My Aftercare Center Won't Listen to Me

CaraDFW · June 6, 2008

Fellow Bandy-types,

I am having a serious problem. I've been banded for well over a year now, and I've been very lucky up until now, as I've had few problems.

Last week, I had a vomiting episode that left me with (what I thought was) something stuck in my band-- so I went in an had my band unfilled and refilled. It seemed to fix the problem, but all of the sudden I had no restriction.

And when I say I have no restriction, I mean NO restriction. I could probably eat an entire steak right now.

I called and they told me to come in for a fill-- which I did. Pretty agressive fill for me-- .3cc in my 4cc band. Not only did it give me no additional restriction, things started to feel weird. The only way I can describe it is that it feels like everything is in the wrong place.

I am still having these problems after 4 more days, and things are getting worse. I'm getting referred shoulder pain-- which I haven't had since I first had surgery. I'm having weird stabbing pains. And I'm still so non-restricted, it feels like my band is gone.

NOBODY at my Dr.'s office will listen to me. They say that since I don't have reflux, I can't possibly have slipped/dilated/anything. I have called every day for a week (which I never do-- I'm not a complainer!), and they keep telling me I'm just not having good restriction and not to worry about it.

I don't know how I know, but I KNOW that there is something seriously wrong here. I am always very aware of my band and how it's doing. I don't want anyone to think I'm an overreacting lunatic, but how can I get them to at least CHECK it? I've begged them to do a barium swallow just to see... but they won't do it.

I keep getting this terrible fear that something terrible is going to happen because nobody will listen to me :-(

Any ideas on what I can do?

sisterc · June 6, 2008

I am not sure what insurance you have, but turn your card over and call your insurance company. Explain the problem tell them you would like to go to another office to be examined and see what they say to you to do. It could be a possibility to go to another center. Please look into it we all know our bodies you never know. I would do the samething.

SondraMoore35 · June 9, 2008

Hello. I had Dr. Felts through AIGB in Houston. I was sick for a LONG time (banded in May 2007) I heard the usual; erosions don't "really" happen, chew more, if you have nausea maybe you're pregnant (I had a tubal years ago!) I was swelling shut anytime the nurse accessed my port to check on my fill level or add; I called Dr. Felt's Dallas office and after 5 more calls, several emails - about 2 weeks later got a return call to see how it goes and check back in a few months. In my opinion, all Dr. Felt's flying around to different locations isn't a good thing - it translates to slim to none aftercare.

I finally went to another surgeon and found out that I had gastritis, esophagitis, duodenal spasms, gallstones and the best of all - my band was placed too high and so I didn't even have a pouch as the band was sitting on my lower esophagus.

Thank GOD my new surgeon removed my band a few weeks ago and I feel so much better. Dr. Felt's office wouldn't even return my calls when I called to ask how this happened.

Good luck.

CaraDFW · June 9, 2008

Thanks for the replies, all. I finally got the aftercare center to do a barium swallow and found out... they were right, I had no restriction. BUT, I was also right-- there was something wrong. Turns out my port is leaking :-(

I'm going to see my surgeon on Thursday to find out what needs to be done, but it looks like more surgery... sigh.

At least I'm not worried about the dilation now-- I was really worried about that, but nothing is easy!