TC4Wy

I've always had an issue with an ache around (just below maybe) the sternum area. Usually after being nervous or having an upset stomach, but not something that was there all the time. Since lap band placement 3/22/10 it is always there. As I eat or drink it gets worse. It's barely there in the morning and by the evening I feel like I have been kicked. It is a constant ache. I did have a hernia repair at surgery time and I go for my 1st fill this Friday. Has anyone else had this? Because of it, I'm barely eating or drinking, yet I am not losing weight. I've read in other threads not losing weight may be from not eating enough protein. I can't eat more because that worsens it. Can anyone help? It's making me nauseated and makes it hard to sleep. Thanks!

I discussed lapband with all my friends and family before having it and every single one supported me because they knew how unhealthy I was and saw my struggles with gaining/losing. I had lost 100 pounds and got sick and gained it all back plus another 40. Anyone who asks, I share it with them. My Mom had Easter dinner and made sure there were foods I could eat. All my other friends and family have supported me. Personally I don't care what others think. I am losing weight, getting healthier, and others keep me accountable. I had my surgery March 22nd, have lost 40 pounds, and stuck to my low carb high protein diet and have not even thought about cheating. Good luck to all of you!

Did you have a hiatal hernia repair? I did and it causes sharp pain in the left shoulder. Also the air from the surgery like the previous poster mentioned.

Tell me about it Illuminationlady! This guy has me on an Atkins type diet. Less than 30 carbs a day, high protein and no sugar. No pastas, fruits, etc., due to carbs. My Internist says he is crazy, but of course has a good reputation for great results. He says all fat patients are addicted to carbs and eating a bowl of cereal is like eating ice cream. I have not cheated so far and have lost 30 pounds. I lost 12 preop and the rest postop. My surgery was 6 weeks ago. I am not eating due to the pain in my upper abdomen when I eat and drink. Since I have a split pancreas and it is getting worse, I think I will go see my Gastroenterologist and maybe he can make sure I don't have pancreatitis again. My band doctor won't listen so I don't have much of a choice.

Boy do I agree with the original poster! I had no choice but to have Dr. Cywes, since they broke up during the time I was getting approved. All the Nurses and people I talked to as well as online reviews praise Dr. C but his bedside manner stinks! I am sick of him not listening to me and lumping me in with his over 4,000 patients he constantly reminds me of. I have followed every rule of his to a T and not once cheated. As a matter of fact it has taken me longer to get on real foods than it should. I am having pain and he said it was what and how I eat. No exam, no nothing. I have immune system issues and he just wants to sit there and tell me how right he is. In the mean time I am miserable and 6 weeks out still drinking most of my meals and eating mushy food. I have lost the weight he wants but his "in your face" attitude does not motivate me and I dread going back to him. It just ticks me off! Not to mention my 3 hour wait on both my post op AND my first fill appointment. If he cares so much for his patients, why do we wait 3 hours to get in a room then another 30-45 for him to come in and accuse you of doing what you aren't supposed to? If I cheated, I'd admit it. My results and my word should be proof enough. His own staff and the nurses at the hospital talk about his crappy bedside manner. They say "he is an awesome surgeon but we are working on his bedside manner." I guess having a good surgeon is worth the doctor being a pain in the butt, but he and I are about to have it out if he doesn't start listening to me.

I have Fibro and Degenerative Osteoarthritis in my back and hips. The pain meds helped with the surgery pain, but it seemed to take me a bit longer to bounce back after surgery than others. The trainer they had me see gave me stretchy band exercises to do. My shoulders are killing me right now from trying them. Not the muscles, the joints. Let yourself heal before trying any of that. Fortunately my regular doctor upped my pain meds to the liquid hydrocodone I got from my lap band doctor from darvocette since that has helped better with pain and swallowing after surgery. Good luck! Just think, once you start losing weight, the pain should lessen in all your joints. Mine already is and I am 6 weeks postop and have lost 30 pounds.

Thanks for the post. It is great for all new bandsters Unfortunately my doctor tells you how much he expects you to lose and when you don't, he gets all uppity about how you are doing something wrong. He expects 50 pounds off in 3 months! I have already had 1 argument with him over some pain I am in. I have been able to fall within "his" expectations so far, but I now dread going to him. Thank goodness he has a supportive staff that tells me to ignore his attitude and that they are working on him.

