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Dear LA38, Don't be hasty. The left shoulder pain after the surgery is very very common and will start to subside. Walking does help it a lot and so does heat. Some of us- and of course numbers are hard to determine and here you get the folks that HAVE the problem, not those who don't (like my brother in law) do have a problem with left shoulder pain. Mine went away for months and then reappeared and now it seems to be a balance of keeping a little food in my stomach to keep it at bay. With almost 85 gone, it's a small price. I do worry about the future....will I have this always...how will I stand it when I'm old...etc etc. But I'm not there yet, and it's very possible they'll figure this out. Most important is patients telling the doctors so that it becomes an challenge they feel they should overcome. What price beauty (and health)? Good luck with your band. Does the LA stand for Los Angeles? If so, me too.

Brandy it's amazing transformation. Amazing.

Hi. I would like to understand this better. I only know the one reason for the shoulder pain- the pressure against the diaphragm. In what way is your lapband "revised" and what about the revision corrects the shoulder pain? Curious minds want to know. Thanks

I wish you luck with having it disappear. Most people who get it (not everyone does), tend to have it now and then. I think what your doctor said (or agreed to) mirrors what everyone else says as well. I doubt everyone's surgeon is "bullshitting" them! It's caused by pressure on the diaphragm. But what seems to differ is the trigger. Some get it only on empty (mine), others when too full, and some either exteme. It's a matter of knowing your own body and how to control the triggers. Again, good luck.

NurseMelly, Just spoke to my surgeon about it and there's not much to do. I haven't heard of anyone getting it after the first fill.....it's very common to start right after surgery but perhaps you've been eating enough to not get it. It's usually associated with gas that fills up the stomach and it then pushes on a nerve. Some people have it when they're too full, same reason. Pushing against some nerve that's affected once you're banded. I had it today because I was out and didn't eat/drink enough. The minute I hit the house I grabbed a tablespoon of hummus and that's all I needed for it to stop. I just can't be on "empty". Best to do is small meals and if you're back on mushies it's the same. Several times a day. ANd hot liquids. Good luck

THanks everyone. I've read more on the boards and see there are some still in pain after years. I've got the kind that happens on EMPTY, so rather than skipping meals I'll have to add food. I really like not eating when I don't feel like it. This is not good. LOL. Thanks all.

I've been off the board for a while, but I have to say a big "THANK GOODNESS FOR THIS BOARD". Just when you think you'll go crazy from something like this left shoulder pain, you can go to this board and if not end it, at least know that it's not just you. I'm ten months since surgery and other than fighting my own demons, I've been very happy. I'll go fix my profile - I'm down about 80 pounds. The worst struggle is that about two months ago the shoulder pain, which rarely a month after surgery, has returned. It's like someone sticking knitting needles in my shoulder - around or under the bra strap. My surgeon says it happens to some and it's gas- take gas meds, use beano, etc. But I think it's more and I'm wondering if it was avoidable. You folks give me strength to fight and look for answers. We should post answers here if anyone finds anything that helps. Maybe I'll start a thead for it. I'm so afraid that this is forever and it's a big price as it's a horrible pain sometimes. WIll I have it when I'm 90? I thank you all for being here. Misery LOVES company. Gwenn

I had it from time to time but seldom often the first few months, but now, the last couple of months, I'm getting that terrrible pain in the left shoulder all the time. My surgeon isn't giving much support and I'm wondering if something wasn't right with my surgery or if it's just gas related and WHY? Anyone out there with same?

Hi everyone, all of a sudden my thyroid, which has been very slow, is overactive (just had new blood work done). I'm thinking it's the almost 70 pounds off. I took a lower dose when I was thinner years ago, so maybe I just need less. Less body, thyroid works better so I need less meds???? Anyone else experience this or have any other ideas? Thanks

Hi eveyrone. I'm 5 months past banding and down about 68 pounds. I just had all new bloods drawn and suddenly, my thyroid is showing as "overactive". I have a feeling that all that's happened is that the weight loss and activity mean my thyroid works a bit better and I probably just need to lower my prescription for my thyroid meds. When I used to weigh in the 240 as I do now, I took a lower dose, so maybe all this is is my body needing less to keep on an even keel. Has anyone else experienced this or anyone have any other thoughts? Thanks

What can I do? Getting them everyday since my latest fill last week- I'm tight but not awfully so. But if I start to cough, it turns into hiccups. And I can't seem to stop them with the usual. I'm no longer happy to melt a tablespoon of sugar in my mouth, and I can no longer gulp Water from the wrong side of a glass while putting my head down to the ground. Anyone have this happen? Any new ideas for curing the hiccups? Valium helped last night, but that's not a good answer. Thanks

OH MY GOODNESS, OF COURSE!!! Then's no joining....just jump in with us. We're all April anniversary for our bands and so we find we have had a lot in common along the way in this journey. By the way, you can ask anything here, but there are also other groups you can join as well. I use the site for support, band friendships (no one gets what's going on with me better than other bandsters) and a great place to ask all the questions you'd like to ask. And you know what, other than really medical issues, you'll find more everyday answers and suggestions here- annecdotal, but much really works. As Turler (Carol) already told you, there are more active threads that we're on. Play around with them, or start another until you find us. I think we've been using the multi-page "calling all April bandsters", but I'm not sure until I look. Anyway, welcome and congrats for joining in.

