IWANTBANDED

Hello, I have this same post elsewhere on the forum and thought I'd try here. I was banded 2 years ago and I have this odd set of symtoms that have been bothering me for about 2 months now. The muscles in the backs of my thighs feel like they're tied in knots when I bend over. I have no history of back problems or arthritis. About a week or so later I woke up with a severe stiff neck to the point that I had to turn my body at my torso. My neck, collar bone, shoulders, shoulder blades [especially the left one] and my mid spine area are all very sore, almost bruised feeling. I went to a chiropractor about 6 times with no relief. It's now in my hip joints and shoulder 'sockets'. It hurts like heck to raise my arms [left especially]. I have to shuffle when I walk and I used to walk very quickly. I was in the hospital for 4 days this week and had scans of my neck and brain and a load of blood work and was told all came back OK. Has anyone that has been banded experienced anything like this? I go to the doc on Monday and he's thinking about doing a spinal tap! Could this all be from scar tissue? Thanks, Darlene

I called the band doc and got squeezed in today. I can't wait until next week. I'm telling him I want it out ASAP. I will let you all know what he says [andor does.]

Thanks Murpel, I'm doing research and it really looks like this maybe my band giving me all these symptoms. I'm going to see lap doc tues and tell him I want it out. If he doesn't agree, I'll fing someone who will. I can't and won't live like this! For 2 days I was getting severe spasmsshocks in my middle toes [left foot] that would make me scream and jump up and run. Scared the hell out of my daughter! It only lasted for a few seconds but I didn't know when they'd hit. Happened over 2 dozen times in 2 days, now gone [hopefully for good!] Felt like someone was trying to rip my toes off!!

I just got done reading ALOT of info on breast implants and silicone poisoning. I really don't know who to ask about this. I contacted lap-doc and asked if my band could be causing my problems and he said he didn't think so. I'll talk to my arthritis doc in a few weeks and I'll also get some of my blood tests results then. I have been telling the docs, family, band, neurologist, heart and arthritis that something's definetley wrong, this isn't ME, I never had any sort of problems like this. Thank you all for your support, up until now I've felt so lonely in this!!

Thank you for everything! I'm doing more reasearch, something's wrong, it's just finding out what it is.

Thanks for your reply. Just courious, were you diagnosed with Fibro before or after you were banded? I'm currently on steroids and they do help about 60% or so. Doc took about a dozen tubes of blood and xrays [still no word on those.] I don't know if they were looking for Epstein-Barr.

I just did some research on the silicone poisoning thing..... ALOT of my symptoms are the same as theirs!!! I wonder if the silicone in the band is causing all this!? I'm looking into it more. I wonder how many people are suffering like me and have no idea that their bands may be causing their problems. It's like having severe arthritis and gall bladder problems at the same time.

It seems like I heard something about that years ago. Those women , I think, were losing their hair and everything! I'm also wondering if my body's rejecting the band [or material it's made of] the only thing is, I wonder why it took 2 years to start rejecting it? Like you said... I've been doing ALOT of thinking and the band is the only thing that seems could be causing this. Hopefully I'll find out soon. Thanks Murpel

I just know I can't live like this. I gained the 40lbs back I lost so the band's not helping me anyway. Before the steroids I could barely move. Getting out of a chair took alot of effort. With the roids it decreased the pain by like 60%. I still hurt bad, but I can get around a little easier. I'll know more after I talk to doc on Tues. Thanks for your reply, I appreciate it. Darlene

Hello, I was banded March '08 and I started having joint and muscle pain that came on slowly since Feb of this year. Doc's have tested me out the butt and no answers. I'm wondering if this can be caused from the band? My port area is slightly tender, has been the entire time. [Had the band emptied about 1 month ago.] I'm now on steroids so I can move. I've been nauseated for about 2 months now [no puking] so Doc tested gall bladder and all's well. Also had the camara-down-the-throat test and no erosion. I even had a spinal tap done!! It also came back fine. Could I some how be rejecting this band? My body is attcking my muscles and joints because of this band??!! I called lap doc and told him that I want it removed ASAP. I go this Tues. for a check and I'm telling him I want it out. Is anyone else experiencing similar problems? Neck and severe shoulder pain, deep in the joint and on the surface. Chest pain up to collar bone. Lower back and hip pain, also deep and surface. Knee and the bones in the feet hurting. It's awful!! Did you have any joint or muscle pain bullpen87?

