kposer

I agree 100% with these posts about listening to your body. After being banded in May 07 and suffering constantly from complications that my doctor dismissed, I actually started to believe that maybe it "was all in my head". That maybe nothing was wrong with me, although I had the inability to eat or drink sometimes for days at a time while completely loosened. If you read my story, you will understand that you should NEVER let anyone try to convince you of something other then what you know you are feeling and experiencing. You know your body better then anyone else, regardless of a surgeons experience or PHD. Please do not take this lightly... I was originally banded in May 2007 and from the first day, expereinced problems with liquids (even Water or saliva). I tried to explain these troubles to my doctor for months, and was assured it was normal, just swelling and healing process. After 6+ months, I knew this could not be the case. I was throwing up more then 10 times a day, and was living off of high calorie foods because I was so starved and only some liquids or crackers would go down easily. I would also have good days, or nights, and bad days or weeks- there was no pattern or reason, some days I could eat a bit, others I could not even swallow water. I could not eat or drink in the morning, and would wait until well after noon to try drinking. I would never drink anything while working or driving incase I had to throw up. I never knew what was going to happen. I would burp contantly and wake up in the morning with air bubbles in my throat. I also had the constant feeling that something was choking me- didn't matter what I tried.My doctor said that I needed to chew my food better, eat more slowly, etc, etc. I was following the post op rules to a T and still something wasn't right. About 5 months in, I woke from a deep sleep with a terrible stabbing pain in my chest and back- had my family call me an ambulance, and was rushed to the hosptial and told they thought I was suffering from a heart attack. I am overweight, at 250 pounds and only 5'5" but am only 20 years old- a heart attack didn't seem likely. The doctors tested me for everything, my heart and everything else was fine. I knew it was the band. They gave me iv fluids and a heavy muscle relaxant. Turns out this saved my life more then once (I'll explain further). I went home after 24 hrs and the pain slowly subsided. I kept contacting my doctor who said there was nothing wrong. This hospital emergency-like attack of pain happened 5 more times over that year and a half since being banded, and no er surgeon could figure out what was happening, until the last one suggested it was my stomach going into convulsions. After over a year and a half of insisting I was sick to my lap band doctor, I finally had tests done. The barrium swallow and endoscope tests were coming back fine, I demanded he do something. In the meantime, my port had turned and they couldn't do any adjustments (I was .5 cc from being totally defilled) so I was told I would have a quick port surgery three days later. I agreed, and when I woke realized that much more then a port move had occured- as I had all five original incisions reopened and was in MUCH more pain then after the original banding. This was in October 2008. When I woke from the anesthetic, my doctor told me he decided to operate fully and found a hiatal hernia (very very large) and my stomach had been sliding up into the chest and slipping in and out of the band. The serious pain attacks that landed me in the emergency room so many times was the hernia (diaphragm) tearing open wider and my stomach squeezing and sliding upward through it. Turns out those muscle relaxants may have saved my life more then once, as the stomach was spasiming and could have ruptured. SO- Not only did I wake up from a surgery I did not consent to, but I was re-banded! I was upset that I had such a major surgery without my consent, and further that my surgeon would decide for me to have another band introduced without giving me an option. He explained that he thought it was the best decision (let me specify, he explained all this to me as I woke from the anesthetic and was on morphine for the pain, not when I was recovered and fully able to pay attention to what the details were). Although I was infuriated, I was happy that FINALLY we found the problem and fixed it. Now I knew for sure I wasn't crazy and that I was right all along. I was sent home same day and proceeded with the same guidelines post op. It seemed, for about 5-6 months that things were better than last time. I