BamaGirl36303

After 5 months and 3 surgeries, my 4th surgery is scheduled for tomorrow. This time the band is coming out. It is a bittersweet moment. I really really really wanted this to work, but it didn't. The nurse is checking with my insurance company to see if I would be able to get the gastric sleeve, but after so many problems with the band I'm afraid of more complications for something that isn't reversible. Even if i can have the sleeve, it will be at least a month before I could have surgery #5 for the procedure. <sigh>

im waiting foe the doctors.office to.find out but as of right now.i havent heard anything. how long did you have your band? do you have an infection?

I had surgery on February 2nd to get the lap band. I got an infection and had surgery on March 9th to have my port removed. Third surgery was on June 17th to get my port back. Today I have the same signs as the first infection, so I really think my lap band will have to be completely removed. I will be seeing the doctor today at 3:15 for him to see for himself. My question is if anyone has had to have multiple surgeries with the same complication that revised from lap band to sleeve. I'm scared that if I get the sleeve that I will continue to get infections. I know there is no plastics involved as with the band (the band itself has never been a problem, just the port) I'm trying to decide if I should just have the band removed and stay fat or if I should get the sleeve done and pray no problems arise. Any thoughts out there?? Thanks, Bama

I feel so frustrated. If I had known that choosing to have lap band surgery was going to make my life this difficult, I would have decided against it. I'm 38 years old and have never ever had health problems. Both my parents have diabetes, as do most of my extended family on both sides. I am an excellent candidate for having diabetes, but I don't. I have never ever had a surgery in my life, until February 2nd 2012. I was so excited to finally be going to have my lap band surgery. I was mentally prepared for this. I had done everything the doctor asked of me, and had dropped 15 lbs before my surgery by doing a low carb diet, and liquid diet 10 days before surgery. I had my surgery and everything was fine. One month later I found out I had a port infection. 2nd surgery was 2 days later. Now I've had my 3rd surgery (in 4 months). I've had complication after complication after complication and I just feel mentally exhausted. No one around me understands the pains I've been going through. I have no one to talk to (which is my fault since I didn't want my whole family to know I had this surgery). I have my band in now, but my incision isn't healing like it should. I don't know what to do! My doctor said to wait and see if it heals on its own, in the mean time I keep having this fear that an infection will set in. If I find out I have another infection I think I'm going to lose it. I can't bend over, I can't lay on my side, and i'm eating everything. Any advise or encouragement would be greatly appreciated!

Great...my wonderful loving husband hacked my account....thanks honey!!

Found this site yesterday and have been reading through the posts but haven't found a post dealing with the same issues I'm dealing with. So here it goes..... I had my Lap Band surgery on February 2, 2012. It is the first surgery I've ever had....and I mean EVER. Surgery went fine, as well as my 1 week post op consultation. Doc said everything looked good and sent me home with an appointment for my first fill, which was set for March 7th. I would be in pain daily, but would just take my Lortab and it would go away. A co-worker suggested I use Mederma to take care of the scars. Well....that would have been good, had I not been allergic to Maderma. Red sploches and itching that would burn when scratched, and never got relief. I went BACK to the docs office thinking something was wrong with my incision. They said it was just an allergic reaction and said to use Cortizone. I noticed about 2 weeks later that my large incision was not looking right. Started with a small section that would leak a little, then it got bigger. The day before my first fill appointment my back started hurting, and I mean hunched over unable to stand straight hurting. The small incision right above the large one was a little pink and tender to the touch. The next day my whole stomach was feeling warm and pain was hurting a little more. Of course this was my fill day so I just waited till my appointment time to go see the doc. I knew when I walked into the office that it was not going to end with a fill and my utter happiness. First, the nurse came into the room and I told her this wasn't going to be good. I lifted my shirt and the look on her face was indescribable. She said an infection had set in and that the port would have to be removed. I just started crying. I couldn't believe I would have to go through ANOTHER surgery. The doc comes in, looks, feels and says "how soon can you have the surgery?" I went to the appointment by myself thinking it wasn't going to be this bad. Surgery #2 was set for March 9th, that friday and only 2 days away. The doc said it would be a "simple" procedure that would take 10-15 minutes. After the infection has cleared, and in about 3-4 months I can get my port back. If it gets infected AGAIN, then he would have to remove the band. The bright side (???) to removing the band is that it doesn't end there, he could do a gastric sleeve. Hummm....haven't thought about doing that yet. I may get to the point where I say "forget it!!!" Thursday had to call in at work because 1) I was still in shock that I was having my port removed, and 2) the pain was even worse than the day before. Day of 2nd surgery. I was told to be at the hospital at 12:30. I understand I have to be "worked in." It took 6 hours before I was taken back to the OR. Yadda yadda yadda, surgery surgery surgery. Was not as in much pain after 2nd surgery as I was the 1st which was good for me I was told to remove my bandage and take a shower in the morning and repack the incision with what they gave me. Took off the bandage and just cried. I have an approx 3 inch long, 2 inch wide incision that is probably 2-3 inches deep just there, on my stomach. It is GROSS!!!!! I have been taking good care with my incision, repacking it twice a day. Once right after my shower and then about 2 hrs before bed. I take my liquid antibitoic (Cipro) twice a day and I pray. I pray that I heal and this doesn't turn into another infection. I go back tomorrow (March 16th) at 10:30 for the doc to see how everything looks. <fingers crossed> <sigh> I'm beginning to think I would have been better off fat!!!!! Right now I can eat ANYTHING. My appetite isn't as big as it once was, so that whole plate of food I used to eat has gone down to 1/2 to 3/4 of the plate. I'll just keep praying and keep doing what i've been doing with my "hole."

