pooh574

Hi, This is a little long which I apologise for. In April, I started vomitting for no reason, no where close to if I had eaten like 2-3 hours after with no rhyme or reason. They did a barium swollow lap band fine. Sent to GI doctor did X-ray and upper GI all was normal. It was decided it was due to stress of caring for 2 Alzheimer's parents. When I was vomitting My abdomen where my port is started hurting off and on. The pain was burning, like something was being ripped. Fast forward to end of June / beginning of July while on vacation no vomiting but constant pain where my port is. I tried to rest where I was not tighting my stomach, taking antiinflammatories no relief. I also did heating and cold packs. I went back to see my surgeon (actually it is always the nurse that work there). They ordered an abdominal ultrasound to check for fluid around the port etc and it came back normal. The doctor recommended what I had already tried so I insisted on seeing him as the nurse said he told her that I needed to suck it up buttercup. They would not make an appointment until they verified my insurance would or would not cover a port revision which I never asked for but simply for him to see me. I finally have an appointment but not until OCT 15. I can no longer wear any clothes that "fit" meaning anything that is non elastic or the next size up (looking loose) because it hurts. I also about scream when I bend over to pick anything up, or do any prolonged activity. my port is on the left side of my belly button and the pain is on the left side of the port. I am 3 1/2 years out so I have had my band a long time. I have never been "too tight" and always compliant of my lap band, with no complication issues. I can not last much longer. I had to insist on seeing him because I know something is wrong! Unfortunately, he did switch offices to being close to the hospital and they now use electronic medical records and communicate via email. I am getting frustrated with that though, What should I do? I do not have a gallbladder.

An update. I did see pain management. The doctor I did see was extremely nice and listens. He agreed with my lap band doctor that my port does not need to be moved at this time. After talking and making sure he knew I was not a drug seeker (I don't want drugs just relief) he did prescribe a cream that is mixed together with different pain medications in them that is localized to the area and not throughout my body. He also wanted to try a steroid injection (not an epidural) for the area T9 and T10 nerves. He said that due to the amount of injections over time to access the port can lead to pain. It did work! I am hoping I do not need another one. He did say if I need a second one then if a third one is needed he will burn those particular nerves. Keep bothering your doctors until you get relief!

An update...I waited to see the doctor and he says basically it is muscle pain and is sending me to pain management. he did say to try to completely rest and luckily my husband has waited on me hand and foot too. I am fine at rest most of the time but any little activity (just going out of the house for dinner) and it is back to being in pain. The doctor said he has never heard of just port pain and there are no studies for this type. I am hoping after taking aleve every 12 hours with Tylenol every 4 hours in between this pain management can help me. Otherwise I am going to demand my port be replaced and moved. I have to wonder if it is the muscle and with a port stitched to it, it may not ever heal.

Thank you! I plan on calling another doctor's office on Monday. I am just very frustrated because of the pain and this isn't normal, also getting a run around and having to beg and plead to see the doctor.

I am curious if anyone has had this happen. I was banded on last thursday April 27th. I have never had trouble healing and I know there is itching and burning as the stitches dissolve and heal. I was told to leave the steri strips on until post op appointment. Well on sunday I had to take them off because of the itching IT WAS TERRIBLE. If anyone has had poison ivy this is the type not bothersome but irritating. I started using hydrocortisone cream around the incisions and helped somewhat but didnt help at all. So yesterday (wednesday) saw a doctor I work with and he thinks it is from the gel that they put on the trocantors for the lap band. I am on predisone and Benadryl at night for it. I am curious if anyone has had a reaction like this after surgery. Thanks