JennBee316

I had my Band placed on March 31, 2010. Since then I've lost nearly 100lbs. About two months ago, the place were my port is located started burning like the worst sunburn I've ever had. After that it started to change colors and swell. I went to my doctor May 18 for a regular appointment and mentioned my concern to him about the port. He looked and was "very concerned". Needless to say, he didn't adjust my band that day. He mentioned having me in surgery that Friday, but then he decided to try a round of antibiotic and see me a week later. I took the antibiotics, the swelling went down, the color looked more normal, and I saw him a week later. He was pleased with the progress, but put me on another week of antibiotics hoping that would finish off the infection and we could get back to normal. I'm a teacher, and he was trying to get me through the school year. He asked when school was out, and I said June 8. He said, "I'll see you June 9." On June 9th, the port looked bad again... He told me I'd be spending the next day in the hospital. On June 10, I arrived at the hospital at 6am, I had a scope at 7am and thank goodness, there was NO EROSION! He didn't think there would be, but we had to check to be safe. At noon he was going to do a diagnostic laperoscopy. There he discovered a serious infection - pus and fluid. The port was removed and I have an open wound that has to be treated twice a day, a STRONG dose of Augmentin, and pain meds every 4 hours. They said it would be about 2 months before I can have a new port inserted... on the other side of my belly button this time. I have to say, I think this surgery was worse than having the band placed. I know the after care is much worse. He wants me to continue following the Lap Band "rules" while I'm without the port, and he said I wouldn't have much restriction, but actually it still feels pretty restricted to me. I'm not upset and I believe it'll all work out. I'll just be happy to be out of pain. How many others have dealt with this type of thing. The hospital staff kept telling me they hadn't encountered this very often.

Well... things didn't go as I planned and I'm an now without the LapBand. I went in Friday to have my port replaced. I was scheduled to have a scope, but really didn't think it would show erosion because I was sure my abdominal pain was gynecological. I thought I would go in, have the scope, have my port replaced, and be home that afternoon... I was wrong. They found a fairly substantial erosion and I immediately was prepped for Band removal. I had it removed Friday afternoon. Ended up with pretty serious pneumonia, nearly sent to ICU, and was in the hospital 5 days on constant oxygen and IV antibiotics (they also found a small abscess at the erosion site) . It's been a LONG road, a lot of pain, but I don't regret doing it. Doctor said we can talk about replacing it, but I'm pretty sure I don't want to travel down that road again. I have quite a while to think about it.

Diana, I hope things work out well for you this time around. I have my port replaced on next Friday, Oct. 14. I've had some problems and a lot of pain since I've had my port removed and my surgeon was concerned about erosion again, but after loads of tests,come to find out, it has nothing to do with the band... I have an ovarian cyst on the same side where the port was and band is, and I have uterine fibroids causing further abdominal pain. Actually looking forward to having the port replaced this week. My restriction is WAY down and I'm eating much more than I need. Ready to get back on the weight loss bus. Glad to hear the replacement is a much easier procedure. My surgeon said it would be and I was hoping it would... I'm the lead singer in a band we have a gig on Sunday after I have the replacement on Friday Hoping I'll be able to sing, even if the "performance" is lacking Blessings be with you as you heal. Jenn

I'm planning to have my port replaced once the doctor says I can, which should be in October. I know the infection is scary, but I think the benefits, at least for me, outweigh the risks. With the band and the subsequent weight loss I have lost enough weight to end my diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and other health issues. With my family history, those issues would have certainly killed me. It's up to each person individually how to deal with it after the port is removed. Personally, I just feel like I haven't come this far to turn back now. Most of what I have read is that once the port is removed and replaced, people get along just fine and don't have further problems. Good luck in whatever you decide.

From what I've read, a lot of the time the infection comes from an erosion of the band, but mine didn't. The band was perfectly fine. I have no idea what caused my infection... when I see my surgeon on the 24th that's my first question. Up to this point I was mostly concerned with getting it healed instead of what caused it. Scary thing is, for a long time I thought the knot around my port was scar tissue, but in all likelihood, it was the infection. Wish I'd had it checked earlier. My visiting nurse came this morning to change my bandages and said the wound is progressing as it should. I was hoping I could cut back in the pain meds, but at about 3 1/2 hours after I take one, I'm in a whole lot of pain again. Friend of mine keeps reminding me it's only been three days since surgery. Right now the thing I'm dreading is going through this one more time to have the port replaced. But things have worked so well so far, I'm willing to do it to keep things going.

I was banded March 31 and had HORRIBLE gas pain for three weeks. I also was in so much pain I didn't drink nearly enough and ended up with an INSANELY painful urinary tract infection. The best thing for the gas pain is lots of walking, even if you don't feel like it, lay on the side that hurts with the heating pad on the pain. Don't be afraid to take pain meds if you were prescribed them, or ibuprofen at the very least to reduce inflammation. Gas X really didn't do much for me. I'm now 4 weeks post op and feeling great. I have lost 30lbs since I started my pre-op diet a week before surgery. I'm exercising daily and eating a WHOLE lot less than I ever thought possible. 1/2 cup of food 3 times a day and I'm good. You'll get there!

My name is Jenn and I will be Banded on March 31, 2010. I just found out this week that my insurance approved the surgery when the surgeon's office called to set the date. I'm going through a whole range of emotions, but I am certain this is the right thing for me. I'm a 34 year old, high school journalism teacher. I'm four classes away from having my master's degree in guidance counseling, and will be pursuing a job as a counselor next year. I'm single and no children, but I am the proud mama to a 3 year old Bassador (Basset Hound/Lab mix) named Earnee.