Slipped lap-band

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Hi everyone! Dana here, with my four year update!

Get ready...it's a long one. February 1, 2006 I received my band in Mexicalli,

with Dr. A. I reached and then passed my goal of 140 and have lived at a

comfortable 133-138 for the past 3.5 years. Last summer, I had a kidney

stones..and vomited from the pain. I spent 4 days in the hospital. This past

November, I had a severe kidney infection, pain and again violent vomiting. This

time, the band slipped! I spent 5 days in the hospital, IV's only and dropped

14lbs, down to 124lbs.

I struggled through December trying to gain it back...I saw my bariatric surgeon

here in land on Jan 6th and had only gained 3 lbs back(127lbs). I started

having days that I could eat a turkey sandwich at 7am..and then days I could

hardly drink, I was depending more & more on Ensures. I called my doc January

27th, he was on vacation..so I left a message for him to call me February 1st

when he was due to return. That Monday, Feb 1st, he called me and I told him I

was still losing weight, and was feeling really fatigued. I was admitted that

evening to St. Agnes Hosp. in Baltimore. I weighed 118. Four years to the day..I

was having my lap-band repositioned! The next morning I had surgery and

everything went well, he was able to save my band and put it in the optimal

position! I was so happy! But, I didn't recover as well as the first time. I can

into this surgery sickly and frail, dehydrated, malnurished and anemic. I spent

5 days trying to recover, and they sent me home..as a big snow storm was coming

that Fri night. I did ok that night and most of Sat, but I started having

trouble keeping liquids down Sat night. Sunday morning came, and I was just a

mess! Shaky, and sick..my husband called the doc...then helped me to the

bathroom. I was so shocked to see the scale reading 110lbs..It scared me! The

doc called back, and off we went in the snow storm back to St Agnes!

I was admitted again, IV's and TPN (or liquid nutrition) were started. By

Tues/Wed I was feeling so much better, stronger from the TPN. I was eating

puree' up til then, and not much of it so they finally let me try real food! I

ate a little of M. Potatoes, then turkey..finally by Saturday I was eating about

1/3 of the tray.

I came home for good 2/13. I weighed 113 when I left the hospital.

I kept the TPN going until March 2nd when my home health nurse finally came to

take it out! 24 days of artificial nutrition gave me the jump start I needed

after all that! I gained 20lbs in 24 days..never thought I'd be happy to say

that, But I sure am!! p.s....no water in this band for quite a while. :-)