bethrn

I'm 6 years post-banding. I've had a great 6 years, losing over 70% of my excess weight, and about 100 lbs in all. All of a sudden 17 days ago, I couldn't eat. Everything came up and I had immediate pain in my right upper quadrant of my abdomen each time I even tried to eat anything and sometimes in my back. I saw my labband doc, and he loosened my band to try to give me some relief. He suspected the obvious, gallbladder, and I had a GB ultrasound and HIDA Scan. Those were negative (EF was 81%). I then saw my primary care who started on me on proton pump inhibitor and Bentyl to relax my GI system. Bentyl has helped more than anything, but I still have severe pain in my abd and back when I eat 90% of the time. One of the medications I take can cause severe liver & pancreas problems, so that is why I followed up with my primary care to have some basic labs done since I just started that medication a month ago. All labs were normal (amylase, lipase, complete metabolic panel). I have an appointment with my bariatric doctor again in a month. This is just so painful. I wondered if any of you have experienced anything like this with it not being gallbladder, liver, or pancreas. What about with a dilated pouch or slip? I know I can't keep dealing with this pain like this.

I took off 13 days. I'm a nurse and my job is quite physical, and that was enough time to push 300 lb people around in 500 lb beds. I still was a bit sore at my port site, but not badly.

Yes almost definitely it's worth it. I suppose if you are one of the rare ones that had major complications afterward, you may not feel like I do though. I have never vomited/PB'ed. I've done my share of being hungry, but I felt it was a trade off because my band has been so loose, and implementing some self-discipline helped to to avoid all of the bad side effects and potential complications from a too-tight band. So I'm stuck at 25 months post op on my weight loss. It's been slow, but I'm so much healthier than I was 2 years ago. I opted to "filler up!" today while I was at my doc's office. First fill in 13 months, and only fill #3 for me in over 2 years. I'm still down 75 lbs with a fairly loose band, and other than those first few days of post op pain, my band has never given me any problems whatsoever. I do follow the basic lap band rules. I don't drink my calories. Absolutely nothing carbonated. I know I probably COULD drink it easily, but I know me. If I ever had a soda, I'd be hooked again, so I don't go there. I don't drink for a little while after eating. I watch what I eat closely with an occasional splurge about once a week. I cannot eat nearly the quantity of food I ate prior to surgery, which is the biggest benefit for me. I was a 16-20 oz steak kinda girl prior to the band, plus a buttery baked potato, plus a salad. Today I'm a 6-8 oz steak kinda girl, with no salad and no potato. I'm a meat eater, and I know if I eat any other food with a meal like that, I will not have room to eat my steak. It doesn't get stuck (hardly ever) and I don't vomit. I just get full. I can eat pretty much whatever I want texture-wise including meats, breads, pastas. It's really been a blessing to me. It has helped tremendously with portion control. I don't feel the NEED to eat that huge amount now because I'm full. :rolleyes2: I cannot say enough positive things about my experience with it.

Hi all, I had my lap band surgery in December of 2005. Up until this point I've only needed 2 small fills. I'm not sure of the exact volume because my surgeon never tells me, even when I ask. He says it's his secret. I think he's just not wanting me to think I can eat whatever I want and keep getting my band tightened. I've never had much restriction. I've never PB'ed. I occasionally (when eating a steak too fast or something) feel it get "stuck" for a minute, and then it goes down. Amazingly, even with this little bit of restriction, Ive still lost about 55-60% of my excess weight. I'm still 50+ pounds over my ideal body weight, so my surgeon filled my band today. I haven't lost or gained any weight in the past year. I've been at a stand-still because I can basically eat whatever I want, and too-often I guess, I have done just that. This was my first fill in 13 months, and fill #3 for me since surgery. Just to be on the safe side, I decided to stick with liquids today and tomorrow in case it swelled and things just didn't want to go down. About 3 hours after my fill, I noticed a constant pain in my upper left quadrant of my abdomen; the same pain as if I have eaten too much. I figured it was just swelling. Now, 3-4 more hours have passed and I have terrible pain in the top of my left shoulder. It is agonizing. I haven't been on this forum in so long, but I decided to come here just to see if anyone else experienced this after a fill. I am inclined to believe the swelling from my adjustment is pressing on a nerve. I hope this goes away soon. I just wondered if you guys ever had this happen, and, as usual, here it is. I'm actually glad to see it's not very uncommon. Makes me worry less. Thanks as always for the great information provided. I've been mostly a lurker since my surgery, but the information you all provide here is wonderful. :tt1: For the past year I could eat whatever I wanted, I tried to make good choices, and I guess I did better than I would have done prior to the band because I haven't gained any weight at least. I'm back and ready to get kick-started again on the rest of my weight loss. :frown:

Date Banded: 12/27/05 Country: US State: Tennessee Surgeon: Dr. George Woodman Eroded? Yes/No?: No, not eroded. No problems.

Hi, I'm a newbie here, and have question please. I got my band 12/27. Today is postop day #8, and for the past 3 days I have had pain all over my left side and left abdomen, from my ribcage down to where my appendix is. It's constant, but if I move gets very sharp and stabbing. The port site is just starting to hurt too. I initially had pain for the first 2 1/2 days, then it went away totally. I was painfree a couple of days, and now this started. I thought it was gas. I have used a lot of gas-x. I have used a glycerin suppository 2 days ago. I used a dulcolax suppository today. I now don't believe it's gas because I have passed plenty today, and the pain hasn't changed. It feels like a pulled muscle. Movement of my left arm or left abdomen or side hurts all the way down like I described. My doctor had told me that my activity postop was only limited by my pain. He told me to start exercising 1 day postop, and I did. I have been getting on my elliptical every other day for as long as I could go. I haven't been on it now in 2 nights, and it's still not any better. Any ideas? Anyone else have this "pulled muscle" feeling after surgery? How long did it take to go away? I am supposed to be released for work tomorrow and the pain is so intense, I'm not sure I'm ready. I work in labor & delivery and my job can be quite physical. Thank you so much, Beth

Thank you both. I specifically asked about the elliptical and he said that is fine. He really pushes you to resume exercising right away. I also told his nurse I was going to join Curves at about 2 weeks postop, and she said, "don't wait 2 weeks! do it right away." I thought since I had no pain at the time I could do this. Boy, but now I do. I think you both are right. I have spent the last 2 days resting & relaxing on the couch with a heating pad. I even have to sleep there sitting up. I still can't lie down in my bed. I have plenty of Lortab elixer left, and have had to take it about twice a day the past 2-3 days. I was really feeling discouraged (and scared something major was wrong) because I have befriended a bandster who was banded 1 day after me, and talked to her today and she told me she has zero pain. Thank you again. Beth