3 years banded & having left side port abdominal pain. Any Advice?

I have been banded since Feb 2008 and was doing great until about 9 months ago. The symptoms came on slow and started getting more intense and you think just wait it will pass. I had to drink ho****er with every meal to be able to eat with out getting food stuck as bad. Then my left side started aching and I didn't think much about it because it wasn't consistent. Then by July the pain increased I was trying to figure it out food or with out food . I have no idea why it hurts. It doesn't discriminate it hurts when ever it want too and now more consistent than ever before. I had a normal GI & x-rays July 2011, I went back in Aug and the doctor wanted to see how much saline solution I had in my band. It took him 15min to pull out 5 1/2cc with tissue. It was so hard to retrieve the solution my doctor was very concerned. Then he replaced with 4cc and tried to retrieve the solution again. After 5-10min only 3cc. Now that I have less solution I no longer need the ho****er, but my left side around the port is getting worse. When I left he suggested to remove the Lap-Band and consider another procedure. I will say my left side has not stopped hurting. I see my doctor for a consult Oct. 27 to discuss my options. I am leaning towards the sleeve.
Thanks for the advice,
Camie

Hi Camie,

I'm really sorry you're having problems.  I would choose the sleeve, as well.

Does your doctor think the band has eroded at all? Mine caused my stomach to twist and that hurt like crazy. The left side abdominal pain was immense and nonstop.

It lessened immediately after band removal. I wish you the best. I'm sorry you're experiencing this.

~Nicci

The doctor said the GI was not the best qualities and said the radiologist was not very experience in Lap-Band GI's. I offer to have another one done, but he said let's wait, but I think I need to call the office and let them know the pain has increased since Aug 25.

Please continue to share your story. So many bandsters think their bands are awesome b/c they are doing great right now. They just never stop to think of how long it will continue! Eventually the luck usually runs out. It seems to me that very few get to 5 years. What the band cheerleaders are not sharing with those they encourage to get the band is that there seem to be so few that make it that long with the band successfully.

I hope you are able to revise. I am hoping to revise myself.

i think you need to go back to your doc. This is not as it should be. Hopefully it is something which can be sorted out but it could also be a sign of something going seriously wrong like erosion into the stomach tissue. You shouldn't leave it.

Best wishes, Kate

Sorry to hear of your pain. If it is intensifying, I would call and see if anything could be done prior to 10/27. That would be a long time to wait in pain.

If it does come down to a revision, I will say that my sleeve has been the best thing to happen to me. I love it and am so thankful I was able to revise.

Best of luck and keep us updated,
Lindsey

Did he suggest that the port needs to be moved due to your weightloss and the change of your body shape can cause pressure due to waist bands from clothing etc?  Just a thought!

 I think too, you should call your doctor.. I am only 2 1/2 yrs. out and I am always reading everything on here about the great success stories and the bad  stories.. I want to be on top of everything having to do with the band.. I want to know what to exspect, what problems others are having, what to look for , what to do..EVERYTHING. I know there has been alot of (not so good press) on here. But I am all for the, posting of every little thing concerning the lap-band or any other WLS. Like I said before, so far I haven't had any problems (knock on wood) but I still read everything on here and any outside stories on the WLS. I even write things down in a journal. I want to be prepared for anything..I hope you feel better and please keep us posted. I wish you the best..Hugs "Lucky"

Pain isn't normal and I wouldn't wait until Oct 27th.  Get in as soon as possible.

when i had pain in the exact same place, i knew it wasn't right.
endo & colonoscopy diagnosed IBS / h pylori & lactose intolerant ... band was in PERFECT condition and this is after 2 slips.    

there could be many reasons why you have pain & could have nothing to do with the band.

like the previous poster - it's not normal & you should have it checked out now vs a month out.