Keep your eye on it! If it turns puss like, go to the doc. I hope it doesn't though!!! Keep me posted on how you are doing!

Just remember you can always talk or lean on your ever loving husband.

Curlyq, i'm hoping I won't have to use it much longer. It hasn't been as bad for me this time since I've made the gauze so small the tape is sticking to the scar which has no feeling....LOL I get to see the doc again next tuesday and I'm hoping he says everything looks good and maybe can do something to stop this leaking (which has been going on for almost 3 weeks now). The hole is definitely getting smaller!

Hi Tammy.....sorry to hear you are having problems with your port. Is the liquid that is oozing clear or more puss like? Mine is clear. It started out a reddish clear and is now a bright yellow clear. I have to change the dressing all the time. As long as it stays clear I'm happy. Next week will be 1 month since my 3rd surgery, and I can definitely tell the difference. The first time I was in so much pain....I thought my back was going to break it hurt so bad. And every joint....OH GEEZE. Now my only pain is when I try to lay on my side....i can feel the port. I go see the doc again next Tuesday and I can't wait for him to tell me everything looks great. He has never been able to say that to me!!!! LOL Keep me updated on how you are doing. Hope everything clears up for you!!!

The first infection was a surgical infection (staph). I don't have all the same symptoms but the part of my incision that isn't healing looks similar to the first infection. I don't have pain, or redness, or heat so I'm not sure if there is an infection or not. What I have is a small hole that has turned gooey white. The doctor said I have a seroma that is leaking like crazy. It has been leaking for over a week with only 1 day of relief. I think the seroma is the reason why I can't heal properly. I have been smoke free since October of 2008, so that isn't the problem. The doctor said something about having a weird form of mrsa (non contagious kinda) on my skin that prevents me from healing. He doesn't want to give me antibiotics because of the possibility of good bacteria being killed and leaving the bad bacteria. He has not done any blood work. I would think with my history he would want to see me more than he does. I had a consultation with him 1 week after the last surgery, and the seroma was leaking when I went in. He said he wanted to see me in a week, but then changed it to 2 weeks (probably because he doesn't get paid for seeing me since I've maxed out my major medical), BUT when they went to schedule me for 2 weeks out they said the doc was going to be on vacation and put me for 3 weeks out. <sigh> nothing ever goes my way!!!! I should have changed my appointment for 1 week just to calm my fears of an infection!

My band holds 11cc. I have 5cc in it now. I got my fill during surgery (it was my 3rd surgery for lapband) so I've never had to go in to the office for a fill. I can tell you that 5cc does nothing for me. I can eat anything, and I do! I feel full for maybe 30 mins. I need to call the office to find out when I can get another fill. My last surgery was on June 19th so I haven't had a fill for very long. I haven't completely healed from the surgery and I don't think the office will fill me without being healed. It is so frustrating what all I've been through and have only lost 22 lbs since January. If I were you, I would call to see if you could get in earlier for another fill if that is what you feel like you need to do. Doesn't hurt to ask! Worst thing they can say is you will have to wait till July 26th!

