JACKIEO85

Hi All, Last Sunday I experienced a sharp pain in my chest. I suspect its band related because I've been to the ER twice and EKGs are normal and I have no other symptoms of heart problems...vitals all great etc... Whew, that's a relief.. I was originally banded 12/05/06 in NE. I moved to FL 3yrs ago and have had a terrible time finding a lapband DR that would take me, :(unfortuanely this is very common if they did it would cost $400 out of pocket, which I just don't have. I have, however, made an appt with my Dr that installed the lapband since I will be visiting NE on vacation. With all that said I have 10 more days to wait until I find out whats going on and this is driving me to anxiety/panic attacks. Completely understandable..Has any vet had this issue before? It feels like short sharp pinching pains, shortly after I hear/feel a lot of gurling noises like I did after my band surgery. The nurse that scheduled my appt tried to reassure me that if I was not throwing up and not having problems getting food down then I will most likely be ok until the appointment. I have read up a bit on this and wonder if it could be gas related?? ​Very possible...BUT...it can also be a pouch enlargement, or erosion and I'm NOT saying this to scare you because it might also be something unrelated. LOOK at my Signature line and click on LB complications and see if any of this "might" apply. FYI: most complications are diagnosed with Fluroscopy,Endoscopy, Upper GI's, just so that you are aware. I hope you get resolution SOON!!

Well My Pre-op was low fat/sugar/ Liquid all day and 1 MEAL under 300 calories, the purpose was to shrink the liver so that it isn't in the way when surgery is performed. My Doc. simple said: if it's not shrunk I won't do your Surgery. Eating less isn't going to make a difference, you will lose more weight which is a good thing I did use the isopure protein water which I didn't find as sweet as the other protein drinks and they have O carb, sugar free 60 Calories ( I didn't like the sugar sub. aftertaste) BUT it's tolerable and Isopure PLUS with 190 Calories. http://www.amazon.com/Isopure-Protein-Alpine-6-Count-Bottles/dp/B001M0NJOQ/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1369007588&sr=8-7&keywords=isopure Hope this helps Jackie<<<<< Who doesn't know it all

1. In the hospital, how many people will be in the operating room? Can my mom be there with me She can be in the Pre-op room then they usually tell family members to go wait in the Out patient waiting area. 2. When I'm "put under" is there a chance that I could wake up and feel something? HIGHLY Unlikely... I've been operated on soooo many times at least 10 and #11 THIS Tues for ulnar nerver neuropathy release surgery...UGH 3. What do I wear when I have the surgery? Can I just wear regular clothes and just lift my shirt up a bit Wear comfortable, easy on /off clothing, I didn't even bother with a bra. 4. How does it feel to "wake up" after being put under Your pretty drowsy, you go in and out of sleep mode easily, I woke up to eat ice chips and fell back to sleep, but your conscious enough to get to the wheelchair to go home. 5. Is it hard to walk to the car after the surgery No, but Hospital policy is to take a wheelchair 6. What if the pain pills are too big? most surgeons use LIQUID pain meds, if not suggest it 7. I heard that the medicine they give you for the surgery cause vomiting It can make you Nauseous but either way they will give you meds to quell nausea, (vomiting which is rare) but I heard that vomiting while still in recovering can cause the lap band to slip ​ Normally this isn't a concern until after recovery.. and weeks post-op. I experienced violent vomiting due to food poisoning years after being banded and I didn't slip (not that it Can't happen) but it's NOT as prevalent as it used to be because of the surgical technique used. Well, okay, that's only 7 questions, but I'm sure I'll have more. Thank you in advance to anyone who can shed some light on these questions and alleviate some of my fears. No problem... good luck and keep the questions coming....

I've progressed from 304 lbs. to 275.2 lbs, or -28.2 lbs., which seems great to me.AWESOME!! and congratulations on your WL so far... BTW, haven't had first fill. My energy is good and so is my mood. Ok, now my questions: 1. I am on mushy right now and can go to solid food, but am a little fearful about doing so. Protein shakes and mushy foods seem so easy to control, and I don't want to revert to bad binge-y habits (though I have absolutely no desire to do so right now) Is this fear/anxiety normal FEAR is a good thing or at least it was for me...and eventually YOU WILL get tired of liquids. Enjoy your progress.It's pretty mild but real. 2. To get enough liquids between my meals seems like I'm always timing them and then trying to fit enough in Why are you trying trying so hard with your liquids? are you referring to just getting in Water? On average a water bottle holds 16.9 ounces (store bought) and 5 of those a day is ample water intake( to avoid dehydration). 3. Hardest part of this whole process has been managing my pills from other stuff, downsizing all of them to pretty small, and taking more of them I never had much luck with Large pills anything larger 1/4 in in diameter gave me problems (got stuck) But my Doc always said to crush them or cut them in half(some meds, not meant to be cut) 11 days til the first saline.​GOOD LUCK on your Journey ..it seems like you have a great attitude !!

