Removed after 2 weeks, infection ??

Originally Posted by Crazy4MyK9

The one major thing I didn't like about gastric bypass is that it seems that a number of patients regain weight. I know a woman who turned to her old habits and regained over 50 lbs. During my surgeon's seminar, he described it like this. The Lap Band is hardware, and hardware doesn't stretch. The stomach left after gastric bypass is going to stretch, and has the potential to stretch significantly.~Anne

Originally Posted by sweetviolet

why did the doctor not do the rny at the same time as the removal?? Mine did and I have had no problems at all!! Finially feel gret, down 140# and am never looking back--still use the same amounts to eat but NEVER throw up or have to go to the doc for adjustments or anything else unless I choose to go visit!! I am finially not dealing with a foreighn object--if I would have known how easy life could be I NEVER would have gone through the pain...He also should not have charged you for removal after so little time. If you are going to have surgery anyway, have that done also--its like I never had it I SWEAR...except I finially feel GREAT and joined the Y and swim 4 times a week..OMG I am sooooo happy...wish the same for you!!

Originally Posted by holly369

Wow, that is what happened to me as well.

I had the band on 12/28/07. First week, no problems, no gas, nothing. I thought I was home free.

Eighth day, I ate 2-3 bites of some creamy soup, and the pain started. At first in the center of the abdomen, then it seemed to move to the lower right of the abdomen. I waited that day until the next and ended up going to the emergency room. I did have some fever that went up and down too.

The hospital did a CT scan and could see the infection but didn't know at the time what it was. My doctor did laporascopic surgery to see what it was, and he told me if there was any infection on the Lap Band it would have to come out.Turns out, they cultured it and it was a strep infection in my abdomen. Well, he took it out.

My doctor said that the infection got in there during surgery. Like if a tiny bit of the needle went into the bowel and then into the abdomen as they are sewing the band in, that could have brought the infection in.

I was in the hospital for 9 days on major antibiotics and then developed pneumonia.

I really am disappointed because while the Lap Band was doing okay, I was doing great. Plus I am a self-pay, so it's like throwing $15 grand in the trash.

My doctor said I could get another Lap Band. I would get a second opinion on what your doctor said. I don't believe your doctor wanted the liability of admitting that an infection can get in during any kind of surgery. It is not uncommon for that to happen.

hope this helps.