Bye Bye Band Buddy

[Short and Chunky 230]

On 4/25/14, after 2 full days of pain and vomitting blood, I was rushed to the hospital via rescue. What was happening to me? I thought it was my band and it was. My band had slipped and cut off the blood supply to my stomach. Scar tissue had began forming and the stomach was starting to die. OK, this is serious..That night, my band was removed. I had my buddy band for 2 1/2 years. 120+ pounds gone and I was not having any issues..wow, when I started issues, I really started. I am now bandless and don't know if or when I can have anything else done. Due to my current weight and BMI, I don't think that will happen. Thank you all for being so honest about your problems and fears - post band - I am looking forward to following this thread and with your help, getting through this and moving on. I am still in pain and still have my stitches..I'm trying to be good but I also feel sorry for myself and letting fear take over a bit. Anyone who can shed some light on post-band it is appreciated.

Melinda in Florida

[gowalking 10,790]

Oh Melinda...I'm so sorry that you've had complications. I'm 16 months post banded and have had much success. Posts like yours worry me that things can just as easily go wrong for me as well. I see that you mention that you had no warning or other complcations. Did you get regular follow up with the surgeon's office?

I don't know what I'll do if my band goes south. It saved me and I can't imagine not having it. Please keep us posted on how you are doing and if you revise to another WLS.

[relief57 53]

Short, I'm really sorry to hear of your traumatic experience but glad you were able to get it taken care of quickly. Your fears are valid its what you do with them now that you recognize and acknowledge what it is. I am a woman of faith and believe that if God has brought you this far he's definitely not going to leave you now. Look for the message in your situation I'm sure it will be profound.

As for the future,,,,remember the band was a tool. The mind is an awesome tool as well use it to your advantage. You learned how to eat differently when you had the band. 2 1/2 year is a long time to experience a change in habit. Keep doing what you were doing. if necessary psych yourself out to believe that the band is still there. You're already a success!!

Best wishes and prayers being sent your way.

[Short and Chunky 230]

Thanks guys for all the well wishes and concerned. I am finally feeling better and on the road back. To "go walking"..I went to my surgeon once a month - every 6 weeks from day one. He did not see this coming either. My band was my "buddy". I had been stuck a few times, been too tight a few times , been too loose a few times but all of that is normal when you have a band. I asked my old surgeon and the new one - What happened??? they don't know. I also commented that it happened so fast and I went from fine to extremely sick and in a dangerous position..he told me yep, that happens- although rarely = but when it does, it can happen just like this. I saw my doctor just 2 weeks (with a flouroscope) before this happened. I am still sore and the doctor said recovery from this takes twice as long as getting the band did. My weight is down about a pound, I am walking one to one and half miles twice a day. I am getting stronger each day. I do miss my "buddy" but I still have my plication so hopefully I have enough tools left to carry on and loose that last 15 pounds. If I was doing this band-thing all over again, I would ! I was a success - I lost a whole person (my grown daughter doesn't weigh but 105 pounds and I lost 124 pounds). I am run down a bit and have to get injections to build my Vitamins back up but that was expected by the doctor. My band was a life saver for me and now I have to go on without it...hang in there and loose your pounds like you should and keep all your doctor's appointments, but be sure YOU LISTEN to your inner self and your band and if something does not feel just right, please don't be foolish like me and wait until morning - get to an ER or your doctor ASAP. Have a wonderful weekend and keep moving forward !

Melinda in Florida

[gowalking 10,790]

Aw...gee Melinda. You did everything right and still came up short. Thanks so much for letting me know about this. This was a good lesson for me. I started to think that complications are the results of not following protocol and I see that I'm wrong. Good luck to you and keep us posted as to whether or not the plication helps or if you revise to another WLS.

Liz