mominthebox

I am 3 years out from my surgery and still get horrible gas pains in my left shoulder. Sorry to tell you but certain side affects will creep in and out for the remainder of your life with the band (hence a lot of the fine print we don't read prior to surgery). I plan to have my band removed as soon as I can afford it because the pain has become unbearable. I have followed the rules by the book; chewing my food to nothing, small bites, no drinking with meals, band adjustment, even seeing a new doc. Nothing has helped. I DO find that laying on my left side with my upper body propped up does help me burp wonderfully and that will relieve some of the gas pain, but not all of it. I am living with what feels like a pinched nerve in my left shoulder everyday. It is misery. First I experienced hair loss, then came the port pain which I still get from time to time. The left shoulder pain has never left me since my surgery. I see a masseuse, chiropractor, and even get accupuncture every month for the pain. I am saving up money to have the band removed because I paid money out of pocket to have it put in and it will cost me just as much to have it taken out. Would rather try good ol' diet and exercise then live like this any longer. My neighbor had the same surgery a year before me and has had no side affects like me other than productive burps (a bit of spit up from time to time), so it is different for everyone. Some folks really do benefit from this procedure, sadly I'm just not one of them. Good luck to all of you! I am hearing better things/results from the sleeve. Just FYI!

I am on day 3 after being banded and everything is going great except my back pain. That was my first complaint coming out of surgery and still my complaint today. The pain is right in the middle of my back, as if it needs to pop/be adjusted. Prior to being banded I had back pain from time to time and saw a chiropractor. Is anyone else having back pain? Could it be the same pain from before and just irritated from surgery? I won't be able to see my chiropractor for some time because of the way he twists my body for the adjustments. But my back pain is so bad I am in tears. Does anyone have some suggestions? I have tried my heating pad, styrofoam back support, my hubby rubbing my back until his fingers fall off, etc... Please let me know if any of you are experiencing this. I am enjoying this forum and all the great advice.

So glad I found this topic! I am officially at week 1 post op and I have a HORRIBLE rash/hives all over my stomach. I went to my primary care physician today to get it checked out. He took blood and called in RX. Saw Lap doc yesterday and he said he thought it might have been allergic reaction to steri-strips which he took off. He gave me hydro-cortisone cream and said take Benadryl and sent me home. It has gotten worse. One Bandster suggested the Iodine which made the most sense at first since the rash (now full blown at day 4) forms the exact replica of the iodine that was on my body when I came home from surgery last Tuesday (entire stomach, slight breast and back). but why did I not break out then? More and more I am hearing it can take several days for something to officially take affect/break out. I suppose I always assumed allergic reactions happend immediatley. I was in tears last night, feels like fire ants all over me. It is now covering my entire stomach, breasts, and back and itches like MAD. I have been pretty much quarantined so I have not been in poison oak or bitten by anything. It started at my incision wounds and sides and has worked its way around over 4 days. I have been VERY stressed...second guessing my decision to do this. Psoriasis makes sense at this point but the odds of it starting on my tummy immediately after lap-band? And why wouldn't my PCP diagnosed me with that today when he saw me or my Lap Doc? He called in some super dooper liquid topical (cortisone) and said take 2 Claritine. Did no good either. Curious to see what my bloodwork says. I will call a Dermatologist tomorrow. Just sent hubby to Walgreen's to get Salicylic Acid and Tar (2 OTC topical for psoriasis according to Psoriasis Foundation Website) I'll try ANYTHING! This totally sucks, making my band experience funky now. Also have horrible pain in left shoulder/neck area. :thumbup:

Something I wanted to recommend was a FANTASTIC Soup I had today. It is one of my favorites when I am sick and it is broth based (fish stock) so my hubby brought it home for me and we strained it for my diet this week and it ROCKED!!!. You can get it from your local Vietnamese Restaurant. It is called 'Bun Suong' (House Special Vermacelli with Shrimp & Pork). Let me just explain this soup and what you will do when you get it home: You get a HUGE container of Fish Stock, then a to-go box filled with vermicelli noodles, cilantro, mint, 2 boiled shrimp, roasted pork, bean sprouts, lime wedge, jalapenos, & onions. Be sure to ask fo some 'fish sauce' on the side (fish stock, carrots, spices, all mixed together in small container) really adds to the flavor of the broth. Place everyting in large bowl EXCEPT the noodles (you don't want the carbs to even cook in the broth) and the fresh jalapenos are up to you. I would do ONE since your tummy is sensitive right now. So toss the noodles and the japs and let everything else soak into the broth for about 10 minutes. Strain it, funnel the broth into a rubbermaid pitcher to save for later and pour yourself a cup! It is so good you will flip! Totaly settled my tummy. I had a rough day yesterday, the thought of any more liquids made me sick & this really helped...made me feel like I was eating food (because of the flavor). Anyway, just sharing a great find! Hope you like it! :shades_smile:

OMG! That sounds fabulous! Can I have the protien powder during my 1st week though? I bet I can sub water for milk on the swiss miss. YUM! I'll try ANYTHING at this point! So sick of plain broths and fruit-2-o and diet cranberry!! UGH!

