Thanks for the replies. I noticed my hair thinning the most about 2 months or so out from surgery. Tho, my hair has never been long, lush and thick (lol). But...I can tell a difference now. I might look into the Rogaine. And it's just thinning..no missing patches or anything. THAT would scare me!

Hi Katie,

Since you're only a couple of weeks out from surgery, there's a good chance that you're still experiencing residual gas pains. If it continues, though, there's a better than average chance that it's the band irritating the diaphragm and/or the Vagus nerve system. Some people with bands have the left shoulder pain for only a little while after surgery, while others (like me) have it the entire time the band is there.

Have you tried walking as much as is comfortable for you? Walking helps dissipate the residual gas more than anything, from what I've heard.

No pain medication helped with mine, unfortunately... and I was on the hardcore stuff... fentanyl and morphine! That's when you know it's more than "just gas" causing the pain. So, if the referred pain lasts longer than a few weeks, definitely speak to your doctor about it.

I found that applying heat to the upper portion of the abdomen worked best to alleviate at least some of the pain. I would use a heating pad, ho****er bottle or even those peel and stick heat pads.


I'm really thinking that since you're so newly post op, your pain will dissipate soon. I know it's irritating in the interim, though! 

I have a friend who also had lingering left shoulder pain with her band and she swore that lying on one of those big exercise balls on her back and stretching as far as she could helped relieve the pain. I suppose it pulled the stomach further away from the diaphragm (just by a centimeter could help, I'd imagine!) 

Good luck, Katie and I hope the pain goes away completely really soon.

 
That's awesome, Kim! Sounds like you're doing great!

Congratulations! You've waiting a long time and I know it's hard to wait even a second longer, but it'll be here before you know it and you'll do great!

Congratulations on getting your surgery soon....I havent had any problems with the realize band...Just follow the instructions your surgeon's office and the dr gives you and you should be successful....Hope it goes well for you..