What do I do now?

bckeye01 · May 26, 2006

I am new to this site... I have been reading the postings and the support everyone has been giving for some time.. Well I need some support..

I have thought about lap band for some time.. went thru all of the pre testing..was approved and scheduled for surgery..went in for surgery ( April 24th) the surgery started out fine but then there was a complication and I started to bleed. My spleen tore during the surgery. My Dr. is the best in the area so I do not think he is the cause of this.(I did my research on him, this was the first case that he has had this happen to) .. he apologized to my hubby and to my family and said it is something that just happened. During surgery they removed my spleen ( you can live without one.. it is for reproducing blood cells and it helps fight off infections) Since this was a major surgery.. I was off work for 6 weeks now I am off work 1 more week..

For the rest of my life I have to watch what I do and who I am around. I have to take flu shot, phenonimona shot and menigitis shots every 3-5 years the rest of my life. I have to use purex gel like crazy.. to make sure I do not get germs from money, doors, getting gas, etc...

The Dr did not proceed with the lap band because of the bleeding and he did not want any infection to set in because of the amount of blood. He did tell me I can try again in 2-3 months for surgery.. to allow my body to heal.. My hubby is not happy with the thought of doing it again.. I am about 85% that I want to continue with it.. I went in to have it done.. and had visions of a thinner me.. and now I am back where I started but without an organ...I want to do the lap band, but I have a concern of infection around the port... Is this common? My Dr said he would put me on antibiotics prior to surgery and then after, just to make sure. My Dr has already given me antibiotics now just in case I get the signs of ANY infection or cold like symptoms..

I am still trying to figure out what to do:help:

leatha_g · May 26, 2006

Bless your heart! What an experience! I'm really sorry you had to endure this and still not get your band. I can't tell you one way or the other. It's a very personal decision. Just know that we all care and hope that everything works out the way you hope it to! Be well!!

bckeye01 · May 27, 2006

Thanks for the support.. I know it is my own decission.. but I am still trying to figure that out.. I am about 85% sure I will do it.. but I am scared of an infection.. that is why I want to see how many people with bands have had any infection.. I have read postings that talked about the port moving.. and pain at their ports.. but was that normal.. or was it an infection?

Elisabethsew · May 27, 2006

MANY people live without their spleens and do just fine. Tonsils are another organ that aid in fighting off infection and tons of people live fine without them. I doubt you would have any problems moving forward with the lapband surgery but it has to be your decision. Good luck.

lianna · May 27, 2006

It sounds like your main concern is port infection. I really think you need to talk to your doctor and get his statistics, we cant tell you if you are at an increased risk for infection or not.....he can. Good luck with whatever course you decide on.

GayleTX · May 28, 2006

What a mess! I'm sorry that happened to you! Do hope you didn't have to pay for all that!!

bckeye01 · May 29, 2006

Thank god for a low out of pocket expense I have to pay.. so with this mess up I have now met that limit.. so if I do decide to do the surgery..It will be free to me!!

My concern is not if I am at a greater risk for infection( I am not) but has any one had an infection.. and what are the signs..

vinesqueen · May 29, 2006

you poor thing! I know that many people live quite nicely without their spleens, but so sorry you have to be one of them!

I agree with the others, you should talk with your doc about his infection statistics. I honestly don't know what the greater stats are, but you might check out the Inamed's site as well. Please do a search on port infections and see what you come up with. Keep in mind that as a support board we will probably have a much higher incidence of problems than your specific surgeon or with Inamed.

Take care, and keep in touch!