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I have posted on the general forum about my experience. I was banded on 9/16/2008. On 1/31/09 I had emergency surgery to remove the band and repair my stomach - I had a hole along the bandline and I was leaking air into my body cavity. Luckily I had gone to just yogurt with probios because I though I had gaz so somehow there was no food to infect me even worse. This was followed by a second surgery on 2/2/09 to help stop a massive infection. I spent three weeks in the hospital - left on 2/20/09. My symptoms appeared about a week/11 days earlier. I woke up bloated on my left side. No pain. I disregarded for another 6 days where I went to my generalist. She felt a mass. Called the bariatric surgeon and they thought perhaps a hernia. A cat scan was arranged another 3 days later. Two days later, Sat 1/31/09 I got an urgent message to get to ER because the Cat scan revealed air in my abdmoninal cavity. A lot of it. I called the bariatric surgeon and got her partner. I was told by this surgeon: " You dont sound like you have air in your abdomen (this is a critical situation), the Cat scan must have been wrong. You should have them redo it. It cant be the band, they dont erode at 5 months" Luckily, I still went to ER and from there was taken in an ambulance to another branch of the hospital which did bariatric surgery. I was wheeled into the operating room and soon after operated. I would have likely died had I not gotten to ER and been operated. Out of the whole 3 weeks, I only remember about 12 days. I was delirious the first half of my hospital stay. I was confined to a bed with a nasal gastric tube, and 24/7 Ivs pupping me full of antibiotics and hydration. It appears more like a leaking staple or a staple that pulled? then erosion from what I have understood. I am unclear how that would happen. Anyone Its taken me 3 more weeks to be able to take a shower without feeling faint. Two weeks before I could even drive/walk to my mailbox. I was exausted. My voice has been altered by the nasal tube and its gotten squeaky. I HATE it. I am almost back to normal except I must eat very little to protect my stomach. In 2 days I will graduate to 5-6 oz 3x a day. I was on 2oz of food 3x a day the last 2 weeks. Basically I must pretend I have a band though the scaring is so bad, I will never be a candidate for bariatric surgery again. The original surgeon has not called to ask how I am doing. However they have been asking and trying to get my hospital records. That's been very dissapointing. Finally, I think my insurance is picking the tab after I have paid my deductible but I am not 100% sure. If not, I am really concerned what 3 weeks, 2 surgeries, several cat scans and other tests with cost. From what I understand I am now at a higher risk of intestinal occlusions. My stomach was attached to my abdomen and I feel it. I am no longer a candidate for bariatric surgery, and therefore at a very high risk of regaining the 62 lb I have lost. I forgot, a very important thing. My surgeon told me that sometimes in obese people there is not always a fever to reflect an increase of white cell and an infection. That was my case. Zero fever until after the operation. So, if your stomach gets very bloated, call your doctor. Oh, and I missed a 2 weeks 1/2 trip to New Zealand. Grrrr.

Lapband was removed 1/31. Last 2 weeks have been 1 yogurt and 2 apple sauce a day. I am now on 2-3 oz 3x a day for 2 weeks. Hoping its ok I use this to keep myself on track. Bfst: applesauce Lunch: 2.6oz starkist tuna package Diner: 1.5 oz mash potatoes and 1.5 oz ground beef (used measure cup Snack: 1 whole wheat slice toasted with drop garlic olive oil. bread: 1.5 ounce

Thank you for all the support and the recommendations. I do have the serial number for the band. I agree with everything the previous poster said and I will miss my band.

Thank you. I am going to find out and write down what model it was. I know my bariatric surgeon who is extremely experienced had mentioned it was a newer model. I am no longer a candidate for bariatric surgery due to the scarring and I will miss the band. I had lost 44 lb in five months easily and without stress and was very happy with the pace of loss. I have lost another 16lb for a total 60lb between the hospital and home. The irony is I am on the post lapband diet and eating basically a yogurt for Breakfast, a sugar free pudding a lunch and an apple sauce for diner because of how traumatized my stomach was. As I get more details I will post them here.

I wanted to share my experience. I was banded on 9/16/08. On 1/21/09 I woke up feeling bloated. I though I had gas. The following Monday, 1/26 I went to see my regular physician, palpation revealed a hard mass at the port and she contacted my bariatric surgeon. The word that came up was hernia. My doctor ordered a CAT SCAN. I had the CAT SCAN on thursday 1/29. On saturday morning 1/31 I received a call from my doctor indicating that there was air in my abdomen cavity and to go to the nearest ER as soon as possible. Called a friend and went to Kaiser in San Rafael. The CAT SCAN made the rounds and the situation became very severe. I had surgery that same day 1/31to remove the band who had eroded and created a hole in my stomach. My stomach and liver had begun fusing and it showed a have a lot of scarring. Two days later on 2/2 I had surgery again to fight wide spread infection. I then spent 3 weeks in the hospital fighting for my life. I do not remember the first 10 days. 1/31- 2/20. My lapband is in the pathology dept and I am seeing my doctor tomorrow to remove one last drain. I am extremely weak and recovery is expecting to take weeks. I understand this is very rare but I wanted to give everyone a heads up that you must go to the doctor if you are feeling gassy or bloated for more then a day. I was not very uncomfortable and the only reason I called my doc was because of a friend who insisted. Had I not, I would have died as the surgery was just in time. The band was supposed to be the new and improved one.

I was banded on 9/16 and as of this morning I have lost 31lb. I had lost 33 but gained back two. I am going for my third fill sometimes this month since I am not feeling any restriction right now.

bkfst: 16oz decaf, non fat latte one shot vanilla mini apricot scone lunch: 1/2 serving of grilled serving - 4-5 oz 2 Soup spoon full of saffran rice Diner: 1 EAS 110 calorie shake/17 gram Protein

Last two weeks have been a blur with back to back events and little time to log on. I lost another 3lbs. Today: Bkfst: non fat/decaf/ns vanilla (1 shot) latte Lunch: 1/2 an EAS shake - 110 calories/17 grams protein Diner: two slivers of prociutto, 3 mozarella balls, 1 EAS shake 110 calories/17 grams of protein I am finding I am very restricted on bread so no more sandwiches.

Wed 11/12 Bfst: couple of bites of spinash, chevre omelet. 1/2 toast with butter and jam 1 decaf 0% latte Diner: small portion lasagna green salad sliver chocolate cake Thursday 11/13 Lunch: 1/2 toast with chicken tarragon salad 3oz at most Diner: 1 cup greek yogurt (2%)

Monday was a very unpleasant day. Had some red peppers and chicken tikka with rice and while I ate them easily, my adbomen bloated and I was very uncomfortable for 24 hours. As a result Tuesday was a greek yogurt day.

Yeah. I am feeling some restriction. Brunch: 1/2 tuna/celeri/cranberry sandwich - no more than 4 ounces. Diner: small chicken tight, 3 cooked mushroom with garlic Snack: 4 oz 2% greek yogurt - wonderful at 150 calories.