Ask Dr. Curry

Hi Cherina- I am 3 weeks out.  If you had your band done laparoscopically- it is very common to have pain in the neck and shoulders.  They shoot a lot of air in you during lap surgery so they will have more room to work.  I'm an RN so I know this is something that we warn patients about before they have lap surgery.  For some reason, the air guys tries to escape out of your shoulders and it can be painful.  Mine kind of settled in my back.  I am still (3 weeks out) having problems with gas a bloating.  I have a painful gas bubble under my ribs.  I think it took me about 2 weeks for my port site pain to subside.  It is the largest incision and there is a lot of stitching around the port.  It will get better.  i think your bloating is just a result of lap surgery and I am having the same problem but it gets better every day.  Try some miralax.  Make sure you don't get constipated.  That just makes things worse.

Dr. Curry, I am having knee problems and need to have an MRI done to determine the extent of the problem.  I was banded with the newest lap band on 02-26-08 in Durham by Dr. DeMaria.  Would it be safe for me to have an MRI now?  I have emailed my local office and have not gotten a response.  Thanks for your help.  (Note:  I have had MRI's before for other medical reasons with no problems.) 

All Allergan bands are MRI safe to my knowledge.  I'm not 100% sure about the Realize band I'll have to check.

i have the realize band and was told it is completely mri safe!

Dr. Curry!      I would welcome your opinion regarding a possible band leak.  I am close to 2-years out.  For the last several months, I go for a fill and am up to 7.5cc in my 10cc band.  I get great restriction which leaves almost entirely in 4-6 weeks.  When I go back, I am always missing between .75 and 1 cc from the band.  I get filled back to the previous level and repeat the process all over again.      Right after a fill, I start losing again.  As soon as the restriction lessens, I stop losing or put on a few lbs.  My surgeon and the radioligist that does the fills say this is normal.  The did a dye test to look for a leak under flouro, at my insistance and say they can't see a leak.  They put the dye in and looked immediately.  I am assuming that if the leak is tiny, it might take some time before they could detect it.  I am at a standstill and still need to lose another 50 - 60 lbs. or so.  What is your opinion on this please? Ron

Ron, I have had one patient where no leak showed up and we just replaced her port and bingo that was the answer.

Thanks Doctor.  I have a feeling that I might be one of them!

Hi Ron, I am experiencing the same thing!  I have an 11ml band and I really have only felt restriction maybe 2-3 times in all my fills.  At one time I was suppose to have had 8.5mls in my band and when they checked it only had 3-3.5!  My Dr checked for leaks also and we couldnt see any evidence of a leak.  I had my surgery Nov  2006 and I have lost 43lbs and I wanted to lose 100!  I am really frustrated and feel like im a failure.  I can eat anything and I dont want to do this. I am holding my wt loss but I know its only a matter of time if i am able to eat.   I go see my Dr today and I will get another fill and hope that this one will last longer.   Michele

It is so fustrating, isn't it!  I am close to 2-years out and am down about 185 lbs from my all time high.  For the last 6-7 months I am at the same weight.  I go for a fill, start losing, and the restriction is gone in 4-5 weeks, and there is always a saline loss of about 1 cc.  The difference for me between great restriction and almost no restriction is that 1 cc.  My "sweetspot" seems to be about 7.5 cc.  I have another appointment this Thursday and I am going to strongly suggest that they replace my port.  I still want to lose another 50 - 60 lbs. and it's not going to happen this way..  Good luck to you.  It seems you also have the same problem.

Mochle, small leaks are oftn not seen on a fluoro until several tests have been done over week or so. the small leaks rarely show up in only one fluroo.

i'm afraid it sounds as if you do have a leak and need a repair.

sandy r

band educator.