I have been reluctant to share, but here I am...
I have not come here to share b/c I was a little nervous about how people would respond, but it needs to be said.
I lost my band a little over a week ago, in a traumatic and emergency situation.
My story goes like this, I got the band 4 years ago this July, I loved it. Followed the rules, did as I was told, lost almost 100 lbs. I got pregnant with surprise baby #4, got an almost complete unfill because of sever morning sickness, and kept myself unfilled for the whole pregnancy.
After baby was born I got a small fill which gave me a slight bit of restriction, but not too much because I was nursing the little man. When he weaned at 18 months I got a pretty aggressive fill, which still yielded no restriction. I got a wicked stomach virus, and during that night I felt something "give" and the pain took me too my knees. Headed to the ER where a CT scan showed that I had a slight slip, which was completely resolved by an unfill.
Started getting small fills again and losing weight well, with NO tightness, no stuck episodes and no vomiting. About 4 weeks ago I started having some reflux and all my natural remedies where not helping, so while at my PCP for an ear infection I told them about it and they gave me meds for it, they didn't help so I called my surgeon who told me to wait it out a bit and give the meds a chance since I had no other signs of a slip (no pain, no vomiting etc.).
Then one night I had horrible stomach pains, so bad that I could not sit up straight and nothing I did helped relieve me of the pain so my Mom took me to the ER. I was there all night, had a CT scan, X-rays and IV meds for the reflux, my surgeon was never called, and they sent me home (looking back, I know I should have pushed for him to come see me, but I just wanted to get home so my husband could go to work).
Two nights later I was having a small party for my mom at my house and the pain came back, only times 20, we considered calling the ambulance but it eased off enough that I felt comfortable going to the hospital by car. On the way there I began having heart palpitations, weakness in my left arm, shortness of breath and leg weakness. They rushed me right back for an EKG thinking I might be having a heart attack.
They called for more x-rays and another CT scan, which at that point I wanted to refuse because having one is like having 300 xrays and I had already had one just a few days prior, but my surgeon insisted. He didn't like what he saw on the CT scan, fully unfilled me and admitted me. They kept me over the weekend to manage my pain, and did an endoscopy first thing Monday morning. A few hours after my endoscopy, the nurse said to me "The OR just called for you, are you ready?" and I looked at her like she had six heads b/c I wasn't having surgery that day (or so I thought).
My surgeon then rushed into my room and told me that my scope had showed some issues and that my band needed to be fixed (or to come out) right that minute because they where afraid it might be cutting off circulation to my stomach. I barely had time to call my husband, and I was in the OR in less then an hour after hearing the news. I woke up just enough after the surgery to hear the news that they where unable to save my band, and also that my body makes too much scar tissue so I could never have another band again.
I was in major pain, sick and depressed, it had all happened so fast and I was quite bitter about the whole thing. I still kind of am. I am scheduled for revision surgery the first week in Sept and will be getting the VSG, I am excited, but worried about the damage I can do while I am unbanded during these next couple of months.
I lost my band a little over a week ago, in a traumatic and emergency situation.
My story goes like this, I got the band 4 years ago this July, I loved it. Followed the rules, did as I was told, lost almost 100 lbs. I got pregnant with surprise baby #4, got an almost complete unfill because of sever morning sickness, and kept myself unfilled for the whole pregnancy.
After baby was born I got a small fill which gave me a slight bit of restriction, but not too much because I was nursing the little man. When he weaned at 18 months I got a pretty aggressive fill, which still yielded no restriction. I got a wicked stomach virus, and during that night I felt something "give" and the pain took me too my knees. Headed to the ER where a CT scan showed that I had a slight slip, which was completely resolved by an unfill.
Started getting small fills again and losing weight well, with NO tightness, no stuck episodes and no vomiting. About 4 weeks ago I started having some reflux and all my natural remedies where not helping, so while at my PCP for an ear infection I told them about it and they gave me meds for it, they didn't help so I called my surgeon who told me to wait it out a bit and give the meds a chance since I had no other signs of a slip (no pain, no vomiting etc.).
