thepoodleluver

I am considering possibly getting another lap band put in, once this infected one is removed (due to an infection received from a improperly prepared fill from the radiologist). Is there anyone out there who has had a 2nd band put in?

Mine is an interesting story, I saw my surgeon on Fri. Aug. 20th and he told me that I did not have any erosion and that my intitial port infection came from an improperly prepared fill site that happened in March from the radiologist. In any event, the port came out Aug. 4th, and I had fevers for 12 days while being on Augmentin.. The surgeon pushed the tubing back and was hoping that it would clear up enough to have a new port put in a couple of months from now, however, they needed to switch me to Levaquin which I have been on and the infection was not staph, but a skin bacteria that invaded my system during the March fill. IN any event, a CT scan revealed that the infection traveled up the tubing and around the band, and instead of me waiting for this to POSSIBLY clear up on the leveaquin, I am getting the band out Aug. 26th (This Thursday) Like you, I have been relying on this tool to help keep me in check, and the surgeon told me that I can get another band in a few months (I am debating if I will based on how well I manage my weight). The only drawback is the fear of this happening again, although I will NEVER go back to the radiologist my surgeon uses for fills. He is a DISASTER! Keep me posted how you are doing as well. Mary

Is there anyone out there who had to get their entire system removed due to port and tubing infection? I am pretty sure I had staph.

I had lots of left shoulder pain and side/chest pain especially after surgery due to the gas used in surgery. However, over the last 7 years I did experience left shoulder pains very frequently (especially if I did eat too much) and pains by my port site if I also overate. If you have concerns, make sure you talk to you surgeon! Good luck, I was very happy overall with my band and I am sad to see it go.

Hi all, I spoke with the infectuous disease doc today and the surgeon, and after being on Levaquin for 4 days my fevers still go up to 99.+ so....since the infection from my port has traveled up the tubing to the band, the band has to come out in order for all to heal properly. I have had a love/hate relationship with my band since Aug. 6th 2003 when I entered bandland. Despite the ups and downs, the pb'ings, too tight fills, too loose fills, things getting stuck, etc. I was glad to have lost almost 90lbs and had this experience and gained health and self confidence back. I am not sure if I will get rebanded, or opt to have the gastric sleeve done at a later time (at this point I don't qualify), but I thought my band would last forever and I am kind of sad. I am convinced that an improper fill proceedure in March '10 cause this entire fiasco, so please make sure that whoever does your fills does them properly, and INSIST on that they wear gloves, and use more than one needle if they can't get access to your port the first time!!!!!! I have an open wound that is healing, and now I have to lose my band. I am so upset, but make sure you are proactive when your fills are being done!!!!!:ohmy:

Thanks Mimi, I don't know what is going to happen.

I've had my lap band for 7 years and this port that became infected was put in Aug of '09. This past march of '10 I had a fill where I had to go back to the radiologist 3 times in one week for him to get it right, and I feel I possibly got an infection.

Well folks, I have had my lap band for 7 years and had to have my port removed last week (aug 4th'10) due to an infection. I had a been running a fever each day (anywhere from 99.0-101.6) since then and took a CT Scan yesterday and blood work. The scan revealed that there is infection around my band and my tubing so I am pretty sure that the doctor will remove it all, even though I am on Levaquin 500mg each day (prior to this I was on augmentin). Has there every been an instance out there in band land where infected tubing and bands clear up on anitbiotics? I really would appreciated input.. Mary

Here's the latest and the greatest guys, I had gone to the surgeon covering for my doc today. The CT scan showed that I have an infection going up the tube to the lapband; no surprise!!! In any event he put me on Levaquin and I will see my regular surgeon on Friday. No sure if the entire band and tube will be coming out. So in one way I am a bit discouraged.

Hey Mimi Here is the latest....I still have fevers up to 101.8 almost each day, then they go down to normal. I called my Dr.'s office and although he is away, he called me today. I have some pain by the incision site, and I am going to have a CT scan tomorrow morning followed by a blood workup a the hospital to determine if the infection is worse, or what the story is. The visiting nurse told me that she thinks the wound is getting better, and there is not sign of infection or excessive drainage from her point of view, but the fevers aren't good. So all......the saga continues, and I am afraid to get a new port put in when the time comes. I'll keep you all posted when I find out tomorrow or Friday. Mary P.S. Mimi, how do I get my beautiful poodle's picture on this post like you did? Im having trouble.:thumbup:

Today the visiting nurse came and dressed the open wound, which seems to be healing nicely 6 days after my port removal. Once again, I am almost certain that the infection was introduced by the radiologist when I got my fill in March '10. However, the endoscopy showed there is no erosion of my band, and if all goes well, a new port will be placed on my other side in a couple of months. In any event, I have been watching what I eat, hopefully these last 7 years have taught me some restraint. So, I have to take this one day at a time

Hi Kimmy and Mimi Thank you for the info on getting the weight loss tracker. I'll keep you ladies posted on my progress with the healing of the port. Right now I have a gapping hole in my side. Mimi, how did you post a picture of your girl on this. I post one of my girl, but i have been having problems with getting pictures on this site. Thanks Mary

Hi Mimilou It was determined that I do not have band erosion, although they suspected it because of the symptoms. I had a cat scan and 2 endoscopies the Cat Scan and first endoscopy was done July 8th when they thought I had the erosion, then the other day, Aug. 4th when they took the port out. The dr. did the endoscopy while I was on the table just in case if they was a sign of erosion, he would take everything out all at once. Right now I am recovering with my port out and a 3 inch deep hole in my side that I get packed by a nurse each day. It'll keep you all posted, but I am pretty sure I got the infection when I got my March 26th fill and I had to go back to the radiologist 3 times in one week because he couldn't get the fill correct. I am happy with my surgeon though, and I have had this band 7 years August 6th with relatively no complications. Also I love your poodle, I have a standard black girl (even though they said she is supposed to be blue). How did you guys get that weight loss ticker on your screen? Mary:thumbup: