Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

I am SOOOO SCARED....



Recommended Posts

If any of you read my thread in the Complications section, you know that I had some pretty serious problems which landed me in the hospital for an unfill and xrays last Friday (after being unable to even keep Water down for almost 3 days).

I have a slightly flipped port and they had to go in sideways through my bellybutton under xray to deflate my band. Then I was told I had a slip, and the wonderful surgeon who got me through all of this (Dr. Husted from LAPSF, not my original surgeon but the one I am keeping- he is AWESOME), told me that the slip is not too major and can "probably" be fixed with a repositioning surgery. I am on liquids now but it seems unlikely that it will fix the slip.

I don't care about the cost (well a little, that's one less IVF round we could pay for), or the downtime, and I am not scared about the surgery, providing he gets in and can reposition my band. What I am TERRIFIED OF is that he gets in and sees things he didn't see on the xrays and has to remove my band while I am under.

Despite my complications, I am not ready to lose this band. I am 10 pounds from my goal weight but I just feel like I am not ready to do this on my own. I have learned so much about Portion Control (like I had a choice once I got my band), healthier eating and Protein consumption, etc. But if I lose my band I don't know if I will be able to maintain my weight, let alone lose the rest.

I am 41, and my husband and I have been trying desperately to have another child. Unsuccessful so far. If I lose my band and do end up having another baby, it will be the most wonderful miracle, but I have no doubt under those circumstances that my weight problems will resume.

I don't know what to do. I have been in bed (doctors orders) for three days and I can't stop the tears from the fear of the unknown. I don't even know what responses I am looking for, but you all have been so supportive in the past and I need you now!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So sorry to hear about your difficulties. I know it is frightening to have complications! :) I would not be able to afford a revision, if I needed one.

Congrats on your weight loss success. :clap2:

My Doc told me that if I continue to eat the banded way I will not gain any weight even if I have the band removed. My concern is "hunger". :hungry:

I hope everything works out the way you would like it to & you can have another child.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My Doc told me that if I continue to eat the banded way I will not gain any weight even if I have the band removed. My concern is "hunger". :hungry:

Pffft....

If we COULD eat the banded way we wouldn't NEED a band!

Sorry, that was just stupid of your doc to say.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Heather, I am sorry this is happening to you. I know some slips are can be repaired so I hope it goes well for you. Feel better soon.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hang in there! The band helped, but keep in mind you did the work! YES YOU! What will be will be, focus on the positives. You have one beautiful child now and are 10 lbs away from goal! That is an amazing accomplishment. I am a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. Maybe this is happening to show you what a strong person you have become. Stay strong and lean on everyone here for support, we will see you through it!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I hear so much about people having slipped bands, do you know what caused it? Do you have PB eppisodes a lot?

Sorry to hear about your troubles.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Only recently have I pb'd a lot, and I would not be suprised if it contributed to the slip. PLease listen to someone who is in trouble- IF YOU ARE TOO TIGHT, DON'T IGNORE IT. Get unfilled ASAP.

I was doing pretty well last week and progressed from Clear Liquids to mushies, but the pain and pb's returned yesterday. I will call the doc on Monday.

I am almost ready to give up. I am really not sure I can take this anymore. I am scared to death that I will gain the wait back, but I seriously doubt that they will do a VG conversion on someone who weighs 143 pounds.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I wish the best for you and hope you get better. I agree about the eating like you have the band being a RIDICULOUS comment. If it were only that easy!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

:phanvan Tomorrow I have an endoscopy and I will be checked for ulcers, esophogitis, erosion, and abnormal cells. I have a slipped band and my stomach is herniated over my band.

Providing there is no erosion, which we are fairly certain of since all of my xrays showed the dye trickling through the way it should have, my band will be repositioned via surgery on Thursday. Because of the horrific complications, the surgeon is coding this as an "acute obstruction" so it looks like my insurance WILL cover all of this. Thank heaven! I have enough on my plate without the worry of coughing up another 10K+.

I'll be back in a few days with an update. Please keep me in your prayers!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Good luck, Heather! If the "worst" happens and your band has to be removed, don't sweat it too much. The most important thing is your health, and I'm here to tell you life without the band is not the end of the world. You don't wake up the day after it's gone 100 lbs larger, though I know that's what it feels like will happen.

Take it all one day at a time. If your band has to be removed because of a medical situation (like mine was), your insurance carrier might very well cover a replacement even though your BMI is normal. Ask your doctor about that. Your band constitutes ongoing medical treatment that should be continued, so replacement of a slipped band should be seen as a medical necessity.

Keep us posted, and don't worry!!!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • KeeWee

      It's been 10 long years! Here is my VSG weight loss surgiversary update..
      https://www.ae1bmerchme.com/post/10-year-surgiversary-update-for-2024 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Aunty Mamo

      Iʻm roughly 6 weeks post-op this morning and have begun to feel like a normal human, with a normal human body again. I started introducing solid foods and pill forms of medications/supplements a couple of weeks ago and it's really amazing to eat meals with my family again, despite the fact that my portions are so much smaller than theirs. 
      I live on the island of Oʻahu and spend a lot of time in the water- for exercise, for play,  and for spiritual & mental health. The day I had my month out appointment with my surgeon, I packed all my gear in my truck, anticipating his permission to get back in the ocean. The minute I walked out of that hospital I drove straight to the shore and got in that water. Hallelujah! My appointment was at 10 am. I didn't get home until after 5 pm. 
      I'm down 31 pounds since the day of surgery and 47 since my pre-op diet began, with that typical week long stall occurring at three weeks. I'm really starting to see some changes lately- some of my clothing is too big, some fits again. The most drastic changes I notice however are in my face. I've also noticed my endurance and flexibility increasing. I was really starting to be held up physically, and I'm so grateful that I'm seeing that turn around in such short order. 
      My general disposition lately is hopeful and motivated. The only thing that bugs me on a daily basis still is the way those supplements make my house smell. So stink! But I just bought a smell proof bag online that other people use to put their pot in. My house doesn't stink anymore. 
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Oh yeah, something I wanted to rant about, a billing dispute that cropped up 3 months ago.
      Surgery was in August of 2023. A bill shows up for over $7,000 in January. WTF? I asks myself. I know that I jumped through all of the insurance hoops and verified this and triple checked that, as did the surgeon's office. All was set, and I paid all of the known costs before surgery.
      A looong story short, is that an assistant surgeon that was in the process of accepting money from my insurance company touched me while I was under anesthesia. That is what the bill was for. But hey, guess what? Some federal legislation was enacted last year to help patients out when they cannot consent to being touched by someone out of their insurance network. These types of bills fall under something called, "surprise billing," and you don't have to put up with it.
      https://www.cms.gov/nosurprises
      I had to make a lot of phone calls to both the surgeon's office and the insurance company and explain my rights and what the maximum out of pocket costs were that I could be liable for. Also had to remind them that it isn't my place to be taking care of all of this and that I was going to escalate things if they could not play nice with one another.
      Quick ending is that I don't have to pay that $7,000+. Advocate, advocate, advocate for yourself no matter how long it takes and learn more about this law if you are ever hit with a surprise bill.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Some days I feel like an infiltrator... I'm participating in society as a "thin" person. They have no idea that I haven't always been one of them! 🤣
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • ChunkCat

      Thank you everyone for your well wishes! I totally forgot I wrote an update here... I'm one week post op today. I gained 15 lbs in water weight overnight because they had to give me tons of fluids to bring my BP up after surgery! I stayed one night in the hospital. Everything has been fine except I seem to have picked up a bug while I was there and I've been running a low grade fever, coughing, and a sore throat. So I've been hydrating well and sleeping a ton. So far the Covid tests are negative.
      I haven't been able to advance my diet past purees. Everything I eat other than tofu makes me choke and feels like trying to swallow rocks. They warned me it would get worse before it gets better, so lets hope this is all normal. I have my follow up on Monday so we'll see. Living on shakes and soup again is not fun. I had enough of them the first time!! LOL 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×