Calling The Band-Less: Hospital Stays for Band Removal

donali · February 23, 2006

OMG - (((Erin)))

I can't even imagine...

NurseTeresa · February 23, 2006

Erin,

I am so sorry to hear about your issues that you are having that is absolutely terrible. Being that I work on surgery trauma unit we use wound vacs very regularly. I have seen personally that the use of wound vacs has shortened the healing times for wounds and have also seen where the wound vac has actually caused the wounds to tunnel and get much deeper. Then is when we start the two to three times a day with the packing dressing changes. I also did home care for many years before working at the hospital and can say I saw the same thing there. Make sure that you stress to your Dr. your concerns and ask him or her to see a wound care specialist. Almost every hospital does have a wound care Dr or Nurse Practitioner who specializes in this area. They have access to them. You have a right for a second opinion specially when it comes to something so serious. I wish you the best of luck and if you have any questions please feel free to contact me and I will see what I can do to help you. Praying for you to have a speedy recovery!

mom2babyrose97 · February 23, 2006

Erin,
I have seen personally that the use of wound vacs has shortened the healing times for wounds and have also seen where the wound vac has actually caused the wounds to tunnel and get much deeper. !

I had that happen with my first wound. Actually, I don't know that it tunneled. New tissue grew too far up, closing over the top of a hole/tunnel. My Dr. had to re-cut through this tissue inside my wound 2 times b/c of this. The nursing service that comes to my house during the week sends a wound specialist every Friday to take care of me. His expertise has been wonderful to have and it seems that I have questions for him almost every week. He (and other nurses) have said that abdominal wounds just tend to take longer to heal. I know I'm just getting impatient, but I really am! I think it was easier to be on the wound vac with my first wound b/c there was a light at the end of the tunnel. A new port once my hole closed up. Now there's nothing to look forward to. No light, only weight gain :cry I know I will pull myself out of this, but it's been a hell of a long, trying almost 6 months. I never thought I would be here on my 6 month 'Band-anniversary'. I have a LOT of pictures on the OH website if you click on the link in my siggy, if anyone's interested. They're pretty graphic though, so consider yourself warned!

I've gained 5 lbs in the last 6 weeks or so. I have just GOT to stop gaining! My Dr. prescribed Xenical last week to help me lose, but I haven't noticed anything yet (weight related anyway, BM's are another story!) I'm not eating like I used to, but still more than I did while banded. Hunger sucks!!! Anyone have any experience with Xenical (my Insurance doesn't cover it and it was $215 out of pocket :omg: ) or any other pill that seemed to help at all? Also, I know we've all dieted like crazy (and failed) or we wouldn't have had or be looking into surgery, but did anyone ever do something that really did work? Non surgical obviously. TIA!!!

Amanda · February 23, 2006

I am really sorry you had to go through this! Makes my trip look like a picnic. It's good to know that "abdominal wounds just take longer." I'm waiting on doing any GI testing for at least a couple of more months. My insurance won't pay until I'm $3,500 out of pocket, and I don't have anything life threatening. Re. "does anything work," I'm on liquids again to deal with the pain/digestion issues, and I find I'm losing weight. About 7 cups per day: 4 of Soup, 1 of milk, 2 of milk with some ice cream and frozen fruit. Liquids seem to fill me up more than solids and also keep me hydrated. I also go to Overeaters Anonymous which has helped me a lot. I haven't regained any of the 20# I lost since having the band out 6 weeks ago. Hope this helps.

jwood · February 26, 2006

wow! I'm pre-op and reading your stuff is a little freaky. I hope and pray you are alright now. How are you doing?

Jacquie in Michigan

DeLarla · February 26, 2006

It never seemed like too many people were having bands removed till they all end up in one thread.

Anthony, I'm sure there's a difference between having a band removed compared to having an eroded band removed, which may be the reason for a longer hospital stay. When my eroded band was removed they had to repair preferations, so I stayed longer and had a rotten time of it.

And yes, I still have restriction. I just don't respect it the way I should. What's that thing we all say??? Oh, "I'll quit junk food tomorrow."

Francesca · February 26, 2006

wow, lots of band removals!!! I was in the hopsital for 6 days. very ill and very painfull

Amanda · February 26, 2006

If I knew then what I know now, I would never have this operation done unless my life was actually threatened by my obesity. For anything less, it can create more problems than it solves. Why did I think it would be a good idea to put a band around my stomach that was so tight that an aspirin could not pass through the opening? This is not natural and the body doesn't like it.

BandsterHopeful · February 26, 2006

My surgeon told me The removal surgery is often more difficult since there is scar tissue and adhesions that have to be cut through. This is only normal. Once the band is out the stomach returns to a normal shape quickly if there was no erosion. I'm doing fine, but asked for a friend. good luck to all of you with problems - Renee

Anthony · February 27, 2006

I am quite sure thqat there is a substantial difference when a band is eroded/eroding.

My mother had her band removed on friday morning, she was home 6 hours later and is basically unphased. Her band had slipped, but did not erode.

Lenay · March 4, 2006

im about to get surgery and i was just wondering why you all had your bands removed?

Amanda · March 4, 2006

Pain from throat to just under the ribcage that got steadily worse and woke me 4-5 times per night. Coughing up blood-tinged mucus and inability to tolerate solid food. That's why I got mine out.

Linda Harrison · March 18, 2006

I stayed 3 nights cuz I was severely eroded...had a 3 inch hole and the dr. said I was contaminated. REALLLLLLLLLY?????

My daughter had to have hers removed this past Monday. She stayed 2 nights. Hers was eroded also and the hole was about the size of his finger tip. I'm glad we caught hers before it got as bad as mine did. She is still recovering.

Having it removed was worse than having it put in (for both of us).

Good luck to those who have yet to have it removed.

I was asked by a lady at the hospital if I was going to have it put back in and my reply was not only "NO" but "HELL NO". Like I really want to go through all of that again. And would I recommend it to anyone...NO again.

Sorry to those of you who disagree with me but those are my feelings about the band.