Readhead go to the top of the page, Click on your name and a drop down list will show and it says: MY TICKERS, click on it, then on the next page to the far right it will say CREATE NEW TICKER, click on it and then go from there....anymore questions feel free to message me .

Not-Quite-Everything you Need to Know about Lap-Bands Diana Zuckerman, Ph.D. May 2013 When the governor of New Jersey, Chris Christie, admitted in May 2013 that he got gastric Lap-Band surgery, many pundits assumed it was because he plans to run for president. But the choice raised questions about the governor’s judgment. Why would he chose a weight loss strategy that has become so unpopular that the major manufacturer of lap bands, Allergan, no longer wants to make them?[1] Most weight loss strategies don’t work for most people – usually they lose weight and then gain it back, and that can make it harder to lose again. But it is important to keep trying, because obesity can kill people by increasing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and even some kinds of cancer. Lap-Bands help many people lose weight rather dramatically – some lose 50-100 pounds in the first 6 months or year. Unfortunately, Lap-Bands are often not a lasting solution to obesity. For example, an obese woman with high blood pressure will see her blood pressure go down in the first years after surgery, but will increase if she gains weight back after that. Even more controversial than the use of Lap-Bands to treat life-threatening obesity if the use for people who are not extremely overweight. The American Heart Association advises “bariatric surgery should be reserved for patients who have severe obesity” and only when medical therapy has failed and surgery is a safe option.[2] The FDA came to a different conclusion, and they approved lap-bands for people who are only slightly obese (with a BMI as low as 30) if the person has a serious health problem caused by their weight. If you’re thinking about getting a Lap-Band, here’s the information that can help you decide. Q: What is a Lap-Band? A: A Lap-Band is a silicone band around your stomach that reduces the room for food so that you feel full after eating very small amounts. If you eat too much, especially too much of certain kinds of food, you will feel nauseous or will vomit. That will discourage your from overeating and help you lose weight. It is a less complicated surgery than gastric bypass surgery, but most people with Lap-Bands don’t lose as much weight as patients undergoing gastric bypass. Also, Lap-Bands are reversible, and gastric bypass is not. Q: Whatever diet I use, I can’t keep my weight off. Will a Lap-Band help me lose weight and keep it off? A: Most people with Lap-Bands lose weight during the first year. Surprisingly few people continue to lose weight after that, despite the small amounts of food they can comfortably eat. After a year, people who have Lap-Bands usually stabilize at their new weight, or start gaining weight again. Some gain and lose weight just like they did when they were on different diets. Despite how difficult it is to eat solid food, many people don’t lose weight with a Lap-Band. Approximately one-third of the people with Lap-Bands have them removed and not replaced within 1-5 years. Q: If a Lap-Band makes it impossible to eat a large amount of food, how is it possible that some people don’t lose weight with a Lap-Band? A: There are fattening foods that people can eat large quantities of even with a Lap-Band, such as ice cream and liquids. If you enjoy ice cream, drink many high-calorie beverages, or eat small meals all day long, it is possible to not lose weight or not lose much weight. In fact, a company that makes Lap-Bands, Allergan, found in their research that some patients actually gained weight! Q: Can a Lap-Band be dangerous? Can it kill you? A: All surgery has risks, including Lap-Band surgery. Almost all patients will survive Lap-Band surgery, but the risks increase after surgery. We know that patients have died as a result of Lap-Bands, including some patients who were not so overweight that their obesity would have killed them. We don’t know how often that happens, but it is important for patients and their families to understand that there are serious risks that may be greater than the likely benefits for patients who are not dangerously obese. One of the risks of Lap-Bands is that weight loss after surgery can increase the risk of sudden death from cardiac arrhythmias. Research shows that the Lap-Band can deteriorate or causes a perforation in the gastro-intestinal tract, where acids and fecal matter can leak into the abdomen. Researchers at the European School of Laparoscopic Surgery found that more than one-fourth of Lap-Band patients had experienced band deterioration within 12 years.[3] It can take less than 30 minutes of surgery to get a Lap-Band, but patients can end up undergoing emergency surgery and staying in the hospital for days when something goes wrong. Lap-Bands do not last forever, so even if the patient has a good experience with a Lap-Band, eventually it will wear out and need to be removed (and replaced, if the patient wants it to be). The European School of Laparoscopic Surgery study followed Lap-Band patients for 12 years and found that half had their bands removed within that period of time.