targa

I have the same thing...first noticed my left shoulder felt bruised, 4 or 5 days post surgery. It has gotten worse...feels like maybe a rotator cuff injury...I am now 11days post surgery. I am wondering if I was positioned on it during surgery...I have done nothing on my own to injure it. Not too happy about this.

I had my surgery on Aug 28th, and my stomach is still pretty swollen especially on my left side over my port. How long does it take for that to go down? I can't even bend forward on my left side yet due to the swelling and pain. Just wondering what is the average length of time for everyone else- Thanks so much! Targa

For the last several months I have had intense sugar cravings...something that is not normal for me. I read an article about alpha lipoic acid and how it helps regulate blood sugar amongst other things, so i decided to give it a try. I am really shocked at how well it has worked...almost immediately my cravings have subsided...have only been taking it about a week now, but so far I am very happy with the results. Anybody else take it? Thanks- Targa

I have had a dry cough with a tickle in the back of my throat for 2 weeks now...it is not the cough you get while laying down at night when you are too tight...this is 24hrs a day and nothing comes up, but I cant control it because of the tickle. I had an endoscopy in Jan and was told everything looked good...has anyone had this and was it related to your band in any way? I dont have any other symptoms. Thanks so much for your help- Targa

Has anyone had one? Do I really need someone to drive me home? I have been having a pain when I eat that has gotten worse lately...feels like I have an abrasion on my esophagus or stoma that feels scraped when I eat or drink...we did the barium swallow test today and thankfully my band looks fine. He gave me Protonix and has me scheduled for the endo next week...has anyone had similar symptoms? Thanks! Targa

Thanks Jachut...how awesome that you stopped losing right at your goal. I know that an unfill is an option, I guess I just wanted to know if that is how most people handle their maintenance...I havent heard too many people talk about what the maintenance phase has been like, and if you get an unfill, do you risk starting to gain, Thanks again- Targa

Never thought I would be asking THIS question! For those at goal, how did you stop losing weight? I have not had a fill in 8 months and am still tight...still have problems (sometimes!)eating...no rhyme or reason to it! I am losing a consistant 1.5-2.5lbs per week, and have lost about 92lbs...I am about 10 lbs away from goal, but dont see my weight loss slowing down at all, and I am just curious how everyone has moved successfully into the maintenance stage. Thanks so much for any info you can provide! Targa

Hi Everyone- I have had a bitter taste in the back of my mouth for about three days...did a urine test strip for ketosis and it was negative. It is not acid reflux either...has anyone had this or have any info on it? Any help would be appreciated- Thanks! Targa

Hello- I have had a bitter taste in the back of my mouth for about three days...did a ketosis test and was negative...not acid reflux either. Any one have an experience like this and know what is causing it? Thanks so much- Targa

no, but it varies...I concentrate on protein, but do eat some carbs, that is why I did not think it was ketosis, but I took the urine test, and the color did not change. Thanks for your help! Targa

About 1 month after surgery, and before my first fill, I developed an extremely itchy rash over my port incision. I showed it to my dr. , and he didnt think it was a big deal, and prescibed a steroid cream. It helped with the itching, but the rash has not gone away. Now my best friend, who had her surgery 2 weeks after me has developed the same rash...port incision only. There has to be something to this...even though my dr blew it off, I would like to know what is causing this. I have not done anything different to that incision to cause a rash there...why have we both gotten rashes in one place only? Has anyone else experienced this, and have you gotten any answers from your dr.? Thanks for you help!:thumbup: Targa

I had my second fill about 2 weeks ago, and am still not feeling any restriction. I know lots of people do not feel restriction until their third fill...however that third fill is different levels depending on the Dr. I asked my Dr. what I was filled to, and he said a 6 (I dont know if that is .6 or 6) But that seems somewhat aggressive compared to what others say they have gotten on their second fill. I am worried that I still feel nothing...am I worrying for nothing? Is this common to be at this level, and not feeling restriction? They never tell you it could be months before you get restriction from the surgery. Thanks so much- Targa

About 1 month after surgery, and before my first fill, I developed an extremely itchy rash over my port incision. I showed it to my dr. , and he didnt think it was a big deal, and prescibed a steroid cream. It helped with the itching, but the rash has not gone away. Now my best friend, who had her surgery 2 weeks after me has developed the same rash...port incision only. There has to be something to this...even though my dr blew it off, I would like to know what is causing this. I have not done anything different to that incision to cause a rash there...why have we both gotten rashes in one place only? Has anyone else experienced this, and have you gotten any answers from your dr.? Thanks for you help! Targa

