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Topic: Unlocked Lapband 3 months post-op
I just came home from the doctor and it turns out the locking mechanism on the band has come unlocked.
This all started about 3 fills ago when I was feeling little to no restriction. Needless to say, I have been steadily gaining weight since my surgery. Still not at my pre-op weight, but damn close. At that point I had 4ccs in a 10cc band and the doctor kept reassuring me that this was a "big one" and should do the trick. I went for another fill this past Tuesday (March 22) and the PA gave me another 1cc fill, bringing me to 5ccs. She gave me a glass of water, which I drank no problem in the office, and she was baffled as to why I wasn't feeling anything at all. I told her that I never have felt any restriction before, so I wasn't as surprised as she was that I was able to get down a bottle of water. She gave me a protein bar in the office and that too went down no problem. After seeing that she scheduled me for a barium x-ray which I went for yesterday.
I dropped the CD of the films off at the office, and while I was there, the surgeon gave me another 1cc fill, for a total of 6ccs. Still felt nothing. He said he was going to take a look at the films and call me today.
He called me about 4pm and told me he thought the band was unlocked based on the xray, but he wasn't totally sure. So I went into the office and asked the PA to give me a BIG fill, and if I still felt nothing, I would be convinced. She gave me a full 10cc fill in my 10cc band, which she said would cause me to not even be able to swallow. Sure enough, I was able to take quite a few sips of my water bottle. SO, she took all of the saline out of the band, and I am waiting to hear from the doctor as to how to proceed.
Needless to say, I am devastated. My surgery was just this past December, and already I have had a complication. The doctor said this has only happened 1 or 2 times in all the surgeries he has done. He said fixing it is no real trouble, but still, it's another surgery, going through another round of anastesia and recovery, etc. etc.
I am requesting a new band altogether, but only if he can leave the port intact. The PA said he should be able to do this, but she wasn't 100% sure. The worst part about the last surgery was the incision pain, and if I can avoid that, it won't be sooo terrible.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? The PA said this isn't anything I caused, just a faulty band.
Any advice would be helpful!
Alyssa
This all started about 3 fills ago when I was feeling little to no restriction. Needless to say, I have been steadily gaining weight since my surgery. Still not at my pre-op weight, but damn close. At that point I had 4ccs in a 10cc band and the doctor kept reassuring me that this was a "big one" and should do the trick. I went for another fill this past Tuesday (March 22) and the PA gave me another 1cc fill, bringing me to 5ccs. She gave me a glass of water, which I drank no problem in the office, and she was baffled as to why I wasn't feeling anything at all. I told her that I never have felt any restriction before, so I wasn't as surprised as she was that I was able to get down a bottle of water. She gave me a protein bar in the office and that too went down no problem. After seeing that she scheduled me for a barium x-ray which I went for yesterday.
I dropped the CD of the films off at the office, and while I was there, the surgeon gave me another 1cc fill, for a total of 6ccs. Still felt nothing. He said he was going to take a look at the films and call me today.
He called me about 4pm and told me he thought the band was unlocked based on the xray, but he wasn't totally sure. So I went into the office and asked the PA to give me a BIG fill, and if I still felt nothing, I would be convinced. She gave me a full 10cc fill in my 10cc band, which she said would cause me to not even be able to swallow. Sure enough, I was able to take quite a few sips of my water bottle. SO, she took all of the saline out of the band, and I am waiting to hear from the doctor as to how to proceed.
Needless to say, I am devastated. My surgery was just this past December, and already I have had a complication. The doctor said this has only happened 1 or 2 times in all the surgeries he has done. He said fixing it is no real trouble, but still, it's another surgery, going through another round of anastesia and recovery, etc. etc.
I am requesting a new band altogether, but only if he can leave the port intact. The PA said he should be able to do this, but she wasn't 100% sure. The worst part about the last surgery was the incision pain, and if I can avoid that, it won't be sooo terrible.
Has anyone else had a similar experience? The PA said this isn't anything I caused, just a faulty band.
Any advice would be helpful!
Alyssa
Life is a journey, not a destination** 
Topic: RE: reverse gastric bypass
Thanks for the information. I am trying to get my RNY reversed due to severe side effects like being 5'6.5" and 105lb, edema, leg cramps, headaches, blood sugar issues, memory loss, cognition problems, extreme fatigue, anemia and other vitamin dificiencies. My Dr. says I'm one step away from disability and one step away from death. So reversal is sounding like it may be a god send.
Thanks
Thanks
Topic: RE: reverse gastric bypass
I sent her to Dr. Rabkin and BTW, her original doc was the same as yours, so it's likely you have a similar problem. Either an eroded ring OR a slipping ring
Michelle
RNY, distal, 10/5/94
P.S. My year + long absence has NOTHING to do with my WLS, or my type of WLS. See my profile.
