nan42

You may have a port infection

I am the one woh also almost died and ended up having to have a sleeve because so much of my stomach was dead. I had the VG by inmed 10cc it was sowed in and the front stiches had come loose. Doc said the band was in good shape and could have been re-positioned but my tissue had began to die so it had to come out. My piont is not the size of the band it is that something like the flu can kill you if you have a any size band. It is risky.

Two weeks ago I got the flu and vomited several times then I was ok for two days and started throwing up again this time the pain was unbearable. I had my band done in Mexico and found a fill doc four hours away from where I live. There is a doc here but he wanted $2500 just to see me because of the Mexico thing. My pain was so bad I was sure I needed to go to the ER my husband convinced the doc here to see me for an evaluation. The next 24 hours are a blur to me as my pain because so intense. My BP was 175/157, low grade temp., pain so intense it radiated through my abdomen, chest, back, both shoulders, and jaw, sever nausea, vomiting bright red blood lots of it; at one time the did and ekg because they thought I might be having a heart attack. He said I did indeed have an extreme slip to where my entire fundus had passed above the band and yes I had the stitch method used to prevent the band from slipping. That day my wonderful surgeon rushed me to the OR and removed the band. He said when the first saw the stomach it was COAL black. He was afraid the tissue was dead. Luckily, when he removed the band, the tissue above the band began to turn deep purple which meant the blood was beginning to return. Fortunately my doc does BAND TO SLEEVE revisions so that is what I asked for and got. Cost $17000. Ouch! band was $9000 and fills and time travel for fills was $2000. I am glad to be rid of the band if I knew the flu could cause a slip I would never have gone there. I am only 10 days post op from band removal and still very emotional. I am so happy that it's out. I was told about complications of slippage and erosion, but NO ONE every told me about complications of possible neucrosis/death. I keep replaying the whole thing over and over in my head and realize how close I was to losing my life. If I had indeed developed gangrene, I may not be alive right now. The doc said if I would have waited two days I would have died! NO I WOULD NOT RECEIVE ANOTHER LAP BAND NOR RECOMMEND LAP BAND TO ANYONE.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> Seems like the sleeve is the way to go and having a doc near by. ***************

I need help advice I had the flu three days ago and threw up and I had acid all night. I have not had acid again but it hurts to eat I have put myself on liquids for a few days, Could the pain be a slip?

did you have pain when you eat? Three days ago I got the stomach flu and threw up I had acid re all night and have not been able to eat with out pain I put my self on liquids and it is a bit better today. should I wait a week or go to doc

I got advice from and attorney and he said I should let them know I was going to file a complaint to the better business and attorney general for our state and the next day they said the check is in the mail. It should have been for $775 but it was for $500 but something is better than nothing right?

I know how you feel sometimes it feels like a money pit and that we have been sold a bunch of cra__ but how honest with yourself are you willing to be? The band is not the end all it is a tool and we have to do our part or the tool wont work, right? I have lost 10 bls or so and that is it I go up and down 5 or so but I do it to myself.

get a sleeve

I was banded in oct 2007 and have had a hard time loosing also but I self sabbotage i see it I will loose and get freaked out so I eat suggary stuff. The band does not work on Ice cream and crap. I need to get control HELP

I went through a story much like yours and got them to refund my money!! by the time I got to a real doc I only had 1.5cc in and the old fill people did blind sticks and were not getting in but were charging me. I should have had 10cc in by their count!!! my advice dont ever have a fill with out fluoro. Good Luck

I have not lost much 20 lbs and the cost plus problems have been great. I hope I will change my mind and will be jumping for joy soon