peachpit

2bthinagn made a good point...note what you ate when you get the pains...

This is why my doctor does the subclavian ports (just below the left clavicle where the bra strap meets the cup) and is training doctors to do the same.

I was miserable from after the surgery from the gas that's used in the abdomen. I have a subclavian port (right above my left boob where your bra cup meets the strap...just the way my doctor likes to put them) and the gas that the body absorbs takes a while in some individuals. It hurt me all the way up to my left shoulder. Also, when I get too full, I hurt in my shoulder, neck, and lower back??? Weird but as bad as it makes me feel, I totally stop when I start feeling the slightest bit full. After being banded, I had to take it easy on the items that contain a lot of citric acid such as Orange juice, V8, propell, etc....they upset my stomach and still do to a certain degree. A lot of reflux problems are caused by over production of stomach acid, and since you are just out from surgery, this may be your problem...I had the same thing happen and if I go too long between meals, I still have that issue. Ask for some nexium from your doctor...or for the cheaper route try the Sam's club or walmart version of Zantac. Good luck!

Hello! New here...but wanted to respond about the tips for erosion, slippage, reflux, etc. The main point is to get a comfortable fill. One that is not too tight, but jusssttt right! I am at a good point right now with no reflux or heartburn, or that overly full feeling after a meal. I recently had a filler'er up after a seriously life threatening overfill that occured last year. I had slippage after I was over filled and couldn't get back to the doctor for a week. (My doctor was 4 hours away and the local doctor wouldn't see me bc he didn't do the surgery). With 5 days of constant vomitting and ZERO Fluid intake for that time period I was hospitalized for massive dehydration. I couldn't get down 5ccs of fluids without them coming back up. I lost 16lbs of fluids in 5 days. They had to give me fluids to get blood work drawn. That whole ordeal of vomiting cost me my pouch. My stomach slipped and now my pouch is larger than it should be. My band works but I this past year I started to gain weight at a rapid amount with no change in my diet. Well, my thyroid was checked and whaddya know...I am now hypothyroid AND trying to get that managed. I feel like I have been double whammied! As far as changing our eating habits with the band, what's starting to work for me is that 6 week body makeover that's kind of like the Atkins plan. I am finally reaching for better food at each meal now that I have an appropriate fill that was much more conservative than what I have in the past. It has taken me 3 years since being banded to stop relying on the hard stop. People tell me that they are envious that I got the band for over eating. Only thing it doesn't fix is the psychological aspect of being banded. I really don't think I would do well not banded! LOL....