Surprising week.

[AZPete 20]

So its been a while since I have posted but I felt that I needed to share this. I went in for a fill Tuesday morning. Recieved a 4cc fill and thought everything was fine. I hadn't had much in there in the two years since my initial surgery. Well I left the Dr.'s office and soon reallized that I could not get any fluids down, and soon there after began to throw up violently. I called them Tuesday evening and informed them that I had been vomitting quite a few times, around a dozen times, all dark brown Fluid. Wednesday morning I showed up at their door when they opened and said that I needed help. They immediately tried to remove some of the fill. Nothing came out. He tried again, this time one or two drops came out, and no relief. They speculated that it was swelling from the fill and to give it some time, but not too much as I was dehydrating by the hour. At 2:00 I called them informing them that the vommitting was getting worse and that I was feeling ill and weak. They immediately ordered me into the hospital for IV fluids and tests. So Wed. turns into my first day at the Hospital, Thursday I take a GI swallow test with something other than barium and the radiologists says that not one drop is getting by my band. But there is no slip, no errosion etc. At this time my surgeon visits me and informs me that I need immediate surgery, believing I have a bent or kinked port tube. Long story short I wake up in recovery with way more pain than the initial surgery. They found the defective part of the port and fixed it and relocated my port to the other side and used a low profile port. Story goes on and I did just get home today. I had some crazy complications to the surgery involving an inability to urinate and a bleeding penis due to catheterization. But all is well now. I couldn't say enough good things about my Surgeon and Nurse Practicioner. I know that I am in good hands.

[lpglarry 1]

hi i am larry,i live in massachusetts,i am going to my second meeeting to et banded.my question is are you sorry u got banded?and would u do it again?i seem to red a lot of problems with banding lately,hope to hear from u soon

[AZPete 20]

Not sorry about getting it at all. It gave me my life back. Things happen, just make sure your in good care like myself and you will be all right. I was relieved to find out in recovery that my band was in great shape and that it was left alone.

Edited April 13, 2009 by AZPete

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

Pete, glad you are on the road to recovery!

Larry, you have to remember that the percentage of people who had problems is very low but it is good to see what kinds of problems people do have so that you have a reference. I think for everybody there is a valuable lesson in Pete's story. #1, if you can't swallow Water, go to your doc immediately and ask for an unfill. It usually doesn't take too much to relieve the problem. #2, if you have a problem, do exactly what your doctor says. And #3, i hope everybody who worries about their band slipping reads this and sees that while Pete was vomiting a great deal, his band never slipped.

At my first fill, I got 4 ccs on top of the .6 that was left in my band after my doctor tested it to make sure it didn't leak before he placed it. I was fine at the doctor's office, able to drink water...but within 15 minutes could not even swallow my own saliva. I didn't even make it to work. I turned around and went back to the doctor's office. A 1cc unfill fixed the problem instantly. It's a learning process for each of us.

[heartfire 4]

Pete!

Good to see you again! So sorry about the emergency surgery. Really glad everything is okay now. Sorry about the complications after surgery tho. Ouch!

Best wishes on your recovery!!

Larry,

I second what Cathy said. It's all about being informed, following dr's orders and paying attention to what your body is telling you.

Stories like Pete's are good information for all of us and let us know what to look out for and what to do.

You never know if your story is going to cause a light bulb to go off for someone who has been struggling but wasn't sure what was going on or if they should be concerned.

It also lets newbies, like yourself, know ALL of the POSSIBLE ups and downs with the band. The more information you have, I believe, the better.

Best wishes with your journey. Ask your questions, read as much of the board as you can (a lot of your questions might be answered without having to post, even!). There is a lot of great information on here and people to help!

Best wishes!

[Lanette 1]

AZPETE,

Glad you are ok. Thanks for sharing your story and letting us know the band has been the right choice and you are happy to have it.

I got the lapband 3-25-09 and am looking for some answers if you would be so kind. First of all, I am scared to death about hurting myself and want to do everything right.

I am eating three meals a day and can eat 1 cup at meal times. Is this bad? At 1 cup I am not getting the full signal. I did over eat one night and definitely got the the signal, and it scared me. So I am now measuring and not going over 1 cup. After surgery the nurse said drink and wait 30 min, eat 1/4 cup and 30 minutes after drink. I increased to 1 cup because I could and I think the 1/4 cup was because surgery was so new. I have never thrown up. You think I am ok with the amount? I assume I need a fill and have my next appt on 4-27-09. What do you think?

One person in the chat room said food can range from 1/4 to 1 cup. I am on the higher end.

I would appreciate your experience and thoughts.

[lpglarry 1]

Pete!

Good to see you again! So sorry about the emergency surgery. Really glad everything is okay now. Sorry about the complications after surgery tho. Ouch!

Best wishes on your recovery!!

Larry,

I second what Cathy said. It's all about being informed, following dr's orders and paying attention to what your body is telling you.

Stories like Pete's are good information for all of us and let us know what to look out for and what to do.

You never know if your story is going to cause a light bulb to go off for someone who has been struggling but wasn't sure what was going on or if they should be concerned.

It also lets newbies, like yourself, know ALL of the POSSIBLE ups and downs with the band. The more information you have, I believe, the better.

Best wishes with your journey. Ask your questions, read as much of the board as you can (a lot of your questions might be answered without having to post, even!). There is a lot of great information on here and people to help!

Best wishes!

im asking all kinds of questions,so when i go to my surgeon next week i;ll know what to ask?are there any different kinds of bands?one that is better or worse??,is the sleeve a better thing to do or is banding better thnks for your input larry

[ParrotheadCathy 0]

There are two primary manufacturers of bands. The brand name "Lap Band" by Allergan/Inamed and Realize byJohnson & Johnson. There are no differences in the way they operate or function. Most doctors use the one they think is best unless they are operating under the umbrella of "Realize" or "Lap Band". I believe the Realize band comes in a 14cc version whereas the Lap Band (I think) tops out at 10cc. I know someone who works for Johnson & Johnson. The company will give the band to the employee outright and insurance covers the surgery. Frankly, I don't know that it makes one bit of difference which one you get.

[lpglarry 1]

ok ty for that info,

[heartfire 4]

Larry, I don't know much about the sleeve. There is a sleeve forum on here. The lap band also comes in 10cc and 14cc sizes. I have the 10cc. I don't know what the difference is between them either.