Lap-Band Lawsuit

[Dibaby44 63]

Wow! It is like we are twins. I had everything you have had except the spleen. Its been 4 weeks since my band removal and revision to bypass. The weirdest thing is that my inflammation in my hands is almost gone. My reflux is gone as well thank God. The surgery wasnt bad at all. Its really a week of uncomfortableness. My pain level never over a level 4. Im working my new pouch. There is restriction. I dont have much stamina. That should come back in a few weeks. I have lost 33 pounds so im thrilled. I was off of work 3 weeks. I really cant wait to do my blood work again and see where i stand with my lupus and RA. Good luck and you are going to feel so much better soon

[apaige203 1]

@@parisshel Hello and thank you for responding to my post. I will be sure to keep you posted on the life after removal. I truly hope that most of my symptoms are resolved once this is removed as well. I have MS as well and from what I was researching I should have never had this band in the first place due to toxicity with autoimmune diseases. Fibromyalgia was diagnosed about 1 year after placing the band. I am hoping I will be able to simply diet and exercise on my own without the use of medical intervention.

@@Dibaby44 Thank you for responding to my post as well. I bet you are starting to feel amazing since having the band removed 4 weeks ago. It is GREAT to hear from another patient with similar symptoms as my own... rather than hearing it from a healthcare professional that never had the surgery/symptoms themselves. The support is truly appreciated!!!! My legs just recently started becoming easily inflammed and I knew it was time to get this thing out. I am getting it removed on a Thursday and hope to be back at work on Monday... is this too soon? The doctor said yes, but HE is not a SHE and never had bariatric surgery before. Outside of going to work, I am bed-bound most of the time. I did walk on treadmill for about 30 minutes on Sunday and Monday, however I am paying for it now and had another moderate fever yesterday with hot flashes/red face and cold skin. People saw me yesterday and said that I do not look well so that really sucks too. Also my joints hurt AGAIN and muscles are stiff. Over the last few years, I have learned that the only thing that will help my symptoms from exacerbating is to lay completely still in my bed, lights off, and not to move. My brain says "let's go" and my body says "hell no"!!! I was tired of lying about my condition so I could keep up with other people my own age, but I have come to realize that I was only hurting myself! Although nobody wants to hear you complain, I was also giving people the impression something else was wrong with me... a possible mental problem or a drug issue. I tend to push people away when I start experiencing these symptoms and I never would go out to eat at work-related functions. If I did not say something than people would start assuming things about me because I am always sick. I live in a very well-known drug addicted community so it was important for me to start sharing my battle and avoid the judgments from the get-go. How are you feeling today? What blood tests are they running for you post removal? Congratulations on loosing 33 lbs and getting rid of the old baggage (the band)... you should feel GREAT about yourself and all of your hard work! This life is hard enough, let alone being overweight, and let alone having complication from weight loss surgery. I am tired of hearing myself complain and used to be such a hardworking person... I find it hard to concentrate and physically/mentally keep up with anything. Has your lupus/RA gotten better (symptoms associated). How long were you banded? I look forward to hearing back from you and hope everyday is getting easier for you! Chat soon...

Edited July 22, 2015 by apaige203

[Dibaby44 63]

Hi apaige203

I was banded since 2003. Such a long time. My inflammation has gone down a lot in my hands at least. I have not had any blood work post op but i go early in august. I also get those fevers with lupus after i over do myself. Although i havent had ine in a long time since ive been on meds. I still have joint pain after surgery but i have hope it will slowly get better. I still dont have much stamina but it will get better doc says. Ohhh that is not enough time!! You need at least 2 weeks recovery. I took 3 and was greatful i did. This is major surgery. The same as if you had a kidney removed or something. Please take time to recover. You need that sleep! I have to run but will talk again soon.

[apaige203 1]

@dibaby44. I have been in the hospital since Wednesday. I went through the ED as anticipated. The doctor had so many surgical patients yesterday that hopefully he removes my band today if he gets the time. Typically he does not operate on Fridays but he will be able to leave his office and come back to the hospital today, pending the surgical department has ANY opening. I am in so much pain, cannot eat liquids or fluids, except a sip of Water with meds. I have been on IV morphine therapy since Wednesday and it has slightly taken away some pains. But my other symptoms are still not so well controlled. Figures the girl next to me in this room (my roommate at the hospital) is only here because she is homeless and does "flaka". A new street drugs for kids in this area. She is in kidney failure and has heart issues now, also eats away your skin.... she is unresponsive except to eat and screams loudly at hospital staff... it is hard to relax and I will havr a room chanhe soon... the hospital is so over crowded. I will keep you all posted as the days go in... hopefully my next post will be when my band is finally removed...

