glorybound

I got my band in 12/07, and awoke from surgery in the recovery room with excruciating left shoulder pain. I have had pain in my left shoulder since then without an adequate explanation. It is not constant, but at times it is quite painful. My original surgeon, who first denied I had it (is that really his call to make??), sent me to the ER saying it was my heart, which it wasn't. He then said maybe I should see my GP, because he's never heard of this after the first three weeks post surgery. I had visited this site before and knew others had felt what I was experiencing. When I mentioned this, he asked me which doctor told me this or what surgeon's research I was reading? I guess only doctors know what happen to lap band patients - at least according to him. I have had only two "fills", during which his PA removed bubbles and replaced the air with saline. They never did tell me how replacing air with saline actually tightens the band - anybody have any idea how that works? Finally, thoroughly frustrated, I found a new doctor. This was not easy, but I think I am on the right path with the new guy. He was concerned enough with my shoulder pain to send me for an upper GI. I didn't think it would find anything, but I guess it did. He told me I will likely need a revision based on what he saw in the upper GI report. He also thinks what I have known on some level all along, my shoulder pain is being caused by something not right with th band. I am especially unhappy about this because I don't have health insurance coverage to pay for this revision. Sorry for the pity party - if I think about it I really don't have real problems like some folks do. I guess I am just hoping to find another shoulder pain person who needed a revision. I want to know how that worked out. I would also like to hear it did work out. I need a little hope. I have only lost fifteen pounds in five months...and I am getting very discouraged. I still have frequent shoulder pain, which is worse every time I get gas bubbles or something gets stuck. Sometimes things get stuck after just a few bites. Then I hurt for hours in my left shoulder, nerve pain in the same spot every time. I thought the band was the right thing to do, but I am not so sure now. The band truly seemed like a gift from God. I am working on reminding myself I just don't get to see His perfect plan yet, but I am baffled by my lack of faith right now. I don't want another surgery, but I don't want to have this all go to waste. I will check this site for thoughts and especially for another person's experience with this sort of thing. Thanks for your posts and for a venue to vent a bit and seek encouragement.