Something I wanted to recommend was a FANTASTIC Soup I had today. It is one of my favorites when I am sick and it is broth based (fish stock) so my hubby brought it home for me and we strained it for my diet this week and it ROCKED!!!. You can get it from your local Vietnamese Restaurant. It is called 'Bun Suong' (House Special Vermacelli with Shrimp & Pork). Let me just explain this soup and what you will do when you get it home: You get a HUGE container of Fish Stock, then a to-go box filled with vermicelli noodles, cilantro, mint, 2 boiled shrimp, roasted pork, bean sprouts, lime wedge, jalapenos, & onions. Be sure to ask fo some 'fish sauce' on the side (fish stock, carrots, spices, all mixed together in small container) really adds to the flavor of the broth. Place everyting in large bowl EXCEPT the noodles (you don't want the carbs to even cook in the broth) and the fresh jalapenos are up to you. I would do ONE since your tummy is sensitive right now. So toss the noodles and the japs and let everything else soak into the broth for about 10 minutes. Strain it, funnel the broth into a rubbermaid pitcher to save for later and pour yourself a cup! It is so good you will flip! Totaly settled my tummy. I had a rough day yesterday, the thought of any more liquids made me sick & this really helped...made me feel like I was eating food (because of the flavor). Anyway, just sharing a great find! Hope you like it! :shades_smile:

Ok, I am LOVING this topic! Today is only Day 5 for me and I was in tears this afternoon standing in my pantry doorway breathing in the smells of the 'carbs' that my hubby and daughter get to munch on. UGH! So far so good though, I have lost 8lbs in 5 days but I am SO SICK of liquids I could scream. :teeth_smile: Something I wanted to recommend was a FANTASTIC soup I had today. It is one of my favorites when I am sick and it is broth based (fish stock) so my hubby brought it home for me and we strained it for my diet this week and it ROCKED!!!. You can get it from your local Vietnamese Restaurant. It is called 'Bun Suong' (House Special Vermacelli with Shrimp & Pork). Let me just explain this soup and what you will do when you get it home: You get a HUGE container of Fish Stock, then a to-go box filled with vermicelli noodles, cilantro, mint, 2 boiled shrimp, roasted pork, bean sprouts, lime wedge, jalapenos, & onions. Be sure to ask fo some 'fish sauce' on the side (fish stock, carrots, spices, all mixed together in small container) really adds to the flavor of the broth. Place everyting in large bowl EXCEPT the noodles (you don't want the carbs to even cook in the broth) and the fresh jalapenos are up to you. I would do ONE since your tummy is sensitive right now. So toss the noodles and the japs and let everything else soak into the broth for about 10 minutes. Strain it, funnel the broth into a rubbermaid pitcher to save for later and pour yourself a cup! It is so good you will flip! Totaly settled my tummy. I had a rough day yesterday, the thought of any more liquids made me sick & this really helped...made me feel like I was eating food (because of the flavor). Anyway, just sharing a great find! Hope you like it! :shades_smile:

Oh man! Wish I had read this sooner or wish my doc would have mentioned cutting the dosage in half. I was worried about that. It said to take 1-2 tablespoons so I took 1tblspn @ 6pm today and it is now 9pm and my stomach is starting to hurt. I knew I should have taken a smaller dosage. Well, too late now. God be with me! :lovechoc:

Thanks so much everyone! So glad to know I am not alone! I started walking more and taking more Gas-X strips. The pain is still there but not as sharp. Been using my shiatsu massage pillow and heating pad and let the shower pound me this morning. With each day I am hoping it gets better. In the past when I have done back exercises for my back I have noticed a huge difference in the way I felt (no back pain). I just don't want to do any back exercises now because of the band. I have not had a BM (call of mother nature :tongue2:) since Monday morning and I was banded Tuesday morning (9/2) and today is Friday (9/5). That could very well be another reason. I called the docs office and they said to take Milk of Magnesia. Did any of you guys find this to help? Thanks for all the great support! I really enjoy this forum!!