I'm so glad I was another lucky one that didn't have the gas pains. My biggest pain was shoulder pain, and I don't have that anymore either. Congrats on getting banded. Hope you have a speedy recovery!!!!

Lets see.....I had to go to my Gynocologist which gave me my letter of medical clearance (I don't have a primary care physician, and since I have PCOS he suggested the surgery and helped me out with what I needed for the surgery) and also gave me 3 years of weight history. I had to attend a support group meeting. I also had to have a sleep study done (which I had already done at the beginning of last year to I didnt have to do it again, I just got my records from them), I had to meet a physical therapist & a psychologist. That was it. I was approved for my surgery on December 30th. Surgery was scheduled for February 2nd. From January 4th till the 23rd I was on a low low LOW carb diet then for 10 days before the surgery I was on a liquid diet that consisted of 3 protein shakes a day. I was able to drink water, crystal lite, powerade zero and any other low or no cal clear drink. After my surgery I did liquid for a few more days then started eating. I've had problems, lots of them, so my experience isn't the same.

Sean, It took 2 1/2 months for me to heal enough to get my port back. From March 9th till June 19th. It healed pretty good, except for the huge crater in my stomach. looked like someone could skateboard in it it was so funny looking. My doc actually removed alot of the scar when he put my port back in, so even though there is still a crater, it isn't as purple as it was. I was given kerlix gauze to soak in sodium chloride. I would cut off about 6 inches of kerlix gauze and soak it in the sodium chloride, stuff it in the hole (which was about 3 inches deep) with cotton tipped applicators, and cover it with 4x4 gauze and taped on with 2 inch paper tape. The tape would tear my skin up. I would get sores from it. I had to change it 2x a day, so in the morning I would set it up and at night when I had to change it again, when I pulled the tape off, the scabs from the sores would come off too. It was HORRIBLE!!!! I kept using more and more gauze making the area bigger to give the old areas time to heal. By the time they healed I had sores from the bigger area. It healed from the inside out, so the longer I packed it, the less I had to use. It was pretty weird watching the hole shrink. I would take pics of it to show crazy people I worked with. Some of the like gross stuff!!!! I'm glad I don't have to deal with that anymore. Until I got the seroma. I had to keep gauze on it to soak up the liquid that was coming out. I finally got the seroma stopped so I don't have to cover it anymore. Now my area is slightly red and sore (but not hot). Not like when I had the infection, but sore. I'm not sure if it is just from the surgery, since it was only 2 weeks ago, or if I have another infection. Hope that helps. If you have any other questions, I'll be glad to answer them. Hope you start to feel better and recover quickly!!!!

Thank you thank you!!!!! I've been trying to remember what he called it!!!! That is exactly what I have. I've been keeping the dressing changed...at least every hour except at night when sleeping. When I'm home, I leave it uncovered hoping it will help to heal it faster. Thanks again!!!!

I was banded on February 2, 2012. Surgery went fine. Went and saw my surgeon 1 week later and he said everything looked fine. Had another follow up scheduled for March 7th. My incision was covered with steri-stitch, so it looked like a long icky black stick. about 2 weeks later a part of my incision turned yellow and would never heal. I kept it covered thinking it would heal itself. It never did. At work the day before my scheduled appointment I was downing Lortab like crazy due to the pain. My back hurt, my stomach hurt. I just kept saying to myself "I'll wait till my appointment tomorrow." Went to the appointment which was supposed to be my first fill and the look on the nurses face was indescribable. She ran and got the doctor who looked at my incision and said "Yep, its an infection, gotta remove the port." I cried and I cried and 2 days later I was having an emergency port removal. The day after my surgery I went to take a shower and removed the bandage and cried even more. I was left with a hole in my stomach that was about 3 inches long, 2 inches wide and had to be at least 3 inches deep. It was packed with gauze and covered with more gauze. I had to cut a piece of gauze and soak it in a clear liquid. Then I had to "stuff" the gauze into the hole and cover with the square gauze and tape it down. It took over 2 1/2 months for the hole to heal. That's 2 1/2 months of stuffing the hole, covering with gauze and tape...lots of tape. Tape that tore my stomach UP...sores, sores and more sores. I tried re positioning the gauze, using double to cover the sores from the tape which gave me more sores. ANYWAY....After finally getting it healed I had my 3rd surgery on June 19th (last week). My sugery also included and EGD to make sure there was no infection in my stomach and to make sure the band wasn't infected. Doc said everything looked great. Band was still in position and looked good, my stomach pouch was the same as the first surgery (which I was worried about since after the port was removed I returned to my old eating habits which included 4-5 sodas a day) He did a fill of 5cc which doesn't really feel any differently than before. I really don't have any restrictions when it comes to eating but I do start to feel full alot faster. Anyway, went to my 1st followup after this last surgery today. Incision looks great except for one small little hole....that is leaking...clear red fluid....CONTINUOUSLY. Has anyone had that?????? Doc is worried that an infection could set in, said I had a "sarcoma??" That is what is leaking and as long as it doesn't turn into a puss like consistency and color and as long as my incision area doesn't get red and start hurting then I'm fine. Please send some prayers that this does not turn into an infection. If it does, that is the end for me and my lab band journey.