[3] Each additional surgery, whether to take a band out or replace it, is an added risk. Q: Why do people have their Lap-Bands removed? A: Some people never lose weight from a Lap-Band, so they get the Lap-Band removed a few months after it’s put in. Some have terrible side effects, such as nausea, vomiting, or perforation of the gastro-intestinal tract, mentioned above. In some cases the Lap-Band slips off or starts to deteriorate, requiring surgery, and the patient decides to remove the Lap-Band and not take that risk again. Lap-Bands can deteriorate after just a year or two, or possibly a few years later. These are some of the other reasons why people have their Lap-Bands removed. Some people just get tired of their Lap-Bands because they don’t like to have such draconian limits on what they can eat. They long to have a sandwich or a small bowl of Pasta, or to eat a regular meal with their family or friends. As long as you’re losing weight, the restrictions may be tolerable for many people, but may not seem worth it if you haven’t lost any weight in months or even years. Q: What are the health benefits of a Lap-Band? A: If a person who is overweight has the willpower to eat only the small amounts of food needed to feel full, a Lap-Band can help him or her lose weight and keep it off. How often does that happen? Most people who are obese don’t eat only when they are hungry, they eat for other reasons. There are no studies to tell us how long the average obese person will keep a Lap-Band, but we know that many patients have their Lap-Bands removed. The latest research shows that two-thirds of very obese people with Lap-Bands needed additional surgery over the next decade and almost half had their Lap-Bands removed because of complications. That doesn’t include people who had their Lap-Bands removed because they were ineffective or because the patients didn’t like them. Would less obese people do any better? On the contrary, it seems logical that a very obese person will be more motivated to keep their Lap-Band because they are more thrilled about losing 60-100 pounds than a slightly obese person will be about losing 30 pounds. We need better research to find out what the real benefits are. Here’s a good research study that someone should do: find 200 average height women who are 30 pounds overweight at the age of 25 and who want Lap-Bands. Then find 200 of the same height and weight who choose other types of dieting instead. Ten years later, how healthy are the women who had Lap-Bands compared to those that didn’t – and how much do the women weigh in each group? Q: How much does Lap-Band surgery cost? How much does it cost to remove a Lap-Band? A: It usually costs between $15,000-$30,000 to put in a Lap-Band. If there are complications, removal will cost at least that much and possibly much more. If you are considering a Lap-Band, find out if your health insurance will pay for the surgery and be sure to find out if it will pay to have the Lap-Band removed. Many insurance companies will only pay for one Lap-Band surgery, so they will pay to put it in, but not to take it out. Remember that Lap-Bands do not last forever, and we don’t know exactly how long they usually last. Some last just a year or two, and we estimate that most will not last more than 10 years even in the most ideal circumstances. Q: I’ve seen ads that say a Lap-Band can save your life. Can they say that if it isn’t true? A: It is possible that a Lap-Band could save a person’s life. That doesn’t mean it can save your life, and it doesn’t mean it will save the lives of most people who get them. It may not even improve the health of most people who get them. Ads by doctors are usually not regulated to ensure “truth in advertising.” Q: Lap-Bands have been sold in the U.S. for almost 10 years and in other countries for 15 years. Why are there no studies of people who have had Lap-Bands for 10 years? A: Some people think the companies that make Lap-Bands haven’t done the studies because they are concerned that the results won’t be good for sales. All we can say is that the companies haven’t published any studies, and the companies say that they have not done the studies. Q: What happens when Lap-Bands deteriorate? Will aging Lap-Bands cause even more serious health problems? A: A Lap-Band that deteriorates can kill or seriously harm a patient if it is not removed. We don’t know how long most Lap-Bands will last in the human body before they deteriorate and that is why the FDA is requiring Allergan to do studies to answer those questions. However, the FDA says Allergan can sell Lap-Bands to people who are only slightly obese even before those studies are started. Q: What is the scientific evidence that Lap-Bands are safe and effective? Allergan, one of the companies that makes Lap-Bands, provided two studies to the FDA. One is a 3-year study of about 178 patients from the ages of 18 to 55, with the original BMI criteria of 35 or higher. Those people were dangerously obese. The second study has only 149 patients from the new target weight group, who were slightly obese (BMI of at least 30) with weight-related health problems. All the patients were 18 to 55 years old and none had diabetes. They were all studied for only one or two years. Q: Isn’t 149 people a rather small study? Did the studies include men and women and different racial and ethnic groups? A. Yes, 149 people is