My Emergency

[cleo6666]

I debated all day on whether or not to share my story. After much thought...I want to share because this could happen to someone else. My goal is this: If you have a lapband emergency, make sure you have a plan. No matter where you were banded-TJ or USA.

This is not written to scare anyone. I am NOT a doctor. I want to make sure that each and everyone of you have a plan, a phone list and a support group if this happens to you. If I had not been a member of this FORUM with OCC, I would have never had the information to make this story end they way it did.

I was banded on July 26th,2006-Dr. Ortiz+FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE

Had my first fill on September 8th, 2006-TJ (1.2cc)

Had my second fill last Friday, January 19-TJ (+.7=1.9cc total)

My fill on Friday worked, because I could feel I was restricted. I was very happy with that. By Monday I noticed that it was harder and harder to get even liquids down and by Wednesday, I couldn't even hold down water. I was constantly going into the bathroom at work and a home and spitting up at the toilet. Often I would spit up into papertowels while I was driving. I called Dr. Romero and discussed this with him on Wednesday and we both agreed that my fill was too tight and I needed an unfill. I told him that I wanted to wait a couple of days and then I would schedule to come back down to TJ. That was Wednesday.

I woke up yesterday (Thursday) morning at 12:30 am I vomited BLACK. I was so scarred I actually thought I was going to die when I saw it.

I haden't ate in almost a week. On Wednesday I consumed somewhere around 100 calories and I didn't keep anything down.

After I vomited black (and it tasted like death), I went into my husbands office to find the phone number for the clinic. My son asked me to come in his room (he was still awake the bugger!) and I told him to please wait something was very wrong with me. My body started to get really warm and I believe I was having a panic attack.

I got the number and headed downstairs for a phone. Just when I reached the bottom of the stair, I got really faint and I collapsed in the kitchen. I hit the chair and the steel garbage can and made a huge boom! I told Tony I need you to go wake up Bob right now. I could here him running as hard as he could and trying to wake Bob out of a dead sleep. It took a moment and then Bob made it down. I managed to stand up and I called the clinic and pressed the extension for Dr. Ortiz. He answered at 12:45am like he was wide awake and I told him about the black vomit and he told me "You need to get on a plane right now and come down. I will page Rene and he will make arrangements for you. You need to hang up and call Rene right now."

TELL ME THAT DIDN"T SCARE THE B-JEEZUS OUT OF ME!!!!!

I hung up with him, called Rene and...no answer! I left a message.

I'm still having a panic attack and the heat of my body is causing me to hypervenalate and I'm sure I am going to die. I very calmly say to my husband...I need you to call 9-1-1 and I need help. He said he'd take me to the hospital and I was worried that it wouldn't be soon enough. I called 9-1-1 and asked them where the nearest hospital and they gave me 2 choices. I wanted Tony to come, but bob said no and I cried with Tony as I told him how much I loved him and not to worry, that what ever happens, Bob will take care of him. My heart was breaking and Tony was so upset. He's such a good boy.

As luck would have it, we picked the right one. I had one person in front of me and I got in right away. Processing/intake takes soooooooo long!

My vitals were all ok and I had actually stopped burping for the first time in a week. I think it was because I was so scarred. They put me in a room, retook my vitals, took blood and started me on an IV. I'm sure it was dehydration, but I wasn't sure. The black, nasty vomit was all I could think of. To make matters worse, my husband hates hospitals and he was not fun. But that aside, my male nurse was wonderful John. That helped. He was kind.

I don't know how long we were there before the blood tests came back, but the ER doctor was wonderful and told me "everything" was ok and all my tests (they did a bunch) were good. I had spit up "bile" (sp?) from the very bottom of my stomach. It was not life threatening and I was going to be ok. He also told me that I was NOT dehydrated which was a surpise. All you have to do is look at my fitday food log and see what I'm eating and drinking.

I was discharged and Bob and I got home at 5:20am. Ouch. I feel asleep right after I called my Sgt. and left him a message that I wouldn't be in. I got up about 10:30 and just then Rene called. He just got my voice mail. HUH? Oh well that's ok. I had a good talk with him and he told me to call him back when I decided what to do.

This is what I did (smiling...because my big girl pants were on :-)

I called the lapband center down the street from me...."We're SORRY we don't see TJ patients."

