Lap band and c-section

vluckey · March 19, 2007

I already posted this earlier, but I was hoping to get some more info if there is anyone else out there who has experienced this.

I had a c-section on March 8th. Since then I have been extremely tight. My band is empty, and prior to surgery I had very little restriction. Some people have mentioned post surgery swelling and/or hormones being the culprit. However, it is now 11 days post surgery and there seems to be no relief.

I emailed my doctor who said I could come in and see if there is any residual fill still in my band. I'm more fearful of band slippage. I don't exactly know what happens with a c-section, so I don't know if they "messed with" my stomach.

I don't want to waste a trip to my doctor if this is just a matter of waiting it out.

Any input is greatly apprectiated.

ihomeschool4 · March 23, 2007

Hi Vanessa,

I don't have any help to offer...just wanted to check and see if you have found anything out and if you are doing any better...

sorry that I'm no help...my two c-sections came before my band (i'm having the surgery on April 12...woohoooo!!).

With much empathy,

sgrennan · March 23, 2007

I agree , I think it is the swelling. I'v had two c-sections (before i was banded ), And the swelling for me was tremendious. I couln't hardly bend my toes because my feet were so swollen. It did last for about two weeks, I remember in the third week i coulnt stop saying look my ankles are so skinny, and my feet! They give you much more iv Fluid before , during and after a section then they did for your lap band. I didnt swell at all when i had my band. Hope this is the case and nothings gone wrong.

vluckey · March 23, 2007

Well my doctor wants to do an upper gi next week. I'm supposed to call the hospital and schedule it but I'm going to wait and see what happens this weekend.

sgrennan has made a point that I didn't think of regarding the IV. I spend extra time in recovery because my urine output was too low. They gave me extra IV Fluid to see what would happen. I ended up being fine, and putting out tons of urine. But, that could explain the additional swelling.

I personally don't feel especially swollen, but my perspective could be ascewed. I wouldn't think it would take a lot of swelling to affect my band.

I'll keep ya posted.

fabfatgrl · March 26, 2007

C-section has nothing to do with your stomach. I think the IV fluids could be the culprit. Could also be the post-pregnancy hormones... and things getting back to normal. I know that even though my Band has been unfilled during all of my pregnancies, sometimes I feel bizarro restriction due to hormones... similar to period tightness.