a small study, and the study included only 14 men, 14 African Americans, and 16 Hispanics. There were even fewer Asians and Native Americans. The men had less success with the Lap-Band than women. We need better research to determine whether men don’t do as well when researchers control for confounding variables such as weight and illnesses. We need to study more African Americans and Hispanics to know if it is safe and effective for them. Q: Why was the new study only one year long? A: As stated above, one has to wonder if the company was concerned that a longer study would not have favorable results. That still leaves us wondering why the FDA did not require a study that lasted at least 3 years. Obviously, a one- or two-year study is too short-term to determine long-term safety. Implanted devices often work well for a few years, and then problems arise. Since Lap-Bands have been sold in the U.S. for almost 10 years, the company should have studied them for at least 5-8 years. Q: Are Lap-Bands especially risky for some people? A: In the study conducted by Allergan, none of the patients had a personal history or family history of autoimmune. That’s because of concerns that the implant could exacerbate autoimmune problems. For that reason, Lap-Bands should not be approved by the FDA for patients with a personal history or family history of autoimmune disease. Allergan proposed a “caution“-not a warning-for patients with autoimmune diseases or symptoms, and did NOT mention a family history of those conditions. That is risky, since the company intentionally did not study patients with either a family history or personal history of autoimmune disease because of concerns about the dangers. We don’t know if the FDA will require a warning for autoimmune patients and those who have family members with autoimmune diseases, but they should. We know that some doctors don’t know that Lap-Bands were not studied in patients with autoimmune disease, and don’t know that the company has cautioned against their use for those patients. As a result, some patients get very ill. Jessica Resas is one such patient, living in Texas. Jessica had an autoimmune disease and her sister had lupus when Jessica got her Lap-Band. She lost more than 100 pounds, but says she has never felt so sick as she does now. In a letter, she asked, “Please advise me of what I need to do to verify if my issues are due to a reaction to the Lap-Band, and if I remove it will the symptoms disappear? …I don’t want to become debilitated to the point that I can’t work or function. I have a 70-year old mother to look after.” Jessica’s autoimmune symptoms might be caused by her Lap-Band, or might not be, but we need research to find out for sure. If studying Lap-Bands on people with Jessica’s autoimmune history is too risky, then it is also too risky for doctors to put Lap-Bands in people with that autoimmune history. Q: Is there any reason to think Lap-Bands are less safe for African American or Hispanic women? A: African American women and Hispanic women are especially vulnerable to lupus and several other autoimmune diseases. There are also other racial and ethnic differences that could influence safety. Is the Lap-Band safe for them? We can’t answer that question because so few were studied. However, we think the risks are likely to be greater than the benefits for African American and Hispanic women because they are more likely to have autoimmune symptoms or diseases. Q: Should I get a Lap-Band? A: Are you addicted to eating? If so, a Lap-Band is probably not going to help you lose weight. Do you love ice cream or fattening drinks? If so, a Lap-Band is probably not going to be effective in helping you lose weight. Do you have auto-immune symptoms or family members with an auto-immune disease such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS, or scleroderma? If so, the risks of a Lap-Band are higher for you. Does your insurance cover additional surgery if the Lap-Band doesn’t work out? If it does, are you sure your insurance will be as generous a few years from now, when you are most likely to need additional surgery? If insurance or tight finances might be a problem for you, you should probably not undergo Lap-Band surgery at this time. Think about all the eating restrictions with a Lap-Band: no more regular size meals. (We don’t mean no more Thanksgiving dinners, we mean no more dinners that are one-third the size of a Thanksgiving dinner). No more pasta dinners – maybe four noodles will be ok, but not more. Before choosing a life of those types of restrictions, make at least one more serious effort to improve your diet and exercise habits, and see if you can lose weight without surgery. After you have made that effort, if you are still obese, check out what the latest research shows about Lap-Bands and talk to your doctor about your options. After you read this article, think about how you feel about your life. What risks are you willing to take to lose weight for what might be only a year or two? If you are dangerously obese or extremely unhappy with your weight, the risks might be worth it, but this should not be a quick decision. You might want to wait a year or more until better research has been done, to figure out how effective Lap-Bands are and if some types of gastric bands are safer than others. http://center4resear...bout-lap-bands/