Let me know what your doctor says. Mine has gotten worse and if I slightly push the area, it hurts through to my back. I can't wear a bra because of the pressure it puts there. I want to go back to the doctor but after he jumped on me, I really don't think he will listen. I have barely been eating or drinking because anything I put in me, makes it worse. My surgery was 6 weeks ago, so I am starting to freak a little.

I am not sure I can switch doctors due to insurance and he has always been an "in your face" kinda guy. His staff says they are working on him. I would not have gone to him had I not had so many people tell me what an awesome surgeon he is. I have not had any barium swallows or x-rays since I had the band placed. As a matter of fact I only had a chest x-ray for preop testing. After surgery they had me drink 2 cups of water and said if I kept it down it was fine. After my fill Friday, they had me drink 2 sips of water. He is ticking me off. He acts like all of his patients are the same. I have immune system issues as well and am waiting for an appointment with Mayo Clinic for further testing not to mention other gastrointestinal issues I have had all my life. He says illness is an excuse for being fat. He and I will eventually go toe to toe. Especially if he continues having us wait 2 1/2-3 hours in the reception room for appointments. I am so glad I found this forum so I have real people to compare notes with. You guys are the best!

It hurt! Does anyone ever get a topical or something when injected? I also got shoulder pain back. I have not gotten any x-rays or barium or anything to even see if this thing is placed properly. I have read that's what they do. My doctor says he is the doctor and done over 4,000 and can feel the port and if it wasn't in the correct place I'd be vomiting. His attitude stinks!

My fill was yesterday. My instructions said clear liquids 24 hours. Day 2 & 3 clear liquids and protein drinks. After the 3 days of liquids then 5 days mushy, then return to normal as tolerated.

I'm almost 4 weeks out and just had my first fill yesterday. I was and still am a bit like you. I was told the issue is from the stomach swelling right after band placement. Once that goes down you will be able to tolerate more liquids. I was slowly getting better but now that I had the fill, I am back to fullness again. At least i can't eat much! LOL

I was told carbs under 30 and stick to a high protein diet and not to worry about fat or calories. Also was told peanut butter was bad because it can get stuck.

Well I went in and the staff told me it was from the hernia and and I am still healing. Then the doctor came in and says I am either eating too much, too fast, taking too big of bites or eating the wrong foods. I told him that I was eating less than a 1/2 cup of food twice a day and was still chopping everything up and following his directions to a T. He all but called me a liar! I was so upset I almost cried. I told him I had always had the pain, but it had worsened after surgery and he still kept repeating the same thing. Then he proceeded to give me a fill which hurt like heck! Then hands me a piece of paper saying I am back on liquids for 3 days then mushy food for 5. I am so sore am disgusted with him. I was told he is the best surgeon there is in my area but waiting in the reception room for 2 1/2 hours to be yelled at for something I did not do is beyond horrible bedside manner. I have never had any barium or x-rays or anything since the surgery. When I asked him about it he said he has done over 4,000 surgeries and he was the doctor, blah, blah, blah. He gave me 2 sips of water and said if I didn't throw up, I was fine and off he went. I had to talk to the counselor after he left because I was fuming!

Did you have a hiatal hernia repair? I had similar pain and the pain from the hernia repair happens in the left shoulder. Sometimes the spasms in the upper chest made it where I couldn't breathe.

I'll ask when I go in Friday and let you know what my doc says. Mine is lower than my heart. I'd say under the breasts right in the center. When I asked when I went back for post op, he said the hernia repair, but this seems lower. It's uncomfortable and worse at night, so it bugs my sleeping and eating, plus I am not losing weight. I eat 1 or 2 times a day and maybe 1/2 cup food at most and it's always mushy because I am too scared to eat anything else and because it gets worse when I eat and drink. I can't eat more protein to lose weight like mentioned in the other threads if it bothers me to eat. Uggggghhhhh!

Slowing down what? Eating and drinking? I am still chopping food up, eating slowly, and only sipping water. I have not gone to eating normally yet, due to the ache. Thank you!