messed up band surgery

[getfit48 0]

I had my band placed 6 weeks ago. First 2 weeks were great! Then the trouble started - couldn't keep anything down for 3 weeks, was told it was "soft tissue" swelling - last week doc went it to "unbuckle" the band - and I came out with a drain, NG tube, antibiotics, and doc said "your stomach looked like a hard piece of rubber - an abscess had formed next to the band btw my stomach and liver - finally went home - no band - just lots of antibiotics to hopefully keep the abscess from returning and aspiration pneumonia in the process. Lap band surgery - $3200 for "what insurance doesn't pay"; complications - 1 week out of work with no pay - hopefully living through this with no more hope of losing weight - priceless. I have lost 25lbs in this nightmare of 6 weeks and still keep nothing down except liquids - and sometimes the antibiotics. The band is an invasive, tricky surgery and although my surgeon states she has never seen someone reject the band like this - I don't believe her. I would NEVER recommend this surgery to anyone. I said 2 months ago that I was going to lose the weight or die trying - it looks like the latter is more likely to be true. Orange Coast Memorial Center for Obesity is not where you want to place your life.

[Humming Bird 275]

I am so sorry you have had so many problems with this. Are you going to get gastric bypass or something in the future?

As for my experience with the band, I love it. I have not had complications. I would, and have, recommended this procedure to other obese people. The complications you had are rare as are complications with other surgeries.

I have not had health insurance for years, so the cost of complications would be very expensive.

I hope things start getting better for you.

[Marine mom 3]

Sometimes bodies reject stuff. It is no different than the fact that I can't wear earings. I am sorry that you had such a hard time. I hope that you recover without anymore incident.

[elcee 3,341]

Often when we are told that it is our body rejecting the band there is really another explanation . Possibly something that has gone wrong at the time of surgery but obviously that is not something any Dr will admit to so they will tell you that your body is rejecting the band.

Although apparently band rejection is possible it is also very very rare. The materials that the band are made from have an extremely low risk of rejection.

Sorry that you had to go through this. Hope everything gets better soon.

[vlp1968 83]

So sorry you are having such a hard time! I hope you get better soon!

[BetsyB 9]

I'm so sorry you're having such an awful, awful time.

Your experience has been horrendous--but I think your doctor is probably being honest when she says she's never seen anything like it.

Complications do arise--but it sounds like yours is particularly unusual. And particularly unpleasant for you.

I hope you feel better fast---what a scary situation!

[adagray 1]

I'm so sorry this happened to you, but so happy to see that you were able to use insurance for your band. I know it is hard to see any positive in this situation, but the fact that your insurance covered the initial band placement means that they will also cover correction of the complications and even conversion to RNY if you choose to go that route.

I know the risks w/the band are very low, but complications do happen (as with any surgery). I had already decided if I had complications with the band, I would convert to RNY. I know it is a very personal decision, but realize that RNY is also a very good surgery for obesity. Maybe not your first choice and maybe not something you are comfortable moving to immediately after this experience, but I would recommend getting a second, third, or more opinions from different reputable bariatric surgeons in your area as to what you can do.

Hugs and I wish you the best w/all of this. I know it must be heartbreaking.

[prdmommyof3 0]

I am so sorry you've had to deal with all of this pain & suffering!! I really hope you're able to recover soon and wish you luck on your future weight loss efforts.

[jaymie 0]

Wow! That's a very scary story for someone who's been banded for 5 days to read!

I'm very sorry about your terrible experience... and I sure hope your health troubles come to an end soon!

[nkitajolie 0]

one of my best friends told me his mother had complications when she was banded in new jersey: something about the doctor leaving something behind and an infection. he said once they got that straightened out overall she's been happy w/ it but he just told me to be careful and make sure it's the right thing for me

good luck to u tho i hope u feel better and whatever you choose meets w/ success