Any cancer survivors with Lap Band?

Bamalama · May 22, 2007

I have Follicular non hodgkins lymphoma. The surgeon and my oncologists say that it is ok for me to be lapped since I am in remission right now. However I am still in maintenance chemo every three months for the next year and a half. I get sick for a few days after chemo. Do many of you experience a lot of throwing up??:help: Since my cancer is not curable a lot of people ask me why I bother! Of course they don't take 12 pills and 2 shots a day for their health either!

isabelle290 · May 22, 2007

I have my band scheduled for July so I don't know about throwing up. I have a friend that is going through Chemo for breast cancer, so I know it is rough. I wanted you to know I hope all goes well for you. I wish you the best with your health! That is great that you are doing this for yourself.

Bamalama · May 22, 2007

Thanks! I need to feel good about myself and during chemo I actually gained about 20 pounds. Wouldn't you know it, most people think you loose weight with chemo, but not me

blulili · May 22, 2007

Hi Bamalama!

I don't know anyone with Cancer issues that has been banded, but I can tell you that my husband has had Testicular Cancer with 2 re-ocurrances and he will be banded July 18th. His oncologist is thrilled about his surgery as is our primary. I think that your descision is wonderful and I wish you all the best. My husband, like yourself has never lost any weight during all his chemo treatments...so you are definately not alone in that aspect as well! Now, when you get sick (throwing up) is it after treatment only, or all the time? If it's only during treatment, hopefully you can get banded somewhat soon after a treatment, so you won't have the throwing up issue while your band is new and your healing. After a couple of months, once all is settled, all should be great.

Kat817 · May 22, 2007

I lost a WHOPPING 3 POUNDS during my chemo! I am a survivor. I had uterine/endometrial cancer. I had been cancer free (?) for almost 4 years when I was banded. I have thrown up a few times with the band, and so far had no bad results from it. I took an oral form of chemo for 6 months and was mildly nauseated from it, I used Patches to combat it. Then I had 6 weeks of 3 X a week infused therapy. The first round made me violently ill, then my numbers got low, and we had to postpone a treatment, and when I went back it was just like the first time, violently ill---but that was the worst of it, it seemed like my body at least tried to adjust.

I agree with blulili, I would see how I react, and try to schedule your banding during a time that you would be least likely to throw up. It does need time in there to heal.

I actually went back and made arrangements with my oncologist for him to assisst me in an emergency unfill if it become necessary, since there are not any nearby band Dr.'s the closest to me being 6 hours away. He was thrilled that I was going to lose the weight, and said he and his staff would help with accessing my port if it were ever a necessity.

Good Luck with your treatment!!!!

Kat