cottage cheese, yogurt,eggs,soy milk,

You've just had surgery, and you're on your way! This stage starts right after surgery and generally lasts about four weeks, although you should expect to be able to return to work in a week or two(unless your job requires greater than average physical activity, in which case your surgeon will tell you how long a recovery time you're likely to need). In this stage, you are recovering from surgery, and learning how to eat all over again. Be sure you understand all of your doctors instructions and have those instruction is writing to refer to over and over again. You will be on strict orders about what you can eat and drink. You will be progressing from clear liquids, to full liquids, to soft or "mushy" foods, and finally to solids AS PRESCRIBED BY YOUR SURGEON. Most of us experience a profound absence of hunger right after surgery. Remember this feeling; it may seem completely new to you. As you heal, a sense of hunger will return. As much as you know this, and may not want to hear it, the recovery phase is not about weight loss; it is about healing. Most of us experience a wide range of emotions from excitement, to buyer's remorse.

I personally used Protein Water http://www.amazon.co...ro carb protein Weeks 1 – 2: Full liquids • Consume liquids that are thin enough to drink through a straw, but don’t use a straw! Drink the liquids in small sips. • Include protein supplements (shakes, drinks, etc.) daily to make sure you meet your protein requirements. • Look for sugar-free alternatives to liquids since it is easy to consume too many calories through liquids alone. • Full liquids keep your stomach from working too hard by decreasing pressure on the band. This will prevent any vomiting in the immediate post-surgical period. 1% or skim milk Soy milk fortified with Calcium and Vitamin D Strained, thinned cream Soups or tomato Soup 100% fruit juice – apple, white grape have lower acidity Tea – hot or cold Hot chocolate coffee broth Sugar-free Carnation Instant Breakfast Remember: no carbonated liquids! http://www.siumed.edu/surgery/bariatric/files/lapband_diet.pdf

I've heard this as well.. The only things I have found is this : Allergan intentionally did not study patients with either a family history or personal history of autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, MS or scleroderma, because of concerns about the dangers for those patients. We don’t know if FDA will require a warning for autoimmune patients and those with family members with autoimmune diseases, but they should. If the risk was too high to study Lap-Bands for those patients, it’s too high to sell Lap-Bands to those patients. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/what-you-need-know-about-lap-band-surgery?page=5 Here is a link to a similar thread http://www.lapbandtalk.com/topic/122498-rheumatoid-arthritis-lap-band-surgery/

HI Eve I'm curious, seeing as your port was infected for 2 months how can they be sure that nothing else is wrong? You mentioned and X-ray, but that doesn't show underneath the band where it's normally sutured. Did they do endoscopy, or Gastroscopy? It worries me that your port has been removed but your still experiencing pain in the abdomen/stomach. It is normal for them to remove the port and just tie off the tubing (standard protocol) to allow healing. Were you experiencing any loss of restriction prior ? A good person to talk to would be lellow http://www.lapbandtalk.com/user/242962-lellow/ above is the direct link to her profile she has had numerous problems with port infection, leakage, etc. But has been successful with her band even with the problems. GOOD LUCK and please keep us posted ~~

IF this is your FIRST FILL? it's NORMAL... you don't usually have any restriction, with the exception of the band being around your stomach. It's best not to Rush a FILL, eat something low fat, cal, Protein...even if it means going over your caloric intake for the day. Problem I always had with fills was that once I had one I felt restriction, then eventually as weeks passed I would be able to consume more INITIALLY..but eventually that too will subside, that is what people refer to as THE SWEET SPOT.You get a fill and your able to eat your protein/meal and your satisfied for 4-5 hrs, until your next meal. Try to differentiate between HEAD HUNGER and REAL HUNGER. Do something else if you can when this feeling hits, walk, read, whatever it takes.

