Pain, discomfort and not being able to eat

[simmah_oz 0]

HELLLOOOOOOOOOOOOO everyone.

My name is Simone I am 25 years old livein in tasmania, australia.

I had the band on the 13th of October 2005.

I have lost 53 Kilos, I am not sure what that is in pounds or lbs.

Except I have been in and out of hospital with my band, well into emergency. As after I eat food (solid) or even mushy food. I get the worst pain in my rib cage under my breasts around to my back rib cage area. Oh its the worst pain, nothing I do will make it go away. I dont vomit often I guess thats because I can not eat. my diet is generally a cup of Soup, sometimes chocolate and cups of tea and juice. So much agitates it.

I keep going to my specialist he tells me if i keep loosing wieght it will stop as the band is tight around my tummy and there was alot of fat or somthing. BUT COME ON its been so long and I live in Fluid and Im just feeling fed up.

I was 155 kilos I am now 102 kilos.

Anyways I havent had any xrays or anything he just flobs me off. Its not him going through it every day.

So I booked in to get a second opinion. Im thinking they might change the band or somthing...

Has anyone had this???????????? what did they doooo? and whats the outcome???

When I go to the hospital they give me stuff for reflux and then an injection for the pain then send me home. Morphine has been the injection or other potenant drugs...

They think that I have inflammation or somthing...

ANYWAYS

hope some one else can help, I feel lost...

Sim...

HI FROM AUSTRALIA

[Tess L 0]

hi, I was having pain some nausea and a little vomiting an X-ray showed nothing, but an upper GI showed my band had slipped. lucky I was in surgery less then 24hours later they put in a VG band but after 2fills I'm not losing anything as a mater of fact I gained a few pounds. off to doctors today for my 3rd fill I hope it works. Best of luck to u

[Jachut 487]

Hi Simone, I live in melbourne.

Sheesh, no offence but your surgeon sounds like an idiot. How on earth can he tell you to just put up with it without investigating further? If you're positive your managing your band properly, not gulping or eating too fast to cause the pain, then there is obviously something not right which should be investigated. If he wont do it I'd find someone else who will. You could be slipped for sure.

Didnt he even try a small unfill?

I'd honestly find another surgeon. That is no way to live, you must feel below par surviving on fluids.

[simmah_oz 0]

thanks for your replies. Yes I get bad reflux and feel crook often. I also have really bad dihoreea like Fluid. Then I am constipated for 2 weeks and it hurts sooooooooo much like I have strained my tummy muscles compltelty and it hurts bad. The pain in my ribs is sooooooooo un bearable I hate it. Yeah I eat slow and chew alot. I cant even tolerate youghart anymore. Its sucky. My specialist is a **** head I feel. He hasnt investigated at all. He also went and put another fill in last time I was there. he said because I am loosing so much wieght its good and the more I looser my band will become around my band or somthing.

I just feel sick of it, but I am glad I am so happy I have lost the wieght, just feel tired of it all.

[JJB 2]

I cant believe you have been going through this for so long and he has done any tests. Im glad that you have an appointment for a second opinion. Make sure and let us know what happens. Good luck to you. And congrats on the weight loss.

[desertmom 297]

I think you first of all need an unfill.Any band surgeon can do that....Then you need to investigate more into the cause of all this.

I've had lots of pain,backpain,reflux ect ect since been banded.....I've had scopes and all kinds of things and there is no real reason for it....I just can feel the band...thats it....

When I have lost all my weight I will remove the band...cant think of anything else to do..

Anyway,now you are on your way to be below a 100kg's and that is wonderful.

Do go for an unfill.It is not worth living like that for such a long time...

My band wasnt tight enough for about 7 months because of the symptoms and I didnt lose much at all in that time....now,tighter and I feel all that again...am going for another unfill in 2 days....

So,dont let him blow you off....go to another dr.You might even have slipped your band.....you have to get it looked at.

Good luck

[simmah_oz 0]

its sooooooooooo anoying. :eek: Just a quick note to say thanks to all for responding.

What is the pain in the ribs and back? why do people get that?

I was thinking once ive lost my wieght to have the band taken out too.

Damn sick of it already lol but I am trying to think positive.

[the best me 6]

sim, the pain is from your esophogus and stomach tissue above the band trying to push foods (er, liquids, in your case) through a very small stoma, or opening. You are too tight. If you have any fill at all, have it all removed, and I think you will really be amazed at how much better you will feel. You may have slipped, and if this is the case, you need to find out. Either way, a complete unfill is in order for you.

If you have not slipped, you need to spend some time unfilled and reducing any swelling in the area. You do this by sticking to a liquid/very soft diet. You may also need to take some type of acid-reducer medication, and I always recommend Aloe Vera juice. Sip a few ounces of that a few times a day. It's very healing.

Try not to worry about weight loss at this stage of the game. You are doing great! Your banded life is painful and frustrating, and it's not supposed to be this way. Get a new doc! I can't believe he filled you with the symptoms you are having! Shame.

Get unfilled, and keep us posted! (((hugs))))

[simmah_oz 0]

Thank you so much Kathy. I take a tablet called Buscapn for stomach spasms and panadol at home and I also drink fizzy drink which helps me burp. I had about 3 mouthfuls of fish mixed with mayo and it feels like it is stuck in my ribs atm. It sucks. yes I have had 3 fills I think. I am not sure what my band is, I will find my bit of paper.

Thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it.

I gotta stay positive.

You ladies and gents are just WONDERFUL!!!

*hugs*

I am so glad I found this site.

[the best me 6]

sim, no fish, only liquids till you get unfilled. And sip super-small, okay? That stuck pain is your band telling you "NO!" so listen to it. Drink protien shakes and the like so you get some nutrition. It matters less the size of your band and the amount of fill. What really matters is your band is telling you it's too tight.

Your doc is right that the band will loosen with weight loss, but if you keep filling it, it won't loosen! You MUST be able to eat real, healthy foods in reasonable quantities.

Also, do you crush your pills? And is the Panadol liquid? Girl, please go get an unfill!! You'll feel so much better. And if you don't, you may have a slip. Let's hope not! I'll check back on you!