So I called Olympia because I'd read about them on the forum and a few people in WA have gone there. They were so kind and understanding and FULL all day, totally booked. The nice lady on the phone handed me to the fill doctor and she said she would get me in on an emergency. They were off from 12-1 for lunch, so I could come there anytime after 1.

I was there at 12:56pm. As luck would have it, there was no traffic south on the I-5. It was a 1.5-2 hr drive and Bob is no slow poke. I slept most of the way.

Got in, they had most of my paperwork complete. I signed a few forms and they sent me into the waiting room. Oh forgot one thing...my $375 payment. Which, is actually what they charge for a fill but I wasn't one of their patients and you know what? I didn't care. :-)

In less than 10 minutes from when I walked in the front door, I was in the fill room with not one, but 2 ladies. One gives the fills, one assists with the totally modern xray and floro equipment. What a TRIP! I was nervous, but felt totally at ease. They looked at my band, drew a circle around my port, took out my fill (yes, the whole thing) and had a cup of barium ready for me to drink. The fill lady and I watched it do down and then I drank water and then the fill lady promptly said...

"Nothing but fluids for 2 weeks and then you need to come back for a fill. No carbonated beverages, nothing to eat. Period."

She was almost frightning, but not in a bad way. No bullsh-t here.

I was so frigging happy to be alive I agreed immediately. (Remember, I had a panic attack)

The drive home, no traffic. Amazing and almost a miracle. The entire adventure took up 4 hours.

So I have NO FILL! I am at zero. Holy CRAP! And I am on day 2 of my liquids and I'm so firgging happy I can drink, not "sip" water. I might go for a record 100 ounces today! How funny is that....to be excited about drinking water.

MORAL...if you are still reading...thank you for taking the time. This will probably not happen to you. But if you don't feel right, which my body told me....make sure to HAVE A PLAN!

*HAVE THE DOCTORS NUMBER AVAILABLE FOR YOU AND ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD

*DON'T HESITATE TO CALL THE DOCTOR. (Every doctor at OCC was wonderful and very concerned about me...thank you)

*KNOW WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN TJ (most of us don't)

-Airlines

-Rides to airport

-Financial ability for plane ride/fill/taxi/etc

*LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

*TRUST YOUR GUT

*RESPECT THE BAND

[Clynn]

Oh honey so glad to hear it turned out ok! I was at Dr Neal's on Wed and I agree with you, they are wonderful and I'm glad they and the hospital were able to take such good care of you.

[Bandiva]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Hopefully it will help people realize it is ok to have problems with the band...you can fix them and life goes on! Hope you are doing well. By the way, I live in Victoria BC and just got back from TJ where I had my first fill. I am thinking of Washington for my next one...

Victoria.

[Teri]

I debated all day on whether or not to share my story. After much thought...I want to share because this could happen to someone else. My goal is this: If you have a lapband emergency, make sure you have a plan. No matter where you were banded-TJ or USA.

This is not written to scare anyone. I am NOT a doctor. I want to make sure that each and everyone of you have a plan, a phone list and a support group if this happens to you. If I had not been a member of this FORUM with OCC, I would have never had the information to make this story end they way it did.

I was banded on July 26th,2006-Dr. Ortiz+FANTASTIC EXPERIENCE

Had my first fill on September 8th, 2006-TJ (1.2cc)

Had my second fill last Friday, January 19-TJ (+.7=1.9cc total)

My fill on Friday worked, because I could feel I was restricted. I was very happy with that. By Monday I noticed that it was harder and harder to get even liquids down and by Wednesday, I couldn't even hold down water. I was constantly going into the bathroom at work and a home and spitting up at the toilet. Often I would spit up into papertowels while I was driving. I called Dr. Romero and discussed this with him on Wednesday and we both agreed that my fill was too tight and I needed an unfill. I told him that I wanted to wait a couple of days and then I would schedule to come back down to TJ. That was Wednesday.

I woke up yesterday (Thursday) morning at 12:30 am I vomited BLACK. I was so scarred I actually thought I was going to die when I saw it.

I haden't ate in almost a week. On Wednesday I consumed somewhere around 100 calories and I didn't keep anything down.

