Allergan Band (the AP Bands) that came out in 2007 - a Band that clearly has fewer slips and erosions per many studies and doc's reports. None of the US docs use the old Band any longer, and it's a big reason why many now will not see Mexican clients - they don't want to be involved with the old band and it's higher risk of problems. I don't know any mexican docs who divulge that they are not using the newest and least-risk band, and I consider this unethical. People have to do their homework to find this out. Bands are NOT ther same - some have a much higher risk of problems. I personally would never go to Mexico for surgery again, and most certainly would not accept the old band to save a little money. The risk of problems is simply too high - especially for those of us who are SELF-PAY. Band removal can easily cost more than $25,000 - and all of that will be self-pay for most of us. I wish I had a good answer for you. It does not make sense - assuming your port WAS truly defective and you had trouble from the very first fill. Don't give up - write again and tell them you know port replacement has been covered before - ask them to tell you exactly why your is not covered. It may simply be an excuse because you have an old-style band. But this does not affect the port. If you email me personally to tell me who your doc is, and just what happened and what Allergan found, this may shed some further light on this. Sandy RN moonshadowRN@... > > Sandy, > Can you tell me what your experience has been with other posters on this board regarding port replacement? > I have my port replaced in TJ within 1 year of initial surgery.. > I contacted Allergan to refund me for another port. They requested a multitude of documents, physician op reports, receipts, weigh reports, they even requested the port be sent to them.. > > I complied with all their requests and answered all questions.. > Once they built their file and had all my info for statistical analysis, > they declined reimbursement stating that it wasn't their policy to refund for a defective port since it was done out of the USA.. > > They knew from the very beginning that my lapband was down in TJ.. > Typical corporate America.. I really feel like this was a double cross and I'm not at all happy with the way Allergan conducted themselves.. > They never once mentioned anything about declining my request because it was done in TJ... > I've since been to TJ for a fill and shared my experience with Allergan.. I was told they have in fact refunded port replacements.. > > Any suggestions on how to proceed with a refund. I'm now out approximately $2,000. > > Thank you, > Colleen > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.