I just found out the pain I have been experiencing in my left lower abdomen is the result of the tubing from my access port coming loose.

I had seen a gastroenterologist, under the suspicion that I had something going on with my colon since that is the area where the pain was. One of the tests her performed was a CT scan of the abdomen. His office called to tell me the results of the CT scan, which was the access port/tube problem.

I made an appointment with my lap band doctor, and am eager to discuss my options for correcting this problem.

If anyone reading this post has experienced this problem, can you let me know how it was handled by your doctor?

Thanks!

Such great news! I hope it all goes well and you heal up perfectly. 

Hi

I can add my story to the long litany of people who have shared their problems of the band with you.

I was banded in May of 2010 and did very well with managing the fills, weight loss and exercise.  Then my mom got sick, and I brought her up to live with me until she passed from lung cancer.  The stress of everything involved in her illness and death, the settling of the estate ( I was executrix) made my band very tight and changed my eating habits.  I switched to soft foods, comfort foods, foods that would not get "stuck" and cause problems.  So I gained some of my weight back ( not a lot, though) However, the main symptom and issue that continued to persist as the band became tighter and my vomiting/sliming was persistent was my atrial fibrillation (AF) (irregular heart rhythm of the top chambers of the heart that, if left untreated, could result in clot formation and subsequent stroke or ischemia of other organs)  My episodes of AF were very frequent, resulting in ER visits several times a year (accumulating over $5,000 per year in medical costs!) I went to my cardiologist who was very pro lap band and told him that I thought the AF was vagally mediated (from the vagus nerve); he did not believe me at all.  I went to my primary doctor, same thing.  Even after presenting medical journal after medical journal article about the vagus nerve influencing AF and even CAUSING AF, my primary sent me to someone who would objectively test the function of the vagus nerve which showed objective evidence that the vagus nerve was indeed over stimulated (Excess) possibly, they admitted, from the irritation of the GI system and the vagus nerve pressure from the band.  However, they left me in AF for over 3 months! until they could "decide" what was causing it.  The NP sent me for sleep apnea eval which was negative for sleep apnea, and blood work and an entire barrage of tests all which came out negative for the reasons to cause AF.  They would not convert me to normal rhythm (via electrocardioversion ((electric shock paddles))  ****il they found the reason.  My heart remodeled into a different pattern of electrical activity in the mean time and I would not and could not stay in normal rhythm after all that time!  But, I participated in clinical study that was geared to reduce the vagal excess effect on the heart and other organs.  It included a very specific exercise regimen (quite a dedicated one!) and a medication which was an anti-cholinergic (reduces the effect of the vagus nerve on end organs).  With in six months, I no longer experienced the shoulder pain, the GERD, and the EKG showed "Significant changes" in heart function.  I continue the regimen for another 9 months and am re-evaluated.  So, at least my cardiologist and primary were open to hearing that the vagus nerve CAN and DOES get irritated and damaged by the band ( I forgot to say that before the testing, I had the band completely emptied, much to the chargrin of the WLS doc and WLS RN. ) I have had NO episodes of AF for 9 months, can sleep normally-including sleeping with my head completely level with my shoulders instead of elevated and have no pain anymore.  The band is still there and I will someday have it removed. 

So, I guess I am one of the lucky ones.  I am persistent when I know I am right.  So it seems the damage that was done to the vagus nerve may still be there, but the effect of that damage has begun to improve.  I would NEVER recommend the Lap Band to anyone.  Even as one who was very cautious with all the rules and had great success, there were problems.  Ya' just can't go compressing a major nerve, creating wide spread inflammation of the GI system and assume there will be no consequences to the patient.  But the medical model is flawed (as we all are).  I am thankful that my heart has improved and will, hopefully, continue to do so. 

Best of luck with your endeavor to have the band removed and your subsequent healing.  Keep us posted.  I wanted to pass along my story so that you can be affirmed in your suspicions but at the same time realize some hope to the situation. 

Good luck!

Susan

Check with your surgeon. Under normal cir****tances with an eroded band, you could have it replaced in 4-6 months. Since you have had a band over bypass that may not be possible. Good luck. Mona

I go for removal on June 1! I can't wait!