Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Prolapsed band...is it worth keeping?



Recommended Posts

I dont think i've seen a story quite like mine on here yet - so I will detail what happened to me so hopefully if anyone else has had the same problems they can let me know.

I was banded 08/08/2008 - I lost 7kg on 3 weeks of Optifast before surgery. I had my band put in, and when I awoke from surgery I was very very sick with vomiting. They pretty quickly gave me anti nausea and I was ok.

After a few days I was able to start working from home. I did as my surgeon said (and ignored advice on the forums - because my surgeon has done so many patients. He's a leading surgeon in Australia) and did liquids for 2 weeks and then went to mushies after it. I lost another 7 kg's over the next couple of months.

I had Fluid put into my band - and really struggled to eat food. Its been so long now, I dont remember what these initial stages were really like. I went back to my surgeon and advised I was having trouble eating. They worked with me on the kinds of foods to eat - and I changed my diet. It was like I was eating around my band. It was never what I thought it would be like. I couldn't eat the foods they had once told me would be possible. I had all the Fluid out - and I ate a small steak. I felt full, but it was ok. I say that I ate a steak - because with nothing in my band now I couldn't dream of eating red meat like steak. I would throw it all up for hours. I must not have been prolapsed at this time.

I had fluid put back in, and a couple of times it had to be removed straight away as within 24-48 hours I wouldn't even be able to drink Water. They then over the next couple of months tried very small increments of fluid in the band - which would have the same reaction and wind up getting taken out.

I was then sent for a gastroscopy (found nothing) and a barrium meal (also appeared fine). I went back to my surgeon in frustration, and he ordered video nanometry. This found that I had a prolapsed band. I had nothing in my band, but continued to throw up and couldn't eat a lot of solid foods.

In total, I lost 7kg on the preop diet, and 7kg after being banded. I have gone through a year of hell - not knowing what was going to make me sick, feeling uncomfortable so often and all to see no real weight loss.

Since the video nanometry revealed the prolapse, I have seen my surgeon. He's got me booked in for surgery this week to revise the band and place it back in, in the correct position.

What I am unsure about is wether or not I even want to keep the band. Im not sure I can live life with this much pain and uncertainty. Frankly, I just became single a couple of weeks ago - and although the idea of being slim appeals - I just dont think anyone would tolerate my constant sickness and issues that the band gives me. Maybe life with the band isn't like this for other people - but this is all I have known. Im wondering if I should just get it removed all together.

If you have any thoughts, please share.

Thankyou for reading...I know it was long.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am sorry for all of your trials and tribulations. I have recently gone through some problems with my band but the thought of being bandless terrifies me to the maximum. If you can afford to try again I think a properly working band is wonderful.

Best wishes,

Mimi

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I have only been banded a little over three months and have lost weight with the band that I struggled to for the past few years. I haven't been able to actively lose weight in over four years. While being less heavy and getting into smaller clothes and looking good is very appealing, I have to admit that the main reason I aquired the band was for health reasons. I'm a grandma of a two year old and realized a year ago I want to be around as long as possible for her. If you have the opportunity to get a band that works, you will find that you can eat 'almost' anything. I do find that dry meats and large bites are my enemy but other than that, I eat tasty and satisfying foods at every meal. Just much, much less. Along with my exercise, which I have to admit is just brisk walks, the band has really improved my lifestyle.

Best of luck with whatever you decide. I am truly sorry you had such a rough experience and for so very long.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Im not sure what RNY is - but im very opposed to anything that actually isn't reversible and changes my physiology. If it goes wrong, I can't have it reversed.

I think t this stage im going to have the revision and see ho it goes. If it doesn't work out, it will be removed.

Thanks for your comments. :lol:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • cryoder22

      Day 1 of pre-op liquid diet (3 weeks) and I'm having a hard time already. I feel hungry and just want to eat. I got the protein and supplements recommend by my program and having a hard time getting 1 down. My doctor / nutritionist has me on the following:
      1 protein shake (bariatric advantage chocolate) with 8 oz of fat free milk 1 snack = 1 unjury protein shake (root beer) 1 protein shake (bariatric advantage orange cream) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein bar 1 protein shake (bariatric advantace orange cream or chocolate) 1 snack = 1 unjury protein soup (chicken) 3 servings of sugar free jello and popsicles throughout the day. 64 oz of water (I have flavor packets). Hot tea and coffee with splenda has been approved as well. Does anyone recommend anything for the next 3 weeks?
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        All I can tell you is that for me, it got easier after the first week. The hunger pains got less intense and I kind of got used to it and gave up torturing myself by thinking about food. But if you can, get anything tempting out of the house and avoid being around people who are eating. I sent my kids to my parents' house for two weeks so I wouldn't have to prepare meals I couldn't eat. After surgery, the hunger was totally gone.

    • buildabetteranna

      I have my final approval from my insurance, only thing holding up things is one last x-ray needed, which I have scheduled for the fourth of next month, which is my birthday.

      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BetterLeah

      Woohoo! I have 7 more days till surgery, So far I am already down a total of 20lbs since I started this journey. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Well done! I'm 9 days away from surgery! Keep us updated!

    • Ladiva04

      Hello,
      I had my surgery on the 25th of June of this year. Starting off at 117 kilos.😒
      · 1 reply
      1. NeonRaven8919

        Congrats on the surgery!

    • Sandra Austin Tx

      I’m 6 days post op as of today. I had the gastric bypass 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×