Body may be rejecting lab band

[Mary25 0]

I had lap band surgery during the last week in June (2007) in Las Vegas. Immediately after my surgery, I noticed that the incision where the port was placed was red and puffy. I suspected infection, but nothing was said by the hospital staff, and surgeon, when they released me to go home. So, I just figured that it was bruising from the surgery. One week later, I had to go back to the clinic so the staff could check my incisions. They confirmed that I had an infection in the incision where the port was placed. They put me on one week of antibiotics (ciprofoxicen) and wanted to check it again at the end of the week. The infection did not heal and they had to cut into the insicion area to drain it and begin packing the wound. I went to the clinic every other day and sometimes every day to have the wound packed. Yesterday, the surgeon told me that the wound is not healing as it should. He explained that because of the port's presence, my bodys tissues can't heal properly. He decided to place me on another week of antibiotics and plans to see me again next Friday. He explained that it may be necessary to go back into surgery and remove the port and allow my body to heal naturally. Later, when everything heals, we would have to, again, go back to surgery and install a new port (which would cost me in the neighborhood of $800.00 just for the new port alone). I told him that I have been having a lot of heartburn when I eat and he said there is a slight possibility that my body is rejecting the lap band. My insurance did not pay for any of this surgery. To pay for it, I had to take out a home equity loan. As it is, it is going to take me quite a long time to get out of debt from the original surgery. Having to go back into the hospital two more times and buy a new port, will drain me financially. I'm kind of at a loss as to what I should do. In a way, I feel like having the entire procedure reversed. It is extremely hard on me to drive to the clinic every day after work. I was so hoping this episode would be over soon so I can get on to losing weight. I would appreciate any suggestions or comments about my ordeal. Thank you.:think

[Alexandra 55]

Mary, I'm so sorry you're having this trouble! It's extremely rare that a body "rejects" the band--I've heard surgeons actually say that it's categorically impossible--but every once in a while there are people who seem just physically unable to tolerate it. I hope your body stops objecting and makes friends with it!! Good luck and heal quickly. :hug:

[NanaRenan 0]

Mary, I was almost afraid to read your post, as this has been a niggling fear of mine.

I had a hernia repair last year and there was a lot of pain and swelling in the days and weeks AFTER I'd begun to heal from the initial surgery. Doctor said it was my body adjusting to the foreign matter (piece of surgical mesh) used to reinforce my repair.

It made me worried about surgery and at just 5 days post surgery, its still pretty prominent on my mind. Perhaps something like that is what you're experiencing.

If you don't mind, I am going to put you on my prayer list that your body will quickly be free of infection and on the road to healing without any further surgery or unexpected trips to the clinic.

Nana

[LOLA123 0]

HI I'M ALSO BANDED AND WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOMETHING W/ YOU . MY SISTER HAD THE SIMILAR THING HAPPEN TO HER.SHE WAS BANDED AND WAS FINE UPTILL 7 MONTHS INTO , AND THEN THE WOUND GOT RED AND A LITTLE BUFFY.OUR DR, IS IN MEXICO T.J. SO IT WAS HARD TO GO BACK & FORTH , THE DOC TOLD HER THE SAME THING TO WAIT IT OUT W/THE MEDS (ANTI BIO.)BUT NOTHING SEEMED TO BE HELPING ,THEN THE WOUND OPENED AND NEVER CLOSED FOR MONTHS & MONTHS THE DR, THEN CHANGED TO DIIFERNT STRONGER MEDS. BUT BY THEN WE LOST HOPE IN THE DR. HE DID'NT SEEM VERY CONCEREND AND NEGLECTED THE SITUATION.....TO NOT MAKE THIS LONGER , SHE NO LONGER SEEKED THAT DR. AND CAME TO THE STATES WITH HER INS. FROM WORK AND PRIMARY PHYSICIAN FOUND HELP !!!BY THEN EXTERMELY NEEDED !!!!!!SHE SUFFERED FROM A HORRIBLE !!!!INFECTION IN HALF HER STOMACH AND WAS PUT THROUGH EXTREEM CARE THE REMOVED THE BAND WITH EXTREEM CAUTIONAND LIVED TO TELL HER STORY...SHE NOW HAS RECOVERD WELL 10 MONTHS LATER.HER LIFE WAS PUT ON THE LINE FOR NO !! REASON !!!! THE DR, KNEW OF THE INFECTION LIKE YOU DO AND DID NOTHING TILL THINGS GOT SO SO SEVEAR! PLEASE BE VERY CARE FUL ! AND SEEK MED. ATTENTION AT ONCE. !! ANY Quest. MY E- MAIL IS DANZNLOLA@HOTMAIL.COM AND I'LL BE HAPPY TO ASK MY SIS TO CONTACT YOU . GOOD LUCK

[claramae 0]

Mary, I hope and pray your doctor knows what he is doing. I hate to even put more fear and doubt in your head at this time!!! I had hip replacement almost 2 years ago. About 10 days later, my incision became red and inflamed and draining. I was running fever(103). We went to the ER and they immediately took action. To make a very long story short, I had one of those "super bug infections" that are resistant to antibotics. I had surgery the next day to drain the wound and they did it again 2 days later. I was on IV antibotics at home for 3 months. I had to have that hip replaced later on down the road. You need to ask your dr. if he has checked you for MRSA. Very important. This is the infection I had. Please let me know what happens. I really do not mean to scare you.

[liberattor 0]

I developed a MRSA staff infection. I took Zyvox and it cleared. The pills are VERY expensive, but my insurance took care of it. Other antibiotics don't touch it. Have a culture run so you know what it is. Again, Zyvox...600mg.

[claramae 0]

Lib---did you get MRSA from your lap band surgery?

[Iluvharleys 15]

My thoughts are with you and I hope you find the answer soon. Maybe a second opinion would be good too.

[liberattor 0]

claramae...it appears that is what happened; I got the MRSA following complications with lap band. Had port removed, did another culture and it showed up. Put me on Zyvox. One week later did diagnostic. Was on Zyvox for apx. two weeks. No more pus, slime or drainage from wound site. I packed and cleaned the wound myself with weekly check ups. One thing about Zyvox...you have NO hunger, nothing sounds good.

[claramae 0]

I was in hospital about 6 weeks taking vancomycin through an IV and home with IV taking same stuff for 3 weeks. As a result of the antibotic, I have ringing in my ears. It is a side effect. I am so worried about Mary in the original post.

[IndioGirl55 32]

I developed a MRSA staff infection. I took Zyvox and it cleared. The pills are VERY expensive, but my insurance took care of it. Other antibiotics don't touch it. Have a culture run so you know what it is. Again, Zyvox...600mg.

My 3 yr gd (grandaughter0 has mrsa and now my son - this is a community aquired infection now a days - use to be that you only got it in the hospital but not any longer - my gd has to go to a specialist in Loma Linda cuz the med's they are giving her aren't killing it...

$hit happens - so any pre-banders out there don't let this scare you away - there are risks - but agian there are risks when you walk out your front door.

My prayer to you who have had complications and may you have a speedy recovery...

Also, if any of you pre-bander can have your sugery done locally i would - reason being if you have complication you have access to your doctor immedailty - if you have to travel out of state you don't - thats just my personal opinion - but i know like a$$holes we all have them .

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Something isn't right about what the doctor said. An infection is NOT a symptom of the body rejecting the band. That is from poor surgical technique, poor aftercare, or sometimes sh*t just happens and nobody knows why there is an infection.

Theoretically a person can reject the band but as I recall Inamed claims it hasn't happened yet. People talk about it but nobody seems to know anyone that it has happened to.

I wouldn't have the band removed, if I were in your shoes I might have the port removed but leave the band. Even with minimal restriction you can still lose weight. The band itself provides some restriction for some people. Down the road after the infection clears up you can reconsider having a port replaced. But once you remove the entire band you are looking at another WLS in the future.

Removing the port can be done as an office procedure, removing the band is a full (and expensive) surgical procedure. If you remove the port it will be cheaper, the infection should heal, it can be properly cultured, and you have lots of time to think about how you want to continue in the future. When you have the port removed the surgeon will typically bury the tubing in your peritoneum and your body then has an amazing ability to deal with the bacteria on the tubing. Add antibiotics to that after a culture and that should do the trick.

I would suggest the doc do the port removal free of charge. You clearly had an infection before you ever left the hospital. This is not your fault, it's not like you went swimming the day of surgery or anything similar.

I can't imagine how heartburn could be related to a potential "band rejection". Do you have any fill at this point? Do you have any restriction? Have you been checked under fluoro to verify the band is in the correct position and you haven't slipped? Are you having heartburn at night while you are in bed? If so, are you eating within 3 hours of going to bed? If so, that could be a PB and not heartburn. Is your doc doing anything about the heartburn?

Another thought however this is amazingly unlikely. If you have eroded that can cause a band infection. But due to timing I can't see how that is likely at all. It takes time to erode and you were infected before even leaving the hospital.

Did they culture the wound? What kind of bacteria is it? If they did not culture it, why not? That is how they would know what type of antibiotic to use (most of the time, sometimes there is a specific odor or color and that gives a pretty good idea of the bug).

Since you haven't been back to the thread after posting the original post I'm going to try to email you or PM you in hopes that might catch your attention.

[petlady51 0]

I also have an infected area..the middle large incision. have gone through ER and now working on second visit to surgeon to clean it up, if it will heal. I pray for all of us that have had the unexpected happen. We have no more money either , charging all this.

[claramae 0]

I will pray for all you with the infection, as well as for myself!!!!!After having gone through it with my hip, I know the dangers.

[IndioGirl55 32]

I read in the paper were maybe Medicare with regular insurance companies to follow (most likely) that they are considering to no longer pay for treatment for infections and mistakes - that the doctors & hospitals will have to eat the cost for treatment. Well, maybe this will make them be more diligent in sanitising(sp) not leaving spunges in you etc??

I just though it was interesting artical -