Had to have my "infected" band removed two weeks after surgery

[jmh 0]

...has anyone heard of this happening to anyone else? The nurses in recovery said they had been at the surgery center for years and had never seen it before. My surgeon looked down my throat into my stomach and says that I didn't perforate my pouch with anything I ate and he didn't see where any of the sutures had been torn but when he went back in with the laproscpoe he saw the infection around and under the band itself. He had to take the entire device out, port and all. Now I feel like I've tossed a huge chunk of my families savings down the tubes and mutilated my body just so I could suffer through this agony for several weeks. Does this sound like something was done wrong in my original surgery? I know the surgeon had several back to back operations that morning. I'm not accusing the doctor of any wrongdoing, just wondering "why me?"

[illinoishusker 0]

I don't know an answer, but I'm really sorry you are going through this!

[luluc 6]

... Does this sound like something was done wrong in my original surgery? I know the surgeon had several back to back operations that morning. I'm not accusing the doctor of any wrongdoing, just wondering "why me?"

not sure who your surgeon was, i'm also in NTX & my surgeon did my husbands an hr after mine. i'll take it you were self pay? that band is your's, i'd call and get it and have it examined by the manufacturer & also get a second opinion from another band dr...you may not know of damage done by the dr for possibly a few wks out, so i would have myself examined by another doc.

sorry your going thru this -

[MacMadame 81]

I think internal infection is always a risk of an operation and so proving anything is going to be hard. Unfortunately.

But LuLuC is right... you paid for the band. Plus I believe Allergen has some kind of program for people who had defective bands -- assuming yours was defective.

[jmh 0]

I'm laying here at 6 in the morning in totally agony over the pain of 2 surgery's in 2 weeks. I appreciate your last response and I think it's a good idea to ask for the band,I will see my doctor today and ask him for it.

Looking at your success I am especially touched. I was 191 pre-op and 181 when I went in for surgery. I fluctuated b/t 181 and 183 during the 2 weeks that I had my band. Before I had the surgery I was looking for people who were under 200 who had the surgery and didn't get but one response and she had just had the surgery and no results. Looking at you, down to 123 now and running your first 5 k, you remind me of where I was going and what this journey was supposed to be about. I am so thankful that I am okay and that this didn't turn out more serious but now I have to say goodbye to this dream that I thought was going to become a reality and that really sucks right now.

God has different plans for me and I am completely and totally faithful in His plan but it's just hard to re-adjust. After reading and resarching so much about the lab band, I know that it is a life saver for so many and that it transforms lives but I honestly don't think I could ever put it back in. I am in so much pain and I've put my family through a lot and I don't think I could do that again. Like I said, God's got a plan and I'm listening loud and clear as to what he wants me to do next. I'm actually feeling motivated to the challenge of losing weight without it.. not that it's not challenging with it too. I think we may take the money and invest in a trainer - not just 4 to 6 sessions - but someone who is with me always, pushing me and teaching me. I also think this process has taught me a lot more about nutrition than I knew. I never put heavy emphasis on lean Proteins and low carbs. I always did low fat, or counted points with weight watchers. My body really responded to the high Protein way by losing 10 pounds in a week and a half in my pre-op diet. So I'm trying to look at the upside. Sorry for the long post... you just gave me a painful reminder as to where I wanted to be by this time next year. I am proud of you and I wish you the best of luck with your rocking new body!!!! Take care.

[jmh 0]

Hi Luluc, sorry for another one but I'm curious, since we are both from dfw, who did your band?

[luluc 6]

Hi Luluc, sorry for another one but I'm curious, since we are both from dfw, who did your band?

i was just about to respond to you.....Dr Felts did my surgery @SC Richardson.

your post broke my heart to read. i can't imagine what your going through - i have constant concerns that the band will not last forever & my husband tells me to get over it, but he also has never been on this site. i'm hopeful, like you that if something should have happen to my band, i've learned enough about nutrition/exercise to be able to maintain the weightloss....you have a great attitude about that.!.

like mac also said, get your band & talk w/your doc about the possibility of a damaged product...., you "may" be able to recoup some of your monies from the manufacturer???

let us know how it pans out!!! also stay on the site, there are several on here that have lost their band, might try posting in the complication or life after band forums...

lulu