The continued story....

March 10, 2006 ~ 3 months later from my port replacement, I went back to my Dr. for a fill (6th fill). He was very excited to tell me that they use something to numb the area now. Dang that needle hurt worse then the fill needle. Well he added saline (I dont know how much) I felt it, I drank water and poof it was gone. Again he added more saline, I felt it, I drank water and poof gone. He unscrewed the needle applicator and added more saline. Filled me up all the way I felt it really tight, I drank water and poof gone!... He put his head down. Boy I have seen this look before, as tears started forming in my eyes I heard what no bandster wants to hear. He said I have a leak in my band. OMG!!!! :confused: I just had the dang port replaced because of a leak. Okay so I get a new band, that can't be to hard can it?

I wanted to have surgery on April 27, 2006 one day before my 1 year. My neice was getting married the 29th so that was not going to happen, so I changed it to May 25, 2006.

After this last fill that area got really red and puffy, and it bruised. I wasnt to worried about it, but it got worse. After a week it formed a scab. after 2 weeks the scab came off and it was yellowish pus looking. 3 weeks it was only getting more red. I finally went to my Primary Dr. (thanks to my LBT family that pushed me into going) He put me on Antibiotics oral and cream. After 8 days there was no change. My port was pretty sore and I was getting sharp burning pains. So I made an appointment.

April 21, 2006 ~ I went in at 12:30pm and my Band Dr. looked at the infection. And in one week he would stitch it back up. My port came out in his office at 5:00pm He numbed the area really good, I didn't feel a thing. He packed my wound. I started having bad chest pain, right were my band is it was hurting so bad, the nurse ran out to catch my Dr. before he walked out the door. He just told me that he might have tugged on the tubing a bit and shifted the band but I am fine. Then I COULDNT BREATHE! omg I was so scared I was gasping crying hitting my husband on the shoulder looking at him in desperation... I was scared I started seeing stars and gasping as much as I can. The nurse ran out to catch the Dr. again, he came back layed me down and I cried (no sound) and kicking still gasping for air. He said they might have let some air in to my diaphram and that would make me feel that way. finally I calmed down and was able to breathe with a little bit of pain still. I was shocked! I just wanted to go home. Instead we were stuck in a hotel, until the next day.

April 22, 2006 ~ I went in that Saturday morning for my Dr. to pack my wound for the first time. My husband watch carefully. :cry

I was not put on Antibiotics, I was told that I would heal better without them.

Packing it has been a challenge and lots of pain. My husbands mom owns a hospice and sent one of her nurses over to help with the packing and supplied us with tons of packing material. What a blessing.

April 27, 2006 ~ My Dr. told me I could take a shower with the wound unpacked and let the water run inside even soap running inside would be ok. I did this and it burned very bad. but I smelled really good LOL. by the evening I was not feeling well so I went to take a nap, I woke up shivering as though it was below freezing. (hmmm i wonder what this ment ha) I sat in a bath with hot hot water ( the water was not touching my bandages) I took my temp and it was 101.4 :sick thats scarey. I got out dried off and my husband did my packing. As he pulled out the packing it was yellow slimy and just plain gross. It was full of pus. I was scared I tried calling the hospital where my band Dr. is and they would not page him for me. But lucky me he had gave me his pager number. So I called to page him myself. I heard *beep, this pager is out of order* Oh cute. I was ready to pack and head out to CO (remember he was going to stitch me up that next day anyway so I already had an appointment) I had to lay down for a bit first I couldnt hold my eyes open. My mom called and I told her what was going on, she cried asking me to just go to ER, I told her I was fine and we will be leaving to CO soon. next thing I knew my sister called begging me to go to ER so okay I went.

Emergency Room ~ 6 hours Ugh what a night. I got on IV drip of antibiotics and took oral antibiotics too. my fever came down and he gave me antibiotics to take for 10 days. I told him that my band Dr. wanted to stitch me up that friday. He said that werid you cant stitch up a hole of that size. And he was also in shock that I wasnt already on antibiotics. Hmmmmm Well we were there until 3:00am

April 28, 2006 ~ My 1 year Band Anniversary. I should be happy right... well I couldnt be more sad. I called to my band Dr. office and the nurse was not in yet so I left her a message, that I was in ER and I wont be going to see my Dr. today. I waited for her to call me back but she never did I finally called her back. she said "I hear you were in the ER last night what happened?" I told her I got a bad infection. She said "Yeah thats why we took out your port, because of an infection" NO!!!!! I her told I was sickand had a temp of 101.4 and that there was so much pus. I started to cry. She said "oh okay did you want to resedule your appointment?" What is she joking??? Not a how are you doing now? is everything okay? UGH!!!! I told her sure 3 weeks! put me down.

Well glad that was all over. I still have more. So until next time!

PLEASE continue your story -- I sit each day in total shock! that any doctor or his/her office would treat you as this doctor did - - heavens -- please please please tell me you no longer go to that doctor!!!

very concerned and you are in my prayers!!!

Mo

I am so sorry you have gone through this nightmare! Your doctor is a complete incompetent asshole and I hope you realize that and try and find someone else to take care of you. I wouldn't think a person would get such horrible care here in the U.S. I got my band in Mexico and received such wonderful care every time I go. I have never heard of anyone getting a numbing shot prior to a fill. Makes NO SENSE. That right there is a red flag that your doctor doesn't know his head from his a** You will get better care from your PCP I think. Is this through your insurance? If so try and get another referral. I would report this guy to the appropriate place (make some calls and find out). I WOULD NOT under any circumstances allow him to touch you or advise you again. You deserve better treatment.

I apologize if my comments are blunt, but your story is so horrible I couldn't help myself. Please continue to post. We are here for you.

-ana maria