My not so happy Lap Banding

[VWvaporChick 0]

I had surgery on Aug. 31st, liquid diet the day before and then the morning of the surgery I was terrified but went ahead with it, knowing it would only better me down the road. From the moment I woke up from the surgery I was in pain, however my incisions were looking good, and I was told this was not out of the norm. Went home around 6pm that day. That night I was in so much pain when I came home I took the 'liquid Tylenol' as told by the surgeon and it was no help I ended up crushing a vicodin just so I could sit up.

In the next few days I slept sitting up in a chair, to where finally I couldn't even lean back and hardly walk, all along I was told this was gas.. and to walk it off. walk walk walk When I went in for my one week of post op I was told that my incisions looked great, like I even cared at that point I had hardly slept in a week and any movement was painful, my mom was convinced that since most of the pain was in my lower pack it was pneumonia or something of the sorts, she then insisted that they give me a chest x ray, in which they did another barium swallow and said oh yeah everything is fine, its gas walk it off. So at this point I go home (wed one week after surgery) and I walk, I cry when walking it is so painful, at this point I have gone through 4 bottles of liquid Tylenol. But they know what they are talking about so I force myself to walk. Saturday morning I get up and start coughing up blood, I call the drs office back and they tell me, its nothing to worry about, probably just anesthetic that I am coughing up. Basically I am "bothering" them at this point and they tell me if I want to persure this further I can take it up with my family physician. The next morning I do the same thing at this point my mom takes me to the emergency room.

Now I still can barely walk, cant lay down, sleep leaning forward on a table and the back pain has spread around to the front and I am coughing blood. They diagnose me with pneumonia, and admit me to the hospital, on Sept. 10. The next morning I go in for an MRI and they find that my right lung is literally floating on a sac of Fluid, 2 cavities of my lung are completely collapsed and evidence of the pneumonia. in the next few days they drain 450cc (over a liter) of fluid from my lungs and area surrounding, at this point they can clearly see that I have the two collapsed cavities and a hefty case of pneumonia in my lower cavity.

I spent 7 days in the hospital total, and this was all brought on, from what they conclude that I aspirated during my surgery which could be due to positioning or a number of other factors. I am out now, and home since Sunday, just being out of the hospital makes a person feel better, I am on a lot of medication, in a lot of pain, and down 16ish pounds. I am sure this is a rare thing that happened to me, but I think people should be aware of the things which can happen and my advice to everyone is that, if a dr tells you something and you don't agree with it, make someone listen, the pain I went through could have been avoided more had someone where I had my surgery had taken the time in my opinion.

Oh and also the X-ray from the one week post op was sent to the hospital during my stay and they said they could see a dark spot at the tip of my lung at that point, which the lung specialist is now disputing with the staff, as this could have bought me 5 days of getting treatment earlier.

I know now that the surgery is over and done with and the lap band is in me and I am sure it will do its job, but do I regret it, yeah overall I do, I don't place blame, I was aware that surgery can cause complications, but being in a hospital and in pain for close to 3 weeks really makes you think. Now for the rest of my life I have to worry about respiratory complications in addition to handling the lap band.

sorry maybe I needed to vent, but yeah that's my story!

PS, I am a graduating senior from college, oh wait I WAS due to being out for so long there isn't any way I can finish this semester as I am not even released to do , well anything at this point but sit around and lay in bed and try to recover. :sick

[GayleTX 1]

What a nightmare! It is so frustrating when a doctor's office treats a patient like a moron, assuming they are overreacting to things. They, of all people, realize that there are complications (why else would they require we sign all those release of liability papers?).

So sorry your college graduation schedule is being sidetracked. I became ill during the fall of my senior year and graduated late myself.....however, it was because of a stroke (at the ripe old age of 29) - due, no doubt, to overweight and stress. Hopefully, having this band and a guide to a lifestyle change will keep you from ever having such an experience. Despite your complications, it will be worth it and you will have a great new, healthy future to look forward to.

Best wishes for a quick recovery......

