BroncosGalAndrea

I was banded in 2008. About 2 years later, I was told my band/stomach was dilated, so Dr. unfilled me completely. I have not been able to go back to Dr - insurance/financial reasons. I have been having issues at least TWICE a week where, after I eat (no matter what I eat), within 10 minutes, I get excruciating pain in my upper abdomen, more towards the right, radiates to my back and I feel just miserable. Sometimes it feels like gall stones...however, my gall bladder was removed in 1995. The pain is so bad, it hurts to take a deep breath and sometimes to even move. I already take Nexium for acid reflux. There's more.....I have chronic kidney stones (for 9 years now) and had a stone blasted last week, with 9 still sitting in both kidneys. I notice when I get this pain, I get flank pain also. It usually lasts for several hours and I am miserable. When I went to urologist for follow up xray, I was told my band is still in place, but dilated...I'm completely empty. We just moved so I am looking for a local weight loss surgeon/dr, but am still trying to figure out insurance issues. I'm thinking next time I get this, I should make a trip to the ER, tell them EVERYTHING and see if it can get taken care of sooner rather than later. Any advice? Suggestions? Anyone have these issues (probably not all at the same time). I would so greatly appreciate it. I cannot go on like this. Thank you so much for your time. God Bless. Andrea

I was banded in 2008. About 2 years later, I was told my band/stomach was dilated, so Dr. unfilled me completely. I have not been able to go back to Dr - insurance/financial reasons. I have been having issues at least TWICE a week where, after I eat (no matter what I eat), within 10 minutes, I get excruciating pain in my upper abdomen, more towards the right, radiates to my back and I feel just miserable. Sometimes it feels like gall stones...however, my gall bladder was removed in 1995. The pain is so bad, it hurts to take a deep breath and sometimes to even move. I already take Nexium for acid reflux. There's more.....I have chronic kidney stones (for 9 years now) and had a stone blasted last week, with 9 still sitting in both kidneys. I notice when I get this pain, I get flank pain also. It usually lasts for several hours and I am miserable. When I went to urologist for follow up xray, I was told my band is still in place, but dilated...I'm completely empty. We just moved so I am looking for a local weight loss surgeon/dr, but am still trying to figure out insurance issues. I'm thinking next time I get this, I should make a trip to the ER, tell them EVERYTHING and see if it can get taken care of sooner rather than later. Any advice? Suggestions? Anyone have these issues (probably not all at the same time). I would so greatly appreciate it. I cannot go on like this. Thank you so much for your time. God Bless. Andrea

I was banded in 2008. About 2 years later, I was told my band/stomach was dilated, so Dr. unfilled me completely. I have not been able to go back to Dr - insurance/financial reasons. I have been having issues at least TWICE a week where, after I eat (no matter what I eat), within 10 minutes, I get excruciating pain in my upper abdomen, more towards the right, radiates to my back and I feel just miserable. Sometimes it feels like gall stones...however, my gall bladder was removed in 1995. The pain is so bad, it hurts to take a deep breath and sometimes to even move. I already take Nexium for acid reflux. There's more.....I have chronic kidney stones (for 9 years now) and had a stone blasted last week, with 9 still sitting in both kidneys. I notice when I get this pain, I get flank pain also. It usually lasts for several hours and I am miserable. When I went to urologist for follow up xray, I was told my band is still in place, but dilated...I'm completely empty. We just moved so I am looking for a local weight loss surgeon/dr, but am still trying to figure out insurance issues. I'm thinking next time I get this, I should make a trip to the ER, tell them EVERYTHING and see if it can get taken care of sooner rather than later. Any advice? Suggestions? Anyone have these issues (probably not all at the same time). I would so greatly appreciate it. I cannot go on like this. Thank you so much for your time. God Bless. Andrea

