Swollen Shut

confunication · 05-14-2007, 09:05 PM

This is my first problem with the LAP-BAND^®, and I had my surgery on July 24, 2006. The weight loss has been steady, and I've lost about 110 pounds so far. However, I recently got a really bad stomach flu that left me vomiting and unable to keep ANYthing down, including the recommending warm liquids. The problem is that because of how much I was vomiting, my stomach has swollen shut underneath the band. I had to go to the hospital yesterday for an IV, since I haven't kept anything down in over a week. On Wednesday morning, my doctor will be loosening the band up completely to allow it to heal. Hopefully I'll be able to drink and then eat after that, or I'll be in the hospital for much longer to have the band removed and my problems with severe dehydration and malnutrition solved. I'm unable to walk from one end of my house to the other without getting completely exhausted, and I've been spending more time asleep than I've been awake.

Needless to say, be careful when you're vomiting a lot. I don't wish this problem on anyone. It's the worst feeling of my life. Good luck to everyone else who's had complications, and of course, to anyone who hasn't!

argon · 05-14-2007, 09:13 PM

That's pretty close to exactly what happened to me. Complete defill for about 2 weeks. You will be amazed at how much better you feel IMMEDIATELY!!! Why are you having to wait for so long to get the defill?!

Good luck, and yes, I am now SURE to have Gravol suppositories on hand to avoid that again. Be careful enjoying the defill too much! I gained 9lbs in those two weeks, but boy, was it fun! :)

confunication · 05-14-2007, 09:37 PM

Man, that's scary. My doctor has to share the clinic that he uses to do the adjustments, so I have to wait until he gets the clinic again. And I really can't wait to have this defill... And I'll be sure not to hit up the buffet too many times. XD

WASaBubbleButt · 05-15-2007, 03:51 AM

I still don't see a reason to remove the band. I DO see a reason to open the band, just not to remove it.

**Iluvharleys** · 05-15-2007, 07:05 AM

Good Luck to you, I sure hope you feel better soon!

confunication · 05-15-2007, 10:41 AM

Finally, I get this thing loosened up tomorrow. I can't wait. I don't even feel like a 19-year-old anymore. For the past few days, I haven't been able to walk from my bedroom to my living room without falling asleep for at least half an hour. Today, though, I can't even get out of bed without feeling like I'm gonna pass out. Anyway, I just needed to rant.

Do doctors put you on a special diet for the first few days after a defill? I mean, I know I'll be on liquids for a couple of days because of the swelling, but I was just wondering.

argon · 05-15-2007, 11:39 AM

you know, it's totally ridiculous that you should have to wait for this defill... I don't care who he's sharing his office with... this is an emergency, and he can take a examination room for 10 minutes, plop ya down on the table, and take out the damn fluid. You definitely need to complain about this. When was he notified of you needing this defill? How long have you been waiting?

Also, I just took it easy with liquids for the first couple days... really, after that, I was fine to try whatever. Believe me, you're going to feel much better. But, do whatever your Dr. tells you. (to tell ya the truth, I wouldn't have to much faith in a Dr. that would make you wait while you're feeling the way you do. He obviously has NO idea what it feels like.)

WASaBubbleButt · 05-15-2007, 12:05 PM

I totally agree with Argon, it is insanity to keep you in this position.

Usually after an unfill they have you drink liquids for a day or two due to natural swelling that goes with fills/unfills. Liquids are all you should be having right now anyway. You are just doing liquids, right??

KariK · 05-15-2007, 05:13 PM

OMG im experiencing the exact same thing right now. Its hell. Im completely closed, I can't drink water without pbing it up. It just got this way today though. For the past couple of weeks I seemed to be getting tighter and tighter and I attributed it to PMS but now im scared. Tomorrow morning im going in for an unfill and a fleuro to try and see whats going on. This is so painful and scary. Im starving hungry and I can't even drink water.

argon · 05-15-2007, 05:24 PM

I don't even know if she's getting ANYthing down, which makes this Dr. making her wait so long EVEN WORSE!

Kari - can you try warm/hot liquids like tea? I lived on the liquid from chicken noodle soup for a few days, it saved me!

juliegeraci · 05-15-2007, 05:34 PM

Hope you feel better soon. It sounds like a good unfill will be the best thing for you.

KariK · 05-15-2007, 05:57 PM

Aargon, Yep I tried warm liquid, tea, coffee, broth, didn't work. Thats why im scared. I just hope with the unfil it fixes this. Im ok if I can't eat, but not being able to drink .. thats just too much.

confunication · 05-15-2007, 06:13 PM

Yes, I'm only trying to get liquids down... Mostly warm water, since tea and broth just make me feel worse... but no, it's not staying down at all. I'm looking for a new LAP-BAND^® doctor around here, but the one I have seems to be the only "good" one.

WASaBubbleButt · 05-15-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by confunication

I'm looking for a new LAP-BAND^® doctor around here, but the one I have seems to be the only "good" one.

That's spooky!

Don't eat or drink ANYTHING for about six hours. Then take verrrry small sips of warm water every 15 minutes or so and see if that helps. But if you start showing signs of dehydration you need to get to an ER quickly.

Sorry you are going through this. Many of us know exactly what you are experiencing and it isn't fun!

confunication · 05-15-2007, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WASaBubble Butt

That's spooky!

Don't eat or drink ANYTHING for about six hours. Then take verrrry small sips of warm water every 15 minutes or so and see if that helps. But if you start showing signs of dehydration you need to get to an ER quickly.

Sorry you are going through this. Many of us know exactly what you are experiencing and it isn't fun!

Unfortunately, I already tried this...and I ended up vomiting after about three hours of not eating or drinking anything. This is because I'm vomiting up my saliva, too, and can't very well keep myself from swallowing that.

And I went to the ER for dehydration, two days ago, where they gave me two hours of IV and sent me home, wishing me the best and telling me to come back if I'm still vomiting everything up in three days.

I never imagined anything like this happening to me. I guess I got cocky because everyone else complained of problems and I never had any of them.