Hi All! I haven't been on here in a very long time, but I have been back and perusing everyone's posts and profiles trying to find some answers for myself... Basically, I had my surgery in July of 2005 (GB) and it didn't go quite as planned...it was 4 hours long, a lot of bleeding (so I came home with a JP Drain). Exactly a week after the surgery I had spiked a 102 fever and had to go back into the hospital for a week. It turned out, after a ton of testing that I had contracted an infection through the drain site. Now fast forward three years later to this past May. I had been having pains in my abdomen that I thought were normal side effects of the GB and never got them checked out. Well, May 2nd I was rushed into the hospital for emergency surgery. The surgeon found adhesions, a very small internal hernia, and took my gall bladder. For about the past month I have been having severe pains in and around my belly button and up by my sternum. I have been extremely weak and tired and put on about 10 pounds. Just as of two days ago, hot and cold have been wreaking havoc on my insides. Anything I eat causes excrutiating pain on my right side, directly on my waist. The incision site from the last operation that I had (lap) on the right side of my belly button has become EXTREMELY sensitive to the touch, however I feel no significant lump to indicate hernia. There is however a small cyst like feeling way underneath my skin. I don't know if it is an abscess, the beginning of a hernia, or if I just strained myself (although as I said before I have been very lazy as I am weak and can afford to be for the summer on a teacher's schedule!) I have an endoscopy scheduled for Wednesday, and have done a ton of research, but I am at a loss. Has anyone else had anything similar to this at 3 years later? I just cry because I don't know what else to do. The Pepcid hasn't been helping. The only thing that actually feels like it is semi-effective is the Carafate, and that's not even anything to really brag about. I was told not to take it for up to 72 hours before the endoscopy. HELP! Sincerely, Diane

Lovely lady: Justin's finishing school next May with a double major in Recombinant Genetics and Chemistry. He plans to start a graduate school at the University of Kentucky the following year. The latest news is that I will probably have the feeding tube in permanently. My esophagial muscles are shot from the chemo/radio. There's a remote chance they will get better. Pray. I feel pretty good, look better, and can still get down!!! Life''s a beach and I'm on it. Dave Obama's on his way!!!

Hey you! A tree? hilarious! I LOVE IT! Malibu

Dave? Is that you, hun? Wow....I don't know where to start. First of all...Im glad you are still with us! It sounds like it's been a hell of a year! Karma...or the Good Lord...or the white light...or what ever you believe in...must be on your side, Mr. Man! You are remarkable! I have been without a computer for so long, I barely remember how to use this darn thing! How is your son? Malibu

EGD stands for esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Basically they knock you out and stick a camera down your throat into your stomach. The doctor can check for ulcers, any leaks from your pouch into the old stomach, the size of your stoma (the opening from the pouch to the intestine) and the condition of the first part of the small intestine. The scope is also equipped with the ability to do a series of injections around the stoma to make it smaller or to stretch it if it is too small. Mine was done as an outpatient procedure. I was knocked out for about 45 minutes and spent a total of about 3 hours at the hospital. I will need to go back in about 6 weeks and have it done again to check and make sure it worked. Since you had a lap band I don't know if getting scoped would do you any good. You might just need a fill to tighten your band. You need to consult with your doctor.