After I vomited black (and it tasted like death), I went into my husbands office to find the phone number for the clinic. My son asked me to come in his room (he was still awake the bugger!) and I told him to please wait something was very wrong with me. My body started to get really warm and I believe I was having a panic attack.

I got the number and headed downstairs for a phone. Just when I reached the bottom of the stair, I got really faint and I collapsed in the kitchen. I hit the chair and the steel garbage can and made a huge boom! I told Tony I need you to go wake up Bob right now. I could here him running as hard as he could and trying to wake Bob out of a dead sleep. It took a moment and then Bob made it down. I managed to stand up and I called the clinic and pressed the extension for Dr. Ortiz. He answered at 12:45am like he was wide awake and I told him about the black vomit and he told me "You need to get on a plane right now and come down. I will page Rene and he will make arrangements for you. You need to hang up and call Rene right now."

TELL ME THAT DIDN"T SCARE THE B-JEEZUS OUT OF ME!!!!!

I hung up with him, called Rene and...no answer! I left a message.

I'm still having a panic attack and the heat of my body is causing me to hypervenalate and I'm sure I am going to die. I very calmly say to my husband...I need you to call 9-1-1 and I need help. He said he'd take me to the hospital and I was worried that it wouldn't be soon enough. I called 9-1-1 and asked them where the nearest hospital and they gave me 2 choices. I wanted Tony to come, but bob said no and I cried with Tony as I told him how much I loved him and not to worry, that what ever happens, Bob will take care of him. My heart was breaking and Tony was so upset. He's such a good boy.

As luck would have it, we picked the right one. I had one person in front of me and I got in right away. Processing/intake takes soooooooo long!

My vitals were all ok and I had actually stopped burping for the first time in a week. I think it was because I was so scarred. They put me in a room, retook my vitals, took blood and started me on an IV. I'm sure it was dehydration, but I wasn't sure. The black, nasty vomit was all I could think of. To make matters worse, my husband hates hospitals and he was not fun. But that aside, my male nurse was wonderful John. That helped. He was kind.

I don't know how long we were there before the blood tests came back, but the ER doctor was wonderful and told me "everything" was ok and all my tests (they did a bunch) were good. I had spit up "bile" (sp?) from the very bottom of my stomach. It was not life threatening and I was going to be ok. He also told me that I was NOT dehydrated which was a surpise. All you have to do is look at my fitday food log and see what I'm eating and drinking.

I was discharged and Bob and I got home at 5:20am. Ouch. I feel asleep right after I called my Sgt. and left him a message that I wouldn't be in. I got up about 10:30 and just then Rene called. He just got my voice mail. HUH? Oh well that's ok. I had a good talk with him and he told me to call him back when I decided what to do.

This is what I did (smiling...because my big girl pants were on :-)

I called the lapband center down the street from me...."We're SORRY we don't see TJ patients."

So I called Olympia because I'd read about them on the forum and a few people in WA have gone there. They were so kind and understanding and FULL all day, totally booked. The nice lady on the phone handed me to the fill doctor and she said she would get me in on an emergency. They were off from 12-1 for lunch, so I could come there anytime after 1.

I was there at 12:56pm. As luck would have it, there was no traffic south on the I-5. It was a 1.5-2 hr drive and Bob is no slow poke. I slept most of the way.

Got in, they had most of my paperwork complete. I signed a few forms and they sent me into the waiting room. Oh forgot one thing...my $375 payment. Which, is actually what they charge for a fill but I wasn't one of their patients and you know what? I didn't care. :-)

In less than 10 minutes from when I walked in the front door, I was in the fill room with not one, but 2 ladies. One gives the fills, one assists with the totally modern xray and floro equipment. What a TRIP! I was nervous, but felt totally at ease. They looked at my band, drew a circle around my port, took out my fill (yes, the whole thing) and had a cup of barium ready for me to drink. The fill lady and I watched it do down and then I drank water and then the fill lady promptly said...

"Nothing but fluids for 2 weeks and then you need to come back for a fill. No carbonated beverages, nothing to eat. Period."

She was almost frightning, but not in a bad way. No bullsh-t here.

I was so frigging happy to be alive I agreed immediately. (Remember, I had a panic attack)

The drive home, no traffic. Amazing and almost a miracle. The entire adventure took up 4 hours.

