Andrea G.
In September of 2005, I had a lapband. I was 372 lbs, and I was able to get down to 280. Although I have had problems with it since I got it, with PBing and stomach pain. In May of this year, I had to have a complete hysterectomy due to the Polycystic Ovarian Disorder. Four months later in August, my abdominal pain was becoming so intense that I couldn't function. I lost my job due to it, and I didn't understand what was going on. After 4 ER visits and several tests on my gallbladder from my PCP, they said I had to have my gallbladder removed. I knew that something else was wrong to. I then met Dr. Alexander, and he did an EDG and said my lapband had slipped. On Oct. 8, 2009, I had gone to the ER and then I had a visit to Dr. Alexander, and ended up being so sick that I had to go to the ER at Forest Park Medical Center. I had emergency surgery on 10/09/09. They first started to do it laproscopically, and then two hours into it they opened me up. They found out that my lapband had eroded my stomach, repaired the hole and removed the lapband, removed my gallbladder, and then preformed a Gastric Bypass. After a difficult time recovering in the hospital (I couldn't get my pain under control), I am now home. I am still trying to recover from two major surgeries this year. I am fighting with my insurance so that it will pay for the surgery. After telling me that they would cover emergency surgery, I received a letter of denial once I was home. I am so very thankful to have a loving and amazing husband, and two beautiful and wonderful daughters. I pray that I get to feel better so I can participate in life, and enjoy it!
