Please help...I think there's something wrong with my band

Hello everyone!

I need reassurance please.  I have been banded for 15-months.  I have had 2 fills so far.  I've made an appointment for my third fill for this Thursday 7/16/09.  I am scared that the doctor will find something wrong with my band.  I've been having a little pinching pain here and there by my port area. Its very light and usually comes when I reach over to grab something or stretch out too far.   I am wondering if this is a sign my band slipped or is eroding inside me.  The thought of either one makes me feel so nervous.  Please help me.  I am able to eat normal but small meals.  Food hasn't gotten stuck in a while.  I am able to drink as much as I want.  I do not have acid reflux only when I eat very spices food, which is rare.  I have not lost or gained any weight for about 2-3 months. 

Has anyone had similar pain by the port area?  What was your diagnoses?  I don't want to lose my band!!!! Its the best thing that has helped me lose weight. 

Please help me...I need reassurance regardless if its bad news.  I just want to be prepared as to what the doctor might find. 

Hi there!  I had the same feeling and all worry for nothing.  The band is fine, your port is a tube that has a button like object on the end and that is where fills are put.  the tube is attached to muscle or ??? and I happened to had pulled mine pinching it away causing pain.  I took a few weeks and went away!  good luck!!

Hi Ann!

Thanks for answering my question.  Sometimes I feel crazy and some days I feel crazier because of my band.  I've been reading a lot about band erosion and slips and I'm so terrifed that I tend to psych myself out.  I am seeing my doctor this Thursday to get a little fill and hope that overall my band is okay.

I've only noticed the pain these last three weeks and I think I know what has caused the irritation.  I got a new lap top and tend to lie sideways on my left side.  I think to much pressure on my port.  It doesn't help that every night and morning I tend to push down on it and feel to make sure its still there and push hard enough to try to isolate the pain.  Its probably me irritating it.

Oh my band...how I love it, but also how its made me very aware of any little change in my body that I freak out that its band erosion...my worst nightmare! 

Yep, you are right.  Your port is just tugging on the stiches as you pull it funny.  I get this if I pick up and carry something really heavy or bend just right.

In a few hours I will heading to TJ to have my band checked.  I am so nervous right now.  I am for certain something is very wrong.  I've still have that pinching pain and now I feel that my stomach is looking a little swollen...oooohhhh. 

All I can do now if hope for the best.  I am hoping that its all in my head.  I keep telling myself that...its all in your head...I hope I am right. 

I have a pinching pain around my port area occasionally, I just feel like it is everyday pulling and muscle using and it does not do it everyday. The signs of a slipped band and erosion are different. Do not worry.

It really could just be that you pulled it wrong. I hope everything goes well at your appointment. Come on over to the Lap-band board and let us know what they say. Good luck! -Nikki

AS the others say, the port is attached by stitches and even those these are cleatly now healed, it can still pull agisnt the muscle sometimes. It is nowhere near the band itself and so pulling there cannot be a sign of a band slip.

Why are you one the Failed WLS board? Have you not lost weight? Join us on the lapband forum!

Kate

If the port area isn't red or hot to touch (signs of infection), it's probably just irritation from exercise or lifting.  That happens to me from time to time.

But if it seems to be infected, that could in fact be a sign of band erosion (from bacteria traveling from the band, along the tubing, to the port).  So it's a good thing you're going to see your doctor.

Good luck, and come visit the lap-band forum!

Jean

Thank you all for your responses.  I feel like I have a good source of support here! 

Well, I am happy that I chose to go back to Dr. Ortiz in TJ where I got my lap-band.  I had a floro done and it showed a slight pouch dialation. The dr givnig me the fill asked if I was happy I made the decision to come back as I originally thought of going to someone local that does not use the floro.  But because I was having the pain decided to get the floro done.  Instead of getting a fill I had a slight unfill.  The doctor thought perhaps my band was too tight and had stretched out when I started eating more...oops my bad!

Any ways, I want everyone to know what the doctor told me.  The doctor said if I would have gone to see another dr for a fill without the floro the dr would have given ime a fill and it would have eventally caused a slippage as my band was heading there.  Its so important to go to a fill center that uses floro!  The dr told me that the band has a bad rap for slippage but also stated its because patients dont have fills using the floro...makes lots of sense to me!!!

It is also very important to see your dr at the first hint of pain!! I'm glad I did!!!!