frycook89

I've already had my gall bladder removed. I remember that pain too! OUCH! I'm praying for relief but not sure where it's gonna come from.... thanks for responding. B

It is true, you will know the esophageal spasm when it occurs. I have had them consistently for a week since my surgery. We have tried the medication, removing air from my band, etc. The pain is intense! It radiates from my breast bone up to my left jaw. Yes, I believe it feels like a heart attack would feel, although I've never had a heart attack. I think for me, the side affects of the meds is making the situation worse. the meds affect my vision and I am actually having problems typing b/c my vision is blurry. I think I'm going to stop the med an practice the relaxation. I know that when I tense up when I have a spasm, it just intensifies the pain. When I relax and breathe through it, it passes more quickly. My pains are intense but short and frequent. Rarely last more than a minute, but, happen once I put anything in my mouth, or stand up suddenly. I will adjust to the new lap band life and know that this will calm down soon! (banded 9/18/08)

Ditto! I have this Esophageal spasm for about a week now. It is really driving me crazy! My pain felt like a contraction starting in between my breasts, and kind of moving upward. It is extremely painful. Like what I would imagine a heart attack to feel like. It is a shooting pain that makes me catch my breath. I breathe with it, trying not to get paniced. When I first called the Dr, 3 days post op about this, they said I should've called sooner. They prescribed the pill that dissolves under teh tongue (generic DISPAS). It helped some, but, lately my pain has gotten worse and more frequent. I went to the Dr yesterday and she removed any excess air from my band (I was banded 9/18/08). It seems to help some, but, not eliminate the problem. I am doing the pill under the tongue several times a day, but, it has begun to affect my vision and certainly my energy level. I'm not sure what, if anything, can be done to correct this. Hopefully, it's just a matter of time before all calms down in there. I am supposed to contact the Dr office today to give them an update on how I'm feeling. I am hopeful that "this too shall pass" and I will be feeling better soon. I have lost 12 pounds so far! that is great!

I am going to that meeting! I may possibly be a little late since my children have open house nite at school. Would love to meet up and have someone to sit with. Let me know... Becky

Hey all, thought i would create my post so I wouldn't get that message anymore. Well, I had a health situation that prompted me to look on the amazing information conglomeration aka www for more knowledge. Anyway, I was at a conference for my business, flew, hadn't flown in years.... I did not fit in the seat well and i was barely able to buckle the belt. I sat in the very first seat of the prop plane I was on. The table comes out of the arm of the chair. It would not fit on my belly. Completely humiliating. Then, at the conference we are packed together like sardines, and I try to make myself small. You know what I'm talking about. After 2 days of poor circulation, my legs swelled up like sausages and I became known as "cankles" among my fellow conference goers. Yeah for me. Scared me since I've never had something like that happen before. Came home and weighed myself, hadn't for 9 months, only to find out I was at least 20 lbs more than I thought I was. Soon discovered my BMI is 41.2 and climbing. Discussed lap band with my counselor and she was not encouraging. I know why, I will still eat for the same reasons I do now is her take. Well, with lap band, I'll throw it up, or be in pain. Big deterrent for me! I don't know anything about the insurance approval process so I don't know what I'm in for. I go to my seminar on Tuesday... I have a great husband and 4 beautiful girls! I want to be able to say, "Sure, I'll go walking with you tonight!" instead of, "No, my back and feet hurt."

Wow! Just watched your transformation. THANK YOU, thank you, thank you for your encouragement!