Then one night I had horrible stomach pains, so bad that I could not sit up straight and nothing I did helped relieve me of the pain so my Mom took me to the ER. I was there all night, had a CT scan, X-rays and IV meds for the reflux, my surgeon was never called, and they sent me home (looking back, I know I should have pushed for him to come see me, but I just wanted to get home so my husband could go to work).
Two nights later I was having a small party for my mom at my house and the pain came back, only times 20, we considered calling the ambulance but it eased off enough that I felt comfortable going to the hospital by car. On the way there I began having heart palpitations, weakness in my left arm, shortness of breath and leg weakness. They rushed me right back for an EKG thinking I might be having a heart attack.
They called for more x-rays and another CT scan, which at that point I wanted to refuse because having one is like having 300 xrays and I had already had one just a few days prior, but my surgeon insisted. He didn't like what he saw on the CT scan, fully unfilled me and admitted me. They kept me over the weekend to manage my pain, and did an endoscopy first thing Monday morning. A few hours after my endoscopy, the nurse said to me "The OR just called for you, are you ready?" and I looked at her like she had six heads b/c I wasn't having surgery that day (or so I thought).
My surgeon then rushed into my room and told me that my scope had showed some issues and that my band needed to be fixed (or to come out) right that minute because they where afraid it might be cutting off circulation to my stomach. I barely had time to call my husband, and I was in the OR in less then an hour after hearing the news. I woke up just enough after the surgery to hear the news that they where unable to save my band, and also that my body makes too much scar tissue so I could never have another band again.
I was in major pain, sick and depressed, it had all happened so fast and I was quite bitter about the whole thing. I still kind of am. I am scheduled for revision surgery the first week in Sept and will be getting the VSG, I am excited, but worried about the damage I can do while I am unbanded during these next couple of months.
Courtney - Lap band to VSG revision
(deactivated member)
on 6/30/11 5:32 am - Des Moines, IA
on 6/30/11 5:32 am - Des Moines, IA
My heart goes out to you. I'm so sorry to hear what you have been through. It sounds scary. I'm glad that you will get to have the VSG and wish you the very best. Please keep us updated on how things are going.
Kristi
Kristi
I'm terribly sorry that you had to go through all of that! What a nightmare!
I can't imagine what it's like to lose the tool that helped you lose over 80 lbs, but I'm really happy that you will be able to get the sleeve. Don't stress about the time between now and then. Take time to heal and prepare yourself for phase II of your WL journey.
Keep us posted!
Lisa O.
I can't imagine what it's like to lose the tool that helped you lose over 80 lbs, but I'm really happy that you will be able to get the sleeve. Don't stress about the time between now and then. Take time to heal and prepare yourself for phase II of your WL journey.
Keep us posted!
Lisa O.
Lap Band surgery Nov. 2008, SW 335. Lost 116 lbs. LB removal May 2013 gained 53 lbs. Revisied to RNY October 14, 2013, new SW 275.
Wow -- I am so sorry that you have had to go through all of this.
I will be praying for a successful revision for you.
In the next few months, try to focus on a few basics
1. no liquids while you eat
2. small bites --protein first
3. stay active --- (my list of 'things to do besides eat' has saved me from myself many times)
Keep us posted --- stay strong and take care of yourself
I will be praying for a successful revision for you.
In the next few months, try to focus on a few basics
1. no liquids while you eat
2. small bites --protein first
3. stay active --- (my list of 'things to do besides eat' has saved me from myself many times)
Keep us posted --- stay strong and take care of yourself
(deactivated member)
on 6/30/11 7:03 am - Califreakinfornia , CA
on 6/30/11 7:03 am - Califreakinfornia , CA
I'm so sorry that you have endured such a traumatic experience. Sending you healing thoughts for a smooth recovery.
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