VEEJEE07

Not sure what had happened but the band needed to be removed because something caused a great deal of inflamatory & swelling problems. Because of this, some of my other internal organs actually moved and attached to my stomach! My reg GI doc thought that a part of the stomach tissue was trapped under the band and getting strangulated, in a sense. I say "listen to your body" or at least have a doctor on board that will listen to you ( as I did). If this was not caught when it was, I would be dealing with some major issues.

Hi Tweety I had my band in 10/10/08 at R. Williams ( Dr. Pohls office). I am glad to chat with you and share any info. Although I did have to have the band removed this past June I am still all for it. If you have any questions or want a buddy through this journey, my email address is raz524@cox.net vee

Hi, My doc thinks that my band has slipped. I went for a Bariium Swallow and although the slippage didnt show during the test, the doc says that my other symptoms indicate a slippage. I went in 2 days ago and had an complete "unfill". We're hoping that the stomach will go back in place from the loosening of the band, but will wait a week to be sure. My question for anyone who has experienced something similar is that I'm still really uncomfortable and have had little to no relief. Does anyone know what to expect 2 days after an unfill? I'm just trying to get an idea of the possibilty this not working and going back in for surgery. Thanks:unsure:

kposer- I'm really sorry that you've had to experience all of this. I had my band removed due to complications about 6wks ago and was not given any other option but Weight Watchers! I'm not sure what I would chose to do if given the option but I'm still so disappointed that I no longer have it. It sounds like the doctor that your seeing now may be more attentive to your individual medical history. I believe that some of the surgeons who do this are strictly textbook and need to really listen to what the patient is saying. I wish you the best of luck on Friday and going forward. Keep us updated on how you're doing. vee

ellendeette- very sorry you had to have your band removed. I was so scared when I had mine removed but now I am realizing that the band gave me a good jump start and now I have to make the choice to change my eating behaviors whereas before I was forced to do so with the band You're posting was helpful to me because I never really got a reason as to what happened when i had mine removed; I asked the doctor if it could be from a certain type of abdominal excercise I was doing and didn't really get clear answer but I'm more convinced now that is what caused it. It was a waist twisting type of excercise with much resistance and it was shortly after I started using that particular machine when I ran into problems Anyway, I'm hoping to start a new thread where any "unbanders" can support each other on what they are doing to be successful in our journey. I hope you are feeling well and continue on strong as you mentioned.

I also needed emergency surgery to have the band removedm just 2 wks ago. I only had the band for 8 mos and all seemed to be fine til the last month. First my symptoms indicated that the band was too tight, then after being loosened a bit, it was still getting worse I was unfilled completely. Still no change, and the barium swallow showed no slippage. I had pain under my sternum area and on the left side under my ribs. Whatever I tried to eat or sip on would cause spasms under my sternum area. I am still not sure what exactly happened. I was told that my body had basically rejected the band as a foreign object but I don't think the doc was really sure of what happened. All I know is that I had filled with Fluid and my organs (liver and other) had moved and adhered to my stomach in order to protect the rest of the body. That's where all the pain under my ribs were caused by. I'm trying to describe symptoms to reinforce how important it is to listen to your body and make the call to the doc. In fact, after the surgery my doc told me how good it was that I listened to my body and I'm thankful that she was not hesitant at all to move on it. It was pretty serious but it could have turned out to be a nightmare if we didn't act on it. I was so dissapointed to have the band removed but in some way there is a bit of relief that I won't have to worry about any of the risks involved. I hope this info is also helpful but don't try to self diagnos... don't hesitate to call the doc. Best to all

That's a good idea. I feel much stronger now than when I first had it removed but I was a nervous wreck when it was first removed and found it difficult to find much info on the topic. So I think it would be a great topic to expand on . thanks

Can you just put a call in to the doc to see what they suggest? I had to have my band removed after similar symptoms. I wasn't eating and not losing, turned out that I had fluid building up due to inflamation. That may not be the case and although I am all for the gastric band I have to say... if you suspect a problem you MUST bring it to the attention of the doc because if you don't, that's when it could become a real problem. Please make the call!

I had my band removed a week ago due to complications. I fear gaining the 40lbs I lost during the 8mos of being banded. For those of you who have had it removed, were you still successful in your weight loss? Did you gain or were you able to maintain? Any suggestions on food plans? Thanks Vee

Iamian, Just curious to how you have made out since this posting? Please Please get this attended to NOW! I had similar symptoms as you ( and Linds) and had to be rushed in for emergency surgery to have the band removed. Thank God they caught it before erosion but I was full of fluid, my surrounding organs were inflamed, etc. My band did not slip and the barium swallow was fine. I was unfilled and only a bit of relief for a day or so then it got worse. Every time I tried to swallow anything, even liquids I had pain. My main complaints were pain in the left side under my rib area and after I swallowed, the pain was in my sternum area. Please do not ignore this, it may not be what I had but it does indicate a problem. Good Luck Vee

Everything seemed to be fine. My last fill was in Feb which seemed fine too. Near mid May, food started to get stuck so we unfilled just a little. I went for a Barium Swallow which was negative so we thought we were okay. I continued to feel that the band was too tight so the doc then completely unfilled me with the expectation that I would feel some relief. I was still unable to get anything down without extreme pain under my sternum area and pain on the left side under my rib area. I'm trying to describe the symptoms because we really don't know exactly what the problem was. I went in to the OR and the doc saw the band in place, no slippage but a whole lot of inflamation and fluid build up. For lack of a better term, they could only say that my body rejected the band, but there was no infection. I just want everyone to know not to ignore the symptoms if you think things aren't right. I'm really dissapointed that I don't have the band anymore but at the same time I'm relieved that it was removed before anything more serious happened. Just always listen to your body! Vee

Hi October Odysseys' ---- Something to think about I haven't posted here for quite some time but wanted to check in with the group. This week I had to have my band removed due to some complications and although I am devastated at losing it, I've learned a great deal from it and wanted to share. The one thing my doc continued to tell me is that the band is just a tool and I have to learn the right eating habits & behaviors. I knew she was right but still gave the credit to the band for the 40lbs that I lost. I should have given myself some of that credit because when I came out of surgery and realized that they had to remove it I was a total wreck for a few days thinking that my hopes for continued weight loss were gone. I've had a few days to come to my senses and know that I can only take what I learned in the 8 mos of having the band and put it to good use. The point that I'm trying to make is that we all need to give ourselves credit for the hard work we're doing and know that if the day comes where it is not working or needs to be removed then we can continue on ( without the "training wheels"). As I tried to make my doctor understand, it is like Dumbo's magic feather; although he could fly alone, he gave the credit to the feather and fell apart when he let it go. I will always wonder how different my attitude would be if I was never told that they removed it and I went along thinking that I still had it in! If I can be of any support to anyone who may experience anything similar, just let me know. I will continue to check in here to see how all of you are doing ( once a "bandster", always a "bandster"). Good Luck to all! Vee:thumbup:

Hi, My last fill was in Feb. When I went for an appt in March, I was given the option for another fill ( this would have been my 5th) but I wanted to wait cuz I felt comfortable where I was. Beginning of May, I started to have problems getting food down, so I went back and they had taken out 1/2 cc as we thought it might be just too tight. I also had a barium swallow that was normal. After about 1 week I began to feel too tight again with pains. Went back to the doc had a complete unfill with the expectation of feeling relief. With no relief after 2 days, I called the doc back and that's when I went to the OR. I truly to appreciate the info you are offering as this is all so new to me. My post op follow up is in 2 wks and I will have many questions for the doc at that time. Of course we don't think of these questions during the "urgency" time, so thanks for sharing your info.

Yes there was inflamation and infection but I was told that my body had rejected the "foreign object". That is interesting information about the FDA not having a reported incident. I am so into gathering information on this because I am trying to understand what really happened. I've kept myself extremely healthy throughout the entire journey, before,during and after and I cannot figure out what or things went wrong. The more info I can gather, the more I can offer to others.

I only had my band for 8 mos and it just had to be removed due to rejection/infection. Going into the OR we were not sure what exactly was going on, we were hoping that it had just slipped and needed to be repositioned. Unfortunately, it had to be removed as it was being rejected and causing infection. I really didn't have much choice and I'm thankful that we caught it before anything worse happened but it seemed to all happen so fast and I can' seem to get a hold of my emotions over this. During the 8 mos of having the band, I lost 40 lbs and hav another 40 to go but this was the first weight loss success I've had in many years of trying. I never expected to be so broken up over this but I can't seem to get a grip on my emotions. I asked the doctor if it was normal to feel so incredibly sad over this. For those of you who have gone through something similar, were you so sad for a long time? I'm only a few days post op but can't seem to get a grip.