I was banded in 2008. About 2 years later, I was told my band/stomach was dilated, so Dr. unfilled me completely. I have not been able to go back to Dr - insurance/financial reasons. I have been having issues at least TWICE a week where, after I eat (no matter what I eat), within 10 minutes, I get excruciating pain in my upper abdomen, more towards the right, radiates to my back and I feel just miserable. Sometimes it feels like gall stones...however, my gall bladder was removed in 1995. The pain is so bad, it hurts to take a deep breath and sometimes to even move. I already take Nexium for acid reflux. There's more.....I have chronic kidney stones (for 9 years now) and had a stone blasted last week, with 9 still sitting in both kidneys. I notice when I get this pain, I get flank pain also. It usually lasts for several hours and I am miserable. When I went to urologist for follow up xray, I was told my band is still in place, but dilated...I'm completely empty. We just moved so I am looking for a local weight loss surgeon/dr, but am still trying to figure out insurance issues. I'm thinking next time I get this, I should make a trip to the ER, tell them EVERYTHING and see if it can get taken care of sooner rather than later. Any advice? Suggestions? Anyone have these issues (probably not all at the same time). I would so greatly appreciate it. I cannot go on like this. Thank you so much for your time. God Bless. Andrea

I am almost 3 weeks post op and I've been having nausea and lightheadedness daily for almost a week now. I wake up in the morning nauseous and throughout the day i get lightheaded. If I do anything around the house or walk too much, i get lightheaded. I feel nauseous after I eat. I haven't thrown up. I take anti-nausea meds when absolutely necessary but those meds have me sleepy within an hour. I mean - if i end up falling asleep, it's like deep, deep sleep! I'm getting enough protein and calories daily, so I'm not sure what to attribute this to. Any and all help would be greatly appreciated! Thank you in advance. :cursing:

OK, here goes.......I had been getting gall stones pain about a year ago (i had no gall bladder, though). Turned out i had band dilation so they emptied it. I gained about 35 lbs back (UGH). Well, here we go again - after I eat (especially in the evenings) I get horrid gall stones pain again (still no gall bladder ) and was told i may have a slipped band. How does doc go about finding out if band has slipped? Is band replaced or just fixed if indeed it has slipped. Another question.........I've been thinking about switching over to gastric bypass but don't want to have to go through the entire process again. Has anyone gone from lap band to gastric and what was your experience? Thank you so much in advance! God Bless Andrea

So here's my story and a bit of background.... 1st off - i have a history of kidney stones AND had gall stones 16 yrs ago resulting in removal of my gall bladder. That said, I had fluids removed completely from my band about 6 months ago due to a band dilation. Was not able to get refiled because I had shingles, then after-shingles pain. THAT is finally over and done with. Over the past few days, I started having a kidney stone or 2 trying to make their way out of my body, causing crazy pain. On top of that, lately, whenever I eat, I get horrid pain in the kidney area, around to my back, but crazily, also in the area where I was getting pain 16 years ago when I had Gall stones. Remember - i have no gall bladder, so how can I be getting gall stones pain, right? This pain happens most in the late afternoon/evening. Today has been terrible! I know I have to call my lapband doc, but have been advised that I should probably go to the er if this pain doesn't go away by tomorrow am. Problem with the er here is that it seems to be just a temporary fix.....they prescribe pain meds, tell you to call your doc in the am and send you on your way. So here's a question that perhaps someone could answer.......would I be overstepping bounds or stepping on er peoples' toes if I went in, told them of the pain, told them of the past lap band issue and ask them to do an upper gi and ct scan? Otherwise, who knows how long before I can get my lapband doc to see me or set appt or whatever..... Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much. Andrea

Do you happen to know what kind of tests are run to see if a band is slipped (although you said they couldn't tell if yours was)....? I am going to see what happens with this band-thing. It makes me crazy! After I eat, especially in the evenings, i get this gall bladder pain. sometimes it's unbearable. I would love a weight loss buddy! Private message me, if you can, and we can come up with a plan Or direct email me - AndreaRA93@gmail.com

So, did/do you have to go through the same process to get the gastric bypass (primary care approval/referral, etc.) I had been getting gall stones pain about a year ago (i had no gall bladder, though). Turned out i had band dilation so they emptied it. I gained about 35 lbs back (UGH). Now, I'm starting to get that gall stones pain again (still no gall bladder ) and was told i may have a slipped band. I've been thinking about switching over to gastric bypass but don't want to have to go through the entire process again. I hope all goes well with you. God Bless Andrea

