Ask Dr. Curry?

It's really hard to say - it could be normal, it could be too low, it could be pouch dilation.  Radiologists often times aren't very familiar with proper band anatomy, sometimes I wish they would just not say anything rather than get the patient worked up over nothing.

Please help me Dr. Curry!! 
I had my band placed 8 days ago, sure my port is sore no big deal I expect that.  However, several times a day I will bend, or turn, or even during walking, I feel this extremely painful, sharp pulling feeling, each time it happens it literally takes the breath right out of me.  I called my dr and the nurse said maybe when they closed up they put a stitch around a nerve, and that is possibly what I am feeling, give it a few more days and see.  If this is the case, what is the remedy for this?  Will this just stop?  I cant imagine a nerve getting used to something like that, what would your office do to fix this kind of pain.  Please know, I am a tough girl, I have had two csections, my staples tore my skin and I dealt with it, pain I can deal with, this, is a whole different kind of pain, its not a soreness, its almost like someone is stabbing me in the stomach for that brief moment.  Thank you for your help in answering my question, and for all you do!!!

I see this sometimes with port related pain right after surgery.  The most important thing is to rule out something more serious, so see your surgeon.  Usually with time the pain eases considerably, although a few patients have some significant port related pain for a couple of months after surgery.

Dr. Curry,  First off thank you for doing this question and answer. I hope this has not been asked before. 
I was banded about 2.5 weeks ago. In regards to the healing inside, how soon can I resume running on the treadmill? I do not want to hurt anything healing inside and want to make sure. 

Thank you, 
Tammy

We allow any type of light cardio such as treadmill starting 2 weeks after surgery.  Check with your surgeon though.

Hi Dr. Curry
Im not sure if I put this here or not.

Ive been sick since Nov.  First strep throat (which noone had), then a stomach Virus, then a Nasty double ear infection and now Bronchitis and a nasty cough.
I ve been on 3 different anti-biotics.  They have all worked. 
I got this bronchitis around a month ago and have gotten rid of it, so I thought.  I took some Allergy meds, and some other sinus meds.  It eased up for about 2 weeks and for the past 2 weeks its creeping back up.  Im coughing again, and coughing stuff up.  I got some mucenex, and Zertec. they seem to be working but now my back hurts.

Will this hurt the band?? 
Im getting stuck alot more guessing due to the coughing.
Ive taken Delsum(sp) but it wont work for me.  Ive taken some prescription cough meds, they work but knock me out.  cough drops dont work for me. 
Any suggestions???

Your cough may well be related to being too tight.  Gastric contents can work their way up into the lungs and cause the exact symptoms you are having.  I would consider being evaluated by your surgeon to get a better idea what is going on.

Hello Dr. Curry and thank you for the information you share on this post.  I had a lap band put in in 2001.  Had alot of success... lost 100 lbs.  In 2005 there were problems but surgery for hiatel hernia and continued to lose weight.  Past 2 years have been a struggle... Band too tight/too loose, etc.  Now i just found out that the band has slipped up and is around the esophagus and the port is leaking.  Surgeon #1 says to do an RNY but I loved the band.  Do you recommend replacing a band with a band?  Also, can you share with me what the diferences are between the lapband and the realized band?   Many thanks.
Maryjo

If this is your 3rd band related operation it may be time to consider another option.  My preference is to convert to sleeve, but bypass is a reasonable option also.  Look over on the Realize forum, there are lots of posts on difference between Lap Band and Realize. 

Hi Dr. Curry,

I was just banded two weeks ago.  I'm getting very frustrated because the scale is not moving AT ALL.  The first few days I was up 5 pounds but then the scale dropped back to what it was pre surgery.  I attributed that to the fluids they fill you up with during the surgery.  I am following my surgeons instruction to the tee.  Right now I am still in the liquid stage.   I have been getting in at least 75+ grams of protein.  It's been difficult to eat more then about 800 calories a day on just liquids.  It seems the more calories I try and add just increases the carb grams too much.   I have been excercising 40+ minutes a day on the ellipitical.  I am also getting in all of my water, at least 8-10 cups.  This doesn't even seem mathmatically possible that I could not lose something!! 

Many Thanks,
Tina

Many Thanks,
Tina