ymarhodes

Hello: I'm reaching out to see if anyone has had a similiar experience. So far, I'm not finding a lot of information. I was banded April 20, 2010. The operation seemed typical and I immediately started the post-op regimen--Clear liquids, non-clear liquids, etc. The recovery also seemed typical. I had some gas (burping) and pain in my shoulder, but nothing too out of the ordinary. By week 4 post-op I was back to exercising and had lost about 15 pounds. I followed the surgeon's instructions to a T. In late May I developed an infection under my port and I had to have a second surgery to have the port removed on June 2. The plan was to let the area heal then go back in and replace the port in a new spot. A week ago my surgeon ordered an endoscopy for me to determine if there was band erosion. There was. Now I have to have a THIRD surgery this week to have the band removed as well. We hope to be able to do it laproscopically, but he might have to make a major incision. At this point, I have lost about 25 pounds. I have not bothered to ask if we can try the procedure again. There's no way I'm risking going through that again. The time off work, the pain of recovery from multiple surgeries--it's just not worth it for me. I'm very sad as I had such high hopes of the lapband helping me solve my weight problems once and for all. My question to the group is: Has anyone experienced something similiar so soon after the initial surgery? Just 6 weeks post-op. I've been doing a lot of research and it seems more common for band erosion after the band has been in for a few years. I'm just trying to find someone else who is in my situation. Thanks.

Thanks to everyone for their great advice, information and well-wishes. I got home from the hospital yesterday after 7 days for the removal of the band. I'm feeling pretty good and hope to continue on the positive road to recovery. No more band for me folks. It's interesting how every heath care professional I've spoken to over the past two weeks nod knowingly when I tell them of my situation and say something along the lines of, "Yea, we get a lot of lapband complications here." My experience was just too scary and painful for me to take that risk again. Guess I'll have to go back to doing it the old fashioned way. The good news is I'm already 30 pounds ahead of the game this time. Best of luck to all of you on your journey. I wish everyone health and happiness. Ymarhodes

Thanks to both for your responses and advice. At this point, my band removal surgery is tomorrow and I'm "stuck" with my existing surgeon since I have been told no other surgeon will touch me right now. <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> He actually verified that it was likely that the band erosion was what caused the infection at the port site. Evidently, once there's erosion, bacteria can travel down the tubing, across the abdominal wall and into the port site. <o:p></o:p> I agree the question then is what exactly caused the band erosion so quickly. So far no answers, but I appreciate the advice on getting all my operative reports. I assume I have a right to those and they could give me some answers. I've been keeping a log the whole time about everything that has happened as well. <o:p> </o:p>