So, I am posting this in a couple of forums hoping to get some help, advice - ANYTHING - I am at my wits end.... I had my lap band surgery in June of 08. I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair the end of this past April. Since then I've had an array of issues, including a bout with shingles (dealing with the after-pain now) and now severe to sometimes excruciating pain around my port area. It literally feels sometimes like it is ripping from my muscle that it's attached to. I have been to see my plastic surgeon who said he didn't mess with the band OR port at all. Went to see my lap band surgeon who first tried muscle relaxers (didn't help but only made me sleepy beyond all reason) then next visit just pretty much said my muscles are still healing and give it more time. My thing is - how much more time? I mean, seriously? How long do I have to be in pain waiting to supposedly heal? Plus, the pain is getting worse, not better. The only test done was a ct scan when I went to the er because the pain was unbearable. I am having no other issues - not throwing up, not nauseous, etc. So I am literally just here, in pain, and not knowing what to do next. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Any clue as to where to go from here? I would really appreciate any words of advice. Thank you so much in advance. Andrea

So, I am posting this in a couple of forums hoping to get some help, advice - ANYTHING - I am at my wits end.... I had my lap band surgery in June of 08. I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair the end of this past April. Since then I've had an array of issues, including a bout with shingles (dealing with the after-pain now) and now severe to sometimes excruciating pain around my port area. It literally feels sometimes like it is ripping from my muscle that it's attached to. I have been to see my plastic surgeon who said he didn't mess with the band OR port at all. Went to see my lap band surgeon who first tried muscle relaxers (didn't help but only made me sleepy beyond all reason) then next visit just pretty much said my muscles are still healing and give it more time. My thing is - how much more time? I mean, seriously? How long do I have to be in pain waiting to supposedly heal? Plus, the pain is getting worse, not better. The only test done was a ct scan when I went to the er because the pain was unbearable. I am having no other issues - not throwing up, not nauseous, etc. So I am literally just here, in pain, and not knowing what to do next. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Any clue as to where to go from here? I would really appreciate any words of advice. Thank you so much in advance. Andrea

So, I am posting this in a couple of forums hoping to get some help, advice - ANYTHING - I am at my wits end.... I had my lap band surgery in June of 08. I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair the end of this past April. Since then I've had an array of issues, including a bout with shingles (dealing with the after-pain now) and now severe to sometimes excruciating pain around my port area. It literally feels sometimes like it is ripping from my muscle that it's attached to. I have been to see my plastic surgeon who said he didn't mess with the band OR port at all. Went to see my lap band surgeon who first tried muscle relaxers (didn't help but only made me sleepy beyond all reason) then next visit just pretty much said my muscles are still healing and give it more time. My thing is - how much more time? I mean, seriously? How long do I have to be in pain waiting to supposedly heal? Plus, the pain is getting worse, not better. The only test done was a ct scan when I went to the er because the pain was unbearable. I am having no other issues - not throwing up, not nauseous, etc. So I am literally just here, in pain, and not knowing what to do next. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Any clue as to where to go from here? I would really appreciate any words of advice. Thank you so much in advance. Andrea

I've had shingles once before this time. It felt more like painful sunburn on the outside and inside - from just under the ribs on one side all the way to around the exact same spot front and back. This pain I'm experiencing literally feels like the port is being ripped from the muscle wall. Two completely different types of pain. Pain is more when I stand up straight.

I'm glad to hear it's nothing serious with you. YAY! As for here, latest is this - lap band doc prescribed some pain meds but suggested i go see my plastic surgeon, since it's something that must be addressed by him (PS). I have an appointment tomorrow. MEANWHILE, the pain has gotten so bad, it really hurts to just stand straight up now. I, too, have a high tolerance for pain. Thanks for keeping me updated!!! Andrea

Thanks for your response, Craig - I just spoke to the lap band doc's assistant and they prescribed percocet for the pain, but said the issue is one the plastic surgeon has to address. I have an appointment with the PS tomorrow. Maybe if they talked to each other, they could figure out what's going on. I am now at a point where I can no longer stand straight up without hurting terribly. I think it's an issue for BOTH of them to figure out.

Craig, That is EXACTLY what I am feeling. Except now it's to the point where it hurts even when I'm not doing anything at all or just the elastic from sweats or pants against it. Like right now as I type to you. I was given percocet when i went to the ER for this pain and that helped, but he says take advil. REALLY? That is not working one bit. He also said that moving or repositioning it would probably not do any good - just cause more muscle pain. Personally, I don't think he knows what to do. I think if they end up moving it, pretty sure insurance will cover it. I am going to see my plastic surgeon tomorrow about the muscle part of the issue. Good luck to you, Craig. I hope it's not too crazy of an expense for you. :thumbup:

thank you. i appreciate it.

