painful lower abdominal pain after banding

sandraei · April 13, 2009

I was banded on 3/24/09 in Atlanta by folks at Emory Bariatric center. I've been miserable ever since. I'm having terrible abdominal pain on both sides, in the lower abdomen, more on my right side but above my hip bone. I'm very bloated and swollen - my pants hurt (the pants from 80 lbs ago)! I'm taking benefiber some and am not having issues with bowel movements. I'm using gas-ex too.

While the surgery was out-patient, I ended up in the hospital 4 hours later with an ugly nausea reaction to the anesthesia, stayed 2 days. (This was a known reaction that I tried to make plain to the anesthesia folks before hand. Guess they didn't believe me.)

I went back to my surgeon on 4/7 and she ran a swallow test on me. All looks good from her perspective. But I feel awful, really bad and exhausted all the time. I can eat ok, not great, but getting better. I'm not a surgical novice - 3 c-sections that I only took tylenol for, plus sinus surgery, 2 laproscopic surgeries in the '80's and a crainiotomy in 2005. I'm no pain wussie. But I can't sleep worth a durn and I'm really considering having the band removed. I can tolerate a lot of discomfort for a period if I feel like things will get better, but so far no changes.

Am having a good deal of nausea, the dry heave kind where nothing comes up for a while until suddenly I get these giant belches.

I'm to see my surgeon again on 4/22. Has anyone else had these issues? Do you have any suggestions?

soshal3 · April 13, 2009

Hang in there. It's too soon to be considering removal. I had mine 03/11/09 and experienced some of the same you are talking about, however, it all went away and I feel great now. I think its just the healing process and your body's adjustment. You aren't even at 6 weeks yet....relax, get your nutrition and fluids in and heal. I would bet that it will all resolve in time.

sandraei · April 13, 2009

Did you have the abdominal pain? If so, how long before you felt better? I can put up with almost anything if I feel like it will get better.

Yes, I'm concentrating on nutrition. I lost over 10 lbs in the 1st 2 weeks after banding. I can eat ok - making sure I get my Vitamins and Protein.

Kennedy Conway · April 13, 2009

I also had a lot of painful gas. I truly understand why babies with 'colic' cry. I felt like it too. Gas X didn't help, nor did any Fiber additives. I was told NOT to take them but I think every doctor is different.

I had a LOT of 'productive burping' which is gross & 'sliming' which is even grosser.

Now with no fill I have less gas & I'm taking care of business with healthy choices & exercise.

While I still have EXCRUCIATING port pain so will have it removed as soon as I find a surgeon.

It's been since September of 2007 so I think I gave pain a long enough residence in my body. I hope you will find some solutions & the best of luck to you.

soshal3 · April 14, 2009

For myself, the pain/discomfort of lower ab pain and port pain has nearly all went away. I am 5 wks post op and feel great. Unfortunately, I have gained back about 10 pounds but think that an adjustment will help me out, which I get in one more week. I think you are too soon from surgery to be thinking reversal. You haven't even had time to heal yet. Give your self a chance and wait till you heal and have had chance to really assess the lap band's value for you before making any decisions. I think you will be glad you did.

sandraei · April 14, 2009

Thanks so much for the encouragement. I'm going to hang in there and see how I do at least for the first 8 weeks.

sandraei · May 20, 2009

Doing much better. I ended up having my port placement corrected on May 5 (used MAC anesthesia - so much better!) and am scheduled for first real fill on 5/27/09. My port had flipped, probably from all the vomiting after my initial surgery. This was discovered when we tried to do a fill at the end of April.

But I'm much better now, thank you very much!