Happy and SCARED...erosion, slip, infection...

HamuChan · May 23, 2005

I finally have this lap band, the thing that I have been wanting for years. But, I am scared to death that something is going to go wrong. :nervous Either erosion, a slip, or an infection... Is there a way that I can prevent these things from happening to me? Or is it just random who it happens to? I will do EVERYTHING right if I just knew how to avoid those problems. I hope nothing goes wrong...I am being waaay too paranoid huh?

I am still on liquids and am scared to try anything but milk and clear stuff. I think I just have that worrisome personality. Help me to not be so scared!!! :paranoid

BandSupporter · May 23, 2005

I dont have a lap band. My sister does, and she was banded May 13th. She has been doing very well. From what I know she has done. She hasnt been sick, or had any of those problems. THANK YOU GOD! All you have to do is the basics, eat right, avoid straining and lifting things. Dont over do it at all!!!! Walking helps alot too. Be careful on what you intake. You should be jus fine. Make sure you do what the Dr. says and you're str8. Just dont do too much of what you're not supppose to be doing.

the best me · May 23, 2005

It's SOOOO hard not to be paranoid, but, really you are doing fine. Erosion is hard to say, watch your medications (make sure you wash them through) but from what I have gathered, if you erode, you just do. It's very difficult to prevent.

As for slippage, do what Ashley (Nikkee's sister) said and don't strain, lift, and for goodness sakes, eat slowly and carefully and follow your docs menu. Don't jump ahead on the eating.

Keep you incisions cleaned and dry and lightly coated with an antibiotic ointment. Itching is a good sign, it means you are healing so embrace it when it happens!

Here you are, doing this band thing and next thing you know you'll be past the healing stage and on to good long term weight loss!

It's hard not to, but don't fret.

flower · May 23, 2005

I haven't been banded yet either but have the same concerns I am scared to but you have to go thru it and hope for the best we don't succeed at things unless we try them and regret it later if we don't do it at all keep the faith you will succeed.

grammi · May 23, 2005

I have been banded for a little over one week and have had no problems at all. Banded on a Thursday back to work (as a paralegal) on Monday. I feel great. Just returned from my first post-op and lost 10 pounds the first week and can start on "soft" foods.

I also have been a little leary about all of the above....I think the best advice I have had from this board is follow your own body and the signs it is giving you. I had 4 oz of broth, Jello or strained Soup 5 times a day and drankl lots of Water in between and have as I said above...no problems. The only paid I had is when I bent over to paint my toe nails!!!!

Just take it easy, eat or drink slow and when it is time to eat...chew...chew..chew!

Marimaru · May 23, 2005

Like was already said, erosion kind of happens, or doesn't. It can be caused by being too tight tho, so watch that.

Slippage is more avoidable. The main causes are being WAY too tight, and PBing/vomiting alot. Vomiting alot even if you aren't too tight can also cause trouble. Getting the 24 stomach bug would probably be okay, but if you have the flu for a week and it makes you sick to your stomach, consider getting some saline removed. Another things is 'pouch packing'. This is when you kind of always have something in your pouch. You eat until you are full, wait a little bit, 'top it off' wait a little bit, 'top it off', etc. At least, that's my understanding. It puts alot of pressure on that area. Eating 5 or 6 small meals in a day is not pouch packing. Eating your meals and grazing in between could lead to it, but again, doesn't necessarily mean that you are pouch packing (though grazing is never good ).

I hope this helps.

Persimmon · June 8, 2005

Unless you're completely noncompliant during the healing phase, it's next to impossible to do anything to cause slippage or start erosion early out.

The 2 biggest causes of slippage are maintaining too tight a fill or chronic PBing. The 2 biggest causes of erosion are port infections or maintaining too tight a fill. Port infections, which (thankfully) are pretty rare) are certainly completely out of anyone's control, however. If after surgery someone has a port infection it must be aggressively treated.

It's really common for folks to get really stubborn about letting any saline go after they've gotten it...but the best thing to try to do is maintain the least amount of fill that lets us lose 1-2 lbs/week on average and that helps regulate hunger/fullness. Those who decide the band is there to stop them or punish them from eating are going to be at higher risk simply because they're going to be a lot tighter to force the band to act that way.

Usually, loss ends up slowing/stopping when we're too tight anyhow cuz we can't comfortably eat solids and end up eating soft, high calorie foods...so that kind of defeats that idea anyhow...

It gets hard and frustrating sometimes finding just that right spot...but at least we don't have to worry about a window of opportunity closing down on us...time is on our side, unlike the other surgeries

Nancy

DeLarla · June 8, 2005

I think a lot of us feel that way. I'm convinced I'm dying every day. Well, not dying, but I'm sure my band has snapped, broken, eroded. One day at a time, Baby!