swlollen lump under one of my incisions..HELP!

Hi group! I have the lap-band and have been banded for just over a year. For the last 4 weeks I've been experiencing a swollen, sore lump under one of my incisions. I've been to the emergency room three times, my PCP and a gastro doctor. I've had an ultrasound, blood tests and a few CT scans...all have shown nothing. The doctor thought I may have an incisional hernia (I think it's called a ventral hernia??) then a week later he tells me he thinks it isn't an internal hernia but maybe part of my band poking through. The doctors I've seen know absolutely nothing about the band and this is quite frustrating but not surprising to me. I was a self-pay and went to Mexico for my surgery. I am not having any problems eating, no vomiting, no pain while eating, no nothing other than this stinkin' swollen lump. Has anyone out there experienced anything like this? I'm stressing over this. Any thoughts, ideas, suggestions, anything would be greatly appreciated. On a side note, I sent my tests to my doctor in Mexico and my US fill doctor. Thanks! Katrina

I wish I had an answer for you. But . . .Why in the world would you go under the knife in Mexico? If you say your insurance wouldn't cover you tough. Find another way to get the surgery! Save save save! Hello! You are very lucky you didn't have major complications let alone death. This surgery is risky enough and then to go south of the border is asking for trouble. Please, please see a bariatric specialist in the U.S. that has experiance under his/her belt. That way they can determine what the cause is. I wish you all the best and I will pray that you get an answer soon Katrina.

A lot of surgeons are MORE experienced than ones in the US and also a lot of them ARE US docs! I reseached this option too as my insurance wouldn't cover the Lap-Band either but I decided the RNY was the way to go for me. It's about 1/3 of the cost in Mexico and I know a few peope that have done it with NO complications. Complications can happen just as easy in the US with a doc whos done 1000's of these.

I know this is an old post, and I am new to this entire site, but I just had to respond. A lot of Americans, not all, think that if things are not American made or done the American way, then it is not the best. American doctors get training from all over the world as well as South of the Border. Some medical treatments and new medical technology a lot of times come from places other than America and from non-American people. I am a proud American and I love my country. But I do realize that there are some great things we use everyday that have not originated in the States, including some medical technology.