Help-Lap Band Complications!

Hello All!
    Sorry it's been so long since I've been around.  I've many complications down my road.  I had Lap Band 2-13-07.  All was well, then boom...It started, first my port flipped over, so my surgeon had to go in and fix, it, ok....no big deal?  Well then my incision wouldn't heal and kept tearing back open, had an infection...So then he took the port and moved it to the other side.  Ok, should be fixed? No, same thing again...So then he completely takes the port out, and I have just the band now.  I have some restriction, but not like before.  But now I only have the band itself, with out the port.  Does anyone know if this is safe?  I'm looking for a new Dr. currently.  Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks-
Michele

Sorry about your complications Michele...I dont really know much about Lap Band but I know all about complications and they suck.  I don't know much about Dr. Mehta, I did give him a shot but his consult fee turned me off.  If you don't have faith in your surgeon then you can always switch.  I used a different surgeon for my hernia repair and was really impressed with him...Dr. Jean-Baptiste...maybe give him a call...he's on OH just search "Jean-Baptiste"...

A second opinion does seem in order.

Lots of great docs in northern jersey

Dr Mike

Amen to that, Dr. Jean-Baptiste is excellent. It's a real pleasure to step on his scale. No problems, no grief, just dropping the pounds.

Best wishes,
Mary Ellen

I just got rid of my band and was revised to the first part of a duodenal switch.   Your problem keeping an incision closed sounds familiar to what happened to my friend's mother.   She had a similar problem after gall bladder surgery.  It turned out she was allergic to some new material that was being used to suture her up.   Check with the current doctor and find out what was used.   Then find another doctor.   Having a doctor leave you with lapband without a port sounds like malpractice to me.   I suggest you explore all your options.    The fact that you had a device failure should automatically qualify you for revision surgery.

Best of Luck,

Tenor

Michele,
I am sorry you are having problems with the band and the whole procedure.  Is it possible that your body just doesn't like the band or the port?   Will another port be put in in the future?  I know you are actively looking for another doctor and I wish you luck.  I had Dr. Mehta as a surgeon and found him to be very competent - even with some of this issues I had since the surgery (which were no fault of his).  My body made huge amounts of scar tissue, causing adhesions, then I had a hernia, then a small bowel obstruction - oh and of course, several strictures.  My body is just insane and I'm sure I drove the doctor nuts.  I'm at 5 years now, feeling great.  I continue to see him yearly for follow up.  Good luck to you.  Kathy

Michele,

Maybe this link can help you

http://njmonthly.com/articles/topdoctors/surgery.html

My Doctor, and his partner, are listed, but so is a lot of other great Doctors.

Hope it helps

Hi Michele,

I am so sorry you are still having so many problems. I remember reading your posts last year when I was still considering surgery. I was not all that impressed with dr Mehta although I loved his staff. I ultimately went with Dr Washington in Freehold. His staff is great. I especially am impressed with the P.A. Jessica. I don't know if they can help, but they are very good.
On a side note, I like the idea of the band only. My band has been too tight for most of the year and I had some liquid taken out and I am better now, but I truly had the best weight loss right after the surgery before any fills. All I ever wanted out of this was to be satisfied eating less, but still eating the foods I like. I don't want the "restriction" that everyone raves about, because i equate that with pain and vomiting. I'm only down 50lbs, but I have dropped 4 sizes and in my view that is a success. I lose about 2-3 lbs a month and that is just fine with me. Are you losing steadily? If so, isn't that enough?
Good luck in whatever you decide to do, but with all you've been through, I would be very reluctant to try the port again. I prayed for you last year and will continue to do so.
Take care,   Eileen

Just my $.02 - if I were having complications such as you describe I would be sure to go to one of the Centers of Excellence particularly one connected to a well-respected hospital. There are a few in NJ and also in NYC.

http://www.surgicalreview.org/locate.aspx

Good luck!