Pain in lower left abdomen! Very Nervous!!

[isaviolinist 11]

I was banded about 5 weeks ago. I just started eating real foods again (a few days ago). I am feeling some cramping (minor, not unbearable or anything) in my lower left abdomen.

I am so paranoid that my band slipped or my pouch stretched (can the pouch stretch prior to having a fill if I feel no restriction?) or my port came undone or flipped over or something. I have been admittedly eating larger portions than I should be (although its all Protein...but instead of having 1 cup of tofu, I'll have 3 cups, etc.). Does anyone have any advice? Could my band have slipped??

I've been getting so nervous for the past couple of days. If anyone has gone through this and can give me some advice, I'd REALLY appreciate it.

[Nena 0]

I have weird pains in my tummy too. In the beginning, I worried all the time that my band had slipped or stretched. I've had my band 11 months now. Trust me, if u eat too much, you'll puke and you have to do that frequently to stretch the band. They say that if the band slips then you usually have problems eating. You're fine. You're just nervous about something new in your body. I was the same way but now I'm used to it. This forum has helped me learn a lot so it qualms my fears.

[isaviolinist 11]

Nena -

thank you so much for your response. I have panic attacks about my band slipping, port flipping, pouch stretching, etc. on a regular basis. I am going for my first fill on July 28th and I will have much more piece of mind if my doctor can easily access my port. Hopefully nothing has gone wrong with my band,

isaviolinist

[skinnyjeans 2]

I have pains in my left side where my port is when I eat too much. it's weird for me, that way. I've been banded over 2 years and have never pb and have had fills under flouro so no slips or port flips. That's my trigger that I'm eating too much.

[Sooverit! 1]

violinist....(how nice!) Ask your medical person to show you where you stomach is with a stomach model. I was surprised to learn it was so high ..up near my breasts - no where near the lower left side. When I have pain here it's usually that I am ovulating and time for TOM soon but have it checked out.

[isaviolinist 11]

Hi everyone, just an update. I went in for my fill on July 28th and we did it under fluoro. Everything looked good on the x-ray - everything was in place and where it should have been. No band slips or port flips or anything else I was panicking about lol. And the fill went smoothly. I don't have enough restriction right now and I go for my next fill on August 25th. Thanks for all of the replies!

[skinnyjeans 2]

Glad to hear all went well. The band can be finicky. Just have to learn how your body reacts to it.

[Loveslady 0]

ladies I know this page is old but I too was panicking because I am 2 wks post op and am having having cramps in the lower left side but its not near the port. Iknow this because when I feel the pain I touch the port instinctually. Its good to know I'm not alone. Thank you all.

[SoAnnaBanana 1]

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I also had pain there and I called the nurse and she said that is where your colon is and if you are at all constipated that could be part of the pain. That was the case for me.

[isaviolinist 11]

Oh I never thought of that. Probably what it was (I can't remember now), but I haven't really had the pain since that time. Good to know other people are experiencing it and its somewhat normal.

[Shmoopy 0]

I'm having random pain too. But on my right side...a little bit to the right of my belly button. I mentioned it a couple weeks after my surgery and the doctor said it wasn't surgery related since they never went near there. But I swear....I never had that pain before. And it's not gas. Because I tried Gas-X and it didn't work. And I've had to use pain killers to get rid of it. I guess I'll bring it up to my regular doctor this month, but I think it's weird that I never had it before, and now ever since the surgery it's been a problem. ;(

[Loveslady 0]

Hey, just wanted to let you know that I also had pain there and I called the nurse and she said that is where your colon is and if you are at all constipated that could be part of the pain. That was the case for me.

That would make since cause when I do have to "go" it hurts right there. Also if I have gas it hurts right there. The question is when does it stop cause i don't want this to be a part of the routine. So when did yours stop?

[thecooley 2]

I agree with the previous poster who said the left side pain could be intestinal. I've noticed that since I don't "go" as often, I have been getting pains in my lower left abdomen. Once I do go, it tends to slack off. It could also be gas. I should try some of that Gas-x, but it's too fun to get rid of it the old fashioned way. :wink2:

As for the poster with the right side belly button pain, I seem to remember that was a symptom of appendicitis. Not to scare you or anything. If it's bad enough that you are using pain killers to get rid of the pain, you need to see your doctor. Especially if you begin to feel nauseated or run fever. A burst appendix is bad news. Do not wait if you feel something is wrong. If you are uncertain, have a look at the webmd.com symptom checker; it tends to give a pretty good description of what's going on.

[jms462001 9]

I get pains on both sides from Constipation along with bloated feeling, gas and all that yucky stuff. It has been ongoing for me and I wonder if it ever goes away.