So I have NO FILL! I am at zero. Holy CRAP! And I am on day 2 of my liquids and I'm so firgging happy I can drink, not "sip" water. I might go for a record 100 ounces today! How funny is that....to be excited about drinking water.

MORAL...if you are still reading...thank you for taking the time. This will probably not happen to you. But if you don't feel right, which my body told me....make sure to HAVE A PLAN!

*HAVE THE DOCTORS NUMBER AVAILABLE FOR YOU AND ANYONE IN YOUR HOUSEHOLD

*DON'T HESITATE TO CALL THE DOCTOR. (Every doctor at OCC was wonderful and very concerned about me...thank you)

*KNOW WHAT TO DO IN AN EMERGENCY IF YOU DON'T LIVE IN TJ (most of us don't)

-Airlines

-Rides to airport

-Financial ability for plane ride/fill/taxi/etc

*LISTEN TO YOUR BODY

*TRUST YOUR GUT

*RESPECT THE BAND

Michelle,

I am soooooooo very happy you are OK! I have been following your journey with anticipation for your weight loss. Your health and well being is more important right now then any amount of weight loss. Also, I am so happy the hospital and Dr.'s you were seen at were friendly and helpful to you. Thank you for your excellenct advice on having a plan and having IMPORTANT PHONE NUMBERS in your cell programmed!!! I am going to do that today!!!!!!!! When you were in for your second fill, did they ask you what a typical day of eating was for you, and how much you were eating? I'm curious about that. If I remember from your posts, you were eating very little. Any ways, take this time to take care of YOU!! Hugs for you and your family. > Teri

[LoriBecky]

Michele,

I'm so glad you are OK! Please keep me posted!! Scary story, but proves the point that we always need to be prepared.

If you can't find a number you need call me! Even after hours I have Dr. Martinez' cell # on my outgoing message as well as Rene's.

Big huge > Michele.

[cleo6666]

Thanks for your support! I'm on day 3 of liquids and doing great. I feel fantastic and healthy as a horse.

I am so proud of myself and my family for how we handled our emergency. It truly is my goal to continue to educate myself about the "wonders" and the challenges of having a lapband.

We're in this for life. There are instruction manuals, so to speak, but even better than that...there is support from those who have been there, done that, and are just darn nice.

The sun is shining in Seattle and it's a great day!

Your lapband buddy.....Michele

[Kim927]

Hi Michelle, I just wanted to thank you for sharing your story. This is what this forum is for, and it helps the rest of us recognize a problem and know what to do about it. It's also comforting to know that it IS okay to call a doctor, regardless of the time, and know that they will be concerned and helpful. I find it odd that a center won't do fills/unfills for patients from TJ, afterall, it's extra income for them. I guess they just don't want people in their clinic letting their patients know they could get excellent care for much less expense!

I just had my first fill (1.7 cc) on Wed. and have been on liquids until today. I was surprised that I could eat pretty much whatever I tried so far. I hadn't felt any more restriction and was disappointed, but then tonight I did get a bit of turkey lunchmeat stuck and that hurt, so I guess it is doing something. I'll have to be more careful with chewing. I'm glad to hear you are doing well, I'm sure that was very scary for you. I did that "black" think many years ago when I got food poisening and it is scary, but the doctor assured me it was okay and normal when you don't have any food in your stomach. Take this time to heal now and you'll be back on track before you know it! For your sake, I hope they aren't going to charge you another $375 to refill your band back up!

Kim

[GregNE]

Thanks for your support! I'm on day 3 of liquids and doing great. I feel fantastic and healthy as a horse.

I am so proud of myself and my family for how we handled our emergency. It truly is my goal to continue to educate myself about the "wonders" and the challenges of having a lapband.

We're in this for life. There are instruction manuals, so to speak, but even better than that...there is support from those who have been there, done that, and are just darn nice.

The sun is shining in Seattle and it's a great day!

Your lapband buddy.....Michele

I am very glad you are ok, and that you shared your experience. I think we all can learn from the positive and negative experiences with the band. I think the possible complications are not discussed enough, so I appreciate learning about them.

[Littleroo27]

Oh, I am so happy that you're doing well! But what a way to get there, huh? The minute you said black vomit, I thought "bile" but no one wants to see that coming up. UGH! Like sulfuric acid in your throat. I also have tons of experience with panic attacks and am very impressed with how calm you managed to be while talking with your family and making those phone calls.

