LapBand - horrible outcome

[alyshac 15]

Hi all, I am new to this site - and hoping I can find a lot of support on here. So here's my story.... When I was 18, only 6 months after my birthday I had decided to get the lapband. I have ALWAYS been "the big, little sister", obesity runs in my mothers side of the family & after having a beautiful baby girl when I was 17 (yes, young!) I had reached my heaviest. I went in, with high hopes, but two years later, I am still struggling with my weight at 5'4 & 230lbs. The lapband was HORRIBLE, I would never wish that procedure even on my own enemy.. I was always in pain, couldn't eat ANYTHING without throwing it up... Not even a grape! For 2 years, I just hoped it would one day work, I finally called a news doctor within my insurance, & he wanted it out ASAP, & suggested I go with the Gastric Sleeve. Of course, I said YES! He put in a request to my insurance to do the conversion, & within 5 days, I received a letter of denial. I was in tears, I called my doctor, & he said we weren't giving up, he put in another request demanding the conversion, or at least removal of my band, as it was causing me much pain. Finally, a day after that, I was approved for the conversion my surgery was scheduled for today, I went in, in high hopes that he would be able to take out my band, & also give me the gastric sleeve..... I would only find out if he was able to do both-when I would awake from anesthesia.. First question I asked was if I had the conversion. Answer was, no I'm sorry it was too risky- and being so drugged up, I fell into a sleep again. When I woke again, they explained to me that the band had slipped (for some reason it was not seen in the X-ray) & being it slipped, I ended up with a few ulcers in my stomach, & the band was pushing into my liver, which has caused a "dent" in it... Hearing that, I cried... Now I see where all the pain came from! I was heart broken, still am, & now I will have to wait until July---END OF MONTH July feeling really bummed, I just turned 21 last Monday, and I was hoping this would be my birthday gift to myself... Looks like I won't enjoy this hot weather this summer.. Does this sound familiar to anyone? - has something similar happened to you? How did you feel? I'm looking for any type of support on this one, as I am just feeling really upset tonight..

Ps, please excuse any bad grammar, if any, as I am still feeling a little drowsy...

Thanks in advance to anyone who reads/comments/supports!

[VSGKirk 855]

I hope you at least will feel better with the band out and as your liver heals - that's good, right!?

I believe everything happens for a reason, so if your surgeon said it was too risky, then good for him - you have a good/ethical surgeon. Trust his advice and be patient.

July is merely weeks away - don't be discouraged, use this time to start preparing for your new life - you are going to have an AMAZING Christmas

[Ms.Cali 56]

I had the sleeve done while I had 3 bleeding ulcers. All I can say is that I went to hell and back with months of hospitalization. Still recovering :-(

Your Dr. is very smart, give your body a chance to heal even if it takes a year. It's not worth the complications to do the surgery prematurely.

Hope you heal quickly!

[123Go 26]

I know you must be desperately disappointed but July isn't really that far away! I was in the same boat, I had my band removed in November and the surgeon said it had left my stomach in a distorted mess.... I've had to wait 6 month for my sleeve (I had it done Monday, still recovering in hospital). All I can say is its great you have a surgeon who wants to wait and by doing this make sure you can have a much less chance of complications. I feel for you hunny, but it will be here before you know it, I promise

[gigi1981 10]

I also had to wait 8 months for my band ravaged stomach to heal. But I have since had the sleeve and am very happy with the results. I've had it 7 months and lost 30 kgs. I have not had any of the vomitting and reflux that I had daily with the band. I can eat what I like without any drama (small portions of course)

Be patient, the time will fly, best of luck with your new journey.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

A couple months is nothing! TRUST ME! You're dr is one smart doc. It's very important to wait for your self to heal completely or you're bound to have major sleeve complications if not. I had to wait 18 months for any dr to come near me with the sleeve procedure. I promise 2 months is not a long time to wait. Use the time to set your mind and attitude towards your new goal of being healthier and happier. The sleeve isn't like the band and you will have to change your lifestyle for it to work. Now is the time to start. Goods luck

[alyshac 15]

Hi all, thank you all for responding. I have read Eberhart single post & it really brought tears to my eyes knowing that you all had so many good things to say for me.. I really needed this, & now I see why my co worker has called this site "her family" you all are amazing. Sadly, I am back in ER this afternoon due to major, unbearable chest pain. I had it all night long & finally came now, I'm on an IV, & have had a GI cocktail, which hasn't helped! They say that my chest pain may have been caused by the gas they used firing surgery... But this is ONE PAINFUL 'gas, short of breath, short walk is so painful on my chest, shoulders, sides, neck, & head! I'm going in for a CAT scan in a few.. Wish me luck new friends! :')

[123Go 26]

Good luck mate, thinking of you!

[alene 74]

I hope you're feeling better. Sorry to hear that.

I was banded for 5 years, lost 30 lbs probably from vomiting. It was 5 years of torture. So last Oct I went in to the hospital for the revision to sleeve, woke up from anesthesia and I got the sickening news that my surgeon just removed the band and sewed me back up because my stomach was "a mess in there" too dangerous to do the sleeve. So he cleared me for 2 months from now. (July 8) so it will be 9 months that I had to wait. I sure wish the band was offered to me back in 2007 when I got the band. Good luck to you! ! Feel better. Oh hey, maybe we'll both be sleeved around the same time! ! :-)

[breederb 22]

Bless your heart! I'm so sorry you are going through this.

Rebecca

[alyshac 15]

Hi all,

I am home from ER today, & feeling awesome! & I feel SO much better about having to wait TWO months for my sleeve.. From the help of you all, I have gained some insight, & it is only best for me to be healed before the sleeve. Thank you all for your support. I am excited to become a sleever, & to see the wonderful results you all have experienced! I may not have a awesome summer, but I WILL have an awesome Christmas (as someone said) that is so true! & I will have a awesome rest of my life!! Very exciting..

Thank you all AGAIN, for being a huge part of my support, I am looking forward to speaking to you all more on my journey to getting sleeved, & my journey after being sleeved

Alysha