Hi Everyone- I am recovering from either food poisoning or the flu...major diarrhea and I did vomit twice. (very painful!) I went to my dr today to check for band slippage, and he said everything looked good. I am still having diarrhea, but also, my stomach is SO loud...what causes that? I have been sick before, and never had this, so I am assuming it has to do with the band. Has anyone else had this, and know what is causing it? It is constant...whether I have eaten anything or not. Dont know if I should be worried. Thanks so much- Targa :regular_smile:

I had my surgery w/ Dr Jayaseelan...he is great, but I HATE his office. With the exception of one girl there, everone else is extremely rude and unhelpful. My best friend also had surgery there and has had the same experience. They will book 4 people at the exact same appointment time, so expect a long wait, and you are never told you need to make your fill appointment about a month in advance, so I have yet to have my first fill because I cannot get in to see him. I am considering looking for a new fill dr. In my opinion, they just want to make as much money as possible, and have no respect for the patients...there is a big lack of communication and concern. I am really dissapointed. Targa :bolt:

Thanks so much for everyone's responses, and elliespetals, please let me know what your dr. says. I talked to the nurse, and we are kind of in a watch and see period right now...she said most of everything I am feeling is normal, and that there will be scar tissue build-up around the port, and that is probably what i am feeling. She said what they watch for are hematoma's and infection...the area that is sore is not discolored or warmer than the surrounding area, and those would be bad signs. I guess I am just a slower healer...I am going to take it as easy as I can and unless I get worse, I will probably wait another 10 days until I am scheduled for my first fill. Please let me know if anyone gets different information than what I was told. Thanks so much- Targa

yes, I do have hunger....and I have no restriction. I am worried about gaining before I get my first fill. The problem I am currently having is constant pain over my port. If I feel with my fingers the area about 2 inches below my largest incision, I can feel a hard area that I believe is my port...and it is extremely tender, and hurts constantly, not just with exertion. The left side is definitely more swollen than the right. I was under the impression we would not be able to feel our port from the outside until we were closer to our goal weight. I am going to give my Dr a call tomorrow...I feel like this surgery has turned me into a hypocondriac! I just want to make sure that I havent done something to my port to make it come loose :smile: Targa

thanks Heartfire- It does help to know I am not the only one that hasn't completely recovered after one week! Targa

I got banded on Aug 28, and have generally felt bad since...but the last several days have been much worse. My Dr did not give me a fill at surgery, but I have such restriction, that I have lost 10 lbs in the last week. I start feeling nauseous and having to spit in the sink even when I haven't eaten anything for hours. I went to my Dr yesterday, and he did a swallow test which was fine, but on the xray he could see that my stomach was full of air. He said the air was what was making me so uncomfortable and wrote me a rx for metoclopromide, but not to use it regulary. I took it yesterday, and after several hours, I started having very painful, almost violent burps. After which, I did feel much better...however, I feel just as bad again tonight. What is causing me to keep getting the air to fill my stomach? Has anyone had this? Does it go away? I am so tired of feeling rotten... Targa

I am not using a straw, chewing gum, or eating things I shouldnt. I barely eat. I have tried the gas x strips, and they do not help. He said it was air, I guess it is different from gas. I stopped having my protein shake in the blender, because I thought that might be contributing, but it did not help at all today.:tt2: Targa

I still have an intense burning pain on my left side on even mild exertion. I don't know if I have strained something, but I can't even bend slightly from the waist on my left side without intense pain. How is everyone else recovering...is this common? I am going for my post op today, but was wondering what the consensus is. Thanks so much for any info- Targa

Sophie- Good News-you do not have to be at 40 bmi if you are self pay...that is an insurance stipulation. There are lots of people with 35-36 bmi that have been banded. Targa

what causes port flippage? I was banded last Thursday, and have been following my post op instructions to the letter, but I have a sharp pain on my left side anytime I use my stomach muscles to get up from laying down, or sneeze, or cough etc. I thought it was probably normal, but after reading these posts, I am wondering if it could be something more serious. Thanks so much- Targa

I am so scared...starting to second guess my decision. Feeling guilty for not being able to lose it on my own...probably all the same fears everyone has. It is perplexing that some people sail right through with no problems or much pain, while others don't do well at all. Thanks so much to everone who has answered my questions the last couple of weeks, it has been very informative. Targa

thanks so much Jason and PrincessLuzalot...you both make good points, thanks for your caring thoughts- Targa