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You look amazing. So many people tell me about the pain...you're so lucky. I'm so unsure. I want to do tummy, breasts and I guess I'd need arms. To me, it's about working on dropping the weight (I lost almost 100, had band problems, and now am back on track to get under 200) and being able to get smaller sizes. With the big boobs and belly, size doesn't change much and it's a big downer. But I'm 59 and am worrying about doing surgery. I've never had a problem, but I worry a lot. And if I do my breasts I'll need my arms done or else I'll be buying smaller and the arms won't fit. I'm afraid I'll look like frankenstein! No decisions to make now.Now it's about getting back down to where I was, and beyond. Thank you for sharing the pictures.

Wish I could send my story out to everyone, but maybe it will get around. Left shoulder pain should only happen for a week or so after surgery if at all. It starts as gas which is trapped. Why the left shoulder? Because it's actually pressure on the diaphragm and the diaphragm and left shoulder are attached at hte same spot on the spinal cord. Your brain reads it as shoulder pain. HOWEVER, anyone having it longer likely has a piece of excess tubing hitting the diaphragm. That's the cause. There is always a little excess tubing - not everyone has it hitting the diaphragm and not everyone experiences pain when it does. MY STORY- not only did I have excess tubing hitting my diaphragm-----a stray piece of body fat wrapped around the tubing forming a noose, or vise around my diaphragm. Million to one shot, right? I complained for over a year as the pain became worse and my original surgeon (I have happily moved on) ignored me, made me feel stupid, and had any excuse that didn't involve him. In the end, although it was not his fault that hte fat wrapped it, he ignored my pain and suffering, and who knows....did he leave in too much tubing, opening me up to the problem? Tubing can be moved and my new surgeon took one look at my xray and scheduled surgery (before they know about the noose effect). He just saw that it was hitting me inside and saw no reason for me to have pain. The rest was a surprise to all. STAND UP TO YOUR SURGEON OR GO FOR ANOTHER OPINION. I LEARNED A LESSON AT GREAT COST - LOST A YEAR + to pain and gained weight trying to avoid the pain. Great good luck to anyone who has this problem- take care of yourself....no one is going to do it for you.

Let's say that I'd recommend Dr. Cunneen.

Dr. Cunneen just did some repair work on my lapband, which was put in by another surgeon who is no longer part of the Cedar's group. So far, great news- pain I was having has shrunk to nothing. I understand that the issue was so strange that no one had seen it before. But at the root of the problem was excess tubing that wasn't necessary. And I had my port moved (not so unusual- personal preference) and a smaller port put in (Cunneen's preference). I've had an overall good experience with my band, but gained weight because of the problem caused by the excess tubing. Now I just want to get back on track and get the rest of the weight off. I like Dr. Cunneen very much so far. Seemed caring and patient with my many questions and the emotions that go along with repairs, etc. My husband also liked him very much. I'm hoping for a speedy recovery and to move forward.

Amazing that this came at this moment. Yes, I had significant repairs - just this Friday- home from Cedars last night. Khalili is no longer with the office at Cedars, which means you'd be on your own in terms of payment. Dr. Scott Cunneen just helped me- truly helped me- and he recently did bands and bypass on friends of mine- I would give Dr. Cunneen my highest recommendation.

Congratulations! That's something I would very much like to do- for me it's been about 16 years since I was under 200 pounds. That's great news for both of you and I wish you many happy and healthy years together!

Darn....my husband offered to take photos and I said no. I'm going home to see how bad it is and start doing it every time I get an infection. Should have done it last week. By time I get to a doctor, I often have it back under control- I keep the meds at home. But now I'll track and date them. What I have done is continually gone to a doctor for it and that can all be documented. Thanks for the info and idea.

I have a bad flap and it's getting worse. Down to top of thights now. I'm suffering from almost constant yeast infections under the fold from side to side. Bad ones. So, I'm starting to think about surgery even though I'm still 30-40 pounds away. Does anyone know whether these constant infections make it the flap surgery and medical necessity? Any experience with this would be helpful to know. Thanks.

I'm not talking about the usual left shoulder pain. This is more in the back of the neck and across shoulders. A recent bandster asked me about it. Any ideas??

<HR style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: #c9ced4; COLOR: #c9ced4" SIZE=1> I've been sick with flu and horrible cough....seems like forever. My diaphragm hurts from the constant constant awful gut wrenchin coughing. The meds are barely surpressing it. I'm having a ton of gas (I'm starting Probiotics now) and a lot of left shoulder pain. Anyone else having band issues because of illness and any suggestions beyone the hot pack and ibiprofen? Thanks,

I've been sick with flu and horrible cough....seems like forever. My diaphragm hurts from the constant constant awful gut wrenchin coughing. The meds are barely surpressing it. I'm having a ton of gas (I'm starting Probiotics now) and a lot of left shoulder pain. Anyone else having band issues because of illness and any suggestions beyone the hot pack and ibiprofen? Thanks,

I've been sick with flu and horrible cough....seems like forever. My diaphragm hurts from the constant constant awful gut wrenchin coughing. The meds are barely surpressing it. I'm having a ton of gas (I'm starting Probiotics now) and a lot of left shoulder pain. Anyone else having band issues because of illness and any suggestions beyone the hot pack and ibiprofen? Thanks,

I MUST UPDATE THIS BECAUSE IT'S HILARIOUS! I guess the computer "reads" what one is writing and brings up relevant messages (BIG BROTHER!), but after typing my last message, my screen had an advert for sublingual B-12!!! The site is TriVita.com. Prices look about the same as Trader Joe's. Good luck!