Topic: RE: reverse gastric bypass
Hi, Lauren. My name is Maureen and I had RNY 4 weeks ago. I too have been having the feelings you described. Have youhad the reversal? If not have things gotten better? I feel like I ruined my life by doing this and that there were so many behind me that I didnt want to let them down. I never thought about myself until it was to late, and now I want to take it all back. I read about all the people with complications and I get scared. It sounds like the reversal is getting more and more popular. Please feel free to contact me and we can talk sometime.
maureen
maureen
HW-309 Surgery Weight - 283 GOAL-160
Topic: RE: reverse gastric bypass
Can you tell me the Doctor that done the one in Georgia i am serously considering i cant keep anything down and my doc seems not to care.
Topic: RE: Unexplained Pain on Left Side
Hi Kathryn:
Sounds like we share somewhat the same symptoms, I had a loop RnY gastric by pass in 1981 did okay until early 90's started feeling ill, Long story, had a Gastric Revision Jan 2009 with some complications. All okay up until now, I went to my primary care doc late Jan 2011 for what I thought was a UTI, had CT scan done refered back to my surgeon he did a repeat of the CT scan and found that I had a distended and fluid filled remnant stomach (the old stomach) I now have a g tube placed for drainage this was done on Feb 1, 2011 but they still don't know what is going on , I don't have a gallbladder, appendix, had hernia repair done in November, I am having a endoscopy to see if he can see anything, my biggest fear is I hope it is not any serious medical condition. Please keep me posted if you learn of anything new. Good luck in your journey.
Sounds like we share somewhat the same symptoms, I had a loop RnY gastric by pass in 1981 did okay until early 90's started feeling ill, Long story, had a Gastric Revision Jan 2009 with some complications. All okay up until now, I went to my primary care doc late Jan 2011 for what I thought was a UTI, had CT scan done refered back to my surgeon he did a repeat of the CT scan and found that I had a distended and fluid filled remnant stomach (the old stomach) I now have a g tube placed for drainage this was done on Feb 1, 2011 but they still don't know what is going on , I don't have a gallbladder, appendix, had hernia repair done in November, I am having a endoscopy to see if he can see anything, my biggest fear is I hope it is not any serious medical condition. Please keep me posted if you learn of anything new. Good luck in your journey.
Sandi B
Topic: RE: Numbness and loss of movement in foot
I had the same thing going on! Went through nerve conduction studies, etc. The cure for me? Stop crossing my legs! How crazy, huh? I was terrified! In my mind I already has MS and was dying! LOL. Not saying at all that this is your problem but maybe a little hope that it's nothing too scary!
Topic: RE: possible internal hernia?
Familiar? Oh yeah, here's my story:
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Gastric_Bypass_Surgery/forum/ 11656653-internal-hernia
http://www.dailystrength.org/c/Gastric_Bypass_Surgery/forum/ 11656653-internal-hernia
Topic: RE: Open wound on abdomen after surgery.
I developed a leak not from the original surgery but from the bezoar that formed after surgery. It also healed itself but I was in ICU and vent for five days then in hospital 2 more weeks while it healed.
Is anyone still afraid that they will leak again?
How long did it take to start eating normal after having the feed tube out? Mine has been out over a month but I am having a hard time keeping afternoon food down.
Is anyone still afraid that they will leak again?
How long did it take to start eating normal after having the feed tube out? Mine has been out over a month but I am having a hard time keeping afternoon food down.
Topic: RE: repair of gastrogastric fistula years after WLS---have some questions
Hi
I had rny 8 years ago also. I maintained the weight for 5 years but have gained 20 lbs back (leg in cast for 6 mos and cannot seem to get rid of it).
I had symptoms very similar to yours. finally had exploratory surgery and repair of huge internal hernia (intestines twisted around and through opening.) Did not have the fistula but they did find duodenal diverticulum (inflamed) which they did not remove and now am seeing a urologist for enormous kidney stone (all the joys of wls).
I was allowed to eat anything I wanted immediately after surgery...and finally could eat without pain. So far (3 weeks) my outcome is excellent. I know this is not exactly what yuou have had repaired but thought I should share
Good luck with your appointment Tuesday
I had rny 8 years ago also. I maintained the weight for 5 years but have gained 20 lbs back (leg in cast for 6 mos and cannot seem to get rid of it).
I had symptoms very similar to yours. finally had exploratory surgery and repair of huge internal hernia (intestines twisted around and through opening.) Did not have the fistula but they did find duodenal diverticulum (inflamed) which they did not remove and now am seeing a urologist for enormous kidney stone (all the joys of wls).
I was allowed to eat anything I wanted immediately after surgery...and finally could eat without pain. So far (3 weeks) my outcome is excellent. I know this is not exactly what yuou have had repaired but thought I should share
Good luck with your appointment Tuesday
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