Tired Of This Band!!!

[ashli86 0]

I got my lap band about 4 1/2 years ago and have been living in hell ever since! i was 389 lbs when i got the sugery, and have only managed to keep off around 50 lbs. My weight fluntuates all the time. To start it off, when i awoke from the surgery i was serverly sick. the surgeon decided to put a fill in at the time of the surgery and it messed me up. i came to it wretching, severe, severe chest pains, and vomitting. They shouldnt have let me leave but they sent me on my way. I have no insurance and have to pay for everything out of pocket. I had to get all these test done. one right after another. None the which were even relivent to my complications. i go into these attacks where i go days of wretching, vommiting and severe chest pains. i throw up till it is nothing but bile. i take a sip of Water and it comes right back up. i get extremely dehydrated, etc. at least 50 percent of the time i end up in an emergency room and have to be doped up on phinigrin, zofran, xanax, pain pills, and an IV. and they only ease it. nothing helps completelyi have to keep a steady supply on hand 24/7. i finally got my gahul bladder remover 2 years ago because they FINALLY figured out that it was completely full of sludge and was leaking. they said after that surgery i would get better. they were wrong again. lap band was one of the worst mistakes of my life! i just want to live a normal life and not worry every single day if i am going to get sick or not. i gave up on the fills about 2 years ago. shortly after i would get one in i would have to get it out. $100 everytime whether it was getting one in or out. i am so ready to get this thing out of me! hopefully in the next month. but i was wondring if anyone suffers the same way i do for days at a time? any advic will be completly appreciated.

[2muchfun 8,927]

Have you tried a complete unfill?

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I also wonder if you've had a complete unfill? Also, have you had scans with barium to check your band placement? What size is your band? Do you drink carbonation?

[danielle b 32]

You need to find a doctor that will do your fill under flouroscopy...(xray). That is the best way to determine if there is anything else wrong with your band too!! And this is the only way to get an accurate fill...not too tight not too loose!! The band works, it's just your doctor needs to help you out and be more supportive. Good luck to you

[Sojourner 2,446]

I got my lap band about 4 1/2 years ago and have been living in hell ever since! i was 389 lbs when i got the sugery, and have only managed to keep off around 50 lbs. My weight fluntuates all the time. To start it off, when i awoke from the surgery i was serverly sick. the surgeon decided to put a fill in at the time of the surgery and it messed me up. i came to it wretching, severe, severe chest pains, and vomitting. They shouldnt have let me leave but they sent me on my way. I have no insurance and have to pay for everything out of pocket. I had to get all these test done. one right after another. None the which were even relivent to my complications. i go into these attacks where i go days of wretching, vommiting and severe chest pains. i throw up till it is nothing but bile. i take a sip of Water and it comes right back up. i get extremely dehydrated, etc. at least 50 percent of the time i end up in an emergency room and have to be doped up on phinigrin, zofran, xanax, pain pills, and an IV. and they only ease it. nothing helps completelyi have to keep a steady supply on hand 24/7. i finally got my gahul bladder remover 2 years ago because they FINALLY figured out that it was completely full of sludge and was leaking. they said after that surgery i would get better. they were wrong again. lap band was one of the worst mistakes of my life! i just want to live a normal life and not worry every single day if i am going to get sick or not. i gave up on the fills about 2 years ago. shortly after i would get one in i would have to get it out. $100 everytime whether it was getting one in or out. i am so ready to get this thing out of me! hopefully in the next month. but i was wondring if anyone suffers the same way i do for days at a time? any advic will be completly appreciated.

Ashli,

You certainly have had a difficult road to travel. From your writing, I am concerned about the level of communication and understanding you have with your doctor.

I am a strong advocate of each person taking a proactive role in their health and well being. If you doctor is not one to discuss your concerns with you and give you a response which is understandable and provides you with the medical advice you need, then it is time to find another doctor.

You did not mention the kind of foods you were advised to plan your diet around, or what you do to assist with your self care. Both are extremely important for your well being and your success with weight loss.

You wisely write about your anger and extreme frustration with your current situation, it is therapeutic to write about the things which make you angry.

My question to you is "What can you do at this place in time to improve your health state and the way you feel?" Taking action in this direction is self empowering, which it seems to me is something you are lacking now, and no wonder with all you have been through. It is common to become so caught up with your feelings of anger and frustration that we loose sight of the power we have to manage our lives, if we choose to use it.

Become proactive to address your health issues by being appropriately assertive and ask questions about your treatment plan with your doctor.

I hope you will get some answers soon, and also hope that you will feel better...

[kmt1973 92]

I hate to think you spent all this money just to have it taken back out. Its sounds like you need to start over with a good dr and nutritionist. All the abive advice is really good. Don't give up on it. All this can be corrected w the right dr.

[ashli86 0]

i have had the bariatric xray i dont know how many times and every time they say there is nothing wrong with the band. no slippage or anything.last time i had a check up from my lap band doctors though has ben about two years. i quite going because i dont like my surgeon or the place, true results. my surgeon acted like he didnt really care. as long as he got his $$$ he was ok. i unfortunately never had a nutritionist. i dont have insuranc so i didnt have to go through the same procedure everyone else does to get the sugery who has insurance. all i had to do was get my bmi down and have the surgery. which i regret because i dint have the right counsoling when going into this. i do still drink carbonation. i know i shouldnt. one of my biggest weaknesses. my family is always getting onto me about that. i have had a complete unfill. i do have a little bit in right now. its not the fills that get me sick. its just that whenm i get sick i have to take it out.

[ashli86 0]

i dont look at my lap band as failed. when i got the surgery i was right under 400 lbs and 5'2 and couldnt do anything. i couldnt even leave my appt much because i could hardly walk. i couldnt even go grocery shopping without having to stop and sit down every few minutes. the lap band saved my life. i did a type o in my very first post and said i have kept off 50 but i meant 80. i am still in better shape than ever, just miserable. i am also scared that when i get it out that a. i will wake up sick again (there is nothing worse than waking up out of a stomache surgery wretching. worse pain ever!!!!) and b. i will gain my weight again and be in that same position.

[Cocoabean 430]

Have you spoken with your doctor about revising to another procedure? Your body may be better suited for bypass or sleeve. Learn all you can about them before making any decisions. It can often be done during one operation, keeping costs down.