Almost died

[hollywood74 0]

Let me start by telling you that I had the Lap Band put in on Feb 11th 2006. Start weight was 245 pounds size 16, ending weight before emergency band removal was 130 size 4.

I started having major pains in my stomach on Sept 9th 2008, but being used to pain I just dealt with it. I went ahead and did a work trip and did an overnight in Fresno CA returning to Phoenix (where I am based) on Sept 11th. I was extreme pain the entire way back and decided to tell my captain. He contacted my supervisor who had the paramedics waiting for me as I got off the plane.(Im a flight attendant by the way) They took me to the ER by ambulance which was very embarassing and after several hours and several tests, they determined my pancreas was very swollen and my gal bladder was hardened and bile was not able to pass. So next step was into emergency surgery to remove me gal bladder. My wonderful boyfriend was on the first flight out to Phoenix. I went into surgery and then to recovery. Two days later I found out the horrible news. They didnt remove my gal bladder but instead removed my lap band. The doctor claims that it had eroded itself through my stomach and caused a deadly infection. Needless to say I was in the hospital for 11 days! The docotor then informed me that had I gone maybe a few hours more, I would have died. I dealt with really bad seromas at the incision sites (6 of them), they drianed and hurt really bad. I am not a few months without my band and I have gained back 12 pounds. I am dealing with major depression and insecurities that is causing hardship in my relationship with my boyfriend. I feel like there is no option for me since I weigh 142 pounds now. I really think I need some professional help, this was a devastating loss that I dont know how to deal with.

Anyone dealing with a similar issue?

[liteweighttrina 0]

:mad: Girl I am so sorry to hear about ur troubles. I hope I don't experience it but I have had some issues that has had me depressed but I will keep u in my prayers.:tt2:

[twirl 0]

can you get another band when you are healed

your weight loss is incredibile - are you getting as hungry as you were before the band

I will be praying for you and stay strong

I have been banded since 12/9 and I have not been happy with it but I do not eat the amount of food that I ate before the band and I do not want to go back to eating that amount again

I have lost nothing but I do feel the inches

good luck to you

[ColoradoChick 33]

{{{hugs}} That is awful! I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers! I hope your doctors can come up with something that will work for you. Hopefully you can get your band back after you recover fully.

[lucyavery 0]

Oh, I am so sorry. I was looking at your pictures and you look really good. I'm sure you will not let yourself gain your weight back, think about how far you have came. I know I would be devestated if I woke up and my band was gone also. Try to stay strong and postitive.

God Bless You,

[curvesincali 0]

First I want to thank you for sharing your story. I am shocked this happen to you ... I was just showing my husband your photos this morning.

Do the doctors know what caused the band to erode ? I have a 14cc band with 4.5cc in it. He said he liked a cushy band to avoid erosion. I wonder if you can get a larger band next time.

I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers. Stay on the LBT boards. It gets me through tough Patches. You will come out of this funk... Pick yourself up, pamper your soul and eat lots of Protein until you can get a handle on all of this.

Curves

[hollywood74 0]

Thank you all for your words of encouragement. I am really glad I found this site. I have never felt this kind of depression before. It feels like I have lost part of me when the band was removed. The Dr that removed it told me that I couldnt ever have the band back because my stomach was so damaged. Of course I wasnt able to choose the Dr that removed it because I ended up in an ER. I would have never chose him, he was awful and to this day has never checked up on me. I realize he saved my life but uuuggghhh!!!

I am hungry all the time and I eat like crazy! I have lost control of myself in every way. I had my band for 2 and a half years and although it saved my life, it ultimately almost killed and yet I would do it all over again.

I dont think I mentioned that I had paid 8k for the band to put in, out of pocket and the total removal with hospital stay is 86K. My insurance only covers 25k for the year so I am also in debt which isnt helping my depression any!

[g curtis 0]

Oh bless you, I know exactly how you are feeling.

i had to have my band removed in March 08 and was told the same, a few more hours and it would have been curtains.

I had to have my band removed and part of my stomach as it had died due to slippage.

I have probably gained about 14 lbs but I'm still here to tell the tale (I lost about 100 lbs).

It will be difficult for you but there really is life after the band.

It is possible to manage without it

take care

if I can help in any way please feel free to pm me.

gaynor

[GABANDEDGRL 0]

I went through this too. I was felt like I had acid reflux. Went to my primary doctor and she put me on priolec, but something made me call and mention it to my surgeon. I was already schedualed to had my port relocated on The friday and an endoscopy was added to this. When I woke up I was told that they had to take my band out because it was eroding my stomach. At first I was scared and thought to myself--I can do this by myself--I do not need to get the band back in. Well I gained 12 lbs within a month. I could not wait to get the band back in. I had it out October 8th and had the Realize band in on December 8th. In the back of my head I am nervous that the same thing will happen. I will just try to do my best and hopefully it will be smooth sailing from here. Also my hubby has a band and he does not have any problems. I wonder though--I went through a period of time that no matter what I ate and how much I chewed I would throw up. I wonder if that has anything to do with my situation???? I certinaly know how you feel. Have you thought of having the band put back in? Good luck------------Michele

[Vampyrvet 1]

can you get another band when you are healed

Wow, all I can say is WHY on Earth would you ever want another band, after a near-death experience like that??? :rolleyes2:

I had 2 band slips in 9 months and finally had to get mine removed (converted to a sleeve 4 weeks ago), and even though I was in constant pain & misery, my suffering was nothing compared to your horror story.

Maybe your surgeon would let you convert to another procedure and pay in installments? There are also options like CareCredit or other medical line-of-credit alternatives.

I am not surprised to hear you say that you are regaining your weight. I had the same experience both times I got my band deflated. The appetite comes back with a vengeance. Once your feeling of fullness is gone, there's no signal to stop eating and you get exactly what you got with your original eating habits, which is weight regain.

If another surgery is ever an option for you, I encourage you to look into the sleeve. In my opinion, it offers all of the benefits with less risk and no negative impact to your lifestyle.

Since being sleeved, I no longer need to keep a puke bucket in my car or on my nightstand. I can sleep lying down like a normal human instead of propping myself up into a sitting position to keep from refluxing in my sleep. I have no esophageal pain, no pain from a port digging into my abdominal wall, no worries about burning the enamel off my teeth. I can actually eat healthy food that contains Fiber, instead of having to limit myself to shakes, pudding, and ice cream. I can enjoy a nice meal at a restaurant without having to excuse myself to run to the bathroom and puke. I feel full after a few bites of food & stay full for hours without having to run back & forth for fills & unfills. I no longer find myself obsessing about food 24/7. My sleeve just works, all the time, every time.

Yes, I had to learn the hard way, and I too am now $60K in debt. I wish I had done it right the first time but we all travel different paths and have different experiences. I'm glad you're still around to share your journey with us.

Good luck to you!

natalie