I went to a doctor's appointment with the on call doctor since mine was out of town. He said since my port is attached to muscle, that perhaps a muscle relaxer. Not so much. Going tomorrow to see my regular surgeon. Looks like they may need to go in and move the port so it will be in a more comfortable place. Right now, its so painful - it feels like it's going to just rip apart. The muscle relaxers didn't work so i'm going to ask for pain meds. Nothing else seems to help. I hope they figure this out fast. CT scan showed nothing wrong. Thank you for asking :scared2:

So, about 2 months ago, I had a tummy tuck and hernia removal (which still seems to be causing problems, but that's a whole other issue). Since then, over the past month, I've noticed that my band/port sticks out more than ever AND IT HURTS! I mean hurts all the time! My insurance referral time has run out and my PCM is getting another referral for further visits, but that could probably take at least a week. This pain is making me crazy. I've been told I may need to have the band replaced with a smaller one OR that the pain could be caused by it having slipped. I cannot afford to go see the doctor until my referral comes through and my PCM can't really do anything. Can anyone possibly steer me in the right direction? I have no idea what to do and this pain is really really, well, painful! Is a trip to the ER warranted? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Andrea

I posted this in other forums hoping to be able to get as many people as possible to read and hopefully help.... So, about 2 months ago, I had a tummy tuck and hernia removal (which still seems to be causing problems, but that's a whole other issue). Since then, over the past month, I've noticed that my band/port sticks out more than ever AND IT HURTS! I mean hurts all the time! My insurance referral time has run out and my PCM is getting another referral for further visits, but that could probably take at least a week. This pain is making me crazy. I've been told I may need to have the band replaced with a smaller one OR that the pain could be caused by it having slipped. I cannot afford to go see the doctor until my referral comes through and my PCM can't really do anything. Can anyone possibly steer me in the right direction? I have no idea what to do and this pain is really really, well, painful! Is a trip to the ER warranted? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Andrea

Thanks a bunch for your advice. I'm still having severe pain in the port area. I'll be calling them again tomorrow since I'm still waiting for the referral and see if they can work with me...I thought about an er trip, but was told by a friend who works in the local er here that it's pretty much just a bandaid. They will watch me, ease the pain, and most likely send me home with pain meds. They may, however do xrays or ultrasounds. Not sure if that will be enough to see anything of any substance.

Thanks, Sue - I'm going to call them....I talked to them earlier in the week and they said "make an appointment to see us once you get your insurance straightened out". Thank God my ER copay is only $25.

I posted this in other forums hoping to be able to get as many people as possible to read and hopefully help.... So, about 2 months ago, I had a tummy tuck and hernia removal (which still seems to be causing problems, but that's a whole other issue). Since then, over the past month, I've noticed that my band/port sticks out more than ever AND IT HURTS! I mean hurts all the time! My insurance referral time has run out and my PCM is getting another referral for further visits, but that could probably take at least a week. This pain is making me crazy. I've been told I may need to have the band replaced with a smaller one OR that the pain could be caused by it having slipped. I cannot afford to go see the doctor until my referral comes through and my PCM can't really do anything. Can anyone possibly steer me in the right direction? I have no idea what to do and this pain is really really, well, painful! Is a trip to the ER warranted? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Andrea

Thanks, Elcee......I doubt it's stitches since I was banded in June of 08 and the tummy tuck was 2 months ago. I think it's just the port hitting on nerves - CONSTANTLY..... The pain is right where the port is and there are no other symptoms. I really appreciate your help. Thanks :thumbup: Andrea

I posted this in other forums hoping to be able to get as many people as possible to read and hopefully help.... So, about 2 months ago, I had a tummy tuck and hernia removal (which still seems to be causing problems, but that's a whole other issue). Since then, over the past month, I've noticed that my band/port sticks out more than ever AND IT HURTS! I mean hurts all the time! My insurance referral time has run out and my PCM is getting another referral for further visits, but that could probably take at least a week. This pain is making me crazy. I've been told I may need to have the band replaced with a smaller one OR that the pain could be caused by it having slipped. I cannot afford to go see the doctor until my referral comes through and my PCM can't really do anything. Can anyone possibly steer me in the right direction? I have no idea what to do and this pain is really really, well, painful! Is a trip to the ER warranted? Any advice would be so greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance. Andrea