I was banded about 8 mos ago and had to have it removed a few days ago since my body rejected the foreign object . I thought I was doing fine as it was necessary to do, but suddenly a day later I'm so upset. It was nice to find your posting on here which offers some encouragement. Good Luck as you continue, I hope I can learn your attitude towards it Thanks again for sharing

Thank you all for your replies and info. I ended up having emergency surgery and needed to have the band removed. It wasn't a slipped band but worse... my body rejected the band and causing many problems but thanfully nothing permanent. The only permanent thing is that I cannot have the band. I'm dealing with it but pretty scared to do without it. Any, Thank God the surgery went well and we caught it before there was any erosion. Although my symptoms started out as first a band that was too tight or a slipped ban( throwing up, not getting food down) they became different when the pain was under my sternum seconds after I ate anything even liquid. Also pain in my left side under my rib cage. Anyway... morale of the story is that you always need to listen to your body and thankfully I did and I have great doctor who was also listening to me. thanks again Vee:frown:

I had my surgery done by Dr. Giovanni who is part of Dr. Pohl's practice. I also know a few girls that I work with that have had theirs done by Dr Roy and also some by Dr. Pohl so if you have any questions, let me know. I just had mine done this past october so most of it is recent for me. Hope to keep in touch. Good Luck

Hi, I was banded in Oct and was going to a nutritionist for a few months. I am in the process of looking for another one and was hoping that I could get some suggestions and names of nutritionists who are able to work with a lap band patient. Also, am looking for support groups. I know there is a monthly one at Roger Williams, Miriam and RI Hospital but I have not gone to one yet and would love any input anyone may have thanks for you help:wink_smile:

Hi Vicky, Thank you so so much for this info. I've am going to call the nutritionist that you are seeing (Heather) tomorrow and make an appointment. I also want to attend the support groups as I haven't gone to one yet. I'll let you know which one I end up going to... maybe we'll end up there at the same time. Thanks again:smile:

I'm looking for a good nutritionist in RI who is knowledgable with lap band requirements. Can anyone from RI recommend someone. I have one from my doc. but looking for more to choose from . thanks

Don't give up now! We all fall off at times and usually the holidays are the high time. I've had a bit of a struggle these past 2 weeks just because I've of how busy we get and have so much food around us and so much socializing. Think about the things that you were doing when things were going good.. ( for me it was keeping my food journal and being very structured in my meal planning) If you feel strong enough to do a few days of Protein shakes or hi protein/lo carb days that will help jump start your system again and for me that is the motivator. You'll feel good just being in control again. I know excercise is tough sometimes but just start it out slow again and you'll be back to the same pace as you were. But don't throw the towel in just because of a small set back. Think of what you've accomplished so far don't focus on the setback. The changes we are making are a slow process but that is all part of this. As far as the support groups go, check with your doctors office for one local to you. Usually the hospital where you had the surgery done is a good resource. Happy New Year to you - what a perfect time for us to put ourselves back in check. I will be starting today to keep my journal again, stay high Protein, and make sure that taking care of myself is one of my priorities. Back on Track :Yawn: Vee

Oblong.... just notice what doctors are against it..... not all docs are qualified to do this type of procedure/surgery and they have to still make a living. Gastric banding seems to be taking over the lead in the marketing and success of weight loss world!, for some this is wonderful but there are others whose business could hurt from this. Try not to doubt you decision here... Feb's not so far... stay on board here for support!

Like everything else in life there are pros and cons. It's good to know what "could" go wrong but most people including myself will say it's the best thing they've ever done. Sure, there are people that have had problems with it but relatively speaking I think the pros outweight the cons. When some one needs to have surgery for health reasons it is usually not a choice for them so they don't give it much thought as to what problems "could" arise. In this case it seems to be more of an "elective" surgery which is why we panic so much over whether we are making the right decision or not. In my opinion, if we've been overweight most of our life and have not been successful in our previous attempts to lose weight then I don't consider this to be an "elective" surgery because I think the problems that will arise out of being morbidly obese are worse than what "could" happen with lap banding. Good Luck to u

If you are still getting sick, ask your doc if you can get an anti nausea medicine.l I think it is normal to feel that way although I never did but I believe it is typical to have anti nausea meds prescribed after this surgery.