Ask Dr. Curry

Dr. Curry, I sleep on my left side and have been told that is where the port is placed, I worry that I won't be able to sleep on my left side after surgery.  I am a care giver to my father and I can only hear him if I sleep that way or on my back, which eventually it gets sore and I have to sleep on my side.  I cannot sleep on my right side due to pain in my shoulder.  I have asked about this and have been told by the nurse that they could place a low profile port in the center just under my sternum, but it will show more than a regular port in that area.  To your knowledge will a low profile port hold us as well as a regular port ?  I am sure that they can only be entered so many times without some leakage and am wondering since the low profile port is actually made for those with less to lose or at goal if this would be a good idea or not.  I have about 150 lbs to lose.  Thanks, Jac

I've never had a patient tell me that they cannot sleep on their side once they are healed up, low profile port or not.  The low profile port is great, we use that pretty much exclusively.

Dr. Curry, Do you see a lot of complications with the sleeve procedure?  I think this sounds like a good procedure, however I am concerned with stomach stapling complications.  Once the stomach is stapled and healed is there a chance for it to leak.  I mean leak after it is fully healed?  Thank you.

Leaks don't really happen once the pouch completely heals, I'd say 4 weeks for that.  However, the risk of a sleeve is definitely higher than the risk of a band, as far as potentially life threatening complications.

Dr. Curry, Can a sudden increase in restriction indicate a problem with my band? I have 2.9 cc in a 4 cc Inamed band.  My last fill (on May 5) was a bit too much (had some trouble getting liquids down, couldn't eat any soft or solid food) so I had .1 cc taken out on May 20, 2008 and since then have had great restriction (only able to eat 1/2 cup of food at a time, but able to solid food).  Since then I have lost 6.2 lbs. It's been my experience that my band tends to loosen as I lose weight.  It also tends to tighten up when I'm anxious or stressed.  I no longer menstruate so haven't experienced any restriction fluctuations due to hormonal changes.  I had a stressful day yesterday so wasn't altogether surprised to find that my band had tightened up.  In the past, my band has loosened up as soon as the stress went away.  But today, the stress is gone and my band is still extremely tight.  I can't even eat soft foods like cottage cheese or cooked oatmeal.  I am able to drink liquids and am drinking 80 oz of water a day. Could this sudden, uncomfortable restriction be due to the lingering effects of stress, or could it indicate a problem with my band (like a slip or erosion)? Thanks, Jean

It could be either...time will tell I suppose but if you don't improve see your surgeon.

Dr Curry, I had lap band surgery June 30th yesterday. I am home and having more heart palpataions then before. I have always had them I have an innocent murmer( no med with dentist) any reASon why I should be having more? Kim

Not sure on this one, I would get checked out by your PCP for sure.

Hi Dr. Curry ~ I have a question concerning fills.  I get my first fill on 7/10/08 and I have read several posts that indicate there is little restriction with the 1st fill and more with subsequent fills.  How is that so?  I'm a little confused by this.  Why is there little with the 1st?  I'm still losing but it sometimes is a struggle and I was really looking forward to this fill. Thanks, Bren

The reason is that most surgeons do their fills without fluoro, so you just have to take a guess at how much to put in and we typically will undershoot it so that you aren't over restricted and vomiting.