Problems?!

[ThisMumRocks 1]

date of happening was 8/23/11- OK so here is goes im at the store with my mom getting stuff for my hubbys and my daughters birthday where where that friday and the monday after, I check out them WHAMMMOOOOO pain in my sternum?! pain like ive never had before sharp but dull like being stabbed with a spoon hard, and its radiating, comes in and goes for a second then wham again, along with nausea for a cpl days I call the lap band office they say get to ER they do all sorts of of test, skip forward two days I get out of the hospital after some great care, Diagnosis, Acute gastritis, and while doing the endoscope the gastroenterologist says um, your lapband is way to high, its at the bottom of your throat, and you do not have a pouch, and its way to tight for you. (im thinking no wonder why im always stuck and immediately after i eat something i feel it go thru my band) SO I call my banding DR, and go in show him all the stuff and he tells me, your band is at your Z-line it is not to high you have a pouch, its not at your throat, in the same sentence he says its at the base of your throat where your stomach meets your throat, then tells me the Gastro Doc for the hospital doesn't know what he is talking about and should go back to school. So im really torn at this moment, Im still nauseous all the time, sharp pains still occur but not as bad, still having a hard time to eat, OH and throw in there that my PCP could care less and says there is nothing wrong with me, im going crazy I have anxiety up the wall, and I fell like im screwed now more than i was before I had the surgery. I have only lost about 20 lbs, and most of tht was pre-op. So on top of it i fell like a failure!! The only cool thing that has happened was the night of my hubbs bday we go to a party at a club and the bouncer asks my hubby would let me swing with him, it was completely shocking i was flabbergasted, and flattered at the same time, after saying no of course, i felt damn good about myself after being outta the hospital for a day lol. Please help! I need suggestions on what to do. I cant find a damn PCP in my area that cares and with my band im just at a total loss. im in El Cajon, ca, if you have any ideas, thanks!

[54Shirley 105]

I would go into the E.R. where you had your Bariatric Surgery. They should have someone there or on call. Or locate another Hospital that does Bariatric Surgery, and go in the E. R with the same complaint, and get a second opinion.

Make sure you get the DR.'s name or Tech's name and title. (P.A) or whatever.

Time you went in, and anything else that you can think of to prove your case. Includeing signing a release for your Xrays, and Report. (GET THAT FROM THE OTHER PLACE TO.) If it is so show it to your surgeon, and demand that it be fixed... If there is no pouch, and he has done this out of neglect, contact a Attorney. You have a legitimate complaint.

Your not a failure,, this is a misfortune. I hope they gave you something for the Medical Condition like Omeprazole.

Shirley.

[ThisMumRocks 1]

thanks Shirley! i did get all of my medical records from the first visit, all xrays and such. i got all the Dr's names and everything every one of them gave me a card, to make sure if i ever needed anything to call. So im very lucky, they did give me a daily regiment of prevacid, and anti-nausea, but damn this should not be my everyday i shouldn't have to take anti-nausea everyday ya know. ill see what further testing i can get done, unfortunetly i cant get any referrals cause my PCP says there is nothing wrong with me and so does the surgeon that did the lap band, so apparently i need to find another DR till i can get my testing done. idk its just crazy. I just cant stand to go through all the procedures just to have problems cause of them, dont get me wrong i wouldnt take this back for the world, but damn do it right the first time or admit you where wrong. not only that i found out he charged my insurance 832$ for on fill? wow. IDK ill have to see what i can do i guess..thanks so much for reply-ing!

[54Shirley 105]

I hear what your saying I had a major problem also, and went to a new surgeon. Bad Aftercare was the problem.

It took 5 years to get it all straight. That's this year. Finally I am in good hands.

They cover there tracks, so,,, do what you must... Even if it's E.R. where they have a Bariatric Surgeon though.. Otherwise,,, it's not good to even go.

Look them up on here by your state, then city, on the Forum. Some are listed.

Good Luck, Shirley.

[Cindy C 150]

Personally, I would take the ER doctor's opinion with a grain of salt. He's trained in treating emergencies and probably has no idea about anything lap-band related. The band IS at the base of the esophagus where it meets the stomach. I'm sure yours is right where it should be. Listen to your surgeon. He's the one with the expertise. I hope he's able to figure out what the problem is and can correct it for you so you can continue on your journey. BTW..I can't believe you passed on a chance to swing with the bouncer! What were you thinking? LOL!!!!!!!

[ThisMumRocks 1]

Cindy, there was three ER doctors, and it was the gastro doc that told me not the ER doc and it was after the endoscopy and the hospital does lap bands there i prolly should have put all of this into my first statement but i was nauseous and just pushing through, thats why im asking what to do.. I thought i should have a pouch that was made of stomach right? i don't which is why I feel my food go through my band right after I swallow it, is this normal? I really have no clue how this should feel even after months of having it im used to it but its still foreign and im not sure of it, again im very lucky to have this in and i dont take that for granted. As for the bouncer it was flattering but, as i said im very married very monog, i dont think it would be in my comfort zone, im lucky im comfortable with my hubby seeing me nakid haha.