ObesityHelp

Post Date 9/21/11 5:53 pm
Topic: RE: Band reversal

Absolutely not, I don't mind at all.  My story is below.  Feel free to email me or msg me for more informaiton if it doesn't cover anything.  I hope you can get yours out.  I feel SO MUCH better!!

 I was banded 25 May. While they were doing my surgery, they found a hiatal hernia and repaired it so I had to stay overnight. I did well in the hospital, but came home the next day. I had been walking and doing really well. The day after I came home from the hospital, all my incisions turned red. Immediately, panic set in and I was pack at the Doctor’s office to ensure there was no infection. There was not but I was still in a lot of pain. The next day, I began to have a lot of discomfort when I drank anything. It felt as if I was full on top, so full I didn't want to eat or drink, but I was STARVING inside. My chest began to hurt and again, panic. Back to the doctor for time #2 - with lots of pain. He said it was the port site and was normal, but every day I would get better. That was not true with me. One week later, I had a follow up. I was still in tremendous pain and I couldn't get any relief except the narcotic pain reliever. That doesn't work for me because I have 2 kids and work. I told him I wanted the band out. I was hurting too badly and was not made aware this would happen. He said I had to stick it out for 6 weeks before we could even talk that way. Well, I was at the hospital/Dr. office on many more occasions in that 6 weeks. I had upper GI, CT scan, and everything they could think of and they couldn't find anything wrong.  On the date of my 6 week check up, the nurse practitioner came into the office and asked how I was doing. I started to cry. I told her I was still in pain and I wanted this out of me. By the way, during this entire process, the doctor had prescribed me 800 mg Motrin for 4 times a day just so I could function. The doctor came into the office and agreed it should come out if it was causing so many problems for me. I had my 1 week follow up to the removal Friday and the surgeon said that I had lots of adhesions. The tubing had caused quite a bit of swelling inside. He said he cleaned up the adhesions and is certain that "the tubing/band is a foreign object" and he thinks that my body rejected the band. I cannot imagine what would have happened if I had not listened to my body like the doctors wanted me to do. ~ All this in less than 3 months. What would have happened if it stayed in longer?  On the upside, he said a small amount of bleeding from the site is normal because "there is a pocket of fluid under there that could lea****il my body replaces it with tissue." As the wound heals and closes up, it will be absorbed within the tissue. Right now I just had the removal. I am still petrified of having anything else done. I am ready to take my time and get myself really ready as well as knowing all the information this time. Oh, by the way, during all that ordeal, I lost 20 lbs while I was on pure liquids, but never was able to fit into my pre-surgery clothing because of swelling. I gained back 5 lbs, but lost it again since being un-banded on 11 Aug.

Since then, I have felt AWESOME!! I am back to my old self, and can exercise again!~ :)

Post Date 8/5/11 7:04 pm
Topic: Band reversal

I have surgery to get my lap band out 11 Aug.  I am excited and scared, but will be very glad to not hurt any longer.  This has been the most miserable experience I ever had.

Any suggestions after the band comes out will be greatly apprecaited.

Thank you.