Ask Dr. Curry?

Dr. Curry, I think I asked you about them not being able to access any fluid in my band a few weeks ago.  Yesterday I went to the main office of my doctor and the PA there was able to get 2 cc's out, only.  I was suppose to have had 9.5 cc's in my band, but like I said before the ARNP at the one office could not get but about 2 cc's out and she did not put it back in, then yesterday the PA was able to get about 2 more cc's out.  Problem here, besides the fluid not being there, is this fluid was a dark brown, to me, the PA said it was a dark green.  Being I am a Medical Technologist I asked them if they were going to culture it and they said, there was not reason to because it is a closed system.  Then went on to say the worse thing it could be was erosion of the band and the best thing it could be is that the previous NP, who had done my last 4 fills had gotten a lot of blood in it.  I am hoping that is the case, but is something that I should be concerned about?  They did not show it to the doctor, they put 4 cc's of fluid in, and told me to come back in two weeks, and they would then try to take it out again and if it was still that color they would talk to the doctor.  Another PA came in an looked at the color of the fluid and she recommended an EGD be scheduled and something else but then they decided against it.  I have no pain, well OK I do now, but very little and I think it is head pain, like head hunger, just there because of what they said. 

Over all my question is should I be worried these next two weeks and what if I should start having a lot of pain or even running a fever?  

Thank you once again,

Jacqueline

I would probably replace the discolored fluid with fresh saline - that way you will know that it's clear and exactly how much is in there.  Wait a month, then recheck it.  An EGD is certainly an option though.

Dr curry,

I am a band patient. I was banded in January 2007. I had my gail bladder out on January 2009. They also did a scope and found a small ulcer. On my follow up appointment they did blood work ( first time since my band) and found that my ferritin level was 6 they said that I need to have a iron infusion.
To be honest the last three months eating has been way off the gail bladder made me sick if i did not have something in my stomach so i ate foods that would go down quick and stop the sick stomach. As well as I have never taken my multi vits. on a regular. I did not think this was a big issue with the  band.
So is 6 an extremely low level and is low iron  a problem with the band or is there some other reason I should be looking at.
Also I read up on the iron infusion on line and it has me a little worried. They list several reactions you could have and it sounds very scary. how often does a reaction to the iron infusion accure?

It could very well be related to your dietary intake if you have been having problems.  It definitely needs to be worked up, I wouldn't write it off to that without doing some investigation first.

Hi Dr. C
I know your pretty busy so I wont keep you long. 
I trust you and Dr. Allen with my life, more than my PCP.
My PCP is a money grubbing guy!
Im on IN med and he flat out refusses to let me go anywhere but his office or the ER.  Regardless of how important it is.  He has noone on call...he is the ONLY one there.  No other numbers.  Ive left him numerous messages in the past with no returns. He im my eyes, doesnt give a fling leap about his patients.
Now my question is this:
With the above regarding..
My back around my bra strap area, hurts.  It has been off an on for a while.  Now my right side hurts.  Its on my back and front.  Im burping alot more too.  It hurt so bad befor where I was bending over and had to sit down.  I was told a while back I had Pluerasee(sp) where the linning of your ribs rubbs with you lungs. That is kinda what it feels like but its all the way across my upper back.
I was told this was my GB but..these are the only symptoms I have. 
Now...I would rather see Allen instread of my PCP and if I need surgery or what ever, it be done by him only.  He has the BEST bed side manor I have EVER seen, plus he is very handsome lol. Ive always wonered if he was married lol.
Any advise would be loved!!

It sounds highly likely that it could be your gallbladder.  Dr. Allen could probably check into this for you, and maybe you want to look for another PCP...

Dr. Allen isn't married but he does have a steady GF last time I was down to visit him...

Can the tubing be seen on a CT? Also, can a CT show if the tubing is tangled in my intestine?  This happened when I gallbladder was removed. 

Tubing can be seen on a CT, but you may not get enough detail to know whether it was tangled in the intestine from that test. 

Dr Curry
Right now I am very frustrated. I have had the band for almost three years and have lost over 100 lbs. But all of that was in the first year. I still have another 40-50 lbs that I would like to lose. I have not been able to lose anything since the summer of 2007. I have had several fills/ unfills - problems with reflux, sliming etc.
I have an appointment with my surgeon on Wednesday the 25th and don't know what to ask him or do at this point. I have considered having the band removed (at times of reflux and not being able to eat) and have looked into VSG.
I guess I just want suggestions as to what to ask my doc or if revision is an alternative at all
Betty Raucci

If you have lost 100 lbs, unless your BMI is still over 35, I wouldn't consider a sleeve.  Band to sleeve is not the easiest operation and the leak rate is much higher.  What is your BMI now?