keith40

Well, today is March 19, 2007. I got up this morning and gave myself an I V anti-biotic. I took three more anti-biotics orally. I will repeat this process every eight hours all day, for at least the rest of this week. On March 8th I went to the hospital to be banded. Everything went well. I remember waking up in recovery thinking, wow, the pain really isn't that bad. I remember going to my room for my overnight stay. I was happy that the worst was over, and that I would finally have control over my out of control weight gain. Sometime later that evening, I was given ice chips to let melt, and that was when I knew something was bad wrong. As the liquid hit my stomach, I felt a searing hot pain spread from my stomach to my left side. The pain continued unabated all night long. I took morphine every time it was allowed and counted the minutes until I could get more relief from what I know was the worst pain I have ever experienced in my life. Sometime in the middle of the night I spiked a temperature of 102.9. I knew this wasn't normal either. In the morning I was taken for a sip test. (btw, that stuff tastes terrible) A few minutes later I was back in my room still in pain. My doctor came to my room and told me the sip test had revealed a hole in my stomach. Gastric juices and Water had been leaking into my abdomin all night. At 2:30 that afternoon, I went back to surgery. The band was removed, and the hole was repaired. I spent the next three days in TCU with an NG tube keeping my stomach empty. During that three days all I had was ice chips. On the Monday after my surgery I was taken back downstairs for another sip test to insure that the hole had been repaired. After finding no leaks, the NG tube was removed and I was given a clear liquid diet for a couple of days. During all this time I was also in the care of an infectious disease doctor, who cultured the stuff growing in my abdomin It was determined that I had a staf infection. On Thursday, eight days later, I was finally released from the hospital with a pic line.(sp) I have to continue on IV medications at home at least through the end of the week. Before I had surgery, I had done alot of research. I felt that this option was the safest option out there, and it may be. The point I guess that I am making is that nothing is for sure. I don't know where I will go from here. I have a lot of thinking and healing left to do. I know the band has been a blessing for many people, but it very nearly killed me. For those of you about to be banded I wish you luck, and pray for you to be successful. I have dealt with being overweight practically all of my adult life, and understand the desperation people feel over these issues. Just understand that odds of 200:1 are pretty good as long as you are not the "1". Regards, Keith

To all who have expressed their concern, thank you. It has been two weeks since my second surgery. Today, I am going to the infectious diseases doctor. He had told me that if everything was going well, he would probably remove the picc line today. It has been days since I ran a fever so I am hopeful. Yesterday, I visited my surgeon and he removed the drain from my abdomine. I feel like I am getting stronger every day. Been walking more and more each day. On a positive note, I am down thirty pounds from the day that I started the pre-operative liquid diet. Thanks once again to everyone who has shown such a caring attitude. Take care, and good luck to everyone. Regards, Keith

The answer to the question is that noone knows what happened. The hole was located just above the band, so I kind of doubt that the band caused the problem, but to be honest, that is just a guess. My surgeon is very accomplished and was completely baffled at what had happened. What I do know is that I have never felt pain like the pain I had prior to my second surgery. Regards, Keith

Well wish me luck everyone. Today is the day I get banded. I must say that I thought I would be more nervous, but so far I am maintaining. I have a feeling that will change when I get to the hospital. I will follow up afterward to let everyone know how things went. Either way, I want to thank all of you for the wonderful information you have provided me over the last few months of waiting. They say knowledge is power, and that may be why I am so calm right now. Regards, Keith

Well today is the day I get banded. Thought I would be more nervous, but right now I am doing ok. This board has been so helpful. So many questions have been answered. It's one thing to read the literature from the company that makes the band, but hearing other real people's experiences is absolutely invaluable. Anyway, wish me luck today. Regards, Keith

Well today is the day I get banded. Wish me luck guys. Regards, Keith

get a sleep study. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea about two years ago. Last summer I came in from mowing the yard and accidentally fell asleep without my cpap. I ended up going for a ride to the hospital in an ambulance because I woke up in atrial fibrilation. Long term untreated sleep apnea can result in heart problems. Regards, Keith

It's great to hear everyone is doing well. I have my surgery on this Thursday the 8th. I have been on my doctor's clear liquid diet for eight days now. Lost 15 pounds so far just from that, but I know I would gain it back immediately if I started eating again, which is why I am getting the band. Hearing stories such as these gives me hope. Thanks Keith

I am in the middle of my pre-op clear liquid diet. I have my surgery this coming Thursday, March 8th. I find that I am no longer suffering from starvation from the diet, but I am suffering from bordom. I think when this is all over, I will never want chicken broth again.

I will be banded on the 8th of March. I was put on a ten day clear liquid diet prior to the banding by my Dr. Today is day three, and it hasn't been that bad, but man is it boring. There are only so many flavors of Jello, and that is the most solid thing I have had. Regards, Keith

Well I have a date for surgery. I will be banded on the 8th of March. I started my ten day liquid diet today. I am excited but also a little anxious.:nervous I intend to follow the liquid diet strictly as I want to do everything I can to be successful. This morning my weight was 266, so I am considering that as my official starting point. During the time I have been waiting for my insurance approval I have spent alot of time on this site. It has been very helpful and has added to my confidence. Thanks to everyone for sharing their stories. Regards, Keith

Hello everyone. My name is Keith. I was notified by my doctor a couple of days ago that my insurance has approved my surgery. I don't have a date scheduled yet, but will post when I do. My wife had Gastric Bypass Surgery three years ago. She says rocking really helped her gas pains. Also, she uses something called Titrilac which really helped her with gass pains. Anyway, hope that helps. Thanks for all of your posts. They are very upbuilding while I wait for my date. Regards, Keith