I think it's a fantastic idea to make sure you have all those phone numbers on hand and I'm so glad that you posted this. While I'm sure it was absolutely terrifying to experience, it might keep someone else from panicing if they are forced to experience something similar. Please keep us updated as your two weeks progress and you get another fill.

(((BIG HUGS)))

[nita57]

Michelle,

I am so glad that you decided to post this and share your experience with everyone. We all need to keep in mind that complications can and do arise. Also I think we have to remember that there is NO miracle cure for obesity, only patience, hard work and a little help from our friends!! Keep me posted GF. Big Hug. Nita

BTW Michelle, No way are you obese....

[cleo6666]

Thank you for worrying and caring so much about me.

I love ya Nita. >

[Kristi Ann]

so glad you're okay.

thanks for sharing.

keep us updated!

[cleo6666]

I'm going for my first fill today at Arlington Pharmacy. No floro. But get this, every day since I went for my unfill at Dr. Neal's in Olympia I've been redrawing the circle on my belly so they don't miss my port!

More to follow in my fill and unfill adventure................................

Michele

[RogerF]

Good luck Michelle,

Glad you're doing better, I did get your VM's and I've been following along here so I hope this will get you back on track. Why didn't you return to Dr. Neals for the refill? I was pretty impressed with their facility and equipment.

For others out there, it is definately a good idea to have a plan for these types of issues. My last fill in MX (Jan 12th) was very aggressive also and it took almost two weeks before I could get any solids down. I was worried and thinking about an unfill also, but stuck it out and I'm at a good level now. But I did know of a place to go if i needed to.

Roger

[cleo6666]

Greetings from WA!

I went and got my fill today in Arlington at Fill Center Northwest. It was right in the back of this darling pharmacy that I could have stayed and shopped at for an hour except my husband was waiting. Only $125 with the nicest ladies ever! And the gal that reffered me, gets $25 off her next fill. First fill is $150, fill after that are $125. I had a $25 coupon from my WA Bandster buddy Pammie. And they gave me 2 coupons I can give away.

Not even 20 miles from my house! WOW!

No floro because...I don't even need it I guess. I'm small (LOL... that what the ladies said)

They know of Dr. Ortiz and fill several of his patients. They have articles with success stories of Doctor Ortiz's patients on the wall. AND they give you this fantastic packet with:

*A copy of your fill record

*Info on fill and adjustments

*List of high protein food, plus a recommended amount of protein each day for men and women on the band.

*They have band food suggestions with suggestions of spliting your calories B,L,Dinner.

*Tips on water and the importance of hydration

*INAMED'S "10 important rules for success"

*Emergent/urgent band problems packet

*Water (another important sheet just on that)

*Excersizes for all shapes and fitness levels (rather small 2 pages, but good tips, especially for those who haven't excersized much before.

They had a lady in yesterday from Billings, Montana.

And!!!!!

Drum Roll Please.........................

I was 158.6 when I was unfilled on Jan 25th and today I am 154! =D>

Holy smokes! I've been eating a little here and there (hello....I have NO RESTRICTION) and yesterday I was boarder line naughty. I love chocolate. I really need to get it out of the house.

I'm soooooooooooo excited to back on fitday too. Liquids today and tomorrow I can start on "squishy" food.

Oh, on the way back from my fill we stopped at the casino. I started with $120 and left with $240. FILL PAID FOR! Yahoo!

To all of you northwest bandsters or those of you thinking of going to TJ for surgery...I highly recommend this facility for your next fill :-)

Your lapband buddy....Michele

[Teri]

Greetings from WA!

I went and got my fill today in Arlington at Fill Center Northwest. It was right in the back of this darling pharmacy that I could have stayed and shopped at for an hour except my husband was waiting. Only $125 with the nicest ladies ever! And the gal that reffered me, gets $25 off her next fill. First fill is $150, fill after that are $125. I had a $25 coupon from my WA Bandster buddy Pammie. And they gave me 2 coupons I can give away.

Not even 20 miles from my house! WOW!

