Band Problems

Hello Everyone

I haven't been on for months due to family health problems and my own issues with the band. I am seriously thinking about having my band removed. I have been throwing up every time I eat for months. It doesn't matter what I eat it gets stuck and I'm so tired of not being able to sit and have a meal without choking. Had my esophagus checked and they said it was normal. told me if I hadn't told them that I had a band they would have never known. They told me to get a hold of my surgeon and let them know that I either had a slip or that it was put in to high. Called the Dr's. office twice in the last month and still no reply. The last time I was in his office and told him what was going on for the umpteenth time he replied to me that I must be a walking miracle that I could throw up constantly and still not lose weight. I wanted to cry right there instead I apologized for not losing the weight. I do not know what to do anymore. I think  its time for a new Dr and have the band removed. I really feel that I'm a failure at this but I would rather be fat then put up with being sick and humiliated every time I go because I do not lose the weight. I follow the rules as much as possible I'm not 100% because I do eat mashed potato's because they are one of the few things that I can get down without choking on it. Be for any of you think that my food is not chewed enough I thought that too but I even grind my meats down thinking that they may help.  It doesn't. I still manage to choke every time.

Thanks for letting me vent and if any of of you have any suggestions I'm willing to listen
Anna 

Hugs! Band complications are extremely common. Your Dr. sounds like and jerk.

1.Find a different Dr.
2.Join one of the failed band groups
3.GET THE BAND OUT! You don't want it to cause further damage.

Have you considered revising?

Anna....
First off.. You are NOT alone.. Do NOT let your physician make you feel like you are a failure.  You are NOT a failure, the band is the failure.  I am copying my story that I wrote earlier today to someone else....  As for the mashed potatoes, trust me, I completely understand.  They became my comfort food because that is about all I could keep down for the past year.

I was banded May 1, 2007. I lost 80-90 pounds the first year. Doctor told me I was the ideal patient. Followed ALL the rules. Trust me, there are a LOT of them. In July of 2008, went a weekend where I could not even keep water down. ...Went into my doctors office on the following Monday, he took all the fluid out of the band. I had developed a hernia at the band site. I asked him at that time if we should just remove the band, he said no that my stomach would heal on its own. The next 3 years, I ended up gaining about 40-45 pounds back, I was throwing up at least 3-5 times a week. My original surgeon had now moved I think 5 times to 4 different states. It is hard to find another doctor to take their place, especially when you are having complications. The last year I could no longer digest protein, not even eggs. December of last year I was installing miniblinds, lifted my arm and went down in excruciating pain. My band slipped, that fast. No other symptoms previously, just my “normal" good food and bad food days. The following day I went to the ER where they told me I pulled a muscle. The following night, I went back to the ER where they looked at me again, said I pulled a muscle, had me sign my discharge papers and were getting ready to send me home. THEN… my bloodwork came back. My white blood count had more than doubled from the night before, it went from 8,000 to 18,000. That showed signs of infection. Now the doctor figured maybe there is something wrong. Took another MRI, (they had done one the night before and found nothing). Next thing I know, they came in and said they had to transfer me to a larger hospital and which ambulance service did I want. I HAD to go by ambulance. Arriving at the other hospital, the surgeon came into the room and told me that I was going to have emergency surgery and that they have to remove the band immediately. He also told me “you do realize this is life and death right?" My reply of course was “NO". My boyfriend was sitting there with me, I didn’t know if I would ever see him or any of my family again. The doctor flat out told me that I may not make it through surgery, that I was in BAD shape.
Fast forward…. 8 hours later, I wake up in ICU with my daughters, mom, and boyfriend surrounding me. The doctor came in, told me that he had to remove the band and over half of my stomach. I was in ICU for 2 more days, then intermediate care for the next 2 days, then another hospital room for the next 3-1/2 days…. All told, I was in the hospital for a week, had a feeding tube hanging from my side for 2 months after that. By the way, while in the hospital, I couldn’t have ANYTHING by mouth until the last day when I could have water, protein drink and popsicles…
I did not have insurance at this time, right now, my medical bills are just over 90k, no attorney wants to take a malpractice suit because it has been almost 4 years since I asked them to take the band out and they wouldn’t, and the other doctor, while he told me that it was all my original surgeons fault for not removing the band, was not willing to get up on stand and say the same thing.
HOWEVER, I am still alive, I have only thrown up 3 times since that, so right there is an improvement in life…

First off you are not alone, second, find a new surgeon and look at getting your band out ASAP.

The chronic stuck episodes are not normal, and are usually no fault of the patient regardless of what others will say or tell you.

I revised from the band to VSG nearly 3 years ago and it was the best decision I ever made.

 
Sadly, this seems to be the natural progression of the band.  For some it happens sooner, for others - later.  I was in the same boat.

I am going to encourage you to change those potatoes for a protein shake, yogurt, pinto beans, something like that but all in all, I really do understand.

Get the band out, that is the answer and kick your doctor before you find a new one.

Anna,
I agree with Brianna, I know that potatoes became my comfort food, but try yogurt.  That is another thing that I could handle.  It is better for you than mashed potatoes.  I couldn't do the pinto beans, but try with the protein first, and most important, find a doctor that will listen to you....

 
I should have clarified.  Pinto beans with the skin are hard for banded people  Smashed (aka un-refried refried beans) are easier.

HIHIHIHIHIHI  SeriouslyDoubtful!

 Something definitely needs to be done ASAP.  Has an unfill been suggested?  That is normally the first thing that is tried.  Hope you get the help you need soon!

 Your surgeon is an absolute jerk!  I had the same issues, and ended up revising to the sleeve.  I love it!  Hope you can find a surgeon that understands!

For 11 months I threw up everything I ate. I choked while I slept and lived on mashed potatoes. I did lose 74lbs during that time, which was my real only LB success. It does sound like a slip though. Did you have an upper GI? That's another way to detect a slip. IT IS NOT YOUR FAULT!!! My dr. never makes me feel like anything is my fault. The band has a 30% failure rate. You should definitely find another surgeon! Definitely get it out if it's causing that many problems.