MMM6886

I had lap band surgery 10/2010. Have only lost ~40 lbs...still have a long way to go. Very disappointed in the results but trying to do all the things I should do - trying to become re-committed more recently. But that's beside the point... Anyway, I have had limited problems as they are related to the lapband, however, I have a problem that I'm wondering if it IS related. Here's the story. Spring/summer of 2012 I had intermittent upper (middle) abdomenal pain that I would pass off as possible irritation from NSAID pain relievers, too much to eat, etc. But then in June, the pain became constant during one week and kept getting worse to the point of going to the ER. I was admitted and via a CT scan was told I had "dialated loops of bowel" which, when looked up on medical websites, is a blockage; had a low-grade fever and no other symptoms (no vomiting or diarrhea). However, they just gave me IV antibiotics, told me it wasn't a blockage and was probably an infection - kept me off food and fluids first day, and then progressed to liquid diet and soft diet. Discharge papers said "gastroenteritis". After 3 days I was released and felt better. Actually after the first night in the ER I felt fine the whole time I was in the hospital. So, because I had had gastric problems most of my life - urgent diarrhea after meals mostly - and primary care physicians over the years just called it IBS and never really did any tests (other than blood testing for Ceilac - negative) I finally decided with the hospital visit it was time to visit a Gastroenterologist and see what the heck was going on. So I did - had a colonoscopy, EGD and small bowel series and all showed NOTHING wrong - no Celiac, no Crohns, no ulcers, no polyps, etc. So he essentially agreed with the IBS theory and said the hospital stay probably was indeed an infection and that's it. He gave me Protonix and an antispasmodic to help with the symptoms. However, since then, I still have upper (middle) abdomenal pain on occasion, sometimes pretty bad...and now its seems to be more to the left (basically right by my stomach), but NOT near my port (so I don't think my port is infected or anything like that). In fact I ended up in the hospital again a few weeks ago - same pain, but CT scan showed nothing and they didn't bother with antibiotics - they guessed it was a viral infection. So, now I'm beginning to wonder if something is going on with my lapband...maybe a slippage? Seems like an hour after I eat I have mild pain. I still have my gallbladder, but the pain isn't usually on the right where I've heard that kind of pain can appear. I'm wondering if anyone else has experienced this type of pain? I don't see the surgeon frequently - the last fill was when I had the EGD last Fall because the band had to be completely deflated and then refilled for that test (and also, I started seeing a new surgeon at that time to insurance changes). I'm getting really frustrated with the pain and feel like no doctors can give me answers...and I fear the bariatric surgeon may be just as unhelpful. Hopefully someone can tell me they've been through something similar and can direct me to the right place. I kept thinking gastric doc should/would help, but my gastric track appears fine...so now what? Please help. Thanks! (Sorry for the long story)

Thanks so much everyone. I am beginning to think that it is indeed gallbladder. And unfortunately, I keep hearing from so many people that it seems to take a long time to diagnose that...so I hope I don't spent years waiting for them to figure it out. But, I will start the journey...LOL Going to call my gastro doc on Monday and see if I can get a HIDA test or ultrasound. Thank you everyone for responding - I appreciate your help!!!

I'm 2 1/2 weeks out from surgery and on soft foods and doing well. Learning to chew good and eat small bites. Been vomit-free since '93 (sorry - Seinfeld reference)...anyway, haven't vomited yet -yay! However, as you all know, suddenly when you can't have something, you crave it. I rarely ate popcorn before, but now I'd like some (when ready for real food). What has been your experience with this delicacy? :thumbup:) Thanks all!

Hi there, I'm 2 1/2 weeks after surgery and doing well. Unfortunately, during all my research, I somehow missed the fact that I may never be able to take a non-steriod anti-inflammatory (NSAID) medication again?!? This is not good. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and NSAIDs are all that works for me. Tylenol doesn't do crap. I understand that even without surgery NSAIDs are bad for the stomach - though I always took Protonix as well and have never had any stomach problems in the past. So, now I have the band and I just wonder what my options are. I know there is a Flexor patch out there, but that is a NSAID patch that is supposed to target specific pain...my RA gets bad enough that I'd end up patched all up...LOL. Anyway, the Flexor warnings indicated that they could cause stomach upset too (how is that possible if its not going through the stomach?). Anyway, wondering if anybody else has had challenges with NSAIDs after surgery... So far, so good, I'm waiting to talk to my surgeon more about this, but just looking for opinions for now. Thanks all!!!

Yeah, I'm 2 1/2 weeks out and wondering about different sensations now. I feel "full" just under my left breast (under my ribcage) and along the port. The port also feels REALLY close under my skin and feels "loose"...I hope it isn't getting ready to "flip" as I've heard some people describe. My incisions also feel funny. Like when I go on my 30 minutes walk, I feel pressure around them. I guess maybe that's just the scar tissue still building up and when I walk (and unfortunately still jiggle...LOL) the scar tissue is pulling??? Anyway, if anyone can comment about both of these concerns of mine, I'd appreciate it. As I said, it's not really pain, just pressure and pulling. Normal - yes or no? Thanks all!