did not have any serious pain attacks anymore, but was still having trouble keeping foods and liquids, even my own saliva, down. This got worse as the weeks went on, and even though I told my doctor something was wrong, he said I was fine again. I demanded another barrium swallow xray, and he literally itched his head and said it appeared to be perfect. This was just two months ago, May 2009. It's unlikely, he explained, with all the scar tissue inside for the band to slip again. He suggested, after another 3 months of my constant complaints to remove the band and said maybe my body was rejecting it- although highly unlikely. I refused to allow this surgeon to operate on me, first of all not giving me a real diagnosis, and secondly, claiming it was so unlikely that it had slipped when all my symptoms were the same. He said he did not want to remove the last cc of Fluid from the band either, in fear that it could slip. As you can tell, this wasn't making much sense. All I knew was that I was not losing any weight for 2 years and suffering daily from pain and throwing up. I am quite literally surviving off of high calorie fluids like ice cream, frozen yogurt, yogurt, and Soups (homemade) when I can stomach them. Again, this means I eat once every few days, and obviously try to limit my portions despite how hungry I feel at that time. SO.. I started looking for another surgeon. I found one who would see me right away. He asked to have the operative reports sent to him from the original band surgery in May 07 and the revision in October 2008 as well. He also wanted to see the xray images, so I arranged to have them sent to him right away. I was not surprised to learn that the previous surgeon had simply printed out a generic form of the lap band procedure and penciled in "repair" of band in replacement of the word "introduced" the band. In other words, there was nothing in writing saying what had happened in my surgery from October, no mention of the band slip or the hernia, or the repair! The xrays did show, however, that something was definately wrong. The new doctor could see right away that nothing was able to pass through the band, that it appeared to be way too tight. He asked if there was any fluid in my band, and I told him one cc was left in fear that it could slip. He told me that should never be a reason to keep in fluid, and attempted to remove the 1 cc. To his surprise, it WAS completely empty already?!? This surgeon told me as well, that my port had shifted and was turned, and that it clearly was not stitched into place during the last procedure. He also said that the band, although it appeared to be in the correct position was clearly either too small, or in the wrong position for my body type (in other words it may vary between patients). He also said it is a possibility that the hernia is back or was not properly repaired, and that the stomach is slipping through the band once again (just that the xray in that moment showed it in a good place, does not guaruntee that it is always in that same position). He also informed me that the surgeon who placed my band originally does not stitch the band into place (that this could have caused the slippage issues). So, here I go again. I am scheduled for surgery next week on Friday. He is going to remove the existing band and repair any damage he sees in respect to another potential hernia. He also gave me the option to try another type of band, a better quality one, and would only introduce this IF my body using his judgement, was healthy enough for it. I decided I may as well give it one more try, but am obviously very nervous. I wanted this tool to work for me, and if its possible that all my complications were caused by a hernia or not stitching the band onto the stomach then perhaps 3 times a charm? Or, is this another risk I shouldn't be taking.. I guess I will see what happens next week. MORAL OF THE STORY- listen to your body, you know it best and be persistent with doctors. Also, seek a second opinion. This is your body, you only have one, and you need to make taking care of it a priority. Finally, no matter what any one tells you, pain swallowing fluids and very well chewed foods is not normal, constant throwing up is not normal, constant burping is not normal, pain in the rib/chest/back area that is persistent is not normal, the feeling that you are being choked is not normal! If you think these things are normal and that's what the band is all about you are wrong. This is a tool to help you make healthy choices in eating, not a tool to restrict you from eating or drinking at all.

I had a hernia repair surgery, and I thought my recovery was more delayed and the pain worse then the original surgery BUT WELL WORTH IT! I had been struggling for a year and a half with a "mystery" complication.. no doctor could find anything wrong until they decided to fix my port (it flipped) and realized my stomach had travelled up into my chest cavity due to a very large hernia. I have had unbearable pain over the past year and a half, and now that I have had this surgery I feel amazing. It's been 3 weeks, I have already lost 20 pounds, and was at a stand still for over a year and 5 months. I would have it repaired if I were you because I have heard the complications can be much worse if the hernia gets bigger. In my case it was ripping larger and larger and my stomach was compromising my lungs which is not only why I had trouble breathing, but could barely eat or drink. My band had slipped down to the lower stomach, top of intestines. None of this showed up with x rays, barrium swallows...etc. I had non stop pain and sharp pains when inhaling, I would vomit almost everything that went down my throat and was in and out of the hospital for dehydration because I could barely even drink water... this was the worst year and a half of my life, and I AM FINALLY FIXED! I was re banded, the port moved, and the hernia repaired. I took about 2 weeks to feel energetic again and am so happy that the band is finally working for me. I suggest you get it fixed asap because the band is a wonderful tool when it's working correctly!

After being banded in May 07, I have had non stop problems with the band. I began at 260, and have only lost 30 lbs in the past year and a half. I have been in and out of the hospital several times, and tested for various things, all yielding no results. I have barely been able to keep foods and liquids down. I have literally been living off milkshakes, yogurt, soups...etc and on the average day am only able to have one meal (if I'm lucky). I have had my band adjusted several times, all with no help. Eventually my doctor removed all the saline and thought it was perhaps and infection (put me on steroids). This did not help. An ER doctor diagnosed me with stomach spasms, and prescribed me another medication. This did not help. Another ER surgeon though my stomach was on the brink of bursting, so suggested any time I was in serious pain lasting more then an hour to go to the ER right away. With ivs, pain meds, and muscle relaxants, even this did not help. I was giving up hope. The doctors, myself, and my family were all confused, frustrated, and wondering why if I could barely eat, why I did not lose any more weight? About a month ago, my doctor noticed that my port had turned. He wanted to move it and thought that in moving it he could drain any saline that may have been caught inside (he thought perhaps my band was still simply too tight). I agreed to under go this surgery as a last result before removing it. Turns out this minor procedure ended up a 6 hour + operation. My stomach was found in my chest cavity, this was due to a very large hernia above where the stomach should sit. The doctor said the "spasms" pain I had was probably the tearing of my chest hernia (ouch). The reason I had not lost the weight was because my immune system was simply trying to store every last bit of food that was able to stay down. The foods and liquids would literally sit in my throat and come up again because my stomach was so high (beside where the throat ended) so it had no where to go but back up. My band had also slipped and ended up around the very lower stomach, beginning of the intestines. I am upset that I had such serious complications, not only with eating, lack of weight loss, but so called "asthma" (turns out my lung capacity was compromised from the stomach being so high in the chest), and constant pain I suffered BUT I am so happy that an answer has finally been found. My doctor decided to fix me all up, and put a new band in. I have literally started my lap band journey over again and I am very happy with the results so far. I have already lost 20 lbs in just 2 and a half weeks, I have no pain while eating and drinking, and I do feel some restriction! I am relieved that this was discovered before something more serious went wrong. The nurses literally said I am so lucky that my body did not react worse to this complication. I have felt sick for a year and a half and am finally starting to feel like myself again. It's about time! My advice to anyone with persistent complications, be persistent with your doctors. Ask for second opinions. If you know your body like I did, you are probably right when you think something is seriously wrong. I am glad I was so persistent. I could have had a collapsed lung, digestive problems, ...etc and I am very lucky that my body dealt with this complication so well. Well, here I go again. I should have been at my goal weight by now trying on bikini's but I guess it will all be worth it in the end. I am determined to have the band work for me this time.

