just a warning, thinking of a lap band???

I'm sure this will probably not be met with a lot of support by some.  None the less, I feel it is reasonable to pass on a word of warning to those of you considering the lap band.

This procedure has nearly killed me a few times and despite the fact that my lap band is now out, I continue to suffer severe complications from my lap band.

 

Let me start by saying, I NEVER had anything like this prior to my lap band surgery.

After nearly a year of working to get my lap band tight enough to make any difference in my hunger, or my eating habits, I began to suffer episodes where I would pass out when eating.   It took a long time to figure out what was happening but we did finally find out when I was admitted to the telemetry unit at a local hospital.

Each time I ate anything that put any pressure on that lap band my heart rate dropped into the teens.   This is not enough of a pulse to support brain function and I would pass out as a result.

Once we knew what it was the lap band was deflated completely but unfortunately  this did NOTHING.  Finally I was down to almost nothing but liquids in an attempt to stop this from happening.   I've suffered a cracked bone in my elbow, a broken nose, a fractured tooth, fractured ribs and some crazy lumps, bumps and bruises as a result.

Finally my band was removed and I had so much hope that this was finally over for me.    Two days after coming home it happened again,   This time I split my nose open when I went face first onto the floor.   

At this point it looks like I am probably going to have to have a pacemaker and may have to have a vagotomy (not a procedure you want!) trust me!

This has been a horrible experience for me and for my family.    To  top it off, if you look very carefully a the literature out there, the lap band is rapidly loosing supporters due to it's numerous problems and the need for so many revisions.

 

Please, please please, think this procedure though well.   I only wish I had it to do over.  No way would I ever do this again,  EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Three things, sttw,

(1) YIKES AND MORE YIKES!!! Bless your heart, and thank god your not dead!

(2) I've never heard of anybody having this complication, and there are thousands of lapbands running around out there.

(3) Your point is a good one that anybody should carefully think through any surgery, any time. I've known people who have had that procedure and seemed all amazed that it was "real" surgery.

Why are you having a vagotomy? Are you planning to change to bypass?

Good luck and let us know how you're getting on!

Angie in Missouri

I've been having palpitations for the last year and a half.  They improved after the cardiologist added a new BP med last year, but still happen when I eat.  At my last barium swallow it was evident why.  Esophageal spasms due to the LES failing to open when I eat.  The spasms irritate the heart, causing palpitations and lightheadedness.  My band has been empty 10 months and the problems continue.  I'm having a manometry test today to determine if I'm keeping my band or losing it.

I suffer from the same exact problem. My band hasn't been filled since 2009. My palpitations are out of control!!! Especially when I eat. No doctor or specialist has been able to find anything wrong and just keep telling me my heart is fine. I've been on atenolol for 5 years now. They say it's for my heart rate due to my over active thyroid. My thyroid has been stable for 2 years now. Yet, I continue to have these darn palpitations. It's so good to see this here!!! I truly started to think I was going crazy. I have episodes where I feel as if I am going to pass out. Doctors have "anxiety disorder" in my file because we have not been able to figure out why my heart rate just starts beating erratically for no reason. I constantly tell them I don't feel anxiety and that everything is good but they refuse to listen. At this point, I'm researching hollistoc docs who are covered by my insurance. It's time for this damn crap band to be removed from my body!!! I can only hope and pray that removing it will restore my health. It's good to know I'm not crazy!!! Thanks so much for this post/discussion!!!

Hi Singing,

I'm really sorry you're experiencing this. It sounds very familiar.  I have damage to my Vagus nerves, as well. The long term, far reaching consequences are more than I ever could have imagined. And those who haven't experienced it can't understand it. I also passed out more than a few times... after band removal, I had what is called, "machine gun sneezing." I would sneeze nonstop to the point of passing out. Then I would get hiccups for hours at a time, as well.  I never got as injured as you did, though. I am so sorry you went through so much trauma!

I wish you the best and hope you'll be okay.  Don't worry about whether your story is met with support or not. Your sharing it will help someone, I guarantee. 

 

~Nic

100% support for you from here!  You are very reasonable to pass on the word!

How long since the band was removed?  I know after mine was removed I still had issues as though it still had fluid.  Looking at the photos the took of the stomach I could see why.  It was permanently deformed where the band was.  They let it heal 4.5 months spent 45 minutes fixing it before doing a VSG surgery.  I still have a couple issues the say are from the band.  But, my RIGHT shoulder pain is gone.

 

110 % support here. Although your complications are waaaaay more serious than mine was with the band I wish I could do it over again. This needs to be taken off the market. I thought I was going for the least invasive.......I have 2 extra lap sites from my revision to DS.....it is night and day. I hope the newbies out there who are contemplating the band read all these posts and something triggers in their brain to look at something else. Good luck to you...

During my manometry test yesterday, I was scared silly.  My FIL died 18 months ago when an endoscope caused vaso vagal reflex and subsequent cardiac arrest.  With the arrhythmias I've been having when food is trying to pass thru the LES, I was afraid.  The RN reassured me there was a crash cart outside the door and she knew how to use it.  I'm so upset that I now have a chronic condition I didn't have pre band I could just scream.  There aren't words to describe how disappointed I am.

So the scoping went OK.  When will you get the results.

The RN who gave me the test told me its one of the worst cases she's seen, more like the esophagus of a 90 yr old, so I know it's bad, just don't know when or what we will do for it.  Since I have dismotility of the entire GI tract, they're considering a neuromuscular disease.  I want the band out...soon.