Sabledog Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 I am looking for other Dr. Ortiz patients who have had to have their lapbands removed. I had to have my removed after 10 months and am wondering about rebanding. Has anyone else had this experience? I am depressed that I have gained all my weight back and had such an awlful experience with the band, but am desperate now, any others out there? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dejongshy Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 I am looking for other Dr. Ortiz patients who have had to have their lapbands removed. I had to have my removed after 10 months and am wondering about rebanding. Has anyone else had this experience? I am depressed that I have gained all my weight back and had such an awlful experience with the band, but am desperate now, any others out there? Why was your band removed??? Slippage???? erosion???? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AngieB Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 I am looking for other Dr. Ortiz patients who have had to have their lapbands removed. I had to have my removed after 10 months and am wondering about rebanding. Has anyone else had this experience? I am depressed that I have gained all my weight back and had such an awlful experience with the band, but am desperate now, any others out there? I have one friend who had her band slip. She cried when they took it "from her" out of her and said she would have rather died with it in her. She had her band placed again 6 months later. (had to wait for healing) She is not the dramatic type, and she meant what she said. She is also taking super good care of this band, because no Dr will give you a third band. Angie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormy Posted June 5, 2009 Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 Why was it taken out, what happened. That idea scares me, I sure dont want to lose mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabledog Posted June 5, 2009 Author Report Share Posted June 5, 2009 My band was not removed for anything wrong (slippage, erosin, etc.) It was just too tight, I literally could not get water down it by the end. I lost my hair (from malnutrition) and was getting IV's just to get out of bed, constant throwing up of the dreaded "coffee grounds" of stomach acid, trips to the emergery room, etc. Dr. Ortiz had no option but to remove it. But after 8 months of starvation and malnutrition my body responded to solid foods with a vengence and the weight came back on almost immediately. Emotionally I am at my bottom, I failed at dieting, I failed at the lapband, I gained the weight back, My family and friends don't understand, I am a failure. Now I am out the money for the two surgeries, the time lost at work (lots of sick time), my self esteem and am right back where I started - FAT! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nothereanymore Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 I am so sad for you - I just can't even imagine. I think most of us are wondering how it became so tight - were you PBing a lot and then finally the swelling was too much and it didn't go down - or was there another reason. (It is just my greatest fear to lose my band). I’m so focused on learning how to eat healthy – however with almost 35 years of bad eating habits (I’ve had eating issues since I was in my teens and I’m almost 47 now) I don’t know if I could do it without my band. I hope you can find the means to go in for another band, one that fits your needs better and allows you to eat healthy and wisely. I hope you can start focusing on healthy eating now, add in some exercise and start preparing your body for a new band while you find the way. Hugs and kisses – (lots you need them) and my thoughts are with you! And remember, being fat is much better than jeopardizing your health - which is what was happening before. I so wish I could help you through this – I so feel your pain. You're not a failure - you hit a bump in the road and got a flat tire, its time to fix the tire and get back on track. Lisa Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smiley Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 You're not a failure - you hit a bump in the road and got a flat tire, its time to fix the tire and get back on track. I agree with Lisa, you are absolutely not a failure. For whatever reason the band and your stomach did not get along, but you had absolutely no control over that and therefore did nothing wrong. Any chance they would put the band back in at a reduced price, especially since it was not your fault that the band got and stayed too tight? Might be worth asking the question. Hold your head up high, there is an answer out there for you. Keep us posted and if I find a few extra thousand dollars laying around I will be sure and send them to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julieburns Posted June 6, 2009 Report Share Posted June 6, 2009 I am so sorry to hear about your loss. I am walking on the fine line of needing to have mine removed as well. I had about 3 months where I couldn't eat anything and they unfilled it. I too have lost so much hair it makes me cry. My left side now hurts constantly and I need to get back down to Dr. Ortiz and get checked out. My fear is the inevitable...taking it out. I don't understand how this has happened. I followed the rules very well. I just wanted you to know I understand where you are coming from and hope you get well. The depression you are experiencing is real and I am sorry for that too. Try to pull yourself up by the bootstraps and make a fresh start doing what you can do without the band. That's what I am trying. Good luck and God bless you!