Just curious for those of you In Arizona who is your Surgeon?

Unfortunately NO WLS is a "Magic Pancea" IT's allot of work and doesn't happen overnight. BUT..problems do occur, months, weeks, years out I work in the OR and have seen quite a few patients converting due to the band no longer helping, erosion, and slippage. So your seeing some of the complications banders face, these are only a few.. I have had 3 complete unfills and I am scheduled for a fill on Wednesday May 22 as I have nothing in my band right now. I have had unfills due to heartburn, a pill getting stuck, and inability to keep down solids. Have you had any tests ? I'm adding a link to LB complications http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/ In both types of slip, the patient usually presents with dysphagia, vomiting, regurgitation and food intolerance. The diagnosis is made by upper gastrointestinal series.

GOOD LUCK ON YOUR JOURNEY!!! I have heard, read more and more as of late that more surgeons are refusing to do the bands, WHY? maybe because of the increased rate of complications? Maybe because ethically they feel doing a band and then having to revise a patient to a sleeve, bypass, or RNY isn't something they want to deal with? MAY BE they know more than they are telling US the general population. Your guess is as good as mine, maybe ask your surgeon WHY? he's pushing the sleeve. I do know I'd ask him how many Bands, Sleeves he's performed, it's a good indication of his experience with either operation.

Laparoscopy is a highly sophisticated technique and it involves use of either a telescopic rod lens, which is further connected to a video camera, or a digital laparoscope. Shoulder pain that erupts after laparoscopic surgery is observed due to rise in carbon dioxide in the abdomen which further exerts pressure on the phrenic nerve. Link Between Laparoscopic Surgery and Shoulder Pain Understanding the Surgical Method The reason behind occurrence of shoulder pain will be clear when you understand the surgical process. The following steps are performed before making the incision.: The operative field is illuminated with the help of a Fiber optic cable system which is further connected to a cold light source, like xenon or halogen. The laparoscope is then inserted through the incision (0.5-1.5 cm). The abdomen is inflated with carbon dioxide gas in order to increase the surface area. This creates a dome like elevated structure for a better view of the organs. The area of abdominal wall is also increased by insufflation with carbon dioxide gas. Post laparoscopy shoulder pain is associated with insertion of carbon dioxide gas during gallbladder surgery or gastric bypass surgery. Occurrence of Pain The diaphragm of the shoulder is connected to the abdomen and other organs of the body via the phrenic nerve. The phrenic nerve arises from the cervical spine roots on the neck, at the 3rd, 4th and 5th position. Carbon dioxide exerts tremendous pressure on the phrenic nerve due to which a sharp pain is felt in the shoulder and its surrounding region. # The reason behind shoulder pain after laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure is the same. Such type of pain is known as gas pain, which is experienced due to retention of carbon dioxide in the abdomen. The pain is felt initially underneath the abdomen and then it moves up to the shoulder. The pain although is transient in most cases, can appear after several months of the surgery. # The other reason behind shoulder pain following a laparoscopic surgery is due to the lap-band technique. In this surgery a laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is used for the purpose of losing weight. The band is attached to an inflatable internal balloon placed just below the esophagus for the purpose of reducing the quantity of food consumed. The person starts feeling full after consuming small meals. Although the technique is effective in reducing weight, shoulder pain is the initial side effect. It is because the new stomach capacity leads to minor stretching problems in the abdomen. Chest pain and shoulder pain arise due to abdominal queasiness after lap-band surgery. Dealing with Shoulder Pain Shoulder pain is usually a common side effect of laparoscopy surgery. The pain gradually disappears after 2 or 3 days. During that period, doctors advice consumption of warm drinks and lemon tea. The pain can be alleviated with ginger ale, peppermint tea and carrot juice. If the pain aggravates, doctors prescribe anti-gas pills or pain killers. Some common shoulder exercises also help to reduce the pain. Now that you know the reasons behind shoulder pain post a laparoscopic surgery, you should not worry on this. It lingers just for a few days and then disappears gradually. Follow your doctor's advice to recover quickly. A point to remember is that IF this pain continues long term, it's not "just gas pain" LONG -TERM Left shoulder pain is from Irritation to the Diaphragm the Diaphragm doesn't feel pain it only refers pain TO THE LEFT SHOULDER. This is nerve pain, it CAN and DOES take time to resolve, BUT you have to have the band removed to resolve the pain and prevent more lasting damage.