Mine is calm now. As long as I keep something - don't need much- in my stomach, I'm good. My surgeon knows about it....I just don't understand why they don't figure out how to NOT have it happen. Maybe do the surgery a little differently or something. Anyway, after a few rough days, I'm back to normal....whatever that is. As to the B-12, yes, sublingually- under the tongue. Tastes fine. Tiny little pills. I take about 4 a day. You pee out what you don't need. Maybe you can find it on-line? Maybe Trader Joe's mails? Don't know but have heard that for many suplements, under the tongue is best. Sorry I can't be more helpful. Good luck!

What amazes me is that so many have this problem and the doctors scratch their heads. Why not tell us that it's a possible side effect before we have the surgery? Why not try to try to re work the surgery so that this doesn't happen long term (shoulder pain is very common after all stomach surgery, but not to this long a time). If I told you that I believe it's because women seem to have it the most, you'd think I was crazy, but I think that as far as we've come, there's still a lot that doesn't happen for women. My pain is much better as I get further from the fill. And I don't have to eat much- just a cracker will do it for me. Just something. I think we should all keep after our doctors to bring this up when they go to seminars, conferences, etc.

Well, I've had the pains after one or two fills, but not all. This time he took a little out cause I was too tight. I think it must be a combo of empty stomach and the sometimes senstivity of having a needle in the port and the aggravation it causes the stomach. I'm a little better today, but I took precautions this morning.Anti gas meds as I woke and throughout the day. Sipped Protein all day all so not too little or too much in my stomach. It started up mid-day and I went home from work and put hot pads on and now it's just there, but not really painful. I'm hoping it starts to wind down. I'm also been on the computer very little today-which also helps for some reason. Anyway, you're all normal....just wish I could make it stop.I don't want to have this when I'm 75! Best regards,

I'm told 5 hours. And when I have a tight fill, 48 liquid, then 48 mush. But my surgeon was also a 3 weeks of liquid after surgery guy. So, he's on the conservative side. I had a fill yesterday, but I'm having such bad gas pains with an empty stomach, that I'm eating mushy tonight- mashed potato. In this case, he actually removed a little bit cause I'd been too tight, so I think that makes it easier as well. But I'll do mushies for at least another day or so to let it heal.

I've got the same. And I've had my band over a year! It doesn't happen every fill, but this time, actually they took a bit out as I was too tight. I had terrible left shoulder pain last evening, and today it started end of day. It not only is an irritation, but the stomach is empty much of the day and fills with gas. But today as well? It slows down when I eat, so now that I'm off the first 24 hours of liquid, I'm trying to eat a bit every couple of hours to help it all calm down. What scares me is....will this ever stop entirely. When I'm 80- if I need tests or surgery, will I still get this awful awful pain. Makes me wonder if there was something out of whack with my surgery.

Sounds like a terrible experience and it's so awful that you had to go through it. I do want to point out that I did all my research and that's how I ended up with Dr. Khalili. Unfortunately, I don't know a doctor of surgeon who doesn't have an unsucessful surgery at some point. That's why I seldom recommend doctors- not everyone has the same experience. I've had a wonderful OBGYN for many, many years. A young girl in my communityused him when she had triplets, and long and awful story short, ended up in a persistent vegetative state- everyone went wrong. When my dad died because of a less than perfect surgery, we considered going after the surgeon and the hospital, but realized that most people did well with the surgery. So yes, people need to know the good and bad. I'm happy your end result is good and that you're in excellent health. For me, Dr. Khalili has been a rock who has helped me through every good or bad day since my surgery- especially emotionally. He sits and talks to me for as long as I need, etc. I hope you continue with good health. Bye.

I'm writing a further reply, having just come from Dr. Khalili's office. Although I know that every doctor has patients who are neutral of unhappy about their care, I find him so terrific, so caring and interested, that I have to reiterate what a fine doctor and person I find him to be- and I consider myself to be very tough on things like this. Again, I feel bad that you didn't have a great experience, but hope you'll find the right doctor for you and go on to have a band again. It's helped my so much that I can only wish this success for others. Good luck.

WOW, sorry to hear that. I see so many people in the office who are very happy, but I'm sure that unfortunately, there are people who are unhappy with every surgeon. Hope you find a better solution and are in good health. For me, it's been a great success, limited only by my own food issues, and I continue to work on those.

Cannot say more good things. The staff and Dr. K are wonderful, caring people. If they move a little too fast, it's because there are so many patients, but if you need them, they will slow down and give you whatever time you need. My strongest recommendation.

Hello everyone. I have been on this thread complaining and I tried something that is working very well, so I want to pass it on....high doses of B-12. It pees out of your system so there's no danger of overdosing. Seems it is very connected to healthy nerves endings and it s a nerve ending that's involved in a lot of the left shoulder pain. I by sub-ligual...under the tongue...I'm told that's important. I take two every morning- 2.000mgs. Buy then at Trader Joes. I've many less symptoms, but this one is the best it's helped, and lots more energy as well. Hope it helps someone else.

I'm a little too tight right now but I've had the challenge of morning tightness from the biginning. I understand that women have it much more often than men. I can eat at night only. Protein drinks and soups are the stuff of most days. Now, being very tight, I can not eat much at all and I'm torn....I'm losing weight very quickly, but I ache and throw up too easily. I'm back at the surgeon for a check in a couple of weeks, so I'll ask. It's a thin line between sweet spot and too tight.

Hi everyone. Hope everybody is well and happy- you know what...we are so lucky to have been banded this past year. With all the bad news in the world right now....we have good stuff happening for us and we're all feeling better and our bodies can probably handle stress better too. Okay, so new wardrobes have to be purchased VEERRRYYY slowly, but they will be purchased! I'm still at work and am taking a break. This is my busiest time of the year. I have a big charity event I do end of April...in fact, it's on my "bandiversary". Today I saw 230 start to emerge. 230.6. I'll move to 85 when it's solid at 230 but I just keep pinching myself. Later,