I am on day 3 and to be honest I have been spending more time moving around then in bed (other then when I am asleep or taking a nap). But You really should be in a good, supportive 'bed' for this. Your body will need all the adjustment/rest it can get and if you are straining to get up and about that could hinder your recovery. Your rib cage area will be really sore, so if there is a recliner in the house or if your parents aren't too elderly and will switch with you for a few days then great! Good luck! :tt2:

Day 2 after surgery and feeling a bit better then Day 1 (yesterday was miserable ). Hubby and I went to JourneyLite Houston @ 6am, I was prepped and ready for surgery by 7:30am. The nursing staff was fabulous (Carol is hilarous). The surgery only took about 30 minutes. Recovery about 2 hours. They woke me around 10am from my sleep and I was wacked out from all the meds. Carol kept trying to make conversation with me but all I wanted to do was go back to sleep. My back was in a lot of pain, my ribs hurt too. Before I knew it my husband was there helping me get dressed, I was doing a barium swallow, a breathing treatment and they had me out the door. That was fine by me that they were rushing me because I just wanted to go home. When we got home I was in a lot of pain. They sent me home with a prescript of liquid Vicodin but that still did not help my back much, it was killing me. All I wanted to do was lay down and sleep but honestly it does feel better to get up and move around. My friend across the street that had Lap-Band done says it is the gas pain that is hurting my back and ribs so much. I have been living off Gas-X strips, they are great. Today is Day 2 and I am feeling SO much better. Still sore, but not near as much as yesterday. I am looking forward to the days ahead! I am able to keep down all my liquids; I have had water, Fruit-2-O, Diet Cranberry, coffee (Carol said to have 1 cup so I would not get a migraine), chicken broth, & liquid multi-vitamin. Most of it I have had at room temp, some cool. :thumbup: Hang in there all you Day 1 folks! The pain passes! Banded: September 2nd 2008 Starting Weight: 220 Goal Weight: 120 September Samurai!!!

Hi all! I am so excited (and nervous) about my upcoming lap-band procedure. I am new to the forum and I can't wait to discuss my progress & emotions thru the journey. After seeing 3 different surgeons, I have decided to go with Dr.Matthew J. St. Laurent of NW Endo-Surgical. I have been researching this procedure for MONTHS and taken my time about choosing a physician. They all seemed well qualified but he seemed the best for me and my needs (you just can't beat lifetime adjustments & his bedside manner...he rocks) Just wanted to say 'Hello' and hope to hear from anyone that has had their procedure with Dr.Laurent! Can't wait!

Hi there! Thanks for writing!!! I hope all goes well with your insurance. I am 'cash pay' (finance) so I wish I could help answer questions for you. I have asked a LOT via the procedure itself, so if I can help in any way in that department please let me know. Please keep me posted on your status neighbor! I LOVE Austin! I would move there in a heartbeat if my hubbies company wasn't here!! So jealous of you!!!

I bet working out will totally be your ticket to success! I know the band will 'help me' (not cure me) of my eating issues but working out will be a detrimental key to my success. My Mom is a personal trainer (I wish I lived closer to her) and the simple mantra...excersize and eat right...has always lingered over my head. Sadly, I have always lacked self-discipline in the eating department (not so much what I ate, but HOW much) which is why after 7 years of struggling with food and diets I decided to go forward with this procedure. It sounds like you have lost weight (12lbs) by your band alone (am I right?). So I bet the exercise will really help you. Please keep me posted!! Thanks so much for writing to me! :crying:

I am new to the forum so my mission was to sit back and just read and take it all in for a few days until pre-op. But I HAD to comment on your concern with this. I have been researching this procedure for months and one of my big concerns (first concerns) was 'would I have to stop taking my anxiety/migraine meds?' I take 150mg of Effexor & 100mg of Topamax DAILY. The combo has treated my anxiety and migraines like nectar of the GODS and I was not about to undergo a procedure that made me stop taking them. I saw 3 different doctors before making my choice to go with Dr.Matthew St.Laurent in Houston. All 3 doctors said I could continue taking my meds. These were 3 doctors from 3 totally different practices (Dr.Wilkenfield, Dr.Hollis & Dr.St.Laurent, all Houston docs) I didn't even 'stress' my absolute need for the meds, I casually brought it up just to see what they would say about them. I was relieved to hear I could continue. 2 out of the 3 said to crush the pills prior to taking them (makes sense). Then just YESTERDAY (8/11) I saw my neurologist who prescribed me the meds (Dr.Randolph Evans, Houston) and even he said it would be OK for me to do the procedure on the meds. I wanted to meet with him prior to scheduling my pre-op just to make sure he was OK with me undergoing the post-op diet on my meds. Once he gave me the thumbs up I called and scheduled EVERYTHING! My lap-band surgery is scheduled for August 26th! :whatchutalkingabout I agree with the other moderators, press this issue with your doctor and find out exactly 'why' he wants you to stop the meds. It will not directly effect the band but could directly effect your 'mental' state (I know it would for me). Maybe bring up the idea of 'crushing' your meds to him. Good luck! Please keep me posted!! :tt2: