Not so Newbie, but in need of support.......

[Ice Maiden 0]

Hi,

I was banded in October 2006, in Canberra Australia. For the first 12 months things went well. Then I fell ill and had to have the fill removed. Since then things have gone down hill. Twice it has been filled and emptied due to illness. The last time I had fill put in (3mls in a 10ml band) was February 2010. I have gained the initial 20lb I lost.

But now I have a bigger problem. For quite some time have had sever shoulder pain , that radiated to my neck, around my ribs , into the middle of my back. Has driven me mad and at times sounded like a hypochondriac, not being able to place the pain in one exact spot. My Bariatric surgeon was no help as he thinks I am a total hypochondriac and as a result of that and a few other comments he made, I have no faith in him.

I have done some research and finally came across some infomation about the Phrenic nerve and how the Lap Band can effect this. Mainly by the tubing between the port and the band irritating the nerve. This nerve is located around the diaphragm area and C 3-4-and 5 in the spine. This is the reason the pain is so random.

I have since moved and contacted another surgeon in my area about the problem and am awaiting a reply as to weather he will take me on as a patient. I certainly hope he does as this has been goiing on for almost a year now and gradually getting worse.

I was wondering if any one else here has experienced this and what the treatment was?

I am really looking for some really positive support now. I invested a lot of money in this band and damded if this piece of silicone is going to sit idle around my stomach!

It is really hard to get support when your surgeon contradicts what the dietician recommends. In the end I was so confused I just gave up. Then along comes this problem and he is still was not supportive. My only constant support has been my husband. He has been my rock. He is also my ears since am hearing impaired amd makes all my phone calls and comes with me when he can.

Looking forward to all input and opinions.

Thanks

Amy

[cheryl2586 3,053]

I had chronic shoulder pain for one entire year. Until I had my first fill it finally went away sometimes it comes back. Sometimes the position of the band is not laying correctly on the nerve causing that pain. It horrible to live with I know. How many fill s have you had? I have only had two in a year and three months so the pain seems to have subsided. I would definitely see if you can find another surgeon but unfortunately that pain may never go away.