He said it was a "surgical infection" Went for my 1 week follow up and my incision is leaking a clear red liquid. I have a very small hole from the incision that the liquid is leaking through. Doc is worried another infection could get in there. I have to keep the site clean and dry which is hard when it keeps leaking. <sigh> Maybe this surgery was just not meant for me!

UPDATE!!!!!!!! Tuesday May 19th I had my 3rd Lap Band surgery. It took awhile for my big hole to close and when it did close it took awhile for the skin around it to heal (it was very dry and flaky). Anyway....I finally had my 3rd surgery. The doctor cut out as much of the scarring from the 2nd healing as he could and now I'm hurting worse than the last 2 surgeries. If this works and my port doesn't get infected then I will take the pain!!!! I have forgotten what I can eat since the last few months I ate WHATEVER I wanted. The doctor had to do an EGD to check for infection or erosion before he would do the surgery, but he said everything looked good. At my last doctors appointment it was the first time they actually admitted to me that they were the reason my port got infected. Well, anyway....I'm SOOOOO happy I got my port back!!!!!

It would be good to have someone with you. My biggest problem was getting out of bed and without my husband I would have had to stay in bed. Other than that I didn't need help with anything.

Where at in Bama? Unfortunately I'm not anywhere close to where you will be moving to. I'm in the SE corner of Alabama, right on the Florida and Georgia state lines. I don't know anything about where you will be able to go, but if you will be moving close to Huntsville I'm sure you will be able to find a good place to go get a fill. Your doctor now might be able to help you with finding the right doc in Bama and might be able to send copies of your records just so they will have them when you get here.

If I'm lucky Manda, at Flowers Hospital in Dothan, Alabama

I also have BCBS, and was not required the 6 month weight loss. I did not have to show proof of past weight loss attempts but I did have to prove 3 years weight. I go to my gyno regularly so he was able to give me the 3 years weight needed. It didn't matter for me if my weight went up and down, it just mattered that my weight was over 40 bmi all 3 years. I have sleep apnea too but a comorbidity was not needed since my bmi was over the limit.

To not have told anyone that I had Lap Band surgery? Of course my husband knows, and I almost didn't tell my parents, but wound up telling them (cuz you can't keep a secret from your momma right?) But other than co-workers (since I would be out of work and they would be asking questions) I haven't told ANYONE. Due to all the problems I've been having, I kinda wish I would have told people, but then again I'm glad I didn't. What do you think? I would love to have a buddy that has gone through the same thing!! Thanks, Sandy

I luckily live in the same city as the hospital that I had my surgery at so mine was completely outpatient. Got to the hospital at 7am and got home about 4:30 that evening. I had never had a surgery before this and the hospital staff were all suprised by that. I kept telling them "I'm healthy as a horse but as big as a house." Really, I'm not that big....I'm 5'0 and went into surgery at 244. Surgery went fine for me, alot of discomfort afterwards but not anything unbearable. Lortab works wonders for pain With my husband there to help me it hasn't been so bad, since he's there to help me get out of bed. If I would have been alone, it would have been another story. He has to grab one arm and pull me up since my stomach muscles still hurt. Everyone tolerates pain differently so you might be able to go through with no problems. Hope everything works out for you!!