SunshineGurl

Hi all I hope someone could please help me. I have had my lapband since 2007 - I have had 4 reconstructive surgeries since my first lap band surgery. First was because my port had disconnected from the band, 2nd was for a port flipping and 3rd was the same again and my last surgery was for re-positioning of the port itself from the lower right side of my abdomen to the middle of my chest (between my breasts) and I had a upgraded port inserted (apparently more durable but lighter?) all at the request from my surgeon (I changed surgeons after my 3rd Op). I have not had great results with my band and I regret the surgery 100% although I am not prepared to give up hope just yet and I am trying to keep faith in the lap band and I am doing my best to work with it. HOWEVER I hadn't had a fill for a long time as after my last surgery I thought I had finally found my 'green zone' weight was not dropping off significantly but I was steady and had no problems. Until April last year, I had horrific acid reflux (never had in the past) and vomiting and nausea. I went to my GP as my Surgeon is based 3 hrs away from me and my GP ordered a Barium Meal. I have since seen my surgeon and he prescribed me Losec (Omeprazole) and unfilled me entirely. The reflux went away, not completely but it was so much better. So naturally I tried to be good and restrain myself to not over eat as I had no restriction, I did okay but then the weight creep back up - I went back to my surgeon for a fill and it was a whole ml, it was too much so I had half taken out and it felt better and this was 4 months ago. Present day and the reflux is back (I am still taking Losec), I have awful bloating, especially on the upper right side of my abdomen and I vomit every now and then if the acid gets to much and I have pain ping me even when I have a empty stomach and at random times, when I eat I feel the food stop and then 'dump' into my stomach, I don't know how else to describe it. ANywho I requested a copy of my Barium Meal results from last year which reads: "There is mild hold-up only at the level of the lapband which is positioned proximally just distal to the lower oseophageal sphincter. Significant associated gastro-oesophageal reflux. " So question is - WTF does that all mean??? I asked my surgeon about it but he said its all okay just reflux??? I realize it means I have bad GERD but is my lapband positioned okay? And should I ask for further testing? I have also have had alot of blood work done at the request of my Dr because they keep showing high levels of CRP (Infection, Inflammation or something else) I am worried that the high CRP levels are related to something wrong with my band. PLEASE HELP - If anyone has any advice of what I should do or have had similar experiences I would love to hear from you

Thank you for your replies - i have decided 2 try again. My Op is May 14th, so im keeping the faith and if it works this time round, i cant wait 2 get on the success train :laugh: I will be getting a new port and it will now be placed between my boobs, so fingers crossed no more flipping :cool2: Takecare and Kind Regards

Hello every1 :huh2: Hope everyone is well and happy...I am new to the lapband Forum and had my lapband surgery August 2nd 2007. I am in a real delimma...the lapband 4me at present has been such a horrible experience! 3 months after my 1st surgery, i went for my 1st fill, after being poked and prodded unsuccessfully trying 2 find my port, it was discovered by the radiologist that my port had disconnected from the tube! My surgeon advised that the lapband part had been "faulty" and as a result i had another 3 hour operation to fix it, i had a new port and tube put in, that was March. 2008 and at that stage i had lost no weight, only 11kg which was from the pre-op diet. :heart: I went get my 1st fill again June 2008. and again it was unsuccessful. I went 4 a x-ray and it was discovered that the port had flipped up-side down. In Sept. 2008 i had day surgery to have the port placed correctly and turned, which was not a major surgery and i recovered well. HOWEVER, last week Thurs. 19th March... i went for my 1st again fill, my surgeon could not find port, so again i went to radiologist the next day after seeing surgeon and it showed on x-ray that my port has for the 2nd time, has flipped again!!! :eek: I have remained the same weight through-out all this ordeal, (thankfully)...but i have lost all faith in the lapband and my surgeon, i am wondering if anyone else has had the same complications as me. It is very dishearting and it has also psychologically messed me up!!! I have alot of scars (war wounds,lol) and nothing 2 show for it.:eek: I have a appointment with my surgeon 2nd April and i am considering having my lapband removed but do not really want 2 and financially not in a position to pay 4 anything extra, i had 2 re-mortgage house for lapband surgery. Please help if u have any advice or similar experiences, your feedback would be much appreciated.