Bands eroded, slipped or still successful bands?

rnmom80 · 04-26-2008, 08:24 PM

My band slipped 6 months after placement. Possibly caused by trauma 2 weeks before symptoms (I fell really hard on a splintered tree trunk which hit me to the right of my sturnum right about band level) Stomach was also prolapsed and twisted. Was deathly ill for 3 days--thought I had the flu. If this happens again, I'll have the band removed permanently!

mummybandit · 05-03-2008, 10:18 PM

I am one of those who have had port problems rather than erosion or slippage. I am only 6 months in but at my first fill the port had flipped and had to have surgery to repair it. Then had a fill but two months later have had the fill removed because almost everything I ate got stuck - if only I had known then - I never would have had this band. I still have shocking left shoulder pain - and to top it off my surgeon is the biggest arse that ever lived. In most places in Australia - the lap band is done properly - councelling before - help after etc - unfortunately in my state - this guy is one of two surgeons that perform the surgery - I had a 10 minute consult almost a year before getting the surgery done (had to wait to give birth to my second child) and that was it. When discussing my problems with him - he is so dismissive - "fine - we'll take the fill out - you go off and finish your breastfeeding and do your little family thing and then if you decide you want the band to work for you then come back, but you'll put all the weight you've lost (15 kgs only in 6 months - 33 pounds) back on". He has no answers for the shoulder pain as he says he has only had one other patient with it and that my eosophogas (spelling??) must be spasming but doesn't know why - hopefully the unfill will fix it - no reasons why I was in pain with everything I ate (other than junk food - chocolate, ice cream etc all my problem foods) just said obviously there is some issue but doesn't know what. Was so critical of other weight loss options like Jenny Craig and WW and how bad they were for people because you lost protein, muscle etc -- I ate so much better on both of those diets than I have EVER BEEN ABLE TO WITH THIS ###**** thing in my stomach. No they didn't work long term for me because I wasn't able to stick to them but with this band in - my breast milk was affected - my son's weight dropped from the 97 percentile down to under the 50th (according to him - it would be no problem at all - still refuses to accept that the lap band caused this), I have been miserable and in pain when eating good food and the only things I am able to get down are the things that I shouldn't be eating. I agree with whoever said that the band is a disaster for junk food eaters. I have never been an overeater - but I love my sweets etc I was having to sit at the table for up to an hour and a half, waiting for food to pass through so I could take another mouthful because I knew I needed the sustenance for my milk. Since the unfill, things have been better but I still find things get stuck and I spend time over the sink regurgitating saliva etc. As my weight has never affected my health (I am still able to play top level basketball) and has really only been out of control since my children were born, I am so angry at myself that I let this be done to me. I am giving it a few more month with no fill to improve - then I am having it out - and I tell you now - I CAN"T WAIT. I am also now so determined to lose weight before going back to him - because the skinny little weasle thinks that the lap band is the ONLY way that anyone with obesity issues can lose weight. WE WILL SEE!!!!!!! Also found it very interesting that he has performed 1800 lap band surgerys - working out the cost with just the out of pocket expense for the patients without the Medicare and health insurance rebates that he gets - over 5 and half million dollars - a money making experience for him - I THINK SO!!!!!!!! Sorry to rave and rant on but as you can probably understand - I HAVE HAD ENOUGH!!!!

Fran · 05-19-2008, 11:36 PM

I was banded on August 30,2006. To date I have lost 118 pounds. The other night I started to throw up every half hour with pains that I begged to die for. My band had slipped and I needed surgery. The surgeon said the vomiting caused the slippage, but why was I vomiting-I think the band caused th slippage itself. The pain was unreal and I screamed so loud I thought I would get arrested. Home a week and feeling fine. My DH said to have the band removed permanently but I was afraid of gaining weigt back. He removed a 4cc band and put in a 10cc one which I do not understand. Will ask him tomorrow-hope it takes out the staples. This was a nasty surgery.
Be well all.
Fran

fee · 05-20-2008, 07:54 AM

just found out today that my band has`slipped

Fran · 05-20-2008, 04:36 PM

I am so sorry. How long have you been banded? I am also curious as to the symtons you had compared to mine. When people tell me I took the easy way out with this weight loss procedure I could scream. This is NOT EASY. Be well. Keep in touch, please.

Fran

fee · 05-21-2008, 08:25 AM

hi....i have been banded 2 and a half years....mine was more the vomiting at night....pains in the back....and really strange gurgling noises....that made me think something was wrong.

Im sorry to hear about yours as well. I dont know what to do.....if i should get another one put in or not...confused

stella · 05-24-2008, 12:57 PM

Mummy - I definately know what you are talking about. I have been unfilled for 18 mos and still cannot eat "good" food. I am in the process of having the band removed although it does scare me a bit but I cannot go on eating this junk food and sacrificing my health. "Since the unfill, things have been better but I still find things get stuck and I spend time over the sink regurgitating saliva etc."

Good luck to you.
Cheryl

WinterWish · 06-06-2008, 09:47 AM

I have only had mine 10 months, but I'm having it removed next Thursday. I've puked every day since I got it. I had a barium swallow a couple of days ago, and there's nothing wrong with my band or it's position. It's been completely defilled for months and still I puke. My Dr. is flummoxed. His suspicion is that I don't have the upper GI peristaltic strength to push food through the band, meaning that even liquids pool on top of it until I throw it all up again. Whatever the reason, I've never felt so unhealthy - I eat constantly in tiny nibbles, mostly soft crap, to avoid getting sick. I gave up on weight loss months ago - not that I ever lost a single ounce, because I haven't - but compared to feeling well again, weightloss just doesn't rate at this point. I can't believe I'll still be paying for the surgery long after I'm unbanded, I had such high hopes for this. But I'm finished crying, it's time to move on.

Hastings · 06-06-2008, 11:45 AM

Winter Wish, I am so sorry that this happened to you. I can't imagine what it must be like to pay for the band and then have it not work.

Hang in there. I hope you are healthy again, soon.

WinterWish · 06-06-2008, 02:48 PM

thank you, Hastings.

When I look back, I could have known that this wasn't going to work, because I was never one to stuff myself anyway. I'm a grazer, and the band doesn't stop that. I wish they had done more than a 10 minute interview with me, maybe had me journal my meals for a couple of weeks. and then it would have been clear that I don't eat large meals. But who knows if I would have been honest with them? I thought I wanted this magic tool so badly. I'm fortunate I have a great family and husband, all of whom want it out of me, more than I wanted it in me, in the first place. I'm hoping that just the switch back to solid proteins and salads and generally healthy eating will be all I need to start losing weight. Oh, and I bought a big dog that needs plenty of walks.

mummybandit · 06-06-2008, 10:08 PM

I too am getting the band out - I just can't put up with this any longer. My date is June 17th and I can't wait. I can't wait to be able to eat breakfast again. I am usually so hungry by lunch time that it's ridiculous - drinks and such don't touch the sides- but when I am trying to eat a beautiful chicken salad that is so healthy and good for me and it gets stuck and I sit in pain waiting for it to pass through I know I am making the right decision. This has made me so determined to get the rest of my weight off using a different method - other diets work but I haven't stuck to them - this time will be very different because I feel like I have been on the worst diet of my life for the last 9 months. My jaw is without a doubt the strongest part of my body with all the work it has done chewing chewing and then chewing some more and I can't wait to never have to deal with this bloody shoulder pain again. Let me know how you go with your removal winter- I am hoping to only miss one week of basketball and be back into it again. I do not want this band to rob me of one more minute of happiness. I can't wait to be DEBANDED!!!

stella · 06-09-2008, 02:15 AM

Mummy -
I had my band removed on June 5th and I cant tell you how great it feels to eat and drink without vomiting! But also scary being out in the real food world again.

mummybandit · 06-10-2008, 02:01 AM

Stella, I am so happy for you. I know the real food world is scary but I think you are like me - it is not a way to live, regurgitating saliva, being in pain with eating etc etc. We can do it without a piece a plastic around our stomach - it's our brain that needs the help and this shocking experience has certainly bought my brain into line - (and if not I am going to go and get someone to hypnotise me and tell my subconscious that chocolate tastes like dog food and broccoli is the new chocolate cake.)- Tell me how bad was the removal surgery - recovery time etc Next Tuesday is me and I CAN"T WAIT!!!! I am so excited. By the way - your photo is great - you don't even look overweight - certainly no extra chins - We can do this a hell of a lot healthier and less painfully without a lap band.

WinterWish · 06-17-2008, 12:59 PM

Stella, I had mine out on June 13, and I know what you mean! What a luxury to eat healthy, quality foods again! I am strangely satisfied between meals still, and I still chew chew chew like I'm afraid to swallow - I was wondering if this was because my stomach was still a funny shape? How long do you suppose it takes to go back to normal? Also, I've lost 4 pounds in the 4 days since surgery, and I couldn't be happier. Except for all these crazy scars reminding me it happened, the whole Lap Band chapter of my life is feeling oddly unreal right now.

stella · 06-17-2008, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WinterWish

Stella, I had mine out on June 13, and I know what you mean! What a luxury to eat healthy, quality foods again! I am strangely satisfied between meals still, and I still chew chew chew like I'm afraid to swallow - I was wondering if this was because my stomach was still a funny shape? How long do you suppose it takes to go back to normal? Also, I've lost 4 pounds in the 4 days since surgery, and I couldn't be happier. Except for all these crazy scars reminding me it happened, the whole Lap Band chapter of my life is feeling oddly unreal right now.

Wish - I find myself chewing and afraid to swallow certain foods too. In the first couple of days I was spitting the meat out , out of habit and that was really hard to stop. It really has been a surreal experience this whole Lap Band thing. Just glad I lost the weight and hoping its not as hard to keep it off!.. Excellent that you have lost weight! I just have to remember that 3-4 bites used to fill me up and I dont need to devour the whole plate of food. I've been reading the "Eat Clean Diet" and will try to follow.

Mummy - thank you for the compliment. I'm sure you've had your surgery by now and see that it is not that bad. My biggest issue is feeling bloated and even more bloated after I eat.......