No floro because...I don't even need it I guess. I'm small (LOL... that what the ladies said)

They know of Dr. Ortiz and fill several of his patients. They have articles with success stories of Doctor Ortiz's patients on the wall. AND they give you this fantastic packet with:

*A copy of your fill record

*Info on fill and adjustments

*List of high protein food, plus a recommended amount of protein each day for men and women on the band.

*They have band food suggestions with suggestions of spliting your calories B,L,Dinner.

*Tips on water and the importance of hydration

*INAMED'S "10 important rules for success"

*Emergent/urgent band problems packet

*Water (another important sheet just on that)

*Excersizes for all shapes and fitness levels (rather small 2 pages, but good tips, especially for those who haven't excersized much before.

They had a lady in yesterday from Billings, Montana.

And!!!!!

Drum Roll Please.........................

I was 158.6 when I was unfilled on Jan 25th and today I am 154! =D>

Holy smokes! I've been eating a little here and there (hello....I have NO RESTRICTION) and yesterday I was boarder line naughty. I love chocolate. I really need to get it out of the house.

I'm soooooooooooo excited to back on fitday too. Liquids today and tomorrow I can start on "squishy" food.

Oh, on the way back from my fill we stopped at the casino. I started with $120 and left with $240. FILL PAID FOR! Yahoo!

To all of you northwest bandsters or those of you thinking of going to TJ for surgery...I highly recommend this facility for your next fill :-)

Your lapband buddy....Michele

Way to go Michelle, =D>

It sounds like everything went great. I cannot believe it's already been 2 weeks for you since having to wait for things to settle down. I am so happy for you! It's good to have someone close by since, you never no how many fills and unfills will be needed and flying on top of the fill can get costly, very quickly depending on how the band wants to react on any given day. Keep up the great attitude you have, and wonderful weight loss. I just started to lose again and finally reached a level of restriction I can work with. Until next time, Teri :-h

[mommyrkr]

YEAH Michelle.

Guess all that starving yourself....only a couple of hundred calories was not what your body wanted. It needed food!!! Congrats on your weight loss and restriction. I am glad to hear that all went well in Arlington also. I think I will try that for my next fill, if I get one.

Becki

[PAMMIE]

THAT'S AWESOME MICHELLE!!! >

[Wilma]

Good luck Michelle,

Glad you're doing better, I did get your VM's and I've been following along here so I hope this will get you back on track. Why didn't you return to Dr. Neals for the refill? I was pretty impressed with their facility and equipment.

For others out there, it is definately a good idea to have a plan for these types of issues. My last fill in MX (Jan 12th) was very aggressive also and it took almost two weeks before I could get any solids down. I was worried and thinking about an unfill also, but stuck it out and I'm at a good level now. But I did know of a place to go if i needed to.

Roger

Hi Rogerf

I am from Bremerton Washington, I go to Dr. Ortiz March 2 for the lap Band. Do you know of any support groups in our area?

Wilma :-h

[cleo6666]

YES!

Please check out the Washington Bander link.

A group of us just met the Sunday before last in Tukwila at Bahama Breeze. Our first meeting in October we had 4 people and this time we had 6. It's so fun to meet and dicuss our journies, frustrations, discoveries, food challenges, etc. Oh and how can I forget?

Our NSV

That means a "non scale victory" I learned. I love the acronym (sp?) and it really motivated me. Don't get me wrong, a scale going down is always a victory for someone with weight issues, but it's nice to share stories, usually funny ones, and we are all supportive of eachother.

Two of the first four of us have lost a great deal of weight and they look amazing. Two of us have lower BMI's and we haven't dropped as much but we look "good". :-)

Keep in touch. In fact one of the new gals lives in Gig Harbor!

Your lapband buddy,

Michele

[mommyrkr]

Hi Rogerf

I am from Bremerton Washington, I go to Dr. Ortiz March 2 for the lap Band. Do you know of any support groups in our area?

Wilma :-h

Hey Wilma,

I am from Tacoma. I find this board to be a very good support group, and it is a lot of fun to meet some of these crazy gals in person. There are a lot of people from Washington being banded by Dr. Ortiz, and it is so nice to have the local support. I'll bet you are anxious/excited for your surgery date. I know I sure was.

Keep in touch, I'd love to hear more from you.

Becki

[Dolittle]

Hi Michele, You think you could share some of that info you got from the fill center? Like what the 10 important rules for band success and stuff like that. Thanks, Dave