I lost my band...

krkmed · 07-29-2008, 12:52 AM

Well, exactly 8 months to the day after getting it, I lost my band. I was having terrible pain in my abdomin, and it turns out that all the tissue around my band and tubing was infected. They had to take it out, and the doctor who did it said he would not consider re-banding me. I'm not sure how I feel. Very lost, I guess. I've met so many great people on this journey, and now I feel like I've no longer got anything in common with them. And although my weight-loss was never stellar (I lost about 50 lbs in 8 months), I'm scared to death about gaining that weight back, let alone how am I going to lose any more? I'm going back to Weight Watchers later this week, but I'm not sure that will be enough. I'm too scared to do an RNY at this point, given what just happened (what if it hadn't been fixable?), but I'm not sure what my other options are. Especially now that my BMI is just a little bit lower, I know I won't qualify for another surgery. I don't know what else to do at this point. Can anyone else relate?

Paula08 · 07-29-2008, 01:04 AM

I lost my band after only three months. I too was devastated. I am waiting now to have RNY surgery if all goes well. My doctor will not reband me either. My band actually slipped and had a stitch that had come undone. I am doing all I can to not gain the weight back that I have lost but am finding it very hard. I go to the gym three days a week and that helps but my calorie counting has much to be desired lately. I lost my band June 23. Keep your chin up something will work out for you.
Hugs
Paula

WASaBubbleButt · 08-04-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krkmed

Well, exactly 8 months to the day after getting it, I lost my band. I was having terrible pain in my abdomin, and it turns out that all the tissue around my band and tubing was infected. They had to take it out, and the doctor who did it said he would not consider re-banding me. I'm not sure how I feel. Very lost, I guess. I've met so many great people on this journey, and now I feel like I've no longer got anything in common with them. And although my weight-loss was never stellar (I lost about 50 lbs in 8 months), I'm scared to death about gaining that weight back, let alone how am I going to lose any more? I'm going back to Weight Watchers later this week, but I'm not sure that will be enough. I'm too scared to do an RNY at this point, given what just happened (what if it hadn't been fixable?), but I'm not sure what my other options are. Especially now that my BMI is just a little bit lower, I know I won't qualify for another surgery. I don't know what else to do at this point. Can anyone else relate?

I'm sorry that you lost your band. Have you considered a sleeve? It has fewer long term complications than the band or bypass and no aftercare.

carol4784 · 08-28-2008, 11:01 PM

banded 4/8/08, band out 8/25/08 due to erosion. Insurance won't cover WLS. Self pay, can't afford to get any other surgery. Money is lost, all gone, so depressed. Am screwed. Only lost 50 of the 100 lbs. I needed to lose. So angry. So very angry. Have cried for 2 weeks. Not sure what to do now. Feel so defeated. This was my last hope.

HeatherO · 08-29-2008, 09:14 AM

My heart goes out to you . . . I am so very sorry this happened.

How were you feeling before it happened? Could you feel that there was a problem with the band?

carol4784 · 08-31-2008, 06:30 PM

How did I feel? I was banded 4/8/08. Started pb'ing early May. Father died mid May, vomting started. Thought it was upset from death in family. Couldn't keep water down. Was admitted to hospital. Took several rounds of predisone for "swelling" at band site. Then husband was in motorcyle accident, had cellulitis, two vacations were totally cancelled. Still vomiting. More predisone. More vomiting. Dr. did endoscope on 8/18, said band had to come out, had grown into stomach, makiing hole. Now I have this gross drain tube hanging out of my side with stomach juices in it. I am totally screwed with a capital "S". I am still very ANGRY, not sure if I'll ever get over this one. I am back on antidepressants. Everytime I see a commercial on TV about LAP-BAND^® surgery I want to throw things at the TV and curse. Did I mention that I'm angry? And broke. With 50 more lbs. to lose. I am so screwed.

mrshobo · 08-31-2008, 06:52 PM

Carol, I understand. I lost my band three months after I got it. I was selfpay also. All I have to show for it is a large credit card bill and a scarred stomach. It does get better. I too was angry. Its hard but, started weight watchers and trying to do some exercise. Good Luck to you . I am not doing another surgery.

