annie0039
Finally a Happy ending
May 04, 2013
l was banded 4-23-2009
I had had some "life issues" since having my Band in 2009; I lost 60lbs then regained my weight. I decided to restart my Journey.
1st FILL April 2012 average weight loss of 10-12 lbs. per month.
Biggest difficulty is dealing with the M.D. and office staff that did my LB.
They are NO help in giving suggestions to numerous problems that I've had no matter how slight they are... I've had difficulty swallowing pills, they advise, CRUSH them and try to add them to a drink YUCK!
Asked about Vitamins, (felt I needed to take something) was told all they have FOR SALE in the office is PILLS or a fruit and veg's supplement that you add to water and tastes NASTY. I take children’s chewable no sugar.
After getting to 8cc’s I’m having Constant Heartburn, I called and was told to go to the ER
The Surgeon is constantly out of the office. When I got to 9cc and AGAIN heartburn drinking nothing but water, I called and told again he’s not in, I waited for an entire month, eating less than 500 cals. For a month, I ended up with Burning, numb tongue with everything tasting Metallic, and a confirmed Vitamin D deficiency. When I finally got in I was told I wasn't eating properly and that I needed to be a size 6, The M.D. even showed me a Picture of his "MODEL" Patient and said I need to be more like her, Since my surgery was done in 2009 EXCUSE ME!!!!! Have you even READ my chart?
I have never gotten any information before my surgery because I was processed within 2 months before surgery because a personal friend suggested this surgeon.( The necessary paperwork all magically appeared) Insurance approved.
I wish when I had begun this journey someone would have given me a list of all the "things that "MIGHT" happen with a Lap Band"
Yes you might lose weight but in turn you won't be able to swallow pills or you have to Crush them first (yeah right), or you will at times STARVE yourself, not by choice but because it's too difficult to eat, and even though you’re going to lose weight you MIGHT have vitamin deficiency issues, and you MIGHT feel like something is stuck in your chest all the time or a majority of the time, and you MIGHT get to the point that you don't feel like eating even though you know you have to, and you MIGHT end up with shoulder pain that feels like someone is stabbing a knife into your shoulder, and that if you end up having heartburn(certainly not from eating) the doctor will write an RX that you can't swallow. *SIGH* Also now you MIGHT have to spend more money to remedy all the things that ARE happening to you BUT no one believes your experiencing. And now you MIGHT need to have another surgery to remove the band and either do a different WLS Surgery or NOT
2-13-13 Orthopedic surgeon , X-ray, injection, NO rotator cuff tear, no resolution of pain.
3-8-2013
I’ve seen the surgeon and he says: We will take out 5cc out of your band ( I have 9cc currently) and none of my other patients have had Left shoulder pain, and I don’t think it’s the band. We need a shoulder X-ray (results from that negative) now you need an Endoscopy (he says no slip, no erosion the band is FINE) now you need an MRI.
Since the Flush and Un-fill I still have Left shoulder pain and my right hand is Constantly Numb from my wrist up to my pinkie and ring finger. So I’m seeing my hand surgeon that has done previous carpal tunnel surgery in 2000.
4-4-13 I tripped and fell, falling on my shoulder and I sprained my pinkie finger on my left hand *SIGH*
4-8-13
I started to experience severe ( take your breath away (pain) in the lower left pelvic region, which continued the next day , pain and spasms and twinges that ran up under my left breast , and those “bee sting” type pains that I have been told are from the band tubing in the right side of my abdomen . Right now the left pelvic region is just SORE.
Since this started on Friday and I didn’t have access to my B.P. cuff I started taking my B.P on Sunday and it’s been HIGH all day, headache at 4:30 am 163/89 and 168/101 just prior to seeing the Internist.
4-8-13 Internist says: CBC test is fine, double B.P. meds and go for a CT scan with contrast.4-11-13
CT Scan says: I have Diverticulitis.
Hand surgeon to diagnosis my numbness 4-10-13
Diagnosis of ulnar Nerve Neuropathy.
But all I continue to hear is everything is FINE. I truly hate that word, I'm NOT FINE.
Told again today I need to wait until 4-20-13 to see the LB doc, as usual he’s not in.
My LB doctor sent me to a neuro Surgeon, hoping that he could get an MRI covered, NOPE he was beyond rude, tested my reflexes, had me move my neck said YOUR NECK IS FINE, I said YES I know tell that to my LB Doctor please. HE is why I'm here. when attempting to ask questions about the referred shoulder pain he said"I DON'T DEAL WITH LAP BANDS!!! and left the room.
4-22-13 Called LB office to tell them Neuro said NO MRI, and when can I schedule band removal? Told that I could have it removed, 4-25-13.
Explained that since I have a Latex allergy I might need to be first patient in the OR/ Doc's office said they will call hospital and call me.
4-23-13 Called LB office today they told me I need to be on a 2 week pre-op diet and lose 5 lbs and then he will see me to schedule band removal.
4-24-13 Called LB office to schedule appointment, put on hold for 22 minutes ( This office and staff are beyond RUDE), appt made for, 5-10-13
4-25-13 Called office today to prove that they were avoiding me intentionally (caller ID), immediately put on hold. Was told that I have an appt. scheduled for 5-2-13 for band removal , to which I replied SARCASTICALLY: I'm glad someone told me this.
4-30-13 While at hospital for Pre-op EKG, LB office calls me to tell me not to eat or drink anything that they will be doing my surgery today after 5pm.
Prior to band removal I was told again for at least the 8th time I DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOUR LEFT SHOULDER PAIN IS FROM YOUR BAND.
Since the band removal, 5 days post op I'm feeling much better and YES THE L/SHOULDER PAIN IS Gone.
My point in continuing to keep track of my Journey is that no matter what I researched and showed to my Doctor I was told every thing was fine.
WE live in the body that God has given us, medical professional DO NOT KNOW EVERYTHING, trust your instincts, Don't give up.
Others will have you believe that the things you experience with the band isn't related,
But whether it's DIRECTLY or INDIRECTLY IT'S RELATED, it's all connected.
