Prayer request for those with WLS complications

I have a friend who went to have Lap Band surgery last Wed.  The surgery was done and then the monitors started going off.  They had to go back in and remove the band.  They found that the surgeon had nicked the esophogaus.  They stabilized her and did surgery to repair the esophogaus on Fri.  I found out from a friend that this was a very serious complication and could have killed her.  I went to visit her on Mon and she's sworn off WLS.  I understand how she feels now, but I will advise her family that I'm available if she wants to discuss options in the future.  She was supposed to come home today.

I just thoutht that we all face the possibilities of complications whenever we go for surgery.  I thought that the Lap Band was just about the most simple and least intrusive WLS.  So, I just encourage you to pray for anyone about to have WLS.  It's nice to respond on the Forum but it's also good to pray for them.

In a way I think this was a bit odd because Tracy didn't have comorbidities.  She sure does now.  And, when I went for my RNY, I was considered to be a high risk patient because of my super morbidity and the lymphedema in my legs. I'm thankful for all the prayers that were said on my behalf.

I think people tend to minimize the risks with the band. It is still a major surgery with all the same risks of any major surgery. I will send positive thoughts her way.

pan head

I am going to be stopping by my church on my way home from work today. (I actually get to work a day shift today.) As is our custom, I will light a candle and say a prayer for her. We all need to remember that no surgery is without risk, and that life is fragile and sacred.

I'm no expert  on the band, Bober,  but something just doesn't seem right ...   How in the world could the esophagus get cut on lap band surgery?  My understanding is that they make the 3 or 4 tiny port incisions in the abdomen (no where near the esophagus, btw) stick and pull he band assembly through one of them, use the instruments to slip the band over the stomach, fasten it in place, install the port near the abdominal skin surface (again, no where near tre esophagus), and then pull out and close up.      

  Is the surgeon telling the truth as to what happened, I wonder ..     She might later on have another surgeon do a sonogram and other diagnostics to see what they show and possibly consider making a legal claim against the original surgeon, if warranted by the facts  ..   
 
  On another note, back at the time of my surgery, I had some of the same comorbids as you, Bober (including the LE) ..  I asked that my medical concierge have her church pray for me the night before my surgery (and that my personal nurse do likewise) ..  I would like to think those prayers helped mine go almost w/o event .. 

I don't understand how it could happen either.  But, that's what she was told had happened.  Yes, she may be considering a law suit but for now she's more concened about healing.  She doesn't even want to think about having WLS in the future.  I gave my cousin's mother info about possibilities to consider if she does eventually think about WLS again.  All I could think about is how we go through our anxieties prior to surgery and then choose a surgery type.  She chose what should have been the simplest surgery and almost got killed by a botched surgery.