mckenna11

My band broke for the 2nd time. I was banded originally in Feb 2010 everything was going great losing weight, exercising, learning how to cook, shop, and balance mylife when I went in for a fill in Sept of 2011 and they couldn't pull any fluid out or put any in. I went for an xray and my bang tube disconnected from the port , so I had it fixed in Nov 2011. Recovery wasn't great, developed this pain along my ribs on the right when I take a deep breathe and some times get muscle spasms there. I use muscle relaxers and heating pad nightly. Went to see my doctor on June 12th to schedule another repair. He is going to take my port out and put a whole new one in. I love my band and what it has helped me accomplish so much so I'm willing to risk going through another painful recovery if it gives me back the control I had. I have only put back on 6 pounds but I feel like I'm in a holding pattern, I can't exercise, because it pulls when I move, and I feel like I'm falling behind in my progress. I wish you well and encourage you to sit down with your doc and really discuss your options. I wanted to have the band taken out and go with the sleeve too, but when I sat down with my doc he told me "you didn't fail the band the band mechanically failed you" and up until this point I was successful, so I decided to give it another chance and if it breaks again I will definatly go for the sleeve. Good luck I hope it all works out for you.

I have never had shoulder pain, but since my revison back in Nov 2011 I have severe pain along my ribs, and muscle spasms in the same location. What really works for me is a muscle relaxer and heating pad and rest.

Hello Jess, First I want to comend you for sharing your story and for your honesty. It sounds like you have had a tough few months emotionally and physically been put through the ringer. I truely feel for you. I got my band in February of 2010 it was a tough decision for me and I did a lot of research before going through with it. I bought into the whole life style change, I changed the way I ate, what I ate and more important why I ate. I exercised, ate right, followed all the advice such as small bites, no talking during meals, no straws, no pop diet or regular. For the first year and half things were great then my band disconected from the port, so I had to go in and have it reattached. That was more painful then the original surgrey. Recovery was horrible and painful. When I finally felt better I started back at the gym, started back with my fills and then went to get a fill and they were unable to pull any out because after a xray I found out the port is broken again. Since I can't take any more time off work I have to wait till July to have it fixed. I have good days and bad days. My emotions go up and down . I have found though that if I stay focused as to why I did this to begin with and that would be my 12 year old. See i am a single mom of a beautiful 12 year daughter and I needed to get control of my health and my life and the band helps me do that. I have been able to cut back on my diabetes medicine and I feel better, and my blood pressure is good and I have hope..hope I won't end up like my parents...my mom died in 2000 of a massive stroke and my dad is a two time open heart surgrey patient. Up I didn't meet the 100lbs over weight bar but I raked up enough comorbidies to be eligible for the surgrey. Jess you have to think why you had this operation and how can the band if it's working correctly how it can be a tool to help you get and keep control of your eating. I hope for the best for you and please know you are not alone. I have only been on this site for a few weeks but I have learned alot from so many people on this site. There is a great number of wonderful people on this web site willing to offer support and advice to help you through this difficult time. Hang in there thing s will get better just take it slow and I think seeing a counselor/therapist is a great idea we all need someone to bounce things off of and get an objective point of view. Take care, Maura

I hope everything works out for you and you never have to go through another surgery. I can't wait to get mine fixed and get back on track with my goals and feeling better. Take care of your self.

This is my second time in 6 months to have a problem with my band and needing surgery to fix it. I had my tube replaced and now my band broke again and they want to replace the port. I am very fearful to have other surgery because my surgery last november the recovery was not that great. I had stomach cramps, severe cramping and needed a physical therapist to help me work through the pain and discomfort. I felt like they stitched the band/tube in to tight. No matter how I moved I felt pulling and extreme pain. When I met with my doctor he said he never heard of this, but that he did stitch the tube into place so it wouldn't pull apart from the port. He offered no help and now after I am finally feeling better I went for a fill and my port is broken. I don't know what to do have it repair or have it taken out completely. Very fearful of gaining weight back and very afraid of having a horrific recovery again. Prior to the first time my band broke I had no problems and was doing well. I'm feeling a little disappointed. Any advice??

Thank you it's nice to know I am not the only one this has happened to. My inital surgery went very well and for the first year and half no problems, eating ok, exercising ok, no problems with fills, losing weight , and then last October they couldn"t pull any fluid out or put any in. Had an xray and the tubing had pulled away from the port. Have you ever had muscle spasms in your ribs on the right side? between those and the cramps I get in my side there enough to bring me to my knees some times.