Problems with Band

Hi, does anyone else have problems when the doctor tries to fill the band?  He tried filling my band then had to unfill it because I was having serious nerve pain in my shoulders, neck, arms and back.  i only had one fill since surgery and then it had to be unfilled due to pain.  My surgeon says it has nothing to do with the band...well...how come I started the pain the day of my first fill and it went away after 1 or 2 days after he unfilled it?
I have started gaining back the original weight I lost since the surgury.  Not good.

 This sounds like something your doctor shoud be investigating not dismissing. Hopefully N.M. will come in on this. If she doesn't, send her a PM? Her experience may be relevant for you.

Kate

He states that it has nothing to do with the lap band.  Aren't there nerves there?  Im not sure what to do?  How can I lose weight if I can't have the band filled?

 I've sent N.M. a  message. This sounds to me very like her experience - and hers very definitely was her band! Sure she will answer.

Kate

Thank you, dear lady. I got your messages. Of course, I noticed them after I responded! I would have thanked you in my message, otherwise! 

Oh boy, why don't doctors divulge this? Of COURSE it has to "do with the band." It's the top portion of your stomach swelling or inflaming, causing  it or the band itself to press against your diaphragm where the Vagus nerves run. And THAT is what causes the left shoulder (neck, arms, ear, back, etc) pain. And it can be VERY, VERY bad for some folks.

I hate to say it, but I think your diaphragm is going to continue to be irritated if you try to get the band filled.

And you should tell your doctor to not try to bull**** you on this. Mine did the same thing and it's insulting to our intelligence.









See how close the top portion of the stomach is to the diaphragm? And, in actuality, it usually touches the diaphragm... it's not all partitioned, so if something causes the nerves that run through that area to get irritated, the pain refers up into the left shoulder area.

It's VERY common amongst lapbanded patients. And it's unconscionable for doctors to make patients feel like they're nuts when they have this pain. It bugs me to no end! I searched for 2 full years for someone to help me with this... and I got the run around... it's "orthopedic"... it's "all in your head."  You'd think people with medical degrees would have some sense about this.

If I can be blunt... you should get the band removed so as to avoid having this pain become permanent. I have it still (to a lesser degree, thankfully and only occasionally, not daily!) and it's been over 6 years since I had the band out.

Did you also start having anxiety, adrenaline rushes for no reason?  Is this related to the band or something else?

I do think I know what you mean. It seems like the Vagus nerves are responsible for a host of things... blood pressure, heart rate, breathing, etc.

I remember feeling very sweaty at times (and still get this) and then I'd sneeze for hours nonstop until I passed out.

Some of us react very badly to having the band through no fault of our own. You may be one of us, and for that I'm terribly sorry.

Nicci

Did you have a different surgery done after you took out the lap band?  My doctor is suggesting taking it out since I have had so many problems....C Dif Colitis, Anxiety attacks and nerve pain.

I did not revise to another surgery.  I honestly just had too much damage from the band. My first surgeon was a butcher and a jackass. The surgeon who saved my life recommended waiting until I healed to even think about a revision. And he suggested the sleeve to me.

Don't leave this, Kutssa. It gets worse. Don't suffer needlessly. I'm sorry!