Should Be Getting Better - Right?!

[RavenClaw779 2]

I'm a week out from surgery. Problems with my unfilled 11cc band led to numerous tests which pointed to the band needing to be removed. Not wanting to regain I mentioned to my surgeon, "if it can be saved, please do" - but he was 99% sure it needed to go.

Surprised to came out of surgery with a hiatel hernia repair and the band still in. My follow up appointment is Wednesday, but I just don't feel right.

I've got reflux like I never had before and this annoying need to clear my throat. I have a weird lump at the base of my neck which I can literally feel - thought maybe it was from being intubated for surgery, but shouldn't it be gone by now? Everything I drink - coffee, tea, Water stops in my throat and then it sounds like a slow drain swirling down. Can do the same soft foods I did before surgery - yogurt, cottage cheese, but it did take 45 minutes to get down a bowl of thin oatmeal. After eating(if you can call it that) pain either spreads across the center of my chest and along my jaw or across my shoulder blades. Even drink water results in belching like I just had a beer!

Anyone out there experience this and is it normal? Will it resolve in time?

[dlkumes 42]

Please call your surgeon and let us know how you make out. I am so sorry you are in such pain. I was banded on July 1 and its been a tough week. Ended up with an infection at the port site and that has set me back. The antibiotic has me in the bathroom all the time and I am worried about dehydration. You really need to check in with your doc or see if they can get a nurse out to see you. I have one come three times already and the insurance pays. Good luck. Donna

[CHEZNOEL 4,061]

Definitely call the surgeon!

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

It's not normal at all, call your surgeon ASAP.

[pinklily27 61]

Yes, call your surgeon. If pain is too bad or symptoms persist, consider going to ER. Don't try to be a hero or stoic. Let us know how you do.

[karenw 21]

I also was intubated for over 3 and 1/2 hours my surgeron repaired my hiatal hernia and did a lap band my throat omg was in so much pain for 8 days ..I pray this is all you feeling I am talking huge pain, I am not feeling any of that pain now, just some in my port which from what i read is totally normal...

[dawalsh 919]

The only way to find out what"s wrong is to call your surgeon ASAP. If you can't see him right away go to the ER! Better to be safe than sorry!

[RavenClaw779 2]

Soonest they can see me is Wednesday - apparently in their eyes this is NBD(No Big Deal).

Thanks for all the support - will check back in Wed PM with news.

[RavenClaw779 2]

Par for the course, I was not seen by my WLS for yesterday's post-surgical follow up and once again had to go through the whole history again with yet another PA I'd never met. Once we established that I hadn't just had a band placed, the PA went and got a print out of my surgical notes(not in the file!?). What I was told - my band hadn't slipped, but I had a significant hiatel hernia as well as adhesions(scarring). Per my request to save the band, the surgeon repaired the hiatel hernia.

What the PA indicated was missed/wrong in the discharge instructions:

- Pain med should've been in liquid form.

- Only Rx meds - no Vitamins or supplements unless liquid form until swelling subsides(surgeon noted it okay to resume all meds on day after surgery)

- A script for Prilosec in liquid form

- Instruction to consume only liquids and pureed food until further notice. No greek yogurt - "too thick".

- No lifting anything over the weight of a gallon of milk.

- Walking is the only exercise allowed for now.

According to the PA, the repair was quite intense, so the symptoms I've been having are not surprising. Still have abdominal swelling which may take several more weeks to heal. The lump at the base of my throat is from the two tubes inserted during surgery. The cough,reflux and restriction are also a result of surgical irritation, but if I'd been given the Rx for Prilosec, should be significantly less. It may take up to six weeks to see if this corrects the problem.

In the meantime, I've been told I'm not eating enough, so I need to push Protein shakes. First and only time I've heard that I should work in some ice cream!

So now we again start with the every 7 - 10 day follow up $400 appointments regardless of the fact I'm not getting a fill. That hour and a half roundtrip drive along with juggling a work schedule that doesn't have much flexibility - super!

I'm kicking myself for having the band left in. It's a tool. It works great for a lot of people - no "hate" here, but for me, the quality of life has dwindled.

This is the second hiatel hernia repair. The three years the band has been in have resulted in significant internal scarring, an inability to eat normally, declining social life, endless testing, medicines, embarassing situations, costly co-pays...