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trav Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 My band was not removed for anything wrong (slippage, erosin, etc.) It was just too tight, I literally could not get water down it by the end. I lost my hair (from malnutrition) and was getting IV's just to get out of bed, constant throwing up of the dreaded "coffee grounds" of stomach acid, trips to the emergery room, etc. Dr. Ortiz had no option but to remove it. But after 8 months of starvation and malnutrition my body responded to solid foods with a vengence and the weight came back on almost immediately. Emotionally I am at my bottom, I failed at dieting, I failed at the lapband, I gained the weight back, My family and friends don't understand, I am a failure. Now I am out the money for the two surgeries, the time lost at work (lots of sick time), my self esteem and am right back where I started - FAT! You can't beat yourself up about it, if you were not at fault, it could have just been that they tried to put on too small of a band. That being said, there are some strategies that you can do to help while you're waiting to decide on a 2nd lapband procedure. 1. Change your diet. This is one of the hardest things to do, because there are so many comfort foods that we enjoy and love. But you can find new foods that you love and enjoy just as much. 2. Shy away from carbs. That doesn't mean eliminate them completely, but limit them severely. Take that top bun off your burger...(not that you should be having burgers, but that's an example) Instead of spaghetti, have spaghetti squash. (it's not the same I know, but it's enough to make you feel like you're eating spaghetti) 3. Drink more water...water will help your body catabolize the fat in your body, remove toxins, and help cellular respiration. 4. Remember, we didn't all get fat over night...(though it may seem like it.)....it's going to take as long or longer to get it off. 5. Give yourself a "reward" day.....if you've been good all week, have that cupcake on saturday. You may find that you don't want it....but some people can't quit cold turkey and it gives them something to look forward to while they're "working" at their weight loss. 6. Protein, protein, protein....You need this. With a reduced carbohydrate intake, your body is going to want to burn protein and fat for energy, but you have to keep the protein supply up so that as your body is using protein and fat for energy, you'll have enough so that your muscles aren't catabolized with the fat. Which brings us back to #3...you need the extra water to help flush out the ketones from protein metabolization, or it will be very hard on your liver and kidneys. hope this all helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ValleyGirl Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Oh no Julie, what happened? Are you not able to eat because you are too tight? Have you ever ad a complete unfill? What makes you think it will have to be removed instead of unfilled? I've never heard of bands being removed for any other reason than slips or erosion. Please fill us in. We are here to support you any time....and especially through the difficult times. Sabrina:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julieburns Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Oh no Julie, what happened? Are you not able to eat because you are too tight? Have you ever ad a complete unfill? What makes you think it will have to be removed instead of unfilled? I've never heard of bands being removed for any other reason than slips or erosion. Please fill us in. We are here to support you any time....and especially through the difficult times.Sabrina:) Yes it has been completely unfilled for about 3 months now. I can eat fine. The problem is I have terrible pain in the area of my band, left side, much of the time. They are concerned it's still eroding my stomach because of the pain. I am trying to get the funds together to get down to Dr. Ortiz. In the meantime I am eating a "gentle"diet and keeping my fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stormy Posted June 7, 2009 Report Share Posted June 7, 2009 Julie, what do you mean eroding? You haven't had your band much longer than me, I dont think. What do they think would cause that? Now that has me freaked out. How did you know there was a problem? Have you gone to that dr up in washington to have him take a photo of your band? Yes it has been completely unfilled for about 3 months now. I can eat fine. The problem is I have terrible pain in the area of my band, left side, much of the time. They are concerned it's still eroding my stomach because of the pain. I am trying to get the funds together to get down to Dr. Ortiz. In the meantime I am eating a "gentle"diet and keeping my fingers crossed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julieburns Posted June 8, 2009 Report Share Posted June 8, 2009 Julie, what do you mean eroding? You haven't had your band much longer than me, I dont think. What do they think would cause that? Now that has me freaked out. How did you know there was a problem? Have you gone to that dr up in washington to have him take a photo of your band? Erosion means where the tissue has been gradually destroyed. The band somehow can cause this to happen in the tissue area that the band surrounds. In my case my band just started getting tighter and tighter and so I had some removed and then finally had to have it completely unfilled. Now I have alot of pain in that area. I do still need to get a photo. Do you have the name or number of the Dr. in Washington or does anyone else have it. I think he's in olympia? I am concerned the longer I wait the more damage could be done. Now I want you to not be freaked out because the erosion part is still just my speculation, not a diagnosis. I hope I am wrong. If I could afford it I would get on a plane and go straight to Dr. Ortiz. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesuse Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 I am looking for other Dr. Ortiz patients who have had to have their lapbands removed. I had to have my removed after 10 months and am wondering about rebanding. Has anyone else had this experience? I am depressed that I have gained all my weight back and had such an awlful experience with the band, but am desperate now, any others out there? Hi there Sabledog - I'm so sorry to hear about your experience. But good for you for reaching out for answers. This is a difficult part of your journey, but stick with it and I know you'll get to a better place. I've had my own band drama recently, but hopefully I'll be able to keep my band after all. In the last few days, while I've been contemplating a range of outcomes for my band I've come across a lot of people who have switched to the sleeve after band failure. It's definitely a more risky procedure; it's irreversible and it's pretty new which makes it riskier as well. I really haven't learned much at all about it, but enough that I had the thought that if I had to get my band removed I would at least look into it further. It's also more expensive than the band. I would never consider it as a first shot, but as a 2nd one perhaps. I also think Trav gave some great advice on how to make it without any WLS. It's obviously very hard, but I agree that the key is minimizing carbs - especially sugar. For me anyway the more sugar I eat the less control I have over my eating/appetite - something I struggle with with the band as well - chocolate and ice cream goes down way too easy... Best of luck to you. Susan P.S. - Julie - I'm so sorry to hear you're struggling too! I really hope you're able to get to a doctor soon. I know you're a nurse and know better about this than I do, but it just doesn't seem good for you to be living with pain that you're not 100% sure the cause of. That's scary. I really hope you find some resolution soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PAMMIE Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Erosion means where the tissue has been gradually destroyed. The band somehow can cause this to happen in the tissue area that the band surrounds. In my case my band just started getting tighter and tighter and so I had some removed and then finally had to have it completely unfilled. Now I have alot of pain in that area. I do still need to get a photo. Do you have the name or number of the Dr. in Washington or does anyone else have it. I think he's in olympia? I am concerned the longer I wait the more damage could be done. Now I want you to not be freaked out because the erosion part is still just my speculation, not a diagnosis. I hope I am wrong. If I could afford it I would get on a plane and go straight to Dr. Ortiz. http://www.pacsurgical.com/ KEEP US POSTED JULIE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mona-camille Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Erosion means where the tissue has been gradually destroyed. The band somehow can cause this to happen in the tissue area that the band surrounds. In my case my band just started getting tighter and tighter and so I had some removed and then finally had to have it completely unfilled. Now I have alot of pain in that area. I do still need to get a photo. Do you have the name or number of the Dr. in Washington or does anyone else have it. I think he's in olympia? I am concerned the longer I wait the more damage could be done. Now I want you to not be freaked out because the erosion part is still just my speculation, not a diagnosis. I hope I am wrong. If I could afford it I would get on a plane and go straight to Dr. Ortiz. Julie!! my sister Merideth had to have her band removed 2 months ago. Hers was eroded into the stomach. You could see it with a simple endoscopy. It ate a huge hole in her stomach which was hard to fix. You MUST get it checked! If you have health insurance get an endoscopy and they can tell from that. Her symptoms were pain of course, and pain on eating too. Not be able to eat and terrible terrible heartburn. I can give you her e-mail if you want to talk to her about it. Good luck honey and I miss hearing from you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julieburns Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 Julie!! my sister Merideth had to have her band removed 2 months ago. Hers was eroded into the stomach. You could see it with a simple endoscopy. It ate a huge hole in her stomach which was hard to fix. You MUST get it checked! If you have health insurance get an endoscopy and they can tell from that.Her symptoms were pain of course, and pain on eating too. Not be able to eat and terrible terrible heartburn. I can give you her e-mail if you want to talk to her about it. Good luck honey and I miss hearing from you! Thanks for the tip about getting an endoscopy through my insurance. I am making an appointment with my Dr. this AM. When you describe Meredith's symptoms mine are not nearly that bad so I hope I am wrong with my speculation. I can eat ok and I don't get terrible heartburn. I just have periods where I have pain in that area, more than just mild discomfort. It can last a few hours to a few days and then it eases up to just mild discomfort as a baseline. I've missed you to Mona. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julieburns Posted June 9, 2009 Report Share Posted June 9, 2009 http://www.pacsurgical.com/KEEP US POSTED JULIE Thanks Pammie. Hope you're having a great summer!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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