fibromyalgia and Lap-Band

Can anyone tell me if there is alot of pain involved with the Lap-Band?  I want to get it but I keep seeing on sites that people with it shouldn't have the procedure done.  I need an answer better than its painful.  I want to know if your body rejects it or whatever.  I really would love a better answer.  Please help anyone?

You may want to check the lap-band board this one doesn't get a lot of action sorry to say Laurie

Hi Jessie - I have the band and fibro.  Have had fibro since about age 6 but only diagnosed 3.5 years ago.  I currently take Lyrica andit has changed my life. The pain is tolerable/manageable and I can exercise without too much down time. PM me if you have questions. Kootenay

Hey Kootenay,  thanks for the reply.  I do have a few questions.   when you 1st started the diet after surgury can you still take your medications?  I'm on Lyrica too, how high is your dosage?  It has made me gain weight.   What kind of exercise do you do?   The only that doesnt hurt that much for me is walking.  I have had fibro all my life too.   How much  did you weight before?  What did you have to do before surgury.  Thanks Jessie

Hi Jessie - I only started Lyrica during the last year and was banded almost two years ago.  However, at the time of surgery I was taking Cymbalta;  I had no problems with pills.  If pills you take are large, you might consider breaking them in half (if not time release).  Some medications come in liquid form also. I'm currently taking 75 mg 2x day but no weight gain (knock on wood).  I am mostly just walking right now.  On occasion, I get on a gym kick and will do treadmill, eliptical and sometimes some strength classes. Bursitis in my hip gets bad but I have to remember that if I don't keep moving it will hurt more in the long run. My starting weight was 225 (I'm 5'4") and am currently holding steady at 134'ish.  You can check out my profile - you'll find I am a turtle (slow loser).  I think it is due to fibro and my lack of real activity as well as a very strong insulin resistance. I wasn't required to do anything special prior to surgery as I was considered a "Light-weight" (which still makes me laugh) but I chose to do a two-week liquid/clear diet to shrink my liver.  I wanted my surgeon to have the best chance possible of making this a success for me. Take care and good luck. Kootenay

I would be interested in hearing a little bit more about Lyrica....haven't met anyone on it.  Exercising is hard for me with the fibro and arthritis but I keep at it. Pat

Hi Pat - A great resource for me is  www.about.com.  If you search on fibro, you will find a bunch of info. Here is a list of drugs that can treat fibro. http://chronicfatigue.about.com/od/treatments/p/newdrugs.htm I truly love Lyrica - it has improved my life in so many ways. Kootenay

Hello kootenay I just wanna say congrats on your weight loss and your pain free days. I have just been diagnosed with fm and think I've had for much longer but no dr actually dx me til recently. It has taken a toll on my body and my life and I hate the fact that I have started to gain weight. I have had issues in the past with weight gain but had the help of so many diet pills that I have tried to keep the weight off. Now with fm it is so hard to keep the weight off with no pills and especially no exercise. Before I started taking savella and elavil at night to help sleep i was weighing 176 and i'm 5'2 and a lil less than a month i have gone up to 187. Man do i hate it.. i have an appt this monday with my doc to see if i qualify for the lap band but after reading your denials from the insurance company i'm not to sure how well it will go for me.  just wanna know the dr you say you seen in tj how much did he charge you for the procedure? and weren't you afraid of that quality of work since he is a non us surgeon?

Hi, I have arthritis, DDD and fibromyalgia.  My lap band surgery was 3-3-08.  I had the fear of experiencing a lot more pain than others.  So far, it is nothing that I can't tolerate.  I was off narcotic meds within three days of surgery, which is pretty good for me.  Mostly have pain in back but I had that before surgery.  They kept me very comfortable in the hospital and md gave me prescription for liquid narcotic for home before I had surgery.   Check with your md

I was really concerned about pain from the band. They told me that you would be able to feel it between your ribcage, which is one of my bad spots.

That is one of the reasons I opted for VSG instead.