Lost my Band

mom2babyrose97 · January 25, 2006

I have written on this site a few times, but am looking for support during this time of depression, frustration and defeat. In a nutshell, I was banded last September and only 7 short days after being banded I started having drainage from my port incision. The next day it was confirmed that my port area was infected. My Dr. cut open my port incision to allow the area to drain better (I packed it twice/day) and I was put on antibiobics. Three weeks later it was no better, and I had surgery to remove my port. Three VERY long months of using a wound vac 24/7 and having nurses come 3 times a week to treat me later, I was finally off the wound vac and my hole was closed!! This was on January 2nd of this year. January 11th I had a new port placed. January 15th my new port incision started draining and I was hospitalized. The next day my Dr. confirmed that my NEW port was infected and I had surgery (my 4th band related surgery in less than 5 months) to remove both the port as well as the band that same day.:faint: My Dr. said that he checked the band when he was replacing my 2nd port, and it looked 'prestine'. No errosion, or slippage. He said it looked perfect even as he was removing it. Of course, there is much more to the story, but I have journaled it all on the website at the bottom of my signature if you would really like to see exactly what took place during my band journey the last 5 months. I have many pictures too, so consider yourself warned. I am currently back on a wound vac :cry for this newest hole left by my port infection. Also, during this last surgery my Dr. (I had no idea he was going to do it) opened up my HEALED port scar and fixed it so that it wouldn't be such a big divot (which I could have cared less about). Nine days later, this new incision is still draining and I'm more than a little paranoid that it will become infected again and I might end up with multiple wound vac sites. God, I sure hope not!

So, here I am. I have lost 46 lbs since September. It's not really been the result of the band though, as I've never had a port to get fills with and have had very little restriction during the entire 5 months. I am, however, deathly afraid of gaining back the weight I've gone through hell to lose. I would be SO happy if I could lose another 50 lbs, but right now I'm more concerned with not sabotaging myself and gaining weight back. We all know how easy it is to do! I feel very alone. I am not banded anymore, and feel uncomfortable visiting some of the message boards I have frequented for years. This is all so new still that it's hard for me to hear others' victories when I feel like I had just lost the battle. It took me 4 long years to be able to be banded, and I WAS banded for 5 months. It has consumed my life for almost 4 1/2 years and now I am left with nothing but scars and a wound vac. I hope this makes sense? I was very happy (although it makes me feel bad to even admit!) to see that this site has a forum for those of us who've had complications. They DO happen as much as people want to believe that the band is perfect and simple. Sorry this is so long, but as you might expect my emotions are running high. I have more to say, but will save it for another time. Thank you for your support! Erin

kellymoos · January 25, 2006

I am so sorry that you had to go thorough all of this. What does 'prestine' mean and why did he have to remove the band?

NeenBand · January 25, 2006

Oh my gosh..I took a look at your pictures...you poor thing! :-(

Has your doctor said why this happened to you??

mom2babyrose97 · January 25, 2006

I am so sorry that you had to go thorough all of this. What does 'prestine' mean and why did he have to remove the band?

I took prestine to mean that it looked perfect. Didn't look like there was, or had ever been infection by my band, no signs of erosion, no slippage...perfect. I had him remove the entire band. In my mind, the band does no good without a port to be able to do adjustments. You hear EVERYONE talk about finding the 'sweet spot' after 4-5 fills (usually). Well, without a port, there's no such thing. To remove a 2nd port implies that at some point I would have to have a 5th surgery to give me another new port, which would once again run the risk of infection. I've just gone through too much and my family is at the breaking point as well. I have 5 children and none of this has been fun for any of us. My youngest just turned 3 and my oldest is 15. They need me. They need me healthy, not battling infections and spending time in the hospital. My husband has had to take literally weeks off work to help me, and my insurance company has been billed over $150,000 for all of my surgeries, wound vac, specialized nursing visits etc, and I still have a wound vac (almost $9000/month). There comes a point when you just have to re-think what's important. While I wish with all my heart that the band had worked for me, MY reality is that it didn't. That for some reason it took 7 days the first time and only 4 days the 2nd, for an infection to form at my port site. How do I know it wouldn't have only taken 2 days with a 3rd port?! At first my Dr. didn't want to remove the band, but after thinking about it overnight and listening to my feelings about it, he agreed it was probably best. I am still grieving the loss though. Hope this makes sense?