3 Votes from me.. GOOD LUCK ~~~~~~~~

Why,? was the Fluid removed? were you too tight? were you having issues with Reflux? Unfortunately this happens allot..... I've included a LINK for a pouch enlargement Hopefully it helps. Pouch enlargement Pouch enlargement (type-III prolapse) is diagnosed when dilation of the proximal gastric pouch is present with or without change in the angle of the band and in the absence of signs of obstruction. The lower esophagus may or may not be dilated. Pouch enlargement is a pressure-related phenomenon that may be surgically induced by band over inflation or overeating with resulting high pressure in the pouch. Symptoms of pouch enlargement include lack of satiety, heartburn, regurgitation and occasional chest pain. The diagnosis is made with an upper gastrointestinal series. Nonoperative treatment includes complete band deflation, low-calorie diet, re-enforcement of portion size and follow-up contrast study in 4–6 weeks. If the band position and the pouch size return to normal, then the band can be incrementally reinflated. A study by Moser and colleagues demonstrated that this conservative approach to pouch enlargement was successful in up to 77% of patients. Conservative treatment is considered unsuccessful when the pouch fails to recover its original size after 8–10 weeks. In this circumstance, surgical treatment with either band removal or replacement is indicated. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3038361/

POST-OP LAP BAND DIET The Lap Band reduces the size of the stomach and dramatically decreases the amount of food needed to reach satiety or fullness. Fluid: • Adequate fluid intake is crucial to prevent dehydration. • Drink at least 64 ounces (8 cups) of sugar-free, non-carbonated fluid daily. • Absolutely no carbonated beverages. • Do not use a straw when drinking your fluids. General Guidelines The first band adjustment usually occurs approximately 6 weeks after your surgery. Follow the guidelines below for best results. 1. DO NOT EAT AND DRINK AT THE SAME TIME ! ! Wait 30 minutes after meals to begin drinking fluids. Stop drinking 30 minutes before your planned meal. 2. For the first six weeks, use a protein supplement (shakes, drinks, etc.) along with your diet. 3. Eat only three meals daily once solids have been added to your diet. 4. Avoid foods that are difficult to digest: nuts, tough meat, celery, etc. 5. Avoid doughy or sticky foods: soft white bread, peanut butter, dried fruits. 6. Chew all food to a pureed texture. 7. Eat slowly taking 20 to 30 minutes to eat your meal. 8. Sip only low calorie beverage between meals. 9. Take your multivitamin every day. 10.Do not snack! Weeks 1 – 2: Full Liquids • Consume liquids that are thin enough to drink through a straw, but don’t use a straw! Drink the liquids in small sips. • Include protein supplements (shakes, drinks, etc.) daily to make sure you meet your protein requirements. • Look for sugar-free alternatives to liquids since it is easy to consume too many calories through liquids alone. • Full liquids keep your stomach from working too hard by decreasing pressure on the band. This will prevent any vomiting in the immediate post-surgical period. http://www.siumed.edu/surgery/bariatric/files/lapband_diet.pdf

Water isn't the issue Dehydration and Satiety is .........I've been a water drinker all my life, I dislike Milk and juices so it's nothing for me to drink 85-100+ ounces of water daily. BUT,,, with the Band as stated were not supposed to drink anything before or after due to food passing from your "Band pouch" into your stomach faster Hence, losing Satiety faster, making you hungry faster and defeating the purpose of the band.

SHARING IS GOOD, as is Venting Otherwise I heard you'll explode And I have to agree 100% can I ask what Gym you go to? I wanna avoid that one :ph34r:

No, age doesn't always seem to play into weight loss with the band. What seems to matter MORE is following the "RULES" A good example is Why do some lose allot and other's lose close to nothing? everyone's body is different, we all face different metabolic issues, hypertension, Thyroid issues, diabetes,Poly cystic ovary higher BMI, you name it, it's going to slow the WL progression. And don't forget the Mental health issues or the Medications that are needed to HELP with all the above issues. *SIGH* Now I've managed to depress myself thinking about all the obstacles...lol But, yes 1-2 lbs a week is a good goal, it's a healthier way to go about losing , if your losing more CONGRATS!! GOOD LUCK with your Journey~~~

