Violette Rose-Jones

Sorry this happened to you, the lap band has caused respiratory issues in MANY lap banders when acid reflux gets so bad, the acid reflux can get very dangerous if not treated with removing saline and medications, timely, and as you can see cause respiratory issues, many have also reported aspiration pneumonia from long term reflux and band slippage. Please be advised the Sleeve CAN cause horrible reflux as well and MANY now are having to revise to the Bypass if the reflux get really bad with the Sleeve, since there is no turning back after you get your stomach removed. I hope you can find relief and answers, good luck. Absolutely true. Three years ago, I suddenly developed violent pneumonia. I had months of terrible reflux before this where I was waking with stomach acid coming out of my nose. I got my band completely emptied but it did not entirely regress. The pneumonia worsened rapidly and went from single to double. I am a diabetic and pneumonia kills one in eight diabetic who get it so everyone was freaking out. It was presumed to be viral in nature until the last day. I suddenly coughed up something that tasted like it had been hanging out in a drain for months and my pneumonia disappear within a few hours. It turn I had inhaled something. Be careful.

My surgeon died two years after my op and I had no contact with anyone how had a clue until about five years ago when a surgeon qualified locally. I live in Australia. When I had this done, there was only one surgeon doing it. I got terrible advice from the people caring for me. There were complicating factors as well. I am not the poster child for this procedure. I vomit a lot and originally was told this is normal and now we know that is not. My band is wide open, I still vomit. I should have had it taken out but I had no money to do so and when I finally met someone (the new surgeon) who understood the situation and concluded I am incompatible with the band and coul do it for free, I was WAY too sick to have it removed. My current surgeon is deeply confused by the whole situation. I am the only person he has met who has had it as long.

Here's where it gets weird: the damn thing was radio opaque. It appeared on normal films for years the same way a piece fo metal would and the rest of the band still does and then it didn't. I just realised I have had an MRI too. I have been very ill and it is easy to lose track. I would have presumed it was unlosable myself. I am worry as to what it might be up to in my abdominal cavity.

HI, Firstly, I am a long term bander. It will be 16 years this february. It was not a great success for me and I have no interest in weight loss at this junction but I have a problem and it is a weird one. My port has vanished. It disappear about five years ago and CAT scans, xrays and ultrasound has failed to find it. Removal is not an option. Due to severe complications from statins, I have mitochondrial disease and cannot have anaesthetics. I am wondering if anyone else here has had this happen and what was the outcome? I have googled this multiple times with no luck.