holly369

I would get her to the doctor with fever. I had a staph infection in my abdomen that showed up with major pain 9 days after being banded. I would just get it checked. My band was removed because of the infection. Better to be safe than sorry!!! Having the infection, and the band removed, was a whole lot worse than the original surgery. Be careful.

Hi, My doctor told me before being banded that it doesn't work for 15% of people. Maybe your experiencing this, I hope not.

Wow, that is what happened to me as well. I had the band on 12/28/07. First week, no problems, no gas, nothing. I thought I was home free. Eighth day, I ate 2-3 bites of some creamy Soup, and the pain started. At first in the center of the abdomen, then it seemed to move to the lower right of the abdomen. I waited that day until the next and ended up going to the emergency room. I did have some fever that went up and down too. The hospital did a CT scan and could see the infection but didn't know at the time what it was. My doctor did laporascopic surgery to see what it was, and he told me if there was any infection on the lapband it would have to come out.Turns out, they cultured it and it was a strep infection in my abdomen. Well, he took it out. My doctor said that the infection got in there during surgery. Like if a tiny bit of the needle went into the bowel and then into the abdomen as they are sewing the band in, that could have brought the infection in. I was in the hospital for 9 days on major antibiotics and then developed pneumonia. I really am disappointed because while the lapband was doing okay, I was doing great. Plus I am a self-pay, so it's like throwing $15 grand in the trash. My doctor said I could get another lapband. I would get a second opinion on what your doctor said. I don't believe your doctor wanted the liability of admitting that an infection can get in during any kind of surgery. It is not uncommon for that to happen. hope this helps.

I was banded on 12/27. I lost 15 pounds before surgery and about 6 lbs. since surgery for a total of 22 pounds. I had no problems for the first 7 days, but on day 8 at 2:30, I ate only a couple bites of cream of chicken Soup, and then the pain began. It was severe pain and I actually had to go home from work. I couldn't think with that much pain. I got home about 4 pm, and took pain liquid and gas-x, but it stayed painful until midnight. My fever went from 98.3 to 98.6 to 99.4 to 100.0. That worried me. Then after a couple of hours, my fever went back to 98.3 and then 96.6. Also, I was having the sweats all over. When I woke up this morning it was better. But as soon as I ate something (an egg) I had the incredible pain again. Does this sound like gall bladder problems? Hope someone can help because if I have to have this pain and sweats every time I eat, that won't do.

I was banded on 12/27. Today I had terrible abdominal pains. I thought something must really be wrong. I haven't had this much pain the whole time after surgery. I believe it must be gas. I am on the Gas-X and heating pad also. It seemed to help. Also, I had a weird fever that in 2 hours went up from 98.3 to 100.0 and then back down to 98.3. That worried me since I have a tendency to get cellulitis with MRSA. But I'm waiting until the morning to run to the emergency room. Hopefully it is just this gas thing.

I lost 16 lbs. before surgery because my doc had me on optifast for two weeks prior. What I understand is that the liver is more slippier if you don't have a pre-op diet. Then after surgery I gained 6 pounds of water weight (IV fluids). Then that came back off relatively quickly and now I am down 5 more pounds. Hope this helps.

I am having the same problem today. I was banded on 12/27. No problems up until today at 3PM when I started having real pain in my abdomen. Thanks, someone, for telling me I am still swollen and it will go away.

I think the throat problem may be the anesthesia where they insert a breathing tube. I had the same problem. I don't know about the stuck feeling though. Did they fill your lapband at surgery time at all? sometimes they do, and sometimes they don't. You may need an unfill if that is the case.

I've read on this BB site that papaya juice or pineapple juice will help the food get unstuck. Haven't personally tried it yet but I haven't gotten anything stuck. I am still on mushys right now.

I understand from my doctor that if you are getting stuck and can't keep anything down, you need an unfill. You may have too much restriction.

Gosh, i'm really surprised they didn't recommend Protein drinks because my nutritionist said it is impossible to get that 55-60 grams of protein just on what you eat. Protein keeps me from getting hungry. Sounds like the slimfast is good, lots of protein, and not too many carbs. I would verify that Protein Drink thing, that just doesn't sound right to me according to what my nutritionist and doctor have said.

I would check out any redness since it could be infection. But it takes time to get back to "normal." Hang in there, you will be fine. I had my surgery on 12/27 and had no problems at all until today when I had a lot of gas in my abdomen. It hurt and I thought it might be something bad. We'll see in the a.m. I took gas-X and some pain meds so it is better now.

Kat, you know having the lapband surgery is personal. I would not tell anyone that you don't want to. People who do not have a weight problem (and never will) tend to say stupid things like "Why don't you just stop eating?" If that were so easy, we would have this surgery. Only 5% of the population is successful and losing and KEEPING it off. Its just not that easy as you well know. Tell them you are on a special diet if they ask, it's none of their business anyway.

Andrea, one thing is taking vitamins. I have the Juice Plus which are all natural and made from fruits and veges. This way I get all my veges and fruits in without having to eat them. Then I can focus on the protein, protein and protein with some other veges thrown in. It's been a learning experience for me and I'm still trying to figure out what is good to eat. I am using that formala of calories divided by protein grams. The nutritionist said to try and only eat foods where the ratio ends of being 10 or under. Of couse, that is not always possible. Hope i'll get this anyway.