carol4784 · 08-31-2008, 08:31 PM

Maybe I will get over this but right now I am so freakin' angry I can't hardly see straight. I would have been upset if I'd had the surgery if my insurance had paid but knowing that the money is gone, spent out thousands of dollars makes me physically and mentally ill. Maybe this is why some insurance companies won't pay.....because it's not a sure thing. One sure thing would have been RNY but they wouldn't have paid for that either. Ins. didn't pay for WLS period. I would have preferred that route (RNY). It's much easier. You just lose weight. There's no way around it. You don't digest the food you just "rent" it. But that costs $40K plus. I probably will have see someone professionally to get over this anger thing. Insurance probably won't pay for that either. Life is pretty such sucking right now. I have been a member of Weight Watchers at least 30 times. I have spent so much $ on myself and nothing has worked. I still have at least 50 lbs. to lose, am out lots of $ and am miserable.

Nanook · 08-31-2008, 08:56 PM

Sorry Carol...,

That does suck. You've been through a lot and then to have this on top of it all. Mine never worked and I'm getting it removed because of that before something actually goes wrong. I hope you feel better about things soon. It's understandable to be angry after all you've been through it's a normal emotion. Take care, and get healthy Nancy.

Barb12590 · 08-31-2008, 09:12 PM

Oh boy! I feel so bad for you guys!

My heart goes out to you. I don't know what I would do if something happened to my band. I have it less than two months and love it Why did this happen to you? Did it have to do with the way the surgery was first done or anything that happened physically after? I have heard often that stress definitely affects it. I am so sorry that you had so much sadness and stress in such a short amount of time. Nobody should have to go through that

There is help available if you feel you need it. Years ago, I went for grief councel and it helped me alot.
I have been having nightmares about something bad happening to my band. I have always been a worry wort and had nightmares. Instead of worrying about other stuff, I worry about something going wrong with the band now. Again, I feel for you. So sorry... and now so scared that my nightmares will come true. Good Luck in your recovery.

carol4784 · 08-31-2008, 11:08 PM

I don't know why it happened to me. My Dr. mumbled something about "motility in my stomach". I plan to discuss this more further with him on Tuesday when I get this gross tube out of my stomach. I did everything right, I researched, I set aside $ because I knew insurance wouldn't pay. $ that would now come in really handy while remodeling our house. My husband and family supported me. I exercised. Not lately....I haven't done any exercise for 2 weeks. Too depressed. I have had several friends who have had the RNY surgery. They are at goal. It makes me sick. Oh, and of course their insurance paid for it. This stinks so bad. I'm pretty much hating life right now. The surgery the second time around is way more painful by the way. The place where my port went is really, really sore and it'll be a week tomorrow. I especially hate this stupid drain tube. Also, did I mention I haven't had anything thicker than applesauce since last Sunday night. I don't know what more fun and games await me (diet wise)after the tube is removed. I'm sure I'll be on some kind of of restricted diet after the tube is removed. There's a freakin' hole in my stomach. Erosion sucks.

Barb12590 · 08-31-2008, 11:15 PM

Sorry, Carol.
I know it is really hard right now, but things WILL get better. Try to think more positively- about the good things in your life.
As my late mommy used to say.... This too will pass. Good Luck on Tues. Let me know how you are. I'll be thinking of you.

maeme79 · 09-01-2008, 07:19 PM

I just lost my band after having it for only 1 month exactly. I had severe pain for days in my upper stomach and a cat scan revealed that it was infected. I really was so excited about my band and was down 25lbs and then I just started to feel bad. I was so upset about it and I did self pay as well. I am just so scared about my diet now that my band is gone. Anyway, I am in the same boat as some of you and it really really sucks!!!!

loper5 · 09-02-2008, 05:00 PM

what kind of band do yall have? the name of it?

carol4784 · 09-04-2008, 04:53 PM

I had the Johnson and Johnson Realize band. Bad use of my $ as far as I'm concerned.