Edited August 2, 2015 by apaige203

[apaige203 1]

It Is my first day home since band removal (slept in my own bed last night after four days in the hospital). I feel like I got beat up and my entire body hurts, joints and all. I still feel the "phantom lap band" pains and they used surgical glue to close the 5 incisions. I was sleeping in recovery unit after surgery for about 4 hours. Full body pain and severe stomach, neck, back and throat pain (from tube during surgery). Clear liquid diets for now and liquid hydrocodone for pain. I also got xanax to help me fall asleep. My diet consists of broth, creamed Soups, Jello, ice cream, pudding, yogurt, Sorbet, flan, broth, and Water. Going to eat this diet for the next week or so and then slowly introduce new foods like oatmeal and eggs. I will keep everyone updated as time goes on. I feel like crap today but did mange to sleep through the night on my back. I woke up one time during the night to use bathroom and take my medication dose (every 6 hours). My husband has been absolutely AMAZING helping me through this and running errands for me. I could not have done this without him. I do suggest having some help when coming home from hospital. Especially when it comes to picking up my meds from pharmacy (hard to find liquid narcotics) and running errands. I am not allowed to drive so he has really stepped up and he never left my side. Hopefully I will improve over the next few days. I do not think I will be going to work tomorrow especially because I cannot drive. I will take it one day at a time. My husband may drive me to work if I am feeling up to it, and I will possibly do part-time days this week if anything. I will keep everyone ppsted as time moves on. I also tried my best to keep my band once removed, but the state I live in sends it to pathology and cannot give back to the patient by law... what a bummer!!!

Edited August 2, 2015 by apaige203

[Dibaby44 63]

Hi apaige203! So glad to here you got it out. The first week is miserable but once u get that drain out it gets much better. Those pains really arent phantom. Everything is healing up and you still have restriction. Its just a different kind if restriction. At least it is for me. I cant believe ur even thinking of working. You need to heal and rest. Besides that pain medication makes you loupy. Anyways i hope it inproves for you soon. Take care

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

Paige I hope you feel better soon.

[apaige203 1]

Hi all

I decided to stay home today from work. I will take it day by day to see what I can handle (I am a better provider and a terrible patient). I have been sleeping a lot and doing short walks around the house. sleep has been difficult but meds do help somewhat (very loopy). My fiance will drive me to work if I decide to go in this week but its a day-to-day thing now. I was in hospital for four day and three nights... also in recovery for almost 5 hours after band removal. @@Dibaby44 you are absolutely correct about needing the rest and healing time. Thank you for your continued support through this journey. It has truly helped me and I do listen to the advice of other bandsters. @@JustWatchMe thank you as well for your support. Each new day will get easier. They used glue to keep the incisions closed... did you guys get stitches or glue? I am eating a liquid diet; baby food, Jello, flan, Soup, broth, liquid meals, applesauce, yogurt, pudding, popsicles. I hope to try oatmeal and eggs by the bed of the week but will introduce one food at a time. The day the band was removed I was only able to drink room temp broth. Jello bothered me going down so I stuck to broth, Water and tea only. What did everyone else's diet consist of during week one of removal?

Edited August 3, 2015 by apaige203

[apaige203 1]

@@Dibaby44 I took your advice and took two weeks off after band removal surgery. I could have used another week (per my doc) but I begged him to release me back under the condition that I do sedentary/light duty work during the first week of my return. I was going stir crazy being home (work-a-holic) and could not imagine staying home one week longer. I was JUST cleared on Friday to start using the treadmill as well, however I am still not able to lift or use other gym machines.

As far as symptoms, below is what I experienced prior to removal and I "Red-Texted" what symptoms I still experience 2 weeks later....

nausea, vomiting, migraines, constant low grade fevers, joint pain, gallbladder removal in 2009 (no stones), elevated liver enzymes (ALT/AST), enlarged spleen, elevated CRP, "dumping syndrome", inflammation throughout my body especially my stomach, abnormal blood counts and chemistry, unable to pass certain foods from esophagus to stomach, autoimmune disease soon developed (new meds to take), uncomfortable in my own body, weakness/fatigue, acid reflux, back/neck pain, constipation/diarrhea (to name a few). I also have device related complications such as; port pain with and without pressure being applied, infection at the port, unable to stand up straight/reach up/stretch backwards, and always protecting my stomach from the outside world from fear of it being bumped.

I will keep everyone posted as time goes on... does anyone know of class action suits at this time?

[al1234 4]

I also feel better. This removal was a breeze. No pain just soreness.

[Geneniece Valentin 0]

Bat in the Sun,

give me the sum:

Of why the Riddler,

would have a riddle so Bat in the Sun,

give me the sum:

Of why the Riddler,

would have a riddle so dumb?dumbii