banded_for_life · January 25, 2006

Sorry to hear that you have had to go through so much is such a short time and still end up losing your band. I wish you a speedy recovery and wish you all the best. This is still a great support site for the non banded as well. You can still practice the band rules even if you don't have a band. (huuugs)

ReneBean · January 25, 2006

"Pristine" is what she meant.

Sorry you have had such a hard time, Erin.

Big Hugs!

PhotoNut · January 25, 2006

What an incredibly strong person you are. Don't give up hope now. Like Banded for Life said, you can still follow the same rules you would have with your band. And stay connected here for ongoing support and encouragement. Try to trust that all things happen for a good reason.

My heart goes out to you. I would be devistated too.

*big hugs*

Alexandra · January 25, 2006

Oh, Erin, what an awful experience that must have been. Do you have any idea at all why you kept getting infected? What was the problem?

I totally hear you about not wanting to prolong this unpleasantness to save your family the troubles. I would have done exactly the same thing. It's very unusual for a bandster to have this kind of ongoing problem without a reason, though, so I hope you talk with your doctor to find out why your body refused to heal. That could be a sign of an underlying undiagnosed medical disorder.

Get better, girlie! Your kids need you and I know you want to feel healthy again. Big hugs and healthy vibes to you!!

paula · January 25, 2006

Erin,

Gosh, I am SOOO dissapointed for you. ((hugs)) You have literally been through HELL.

Thanks for taking your time to post here.

Your journey is very valuable to so many people.

God bless.

DeLarla · January 25, 2006

Erin, I recently had my band removed. I also went through a year of infection, wound packing, 2 port removals, etc. I'm fighting the battle on my own now, and I'm damn proud of myself. So far I've lost 11 pounds since band removal, but I keep gaining and losing the last few over and over. It's not easy to pass up goodies, breads, sodas but it CAN be done.

Get on an eating plan. It doesn't have to be perfect, but find something that works and dig the determination out of all this frustration and join us non-bandsters in the fight.

I'llsucceed · January 25, 2006

WOW Erin! (((HUGS))) & more (((HUGS)))!

What an horrible time you have had.

We are all here for you!

Band or no Band - it doesn't matter here at all

Tonight special healing prayers are just & only for you!!!

Be strong & heal well!

Ceparano · January 25, 2006

Erin, I am so sorry you had such a long hard struggle. Who could possibly blame you for being discouraged. You are right though, who is to say what would have happened next with another port in place. You need to be able to take care of that beautiful family of yours, and give your body time to heal from these infections. I think you'll remain a bandster at heart and continue in your wls journey. GET BETTER QUICK. (((hugs))

Roberta

Iluvharleys · January 25, 2006

My heart goes out to you. You certainly had your share of problems. Hopefully now you can heal up and get on with your life.

Dianechef · January 25, 2006

Hi Erin,

Wow........I am so sorry to hear of your struggles. We all think that we aren't going to be the one with the problems & that our bands will work perfectly. I'm sure you were very surprised when it happened to you. I read your story & you were in perfect health before surgery!! You would think you wouldn't have had any complications at all!! I cried as I read your story because it could have been any of us. I am sorry the complications happened to you. It doesn't seem fair.

You CAN do this on your own!! If you think about it, you really did lose your 46 lbs. all on your own because you never had a working band. THAT IN ITSELF IS AMAZING!!! I have had a working band since July & I haven't lost that much.

Keep your chin up!! You sound like a wonderful mother & your kids need a happy, healthy Mom!! PLEASE hang around here because you'll find lots of support from other bandsters who have lost their bands. We all sympathize with you & wish you the best!!!

Good luck Erin!