Band removed

[dfinaldi 6]

I had band removed 5 days ago its still sore and swollen where the port was. Looks like i still have the port..just alot of pulling it feels like....did anyone get band removed .

[lindajane 0]

Why did you have it removed. My husband wants me to have mine removed.

[dfinaldi 6]

Too many problems..getting sleeve next month

[Amanda.Root 3]

Is your insurance company paying to have the band removed? My surgeon refuses to talk to me about removal of my band even tho I am vomiting for 3-5 days STRAIGHT (no food and unable to take meds) EVERY MONTH. He tells me the band is fine... move on to another idea (like see G.I. doctor which I have done with no solution or even a diagnosis). He also tells me that "the board" wanted to fire me as a patient... basically refuse to treat me or even discuss what might be happening to my body with me. While in the E.R. this same surgeon yelled at me, and my mother, telling me that if I don't get myself under control nobody is going to help me. At this point I've lost my job, had to cash out my 401k with major penalties, and I still don't have a proper diagnosis and none of my doctors have a plan for controlling the monthly vomiting episodes. This bariatric surgeon, after telling me to "move on", then said, "do you want me to talk to your insurance company about taking it out based on your personal preference?" I'm having to apply for disability because a person who is vomiting/retching so hard, to the point of losing bladder function, is not employable. I'm not saying the band is causing this cyclic vomiting/abdominal Migraine but I find it really hard to believe that after a year of this my surgeon will not discuss removal of my Lap-Band. It is as if it belongs to him, not me.

Edited January 5, 2015 by Amanda.Root

[lisacaron 5,075]

@@Amanda.Root I'm not taking a side here with your surgeon, however I would like to tell you that it sounds like what might be needed here is an OB/GYN Dr.

Years prior to my band I had some similar issues that would happen to me on a cycle and not in conjunction with a period but outside of that. In the end I had to have a subtotal hysterectomy and I have 100% better since then. It took a very long time for them to diagnose the issue since it was hidden behind my intestines. One of my fallopian tubes was so swollen it was about to burst and as each cycle would go it would swell and shrink and cause all kinds of symptoms and when it was at it's most swollen it would impact my intestines and cause a blockage that would cause vomiting diarrhea and/or Constipation all with brain searing headaches.

Don't just assume that everything wrong with us is our bands, or our WLS surgery. Find a good hospital that also has a bariatric team and have them get to the bottom of it.

[Amanda.Root 3]

@@Amanda.Root I'm not taking a side here with your surgeon, however I would like to tell you that it sounds like what might be needed here is an OB/GYN Dr.

Years prior to my band I had some similar issues that would happen to me on a cycle and not in conjunction with a period but outside of that. In the end I had to have a subtotal hysterectomy and I have 100% better since then. It took a very long time for them to diagnose the issue since it was hidden behind my intestines. One of my fallopian tubes was so swollen it was about to burst and as each cycle would go it would swell and shrink and cause all kinds of symptoms and when it was at it's most swollen it would impact my intestines and cause a blockage that would cause vomiting diarrhea and/or Constipation all with brain searing headaches.

Don't just assume that everything wrong with us is our bands, or our WLS surgery. Find a good hospital that also has a bariatric team and have them get to the bottom of it.

Thank you! This is great advice from personal experience. Exactly what I came here for. I need to look at everything, I agree. I have had problems with ovarian cysts in the past that left me feeling pretty awful. I have seen many specialists, had many images done, endoscopies, seen the ER doctors several times. I'm not stuck on the idea that it is my band, in fact for the past six months I've been assuming I have abdominal Migraines or cyclic vomiting syndrome and have plans to see a neurologist.... but, all this retching cannot be good for a device that is sutured to my stomach. Whether it is the fault of the band or not, this can't continue. My surgeon is a great surgeon but something changed recently with his bedside manner/attitude. Could be personal. Could be that he and I don't get along. My intention isn't to ruin his name as a surgeon. I just need some help... and I'm getting it from a different bariatric center an hour away and they are actually looking forward to getting to the bottom of this.... like you suggested. And I couldn't be happier with the way they have handled things already....listening, asking the right questions... assuring me that there is help. The last thing my surgeon said to me was, "move on" as if I were a homeless person camped on his steps. Not cool. Good surgeon, bad attitude, bad people skills, lousy problem solving skills.

[lisacaron 5,075]

@@Amanda.Root Very glad to hear that you have found a place that is determined to help you get to the bottom of what's plaguing you.

You are right about all the vomiting not being good for the band. You could have issues, but hopefully those will not happen and your band will stay well placed and you will find out what is causing you to be sick and continue to work with the band if you choose. If not, and it is the band causing the issues, and/or you have a subsequent issue arise from being ill and have to have the band replaced there are several options out there for you if you wish to continue on the road of WLS.

The first thing is to get to the bottom of what's wrong. Keep breathing, eat light, and have faith that your in good hands with this new group.

Best of luck to you, let us know how you are doing.