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My Apologies I was on the road and forgot to provide the link to complications
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/
Hello, I am 10.5yrs post-op lapband, replacement bans in 2009. I have always heard that Lupus was a contraindication to the band. Now I have just been diagnosed with Lupus, So what now? I have been researching like crazy and definitely found two things that are different since all my research in 2004. One being that there is some suspicion the band can cause auto immune disorders, but have yet to find a professional resource or an accurate study to confirm, but perhaps there could be truth to it, I don't know many banders who are as far out post op as I am. 11 yrs ago there were two options, band or RNY, the band seemed the best option for me at that time. I have lost almost 100% of my excess weight, and would probably be over 100% if I had all the excess skin removed. So I'm not disappointed with my results, but I give myself 90% credit and 10 percent to the band. The reason being is I was so ready to change my life, Emotionally I was completely prepared, failure was not an option. However my weight loss has been more a complete lifestyle change only I have a foreign body in me. The ten percent to the band is that bc of the awful stuck feeling, it has prevented me from things like donuts, bagels, pizza, etc. Anyway in my new research I also learned this is not a lifetime device. In 2004 I was told that it was. Over the past 10 years I have seen so many with failed bands, or they failed the band, slips, erosion, removal and replacement, removal and revision, even a removed band that had mold growing on it. In 2004 all of us on this board were major band cheerleaders, defending our choice of surgery, bc the risk was so minimal. I am still glad I did not get the RNY bc of how many I have seen with regain after their 18 month window of opportunity is up.So I am curious if anyone has ever had a Lupus or other autoimmune disease diagnosed after the band. Was it addressed by Rheumatologist?PCP? Surgeon? Any advice or experiences would be appreciated, also if anyone can point me in the direction of valid research. I already have seen legitimate contraindications prior to banding from Allergan and Ethicon, I'm more looking for info on if there is an actual chance the band could have been a catalyst for Lupus or What is recommended for diagnosis post-op. Thank you.
In the long run, it may be easier just to be honest. Otherwise you get caught up in downright lying which is uncomfortable and makes people cross or upset if they find out!
Having said that, I only told people I could trust and on a need to know basis. For the op, I just said I was having minor surgery and everyone was too polite to ask what when I didn't volunteer more information. People close enough to want to push for details were the close family I told anyway, if you want to give detail, just saying it was a gynae procedure usually shuts up questioners!
With my eating, I said that I was working with my doctor and was on a medically supervised diet which involved a few weeks of very limited intake followed by simply eating very small portions. All true! Just not all the truth! I felt I needed to do that as otherwise people would think I was on a fad diet and under-eating and would start worrying about me.
Once you have passed te immediate post-op phase, you should be able to eat meals in a way which doesn't draw attention to yourself. No-one eating a meal with me now would guess I had had surgery. They would just think I have a very small appetite.
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
Thank you everyone! I really appreciated everyones input. I talked to my surgeon more, and he said he wouldn't do a sleeve on someone with a "low" BMI of 40 so I am going through with the lap-band.
Hello! I am planning on getting the lap-band (just waiting to hear back from my insurance) but I want something I can tell people, like my work and friends, when they wonder why I am out for a week or my eating habits change. I am just a private person, but I'm obviously telling my closest friends and family. I was thinking maybe gallbladder surgery?
Does anyone have something they tell people who have questions if they don't want to share they had lap-band? Or if someone says something about their changed eating habits?
Thank you.
Thanks everyone, I appreciate all your thoughts; it's nice to know I am not the only one to have these problems.
Karen, a medication known as Phenergan along with other anti nausea meds can be used for nausea, that is an option.
With Nausea you might also have Gastritis, a Known band complication.
The most likely test should be an EGD , But a lot of tests done on band are inconclusive :(
Unfortunately things that you've mentioned DO occur with bands. :( The night time coughing can/does lead to aspiration pneumonia. bE CAREFUL.
A band complication. I'm not sure why you asked about the Tubing ? As Kate stated a simple Flush Fill can be done to see if their is a leak. ( Saline is removed and then replaced.) to make sure what ever had been charted as being placed in the band IS still present.
If your experiencing unexplained pain depending on the location that could be from a disconnected tubing?
I've never heard of a fractured Port but have hear plenty about port infections, and those can/do mean a band erosion.
I'm supplying a link to band complications but it's only a partial list.
I do hope you find answers SOON!! and If 1 Bariatirc surgeon doesn't listen GET A NEW ONE PLEASE!!
Too many band patients have been ignored and suffered serious complications.
GOOD LUCK 
Thanks, I am being very careful as to what I eat. I cannot eat any meat or eggs, I will vomit right now if I try. I have put on weight because I am constantly snacking to keep the nausea at bay. Thanks for all your input it gives me confidence to talk to the surgeon.
This may not be what you want to hear but this may well be caused by your band. If you are vomiting regularly it is too tight and coughing can be caused by reflux, another sign of being too tight. The longer this goes on the more damage may be caused. You are right to see a specialist surgeon.
One band complication which was not known, or at any rate not mentioned, when I was banded in 2006, is the tendency in some cases for scar tissue to build up, do tightening the band.
Do not let the surgeon tell you nothing is wrong. It clearly is. Let us know how you get on. My digestion meanwhile is to stick to soft foods, avoid anything which might increase reflux, like caffeine, alcohol, spicy foods.
Highest 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too thin!). Comfort zone 155-165.
Happily banded since May 2006. Regain of 28lbs 2013-14. ALL GONE!
But some has returned! Up to 175, argh! Off we go again,
Thank you for your thoughts. My situation is complicated. I had my band put in 2010; about a year after that, I received a letter from the clinic stating that my surgeon was no longer seeing weight loss patients. I was doing ok, so I did nothing.
About 17 months ago I started having issues with my gall bladder, pain and lots of vomiting. I tried to wait to see my PCP, as it was the holidays, but I ended up in the hospital and a day later they took out that pesky gall bladder. I thought after surgery life would return to normal, not so. The vomiting continued. I went back to the ED and was told nothing was wrong other than a little dehydration. So they gave me fluids, a prescription for vomiting and sent me on my way. So I though, ok I am just being a hypochondriac.
During the next ten months I tried to suck it up. The vomiting continued, so much so I ended up giving myself a ventral hernia. A few weeks ago I ended up in my PCP’s office for a regular appointment. I told her what was going on and showed her my hernia. She said she was concerned about my band and referred me to a surgeon. It took me a few weeks to get an appointment (the appt is 3/9/15) so I am just careful. Besides all this vomiting, I have these coughing spells in the evening when I sit down to watch TV; one of those spells is what has led me to this very painful port. I know I need to see the surgeon, but I am concerned he will say there is nothing wrong and send me on my way making me feel like a wimp.
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