Doc called to tell me that I don't have RA which is great but what the hell's ailing me?????

I didn't mean for it to sound like it did, I didn't think you doubted me. I never heard of it either, I Googled it to get a little info. Thanks for the thread, I'll check it out. Doc did the nerve conduction test and said it was fine. Next is the lumbar puncture, but I'm puting it off as long as I can. I would like to get my band checked out but can't afford the trip right now. {Self pay- out west.} Thanks for all the tips, I do appreciate it! :thumbup:

[There is a fungal meningitis, it is uncommon and isn't deadly like the bacterial form.] I went to the neuro this morning and I have to go back this afternoon for a nerve conduction test. They still want me to have the lumbar puncture though... that will be a last resort. They took more blood to check for arthritis, but all my other blood work came back fine. I spoke to them about the possibility of scar tissue from my lap band and she didn't seem to think it could be it but she said that the only way to tell is by doing another laproscopic surgery to look around. All I know is that there is something wrong and I hope that this isn't going to continue. Thanks everyone, I'll keep you updated. Darlene

It is mostly my left side, especially my arm/shoulder/neck area. My muscles in the backs of my thighs are a mystery though?? When this all started I noticed the muscles from right below my butt cheeks to my knees felt really tight/stiff when I'd bend over. My lower back and hips just recently started to hurt. Doc mentioned something [now I might be wrong] but I thought he said 'fungal meningitis'[?] It's different than bacterial meningitis and that's why he mentioned a spinal tap. UUUUGGGGHHHH! I feel this pain 24/7 but it does ease a little a day or two then hits me again hard.

Thank you to everyone for your replies, I really appreciate it! I go to the neurologist[?] tomorrow so hopefully I can get some answers [without the spinal tap!] I was really hurting yesterday, but it has eased a little today. I had to get some groceries and it about killed me getting in the truck.... my hips hurt to lift my legs. The reason I was wondering about scar tissue was cause shortly after I got the band my shoulder was killing me. As soon as I'd sip a warm drink, it would ease. I figured if there were scar tissue in there wrapping around muscles and nerves, it may cause the pain I'm feeling. All I do know is that this is not like me and whatever it is, it came on me pretty quick. Thanks again everyone and I'll post again tomorrow afternoon. Darlene

Hello, I was banded 2 yrs ago and haven't had any major problems with my band. I have not 'followed band rules' for about 6 months now. I've gained back 15lbs. As for my problem/question... I started having pain in my legs, actually the muscles in the backs of my thighs about 2 months ago. [i don't have any lower back issues and haven't exercised in quite awhile.] When I bend over it feels like my thigh muscles are tied in knots. After about 2 weeks of this I then woke up with a severe stiff neck. I had to turn my whole torso to look around. My shoulders, collar bone and down my left arm hurts. It also hurts under my left shoulder blade and it feels like my spine is bruised in that area. I can't raise my left arm fully and hurts like hell when I try. It actually hurts in the 'socket'. My hip joints are so sore that I have trouble walking. I used to walk super fast, always did, but now I look like an old woman when I 'shuffle'. I went to my chiroprator about 6 times and it didn't help. I just spent 4 days in the hospital and had scans on my neck and brain and blood work out the wazoo all came back fine. I go to a neurologist[?] on monday and they're talking about doing a spinal tap!! Has anyone had these types of pain and found out it was from scar tissue from their band? I will crap if my band is the cause of all this!! Any help would be greatly appreciated, Darlene

HELLO ALL, I'M FROM CENTRAL PA. AND WILL BE BANDED IN MEXICO ON 3-25. I WOULD LIKE TO FIND A DOC IN PA. TO DO MY FILLS.... ANYONE KNOW A PA. DOC THAT'LL FILL PATIENTS OTHER THAN HIS [OR HER] OWN? THANKS SO MUCH!! DARLENE:driving:

