Batgirl23

Two years ago I got lap band surgery in <st1:place><st1:City>Brooklyn</st1:City>, <st1:State>NY</st1:State></st1:place>. Unfortunately, I was over eager when I found these two surgeons that took my insurance (Medicaid). They had only done a couple hundred lap bands at the time and were too inexperienced. It has been a disaster since day one, to cut it short my last visit with them ended after they stuck literally 16 trying to access my port and then told me that I needed emergency surgery. I immediately got a second opinion by WL surgeon top of her field. (I would have went to her to begin with if she took my insurance) She accessed the port in one shot and said I didn't need surgery. She said the port felt "wobbly" like one of the stitches wasn't there. I had complained to my original Docs that I felt the port was moving around from day one, but I was ignored. I followed up with the new Doc (don't want to use real names here) paying by pocket and lost 90LBS! But because of a severe anxiety problem, I was vomiting daily and had to get the band loosened. I gained all the weight back, but I fixed my anxiety problem and got tightened again, ready to lose it all again. IMPORTANT Part if you just want the short version. 2 months ago I started feeling extreme pain in my lower abdomen on my left side. Originally I thought it was my ovary. I got a pelvic ultrasound that came bake good and GYN doc said that something was pressing against my organs causing pain and was probably my band. The main sight of the pain then moved up to my port. And the pain radiates throughout my stomach and back. I also have severe nausea and acid reflux. I had a CATscan, XRays, Numerous blood and urine tests, and an Endoscope. EVERYTHING came back clear!?! No band problems, organ trouble, or gyn trouble. Band is in place and not eroded or anything. DOCTORS are stumped. I'm in so much pain (worse than a ruptured gallblatter I had a few years ago) I'm only 26, no kids. HELP! WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME? I really think it has something to do with the port because that's where the pain is. Could I some how be rejecting the band all of a sudden? Any input would be greatly appreciated and sorry for the long post.

Well, My port was always parallel to my belly button on my left side. I don't know why my original docs put it there.

I think it's a good thing that you don't feel your port. 1. It means that it's sewn in good and tight. 2. You're swollen and your body just needs to adjust to everything and it sounds like it's doing that well. 3. It's good not to feel your port under your skin now because after you lose those extra inches, you don't want to look like a quarter is trying to pop out from your tummy. Don't worry, your doc will know where to find it.

The pain I was experiencing was caused by the port. Apparently, the port was never stitched to my muscle properly and was free floating in my abdomen. The severe pain was caused by the port pressing against some of my organs. This problem didn't show up on any of th tests though. Fortunately, I found a doctor who believed me and knew what she was doing. She did a quick revision of sewing the port properly to the muscle like it was supposed to be in the first place. I went home from the hospital a couple of hours after the surgery and have been doing well since. Now I don't even know the port is there! Previously, I always felt the port moving around even right after being banded, but I was told by my original surgeons that "You'll just have to get used to it." I hope you feel better.

I had a port revision on Monday with 1cc in a 4cc band. My surgeon added 1cc, so now I'm half full. I could probley get .5cc more and I know she will want to add atleast that much, but I don't want to. You see, I have severe anxtiey disorder, which tightens and sometimes even closes the opening in the band for me to the point where I can't even have a little Water and I'm vommiting all the time when I'm nervous. The holiday's are comming and I know this will be really stressful for me. And if I get tightened, I'll be sick all the time, but if I don't get tightened, I might not lose any weight. I promise not to overeat and gain, but when I go back to my Doc and I haven't lost, I feel like I'm being repramanded.:cry My Doc is doing this for free because of insurance problems. I'm really shy and I know I would have a hard time saying no to some one who's been so nice to me. What should I say to her exactly? A mini script would help alot. Thanks

Hi, after being in severe pain for 4 months, I had to have a port revision. My port was on it's side Pressing or digging into the muscle. The pain got so bad, I could barely make it out of the bed to the bathroom. Don't think I just waited 4 months, I went to Doc after Doc and several ERs and the tests showed nothing. I was even accused of being a drug seeker! I've had problems with the port since day 1, which was 2 1/2 years ago. It would move around allot, but my surgeons told me to ignore it! They were the only ones who took my insurance. Than I found an angel of a Doctor, who did the surgery Pro Bono. I lover her! She even made my big hideous scare from the first surgery look better and smaller!<br /> <br /> IPORTANT PART: I had the revision on Monday Dec 4 and was relased from the hospital the same day. I was only cut in the one spot by the port and she used a camera to check on the band, but I'm not bouncing back very quickly. The pain and the incision has gotten better and I have more mobility, but I don't thin it's as fast as it should be. I'm still in pain. It hurts to bend and move in certain positions AND I'M STILL TAKING VICODEN. Believe me, I'm not addicted, I hate this stuff. I'm 26 years old, had my galbladder removed also, 2 months before the inital banding, and I don't have any kids.<br /> <br /> My Mom is going home Sat morning and I'm worried about taking care of myself. I live alone in a in a major city, with everything within walking distance, but I haven't even been out of the house yet. (I don't have any friends or family that could help me out) There's no way I could do my laundry or shop for groceries. I don't have the money to pay for deliveries or to have things done for me. It hurts to lift anthing more the a couple of pounds.<br /> <br /> <br /> Why is my recovery taking so long? I'm not getting better as fast as the after the 2 previous, more invasive surguries I had.When will I be able to lift more than 5 pounds? When can I start going to the gym again and using the machines to work out?<br /> <br /> This problem ruined my Halloween (favorite holiday) and my Thanksgiving. Now it's wrecking my holiday season. What can I Do? Sorry for the long post.<br /> <br /> Please Help!<img src="images/smilies/help.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Help" smilieid="256" class="inlineimg" /><br />

I have a lap band and I'm in serious pain. I had two lousy Docs put in the band 2 years ago and I've had problems ever since, but now I have one of the best surgeons in the country and she wants to exploratory surgery to find out and fix the problem. Has anyone had a revision? She said she would replace the band if there was a problem with it as long as there is no infection. Has anyone had this done in one surgery? I forgot why I have to go on liquids for over a week. I'm going to miss Thanksgiving . It's to shrink your liver right? So, is it more important to make sure everything is low cal or that it is purely liquid? Thanx

You might have guessed my Doctor. I just don't want to list any names online. Thanks!

My Docs checked my white cell blood count for an infection. It came back negative. Would this test dectect what you're talking about?

Please let me know how that goes. You can PM me or post back here. Anymore insight would be great.