My band had to be removed in an Emergency!!!

 I had the lap band in 2008. Everything went well, no complications, no vomiting, no issues.  Then 2 months after I was working & developed severe abdominal pain with vomiting.  When I vomited the pain was even worse (excruiciating!)   I had to go the ER, after sitting for 6 hrs.  I finally had a CT scan, that showed 5 inches on bowel that had protruded thru the port site on my abdomen.  The bowel was strangulated & dead.   I was in the OR by midnight & had the  bowel removed & the lap band due to the risk of infection.  I recovered well, & one year later I had the VSG.  I am almost 3  months post-op & I love my sleeve.  The restriction is amazing!  I don't have the feeling that anything is stuck I just feel full.  After having had the band & the sleeve I feel the sleeve is a better surgery.  I have lost 53 lbs. SICE oCT. 20, 2010.  I feel great!  no nausea, vomiting, or issues.  

I am sad that you had to go through that... and happy for you that you're OK and doing well NOW. Thank goodness you went to the ER! People always think the band is so much safer... "no one ever dies from banding!"  Well, that's BS, isn't it?  I came about as close as I could without actually kicking off. Sounds like you were in extreme danger, too.

I wish you the very best! I'm happy that you're doing well with the sleeve. It gives me hope, too. I'm looking into the sleeve currently.

Nicci

I had a similar experience in 2009.  3 months after i had the band places I developed HORRIBLE pain and was admitted to the hospital.  Two days later I had surgery to have the band removed because it slipped and clamped off the bottom of my stomach.  I couldn't even swallow my saliva without vomiting.  It was the worse experience of my life.

A year and 3 months later I decided to plunge into WLS again.  I got the sleeve and I am SO HAPPY WITH IT.  I am a normal human being who just eats less.  No food stuck, vomiting, and being nervous every time I put any food in my mouth.  I wish I had the sleeve sooner!

Oh my goodness!  That is one complication I hadn't heard of.  I'm so glad you are doing well now.