It's an Honest Question, WE all are anxiously awaiting the weight to "fall-off" But the reality is that We didn't gain over night it's not falling off overnight. The Purpose of a Fill is to provide RESTRICTION,. It doesn't tell your head or your stomach YOUR FULL If your doctor is doing Fills at a rapid pace BEWARE pouch enlargement can happen and Does. If your Tight or Over eating and the food doesn't have anywhere to go it can and does sit at the Esophageal junction where the band is placed, this can and does lead to issues with the esophagus and motility issues (imagine not being able to swallow) Need I say more? But if I can still eat, and swallow anything I want Don't I need a Fill? Depends, did you just have one? are you only weeks out of surgery? Did you fall off the wagon and hope this will be your motivation? Again, all valid questions If you just got a fill, nope more IS NOT always better. (sorry but were a society that wants instant gratification) if your only weeks out from surgery, your still healing, give your insides time to catch up with what just happened, Sorry but here is where MIND over HUNGER comes into play GET BUSY, EXERCISE, DRINK WATER ..lol (yes, we all feel like were floating away) Did you fall off the wagon? If yes, this is a good place to start but you also need to resolve in your mind WHY did I fall off? (not FAIL) I don't like that word, you didn't FAIL you were BRAVE and chose a WLS as a TOOL to help you get HEALTHIER SO it's going to take work, it's NOT EASY, if it was NONE of us would be here :ph34r: ~~ENJOY YOUR JOURNEY~~

The band is ALL Silicone and Thus is unaffected by and MRI. Sounds more like NO one wants to take responsibility for a simple answer...Gezzzzzzzzz and they call themselves the Professionals BUT....If you have any of these things like a Penile Implant Beware Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is very safe and most people can have the procedure, including pregnant women and babies. Medical devices However, the strong magnets that are used during MRI can interfere with certain medical devices that are implanted in the body. Therefore, an MRI scan may not be recommended if you have: a pacemaker: an electrical device that is used to control an irregular heartbeat an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD): a similar device to a pacemaker that uses electrical shocks to regulate heartbeats a nerve stimulator: an electrical implant that is used to treat long-term nerve pain a cochlea implant: a device that is similar to a hearing aid but is surgically implanted inside the ear a drug pump: used to treat long-term pain by delivering painkilling medication directly to an area of the body such as the lower back In some cases, it is safe for people with pacemakers and implanted defibrillators to have MRI scans if certain procedures are followed. Before the scan, a cardiologist (heart specialist) or another trained healthcare professional will need to make your pacemaker or defibrillator MRI-safe. They will also need to carefully monitor your heart rhythm during the procedure. However, in many situations this is not possible and alternatives to MRI may be necessary. MRI may also be unsuitable for people who have: brain aneurysm clips: small metal clips that are used to seal blood vessels in the brain that would otherwise be at risk of rupturing (bursting) metallic fragments in or near your eyes or blood vessels prosthetic (artificial) metal heart valves penile implants: used to treat erectile dysfunction(impotence) eye implants: such as small metal clips that are used to hold the retina in place It may be possible for you to have a scan even if you have brain aneurysm clips in place. This will need to be considered on an individual basis. You must tell the radiographer if you have an intrauterine device (IUD) fitted, although it is not likely to prevent you having an MRI scan. A IUD is a contraceptive device made of plastic or copper that fits inside the womb. If you're unsure whether or not you have metal fragments in your body, for example, from metalwork or welding, you will need to have an X-ray to confirm whether this is the case. MRI is usually suitable for people with: artificial joints, such as those who have had a hip replacement or knee replacement dental fillings and bridges tubal ligation clips, which are used in female sterilisation (an operation that permanently prevents a woman from being able to get pregnant) surgical clips or staples

A low attenuation lesion on a certain area of your liver just basically means there is something there it could be a scar or shadow. The low attenuation is a measurement. How strong it is. Low attenuation is good and usually not a concern. If it showed high than it is cause for concern. The mass can be a tumor (benign or malignant) or more likely a cyst. Cysts form and rupture on their own with their contents resorbed by the body on a regular basis. Unless you have risk factors (cirrhosis, one of the hepatitides=Inflammation of the liver, caused by infectious or toxic agents and characterized by jaundice, fever, liver enlargement, and abdominal pain.), most liver tumors are benign, quite common, and usually found incidentally in a scan looking for something else. It 's a good thing that they are doing more tests, better to find our Before banding than after. GOOD LUCK and keep us posted on your Journey