Has anyone else ever done this?

MaryDivinsky · March 8, 2009

I was banded April 2007 and had done great until this past September when I started experiencing some left side pain. I also work in the ICU at the same hopsital where I had my banding done. The surgeon who performed my surgery had since left but I spoke to his associate about it when he came in to make rounds. He ordered a esophagram which looked as tho my esophagus was swollen so he came up to the unit and removed all the saline to let me rest for a couple of weeks. I went back in 2 weeks and told him the pain was still there but not as bad with the saline removed. He then put 1.5 cc back in. I had been at 3.4 previously. In two weeks he put me back to 3 cc and then 2 weeks later back to the 3.4. I still have the same pain but since then it has not been as intense. However now I have a whole new set of problems. On feb 18th I went to work and shortly after getting there I became very hot and sweaty. I sat down and put my head down on the nurses station for a few minutes then got very sick to my stomach. I got up to go to the backroom and that is the last thing I remember. The next thing I knew there was about 20 people kneeling around me. I was on a backboard and c collar and had a huge gash in the back of my head. Apparently I had passed out and then stopped breathing and they had to do cpr on me. After getting my head closed with 9 staples I was admitted for observation and had a complete cardiac workup all which was negative except that I have a low heart rate. Upon admission they found me to be extremely dehydrated and that and the low heart rate was all they found. I was discharged in two days. No our hospital does not have a bariatric surgeon and I have to go 90 miles to see one but all the drs that were involved in my care (family dr, cardiologist and endocrinologist) are all convinced that it has something to do with the band. I was wondering if anyone else has ever had any problems such as this.

mica · March 8, 2009

Hi Mary,

I was banded Jan 25, 08 in Mexico and had lost about 55lbs when at almost exactly 1 yr post-op, I experienced pain in lower abd, not cramping, but continual pain as if severe gas which has to be released, but can't. I ended up collapsing, not losing cons. but extremely weak and dizzy. I saw an MD the next day who ordered blood work. The pain increased and the next day, saw my regular family MD, who sent me to emerg. to see a surgeon. I had fever, chills, low BP, extremely low Iron. |I had an xray, ct scan etc.. more b/w. Ct scan showed some pockets of Fluid around band and along tubing. I was on iv antibiotics and after 2 nites in hosp, I was feeling normalish and sent home. The only recommendation was to remove the band. No one in my area knows anything about the band. I consulted with my Mexican surgeon and he suggested I get an endoscopy and barium swallow. I see my Canadian surgeon this week and hopefully I'll get those tests done. I have had all the fluid out of my band and hope to God that this issue resolves itself so I can get my fills done again and resume my life without fear of gaining my weight back! I had considered returning to Mexico for the tests but I'm self-pay, so opted to wait to see if they can be done here and the results shared with the Mexican Dr. At this point I am feeling well and normal, Hopefully the rest that my stomach has had will mean all is well!

Good luck to you, let us know what happens and I'll do the same.