Band swollen shut post op

[erniefairbanks 0]

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Im a newbie here...Had the band on 5-25,after being released, i started having abdominal pain and vomiting. Went in for an upper GI and found that swelling had closed the band completely. Nothing was getting through, even after taking out the initial 2cc's of Fluid. Now in the hospital for 48 hours of rehydration and hoping the swelling goes down. If it doesn't my surgeon says using a bigger band. Surgery wasn't too bad, but I sure don't relish doing it a second time.

Anyone have similar experience out there? Looking forward to feeling human again.

[Iluvharleys 15]

Wow, I can't believe they did a fill on you at surgery. Usually them make you wait 6 weeks for a fill at least. I hope the unfill helps you out and you don't have to do another surgery. Good Luck!

[faithmd 14]

I guess some surgeons do fill a couple cc's in VG and large bands, but it sounds like Ernie has the 4cc band, so 2cc's does seem crazy full to me. Lots of men require the large band, their stomach walls are thicker (on average) than women.

Ernie, I hope that you won't have to pay anything out of pocket for this second band. It was your surgeon's choice to put the smaller band in.

[cyndilou29 0]

:huytsao

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Im a newbie here...Had the band on 5-25,after being released, i started having abdominal pain and vomiting. Went in for an upper GI and found that swelling had closed the band completely. Nothing was getting through, even after taking out the initial 2cc's of Fluid. Now in the hospital for 48 hours of rehydration and hoping the swelling goes down. If it doesn't my surgeon says using a bigger band. Surgery wasn't too bad, but I sure don't relish doing it a second time.

Anyone have similar experience out there? Looking forward to feeling human again.

Hi Ernie,

I was banded 5/24 and am having the exact same problem. I am back in the hospital today for fluids too. My surgeon said the same thing, if swelling doesn't go down I have to have the larger band in or this one out.

However, he did say we could wait it out a bit as I am getting some Fluid down. I find that the warmer the liquid (warm tea, broth) the easier it goes down now. I posted another thread (think it was titled "desperately need some help" or something like that if you want to check out the responses) and got that suggestion from someone who had the same problem. My surgeon said it's rare but it does happen. He said the more you have to manipulate the stomach during surgery the more issues you have with swelling. He said in retrospect, he should have put the bigger band on. Lovely....

I'll tell you I do feel a little better today. One of the responses to my other thread said it took her 9 days to get anything down. I guess it's just a waiting game at this point. It's all we can do. Do you want your surgeon to put in the larger band? I really don't. Just not emotionally ready to go back in to surgery or financially ready to pay for another band/surgery/hospital stay (I'm self pay).

Either way, I know you will feel better soon. Just hang in there. I know that's easy to say but I completely know what you are going through and I know it's not easy, but it will get better.

Please keep us updated as to how you're feeling. Good luck

[erniefairbanks 0]

Wow, am I glad I found this site! Thank you all so much for your replies. A couple of things:

This was not self pay, insurance is picking it up.

I beleieve my band has a 10cc capacity, and the Fluid they took out was just what came with it. Not positive on that, but its what I recall.

Nothin, and I mean nothing is going through my stomach. Not to be indelicate, but I am vomiting up saliva, and the remnants of my barium from the upper GI yesterday. Right now I only dream of Water splashing its way through my stomach unobstructed.

Finally, I'm with you Cindylou, I am not ready to go back to surgery, and will try to wait it out. I am 40yo, and this is the first surgery I have ever had. It really made me nervous, and took a while to get my courage up. I asked the doc about about a steriod to reduce the swelling, and he said he would put the order in for some. I'll let you know how it goes.

Finally, thnks for your kind words. This is pretty miserable, and its nice to have some words of encouragement.

Good Luck to us all!

[socalgal3 4]

The band doesn't come with Fluid in it, so your doctor must have put it in. It isn't very common to do so exactly because of this! There is almost always pre-op swelling internally and your body needs to heal. I am glad your insurance covered the operation and hopefully they will cover any complications if things don't get better soon. I sincerely hope the unfill works and you will be on the road to recovery and weight loss soon.

[Kayford 0]

One of the girls banded with me in Tijuana could not get Soup down when we got to the Hotel Lucerna. They did a barium swallow and I think she had the same issue as you. However, the swelling did go down and I think she has done the best with her weight loss of all of us banded that day. So there is HOPE.

[princessmom 0]

I had the exact same problems. Was banded on 5-4 and did not eat or drink until 5-10. Was put on steriods and tagamet and it did help but I have found only your body's healing will truly help. Look at it this way, it's a quick way to get started. With my pre op diet and the complications I have lost 48 pounds! Keep your chin up because it WILL get better.

[erniefairbanks 0]

Well, two rounds of steriods and 48 hours later, im back to surgery in the am for a larger band. damn. :faint:

[erniefairbanks 0]

Well......Great progress here! Friday morning I had the band replaced with a new one since nothing was getting through. It is impossible to tell you all how much better I feel with a functioning body again! I admit I was feeling pretty discouraged this week. But now I can actually swallow liquids! chicken broth has never tasted better! I feel like a new man!

Surgery went very well, and I was discharged last night when I could prove to the nurses that I could swallow liquids. I am sitting at home 24 hours after surgery, and can't believe what a difference a day makes.

I wanted to say thank you to everyone who replied to my posting. I was very fortunate to find this community. Healthcare is a very interactive process when you are armed with information, and the first hand stories I got from this page and relayed to my doctor were immensely helpful. Keep up the good work everyone. I look forward to repaying my debt to some future user.

[janed 0]

So glad to hear you 2nd surgery went well. Best of luck!! You have nothing but GOOD ahead of you now.

Janed

[PennaPandora 0]

:frown:Hi - my surgery was 6/10/10 last Thursday and I am swollen and hardly getting any liquids to stay down. spitting up white foaming stuff - is this my own saliva?

Discharged since getting a bit down but hardly at all and almost constantly nauseated and spitting up even with now two different nausea meds. One a suppositiory. Any help out there - I am pretty upset. Deb