After a year and a half (since May 07) I have been suffering non stop complications from the lap band. With no answers from several doctors, I was beginning to lose hope. About 3 weeks ago, my doctor decided to move my port because it had slipped. He assured me it was a short, simple surgery. He thought maybe because it had flipped that an excess of saline was in the band, in other words, perhaps too tight (even though they removed all the saline). I agreed to go forward with this and woke up in much more pain then anticipated. Turns out that when he went to operate, he realized my stomach was not where it should be. I had a large hernia which had caused my stomach to travel up into my chest. This was what was causing the pain for me the past year and a half. This was compromising my breathing (not the asthma I was diagnosed with last year). This was why I could barely keep food or liquids down. I am so happy! Although frustrated that it has taken so long, I am so happy that my troubles have been fixed. Since the surgery three weeks ago, I have lost 20 lbs and have no pain while eating or drinking!!! I am so happy, this finally feels like people have described it's supposed to. I am happy and excited to see success in my weight loss journey from today forward. My advice to anyone with complications is to be persistent. Although I had several tests, x rays, barrium swallows ..etc done over the past year and a half, they all appeared normal. My doctor said this was because my stomach was probably slipping in and out of the chest daily. The band during the surgery was also slipped, around the lower stomach. My doctor also said my stomach was probably slipping through the band constantly. I am cured and so excited! I have not felt so good in over a year... I am so relieved.

After a year and a half (since May 07) I have been suffering non stop complications from the lap band. With no answers from several doctors, I was beginning to lose hope. About 3 weeks ago, my doctor decided to move my port because it had slipped. He assured me it was a short, simple surgery. He thought maybe because it had flipped that an excess of saline was in the band, in other words, perhaps too tight (even though they removed all the saline). I agreed to go forward with this and woke up in much more pain then anticipated. Turns out that when he went to operate, he realized my stomach was not where it should be. I had a large hernia which had caused my stomach to travel up into my chest. This was what was causing the pain for me the past year and a half. This was compromising my breathing (not the asthma I was diagnosed with last year). This was why I could barely keep food or liquids down. I am so happy! Although frustrated that it has taken so long, I am so happy that my troubles have been fixed. Since the surgery three weeks ago, I have lost 20 lbs and have no pain while eating or drinking!!! I am so happy, this finally feels like people have described it's supposed to. I am happy and excited to see success in my weight loss journey from today forward. My advice to anyone with complications is to be persistent. Although I had several tests, x rays, barrium swallows ..etc done over the past year and a half, they all appeared normal. My doctor said this was because my stomach was probably slipping in and out of the chest daily. The band during the surgery was also slipped, around the lower stomach. My doctor also said my stomach was probably slipping through the band constantly. I am cured and so excited! I have not felt so good in over a year... I am so relieved.

Thank you so much for letting me know about your problems.. I will mention your experience to my doctor Thursday and see what they say. My only worry is how would we know that this IBS is the cause of the spasms? Well I guess I have to wait and see! I do hope that my band is alright and that there is an explanation for all of this because after more then a year at stand still and feeling pain all the time I am ready to start seeing this band work for me.

I can completely relate to the feeling you're describing. What's weird with me is that even at my biggest when I used to look in the mirror I would think, well I don't look THAT bad.. or THAT big.. then I would see a picture of me beside someone who was at a healthy, thinner weight then me and it would hit me like a brick wall, just how obese I really was. As I am losing the weight this continues, but I think its because when we are big and know we are, we subconsciously try to make ourselves feel better by blocking out the reality of how we look, and how unhappy we are. As we continue on the path with weight loss and healthy habits we are being forced to acknowledge and to concentrate on our lifestyle a lot more, and therefore we think about our weight- perhaps even obsess about it- more then we did when we were bigger. Hang in there, you will come to the point when one day you look in the mirror, or see a picture of yourself that simply shocks you- then you will realize how paranoid you seemed before and accept your health and happiness! Good luck with your journey!

Has anyone ever been perscribed steroids for the lap band? I have had non stop complications for over a year and my doctor now wants to start me on oral steroids (not sure what type, or why yet!) before removing it if they don't help. If anyone knows what they are supposed to do exactly, and any side affects with taking them please let me know! Thanks Kt

Has anyone ever been perscribed steroids for the lap band? I have had non stop complications for over a year and my doctor now wants to start me on oral steroids (not sure what type, or why yet!) before removing it if they don't help. If anyone knows what they are supposed to do exactly, and any side affects with taking them please let me know! Thanks Kt