[sassacass 0]

Wow! what a story. Your are so lucky that your mom did indeed persist and get you to the ER. And it is a terrible shame that those who you let know about your symptoms brushed it off as normal post op. I work as a scrub nurse in a labor and delivery unit, and post op complications can happen during any surgery whether the pt is healthy or not, fortunately, they don't occur often; that said, it sure sucks when it's you, the chances of complications are no longer a small percentage, they are now 100%. Rest and take care, I'm praying your recovery is quite unremarkable from here on out and you can get this behind you and get back to life, but you must mend first. Best of wishes, hang in there, cassie

[hootiebelle 0]

Wow I agree what a awful story I hope you recover fully!!!!

[Alexandra 55]

That is indeed an awful situation, VWvaporchick, and I'm so glad they finally figured out what was wrong! Good on you and your mom for not letting it go. Take care and heal fast, and I too hope the rest of your banding journey is completely UNeventful!

[Teresita 0]

You poor thing, you life just won't be the same because of your decision to have bariatric surgery. Maybe you should sue someone. Where did you have your surgery done? Who was your surgeon? How did your piercings fair?

[faybie 0]

Wow. Mothers are great! I am so glad that she had the strength to get you the care you needed now matter what the bariatric office was saying, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my mother looking out for me during chemo. I am so glad that you are feeling better now. 3 bottles of tylenol, wow! you poor thing......

I would think that with your complications you would not have been able to breathe into that little aparatis (I have no idea what it was called) they give you to keep you from getting pneumonia. I had to get it to 1500 before I could leave the surgery center and it took a while actually. It would seem that that is used as a checks and balances. Did they make you use one of those before you left? Do you mind telling us who you chose as your surgeon?

[Carlene 12]

I have heard of this happening during other surgeries, just not lap band. Aspiration pneumonia is a nasty thing and your story is a good reminder to everyone here to be very careful with reflux post-banding, because it can cause that very same thing. And it ain't fun, believe me!

[em1125 0]

You did the right thing. Thank God you were persistent. I think that after all is said and done and you're feeling so much better you may start liking your band and the results that are coming from your hard work.

With most surgeries, pneumonia is a risk. I know that because 18 years ago I had open heart surgery and they told me to use the incentive spirometer (sorry for the spelling). I thought I was using it enough, but I did get pneumonia which caused me an additional 4 days in the hospital. When I had the lap band surgery, they gave me the same spirometer and I used it more than I could count. I was no way getting pneumonia again.

I truly feel for you because pneumonia is painful. Please take good care of yourself. And again GOOD FOR YOU. Someone should answer to their screw up. Get better soon and wishing you a speedy recovery.

Best regards,

[babsintx3 0]

Hi VC,

Sorry for all your problems. What a way to start your journey! From now on, only good things will happen to you! (those were my happy thoughts)

Babs in TX

[HarleyNana 10]

It's so sad the doctor's staff does not realize each and every case is and should be treated as individual, not stereo typed into one big group. Not only is this obviously dangerous for the patient, but it ruins the doctors credibility as well.

Thank you for sharing this story, it's quite the eye opener for all of us..Hugs!

[MelodyJ 0]

I'm so glad your able to write and on the mend!! I am SO SORRY you've had such a rough time!!! Praying that the rest of this banded journey only gets better!!!!!

God Bless,

MElody

Banded 3/20/06 -85lbs

[VWvaporChick 0]

Just to answer a few questions...

I was given the blowing thing in the hospital and I could get to around 1000, which i guess was good enough? In the days to follow I couldnt even reach 500, I used that thing alot, untill it just got too painful, I had to in a sence make myself learn to breate very shallow just to avoid more pain.

I had my surgery at 12 Oaks Hospital in Houston with Dr Spiegel. As far as the surgery there is no doubt in my mind he knows what he is doing, but as far as after care, he and his faculty suck, becuase to them everything is gas!

[beachgirl 2]

Wow, I'm so sorry you've had to go through so much and I hope the worst is over for you and you can get back to working with your band and school. My Lord, who in the world was your doctor?

[faybie 0]

I am just glad you are ok!