Hello!! I am from Central Pa. and am still searching for a definete fill Doc. Are you thinking of going to Dr. Ren in NYC? I had'nt thought of going by train!! Awesome!! Do you happen to know how much that costs? I was banded by Dr. O on 3-25 and am doing very well!! You'll be in the best hands!! Best wishes!! Darlene :biggrin:

Hello! I researched the lapband for over a year before making my decision to go to Mexico. The main reason I went was because the Doc's here in the States wouldn't touch me. [i weighed 214 am 5' 5.5" tall and my BMI was 35.] If I would gain 35lbs., then they'd consider me. Makes sense, huh? Anyway, my blood pressure was through the roof, 169101 and some times higher. I'm now on meds. but hope to eventually get off them. Diabetes runs in my family and I didn't want to wait until I had more medical problems. My husband's insurance doesn't cover any kind of weight loss surgery, high BMI or not. I happened across Dr. Ortiz's site and read everything I could about him and his practice. I ordered his book "Lap band for Life" and read it in 2 days. I called and talked to Carolyn, [she's considered HR, I think] and she answered all the questions I had. I had to wait until I got the money together, but they kept all my info on file. It was $8000 which covered the surgery, hospital stay, hotel stay and transpotation from San Diego airport and back again. If you'd like to look into it, you can go to obesitycontrolcenter.com I have no regrets and would do it again! :tongue: If you'd [or anyone] like to know anything else, feel free to ask. Best wishes, Darlene

HELLO, I'M NEW TO THIS FORUM... MY NAME'S DARLENE. I AM GOING TO BE BANDED ON 3-25-08 AND AM FROM CENTRAL PA. I NEED TO FIND A FILL DR., HOPEFULLY IN PA. I'M GOING TO BE BANDED BY DR. ORTIZ IN MEXICO. ANYONE HERE FROM PA.? ANYONE WITH A FILL DOC IN PA.? I REALLY APPRECIATE ANY HELP! MANY THANKS!!! DARLENE

Hello Ladies and thanks so much for the info!! I've been banded [3-25] and healing really well! I have written down the info and will call to find out if they'll do my fills. Thanks again!! Darlene

HELLO BETHMAL, THANKS FOR THE INFO! :w00t: DO YOU KNOW IF HE DOES FILLS ON PATIENTS BANDED IN Mexico? DOES HE DO FILLS WITH FLOURO? ONE LAST QUESTION... DO YOU KNOW WHAT DOES HE CHARGE? THANKS AGAIN FOR CARING AND SHARING, I VERY MUCH APPRECIATE IT! :thumbup: DARLENE

HELLO BLAZE21, PLEASE SEND HIS NUMBER.... I'D LIKE TO GET A FILL DOC CLOSE TO HOME. ALOT OF U.S. DOC'S DON'T WANT TO FILL PATIENTS BANDED IN Mexico. :thumbup: ANYWAYS, THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!! :w00t: DARLENE P.S. DOES HE DO FILLS WITH FLOURO??

HELLO!! NICE TO MEET A FELLOW MEXICO BANDSTER!! :teeth_smile: I WAS JUST BANDED BY DR.O ON THE 25TH AND AM ALSO LOOKING FOR A FILL DOC!! [i'M FROM THE STATE COLLEGE AREA] I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK AND SEE DR.O FOR MY FIRST FILL THOUGH. I'M NOT ONE FOR CITY DRIVING, SO IF I HAD TO GO TO NY, I'D PROBABLY TAKE A BUS. DO YOU KNOW IF DR. REN DOES FILLS WITH FLOURO??? NICE MEETING YOU!!! DARLENE

HELLO KATE, THANKS FOR THE INFO! I EMAILED NYU AND ASKED ABOUT FILLS. I'M STILL CHECKING OUT OTHER PLACES ALSO. IF I WOULD GO TO NY, I'D PROBABLY TAKE THE BUS. I'M NO GOOD AT CITY DRIVING!! I VISIT MY DAUGHTER IN HARRISBURG AND MY BLOOD PRESSURE GOES THROUGH THE ROOF! I'LL LET YOU KNOW WHAT NYU SAYS, THANKS AGAIN, DARLENE