I'm only 2 1/2 weeks out from surgery. Last year at this time I bought myself a beautiful ring that was a little tight. The jeweler offered to size it for me, but I was too excited to wait, so I said I'd bring it back. Well, within about 3-4 months (earlier this year) I could no longer put it on. I let it sit while I made my decision about surgery. Now I've lost 16 lbs and the ring fits again...and I probably won't have to get it sized after all!!! That was my "first" ah-ha moment!! :-) Looking forward to more like you all described! :thumbup:

OMG Piperboo - I know exactly what you mean. Before surgery I never realized how complex the joy of eating is - we all know it's not just taste, but smell too...however, now I've learned it is just as important about the "big bite" being satisifying, the chew a few times and gobble down...the texture, etc... Of course, that just gives us more demons to temper, but I've found the ability somehow. It's very interesting the things I'm learning about "eating" (and drinking - oh man not drinking during a meal is almost torture...)!!

Hi there, I'm so sorry you're going through what you have for the past few years. I can only imagine how disappointed, angry and frustrated you are. A few comments though. It sounds like the medical professionals you've dealt with so far weren't the best. Perhaps it is time to research and find a very qualified surgical clinic that specializes in gastric surgeries. Make sure it is a "Center of Excellence" - those places are wonderful. They have to meet certain criteria that signal the fact that they are VERY experienced and set up for this type of work. You need a caring and qualified surgeon to evaluate your whole history with this experience, along with a good nutritionist and maybe even a specialized psychologist that can help you with the emotional and mental toll that this has taken on you. Try Barix - there is one in Ypsilanti Michigan and a few other locations in Michigan and I believe PA too. Maybe even Ohio. They were WONDERFUL (I went to Ypsilanti). Finally, I'm no doctor and I can't say I've ever heard of this, but it almost seems like the band is broken, i.e. the fills aren't staying in there, like there's a hole or something. I wonder if they can even tell that on an xray or whatever? But maybe a qualified surgeon can explore that possibility. Something is definitely wrong here and I think you need to take your health into your own hands and push push push to find a GOOD medical center to go to and get the answers you need. Best of luck to you and I hope things get better!! Michelle

Funny that so many have suggested heating pad. I've found that had helped me in the past as well (as well as hot baths) and when I asked a nurse assistant for a heating pad while in the hospital, she poo-pooed the idea with some theory about "well, when gas is heated, it expands and don't you think that will hurt worse?". What is she, a physicist in her spare time? LOL Anyway, the night nurse didn't argue with me and got one for me and it helped.

Hi all, Please consider this my application to your October 2010 bandsters! I had surgery 10/6 - one week out and feeling ok. I've lost 13 lbs but strangely enough, I'm not excited about it. The pain is mostly gone, just "discomfort" right now and dealing with bloat. Finally on pureed foods - tried cheesie burger (fried up low-fat grd beef & mixed with a little cheez whiz and milk then blended in blender). It was ok - the chunks that were left over (that the blender didn't get) were the best - I just chewed them real well. Otherwise, the consistency was a little icky/grainy - remember, taste has to do with mouth-feel as well as actual flavor. Pureed may not go well with me...we'll see. But the food stayed down (I was so terrified while eating) and I was relieved. Right now I'm dealing with depression too. I believe it is hormonal - having had my body go through so much, woman's issues on top of that, etc...my hormones are out of whack. I'm hoping that clears up soon. I'm recovering home ALONE as well, so that doesn't help. But this forum and the one for my surgical clinic has been wonderful. We can do it though -on this journey together. It sure does help to talk to others that had the surgery around the same time...and also had other surgeons. That's when you realize the rules are not "written in stone" - which, while I believe you should follow your own surgeon's directions, it helps to know that there are variations out there! Take care and good luck everyone!! Michelle

Hi all - I'm new. Just had the band surgery 10/6/10. I'm still recovering, but looking forward to eating a new way. But its so confusing... I wish someone would create either a really good animation of how the band and stomach work with different foods and/or someone could invent a working, life size version to show exactly what is going on in there. For instance, when you eat solid food (either pureed or chewed well), doesn't it sit in the pouch for a while before going through the opening? Or does each bite go through rather quickly? Why do certain things that don't seem to make sense get stuck - like eggs? Why do people have problem with eggs? I mean, scrambled or soft-boiled can be mushed up pretty small, so what's the problem? What about Pasta? Is that a problem - why? What about small pasta (there is a kind called acrini de pepe - they're little balls that you usually see in Italian Soups - they're smaller than a pencil eraser)? What about stringy cheese? I understand from some people that cheese was a good option for them to get their Protein in...but then I think of melty cheese from pizza or pasta and just imagine a glob of it sticking in the hole. I'm so confused...I wish I understood better the mechanisms... Any help is appreciated - I need to get to my pureed food stage starting tomorow and I'm a little scared. But I need to get there because I'm not getting enough nutrients now - not enough protein, calories or water..... Thanks.:laugh:

Oh geez...I have the same problem. My surgery was 10/6 and here it is almost 6 days and I still have bloating and gas and it appears as if it is both above and below the band (if that's possible). I'm managing to get it out without having to take anything, but darn it! It just keeps coming back - even just drinking water does it. :-( And I think its causing me to eat and drink a lot less - I would get I am only getting 1/2 cup of anything besides water in me a day and god only knows how little protein I'm ingesting. I guess based upon your experience its time for me to call the surgeon - please pray that I don't have to go back in for more surgery to move things around...ugh!!! I'm so depressed right now.. :laugh: