dkennedy0689

Can anyone help me with information??? My 36 year old daughter had lap band surgery just over a year ago. She has lost over 80 pounds, but mostly from not being able to keep anything down. She seemed happy with it, but to me she is having problem after problem. She has had the band slip twice, it has to be refilled often. The doctor says there is no leak, so I don't understand why it has to be refilled so often. Two weeks ago she began running a temperature and was treated with antibiotics for a UTI and upper respiratory infection. She has continued to run a temperature and is now unable to keep down even liquids or her medications. Yesterday she spent 5 hours in the doctor's office before they finally did an ultrasound and found there is a twist below the stomach pouch. Her stomach has completely twisted in the wrong direction and there seems no way anything is getting into the pouch. This has also caused Fluid and swelling around her gallbladder, as well. Most likely there is infection in this area and that is why the temperature isn't responding to the high doses of antibiotics. The doctor is trying to get her scheduled today for an outpatient endoscopy to see if this can be repaired without major surgery. If not, she will be readmitted to the hospital tomorrow for surgery. I have never heard of this happening. I am really concerned about my child and don't have any answers and cannot find anything about this situation. Have you ever heard of this? Please help me to understand.

I want to thank everyone for their prayers and support. I don't want anyone to think for one moment that what happened to my daughter is commonplace - I have learned that it is extremely unusual. In talking with the nursing staff at the hospital yesterday, they assured me my daughter was a very unique case. But, please let me say, if you are suffering from any unusual side effects, vomiting, retching, fever -anything other than weight loss - please contact your physician and do not allow them to give you a quick answer. I am not in any way putting any blame on the doctor, hospital, staff or my daughter. It is just something that happened. Although, when she reported the vomiting, over all these months, she was told to return to liquids, which we now know was not the answer. At 9AM yesterday (Wednesday) a CT Scan was performed. By noon she was in surgery. The surgery was performed arthoscopically and her band was removed. The band had slipped, or more correctly as you said, her stomach had slipped and when the stomach above the band became larger than the stomach below the band her stomach flipped upside down. The band, which the doctor admitted was too small, was around the middle of her stomach and had obviously been there for some time. When it was removed, her stomach did not go back into shape, but remained as if the band was still there. So, quite possibly she will have the full effects of the band without having the band or having to deal with fills, etc. They were able to return her stomach into the correct position. They also removed a lot of adhesions from the original surgery, drain some Fluid and infection from around her gall bladder and gastric area. She was in a great deal of pain when I left her last night, but was on morphine. They were bringing ice chips for her, which would probably taste pretty good by now. Her husband stayed the night and she should be able to come home today. Again, thank you for your prayers, we do appreciate them. Know that each of you are in my prayers and I am pleased and excited for your weight loss - you are doing great - keep up the good work. Diane

The endoscopy was performed at 8:30PM yesterday. The doctor found that the band had slipped to the bottom of her stomach and untimately had caused her stomach to flip not only from right to left, but also from top to bottom. So now, her bowel is stretched, which isn't a huge deal because we have plenty of small intestine. Also her esophagus is stretched. There is indication of irritation from the band, possibly a perforation or at least an ulcer. She was kept in the hospital last night. This morning they are going to do a CT Scan to better see all the damage. After that they will operate. Hopefully the doctor will be able to do the surgery arthroscopically, but he is not sure yet. She is hoping that they can move the band back into place, repair any damage and move on. Her husband will come to the hospital after getting some things done at work. I have a friend with a van who will take me to the hospital. Again, thank you all for your support and please continue with your prayers. Diane

I'm sorry, I don't know his name. His office is in Bellaire, I think.

Thank you, Diane. I do appreciate your prayers and will update when she comes out from tests today. Diane

Thank you so much, Misty. I really appreciate your prayers. It is my understanding that the twist is below the pouch - where the band constricts the upper part of the stomach. We just heard from the doctor and she is to be at the hospital for the endoscopy at 4:30PM - Houston time. I want to congratulate you on your weight loss. You are doing great - already 1/3 of the way to your goal! :cursing: Keep up the good work. I will let you and Jack know how this procedure goes. Thank you again for your thoughts and prayers. That means so much to me. Diane

Thank you, Jack. I will give you an update as soon as I learn more. I love being a parent, but you would think when they got gown, married and had a family, you wouldn't be so concerned. I think it is worse because you are no longer in control - they think they can make their own decisions! :biggrin: Diane