I had my surgery on September 11, 2008 and so far I have lost 50 lbs. I have had two fills and I'm debating about having a third. I haven't lost any weight in about three weeks but that has happened before and then all of a sudden I would lose 3-4 lbs. Over all I have been happy with my band but lately I have been having some discomfort and I wonder if anyone else has experienced this. Sometimes I will wake up in the middle of the night with this horrible pressure in the area of my band. I will break out in a cold sweat and then usually have diarreah, This has gone on for up to 5 hours before. It really can interfere with my life b/c I have two small children who need constant care. I don't know what I am doing that is causing this to happen,,,it's not like when I overeat or don't chew something well enough and I have to throw up, its just this horrible pain in my chest that makes me double over. Does anyone have any advice or help for me? I would really appreciate your feedback. Thanks!

First WELCOME to LBT! And secondly, please call your doctor about this TODAY if you haven't already. Pain that is making you double over 6 mo. after banding is NOT normal. It may be as simple as you're eating too late before bedtime, or your not eating enough and it's a blood sugar problem overnight (this happens with diabetics or pre/diabetics sometimes), but it could be as serious as the beginning signs of band slippage or erosion. Please get it checked out and be persistent with your doc about your issue and needs so he'll take a look/fluroscope! Keep me posted. Good luck to you! -BG

Thank you for your response. I actually called my doctor first thing this morning and set up an appointment. They can't see me til a week from Tuesday but recommended trying Prilosec until then and seeing if it helps. She also said that it could be related to an ulcer or my gallbladder. I don't know what is going on and it is so sporadic that it is hard for me to tell what in particular sets it off. I wish I would have called them a few weeks ago instead of letting it go on as it has. Thanks for your response and if you have any more advice please let me know. - RebekahB

Oh, I forgot about the gall bladder. Quite a few people have issues with this after WLS. Both my Mom and 1 sister have had there's out (they didn't have WLS), so I'm wondering if I'll have that issue too. The gall bladder is on the right side. My Mom had pain there (just below the rib cage), but my sister had hers mainly in her back on the right (shoulder blade). I'm glad you're getting help. If it gets worse, call again an push them for an earlier visit (my sister ended up in an ambulance it got so painful). Gall bladder attacks can happen after a high fat/rich food meal. You might want to avoid certain foods or at least track what you've eaten in relation to your attacks until your Dr. visit as it may help with the diagnosis. If you have to have it out it's a very simple lap procedure, much easier than LB, and my family members had immediate relief.

I had the beginnings of an ulcer years ago and it's definitely worse at night...like reflux or GERD, and it can hurt a lot too.

Hope you're feeling better soon! -BG