Another question from someone considering lap band

cdoss
on 10/16/12 5:42 am

If I have a lap band in place, what happens if I get a virus or food poisoning and need to throw up? Seems like that would really cause some problems. Thanks!

vlp1968
on 10/16/12 6:57 am

yep- you are right. violent vomiting caused by flu or food poisoning can cause the band to slip. If you were unlucky enough to have that happen, you would call your surgeon right away and they would prescribe something to stop the vomiting, Good thinking ahead, although it will hopefully never come up. good luck in your search, keep asking questions.

tripmom02
on 10/16/12 8:06 am - NJ

VSG on 08/01/11

A stomach virus is what caused me to lose my band, when you have a virus there is NOTHING a doctor can give you to stop the vomiting. I acutally felt my band "give" after about 8 hours of vomiting, it was awful and painful and in the end it almost took my life.

Courtney - Lap band to VSG revision

(deactivated member)
on 10/16/12 2:55 pm

Lap bands are loaded with complications. This is just another example of why. One serious vomiting episode from food poisoning, anything - even through no fault of your own can cause you to lose your band.

There are safer options out there, know all four major surgery types, know why you are getting one over another. You aren't getting a band because they are safe, that's a given.

Jean M.
on 10/16/12 9:43 pm

Revision on 08/16/12

I don't agree that there are safer options, since every bariatric surgery procedure carries risks. Unfortunately there's no such thing as a risk-free, 100% effective WLS procedure. All we can do is weigh benefits, risks, and our personal eating and lifestyle considerations and make the best choice we can with the information available to us.

Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com

(deactivated member)
on 10/18/12 5:49 am

On October 17, 2012 at 4:43 AM Pacific Time, Jean M. wrote:

I don't agree that there are safer options, since every bariatric surgery procedure carries risks. Unfortunately there's no such thing as a risk-free, 100% effective WLS procedure. All we can do is weigh benefits, risks, and our personal eating and lifestyle considerations and make the best choice we can with the information available to us.

You are putting words in my mouth. I never wrote risk free.

Long term the band is not safe, sleeves have the fewest risks and complications long term.

Jean M.
on 10/18/12 9:36 pm

Revision on 08/16/12

No, I wasn't putting words in your mouth. I was just speaking words out of my own mouth while expressing my own opinion.

Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com

Jean M.
on 10/16/12 9:07 pm

Revision on 08/16/12

You're right, vomiting can cause big problems. I only had one stomach bug when I was banded and took anti-nausea meds (which I already had on hand), so only vomited once.

Jean McMillan c.2009-2013 - Always a bandster at heart
author of Bandwagon (TM), Strategies for Success with the Adjustable Gastric Band & Bandwagon Cookery. Bandwagon for Kindle now available on Amazon. Read my blog at: jean-onthebandwagon.blogspot.com

pineview01
on 10/17/12 2:44 pm, edited 10/17/12 2:44 pm - Davison, MI

Lap Band on 02/25/09

I only had one stomach bug when I was banded and took anti-nausea meds (which I already had on hand), so only vomited once.

I had the same issues as Jean! The meds didn't work for my virus. I had to go to the hospital for am emergency unfill. I was lucky as I was almost unfilled from the medical issues I was having.

It is important with the band to have very, very good after care as it is high maintenance. Also if you are cash pay you need to plan ahead to have funds for an emergency unfill.

This is a great question! You are really doing your research.

BAND REMOVED 9-4-12-fought insurance to get sleeve and won! Sleeved 1/22/13! Five years out and trying to get that last 15 pounds back off.

annie0039
on 2/17/13 8:51 am

Lap Band on 04/23/09

I've experienced Food poisioning twice while banded (since 4/09) actually it occurred in the last year and luckily for me I didn't have a slip. Whether it was because I'd been banded for years before this occurred who knows..I know that It can happen and Yes as others have mentioned you'd need to call your Surgeon if that happens. I was told by my Surgeon that he actually folds the stomach over that band and sutures it into place to try to prevent slippage, again whether it has decreased the chances of slippage I'm not sure.

Another question from someone considering lap band

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Another question from someone considering lap band