Ask Dr. Curry

Thank you Dr. Curry! 

Dr Curry, I am 10 months post-op and have suddenly developed some really strange pains around my port. I noticed it when I was doing some crunches. I also feel it when I bend over and come back up. It is really a stinging sensation. It is really bizarre. Feels like a bee sting. It doesn't do it every time. Should I be concerned? I hate to go to the Dr. office if I don't need to. Thank you in advance for your help. Pamela Barrett

Usually this is just a popped stitch but I'd have your surgeon check it if it persists.

Hi Dr. Curry,    I'm still waiting for the insurance approval for lap band, so I'm lurking on this forum!  My question is this: where exactly does the lap band get placed?  Does is transect the middle of the stomach (or in my case the pouch) or is it placed under the esophagus on top of the pouch.  I get this weird picture of a band around the middle of my pouch squeezing out 2 sections...one on top and one on the bottom.  Thanks in advance for all the help and time you give to this forum! Sue

Hi Dr. Curry, It's just me again!!  I have another question.  I am concerned about post op pain.  Will I  probably be given pills or liquid?  I guess I'm just wondering if I can have pills over liquid analgesics.   Are there any contraindications to taking a pill?  I cannot stomach the liquid and can crush a pill.  Just wondered if there were any hard fast rules about this. Thanks so much for your time! Sue

I'm so sorry Dr. Curry, but I just read something on the forum that troubled me and I had to ask!  From what I understand, my pouch is "mildly dilated".  There was someone on the forum who had a band placed over a "small" pouch and had no success because she said that bands don't work at all  (or very well at least) on a small pouch.  Do you think my chances of success will hinge mostly on the fact that my pouch is smallish?  Will they just put a smaller band on to compensate for the size of the pouch?  Will my success be equal to any other person who has not had any other WLS as long as I follow closely all the band rules?? I'm worried now that from a technical standpoint I will be at a disadvantage from the get go.  Hope you can reassure me!! Thanks again!

Your questions are a little too specific as the answers will vary from surgeon to surgeon. As far as pouch dilation, you have to have something that we can correct with a band.  If you have a tiny pouch and a small outlet, the band isn't going to provide you with any more restriction than you already have. Without seeing your pouch and stoma myself, that's about all the help I can give. Good luck!

   Hi Dr. Curry.  I have had my band for 9 months now and have lost 72 pounds since surgery. I got a small fill yesterday which brought me up to 3.5cc in a 14cc band.. I do not like it extremely tight and im extremely sensitive to the band itself...    My problem is this... I dont get hunger pains, I get extreme gas build up if I dont eat every two hours.. I can reach back and rub my left side and burp the national anthem... If  I eat on a regular schedule this doesnt happen... WHY? is this happening?? I can eat and as soon as the first bite goes into the stoma, u can feel the gas pressure lesson. I dont even use burping as a soft stop anymore because I will burp atleast twice during the meal after the stoma gets the food. I have been using the hiccup now as a soft stop..  My surgeon does fills under fluro and he said my band looks great but its a lot looser than he usually has his patients.. If I tighten it up more will it calm the gas pains down???? thanks dawn

I can't tell you exactly why, but eating every 2 hours isn't necessarily a bad thing, in fact our dietitians would tell you that it's ideal if you can eat healthy stuff.

Hi Dr. Curry.  Thanks so much for taking the time to answer all of the questions!  I have my initial consult set for mid-July.  However, I called my GI today as I have pancoltis.  I take Lialda, four pills/day. They are rather large pills and the lap band was talked down by the GI nurse, although she was focused on gastric bypass information when talking to me.  My question is, have you worked with UC patients *****quired time release medication and how did that go?  My GI says Lialda is what is working for me--I've been in remission for awhile and want to stay there.  Since the pills are time-released, I could possibly cut them in half, but not sure if they would stick or clog me u*****t?  Thanks for responding ahead of time!