Hi Everyone. Been gone a while. Some "too much work" weeks, coupled with my husband's business woes wearing on me, a small medical issue, and we tore out our bathroom to fix up before the world decided to throw us a couple of curves. Anyway, dealing with it all, but just barely. I started eating as my band was far more open a month after last fill, and it was okay for a while but started getting out of hand (no problem eating bags of sour cream and onion potato chips and crackers), so I called my surgeon and he had a last minute opening and he really tightened me up. I'm not only feeling restricted, I'm barely getting down liquids. But he said it would begin to loosen a little in a few days, and maybe going back to liquids for a few days will be good for me. Cleansing. My scale broke. I bought a new one that's supposed to be very good, but there is a three pound difference between my old and new scale. Lighter. Doctor's scale is actually 2 pounds more than this new one. What do you do? I can't constantly add 3 pounds and who says the old one was right? It was slightly off from the doctor's as well. I guess every home scale can be slightly different and this one doesn't have a thingee to change it. I think I should treat the doctor's as official and the rest as just a way to track, rather than the "gospel". Anyway, off to the medical supply store. Seems I have venous insufficiency (no, doesn't mean I don't get loved enough) and have to protect my legs more. Oy yey!

Krystal, I cannot tell you how much I urge to NOT DO THE BAND IN MEXICO! Just go through the boards and you'll find horror stories and most of them are from people who thought they were saving money and time but going south of the border. It's a BIG mistake. If you have a problem, doctors here often refuse to take on the complication that they didn't cause. You're mother would be less than watchful if she allows this, and more so if she takes you there. There are very definite reasons for the rules and protoculs of surgeries. I'm not telling you to go the most difficult way, but there are many surgeons who will do lapband surgery on young women around 18. Take the time to find one in your area because lucky as your other responder was in her recovery, will she be there to take you and your mom to Mexico if something needs to be fixed? And will your mom feel good about Mexico is you're taken to an emergency room, or find out somethings wrong with your port and no one hear will fix it? Why would you do that to yourself? I know that it is very very difficult to not want instant change, but although you are an age where weight is very much and issue, there are many ways young women can take off weight. There may be reasons to say yes or no to you, but if you get a no from everyone, you better believe there's a good reason. Just remember, most of the time you get what you pay for, and cheap goes to cheap. My friend's daughter who's just 18 had lapband at a local surgicenter. While some might question the wisdom, at least she was in the a surgeon who is also at an accreditted hospital, and she can be easily treated for any problems as well as monitored and ask questions anytime she wishes. I wish you the best of luck whatever your choice. If you were my daughter, you wouldn't be going anywhere I couldn't take you in a short car trip. I'm sure your mom will feel the same.

Hey Carol.....look at you, girl. 41 big ones. That's the first thing that's made me happy today!! GO Carol! Thank you and Leslie and everyone for hte kind words. It's just one of those weeks I guess. I don't know how easy it is to get into the office, but I'm going to phone the nurse tomorrow. Yes, the pain is better, but I'm still uncomfortable and maybe I just need to hear from the nurse. This is still new to us, isn't it? And of course the week I pull the muscles I also eat off my "path" and so I can't tell what's what at this point. I feel like I should go back to liquids for a few days but I also don't feel like it. Carol, I know what you mean about losing after a treat. I think that's like the "eat more to raise metabolism". I believe it. I'm sure I'll get back up and going again, but I guess everyone's got to fall sometime. And everyone on the board is good about listening. I guess this whole down period will pass. It's my first since banding. Anyway, thanks to all and you all sound great. Give me a couple of days, and I'm sure I'll be back up to speed again. Take care.

Sorry to be a drag.Honestly, I don't get like this often. Too many things happening at once. My husband tried to make me smile, and that's worth a lot. As to my belly, I have been just a little worried......do you think it's just charlie horse or a pull? Do you think I could have damaged anything? Yesterday I ate a lot (and had the gooey brownie). Since then I haven't been comfortable eating. Last night I had a nasy PB with slime, and today I'm feel bloated. I think I'm going to go on liquids for a day or so and then back to very very basic again. On top of everything else going on, I don't want to be a hypochondriac but I'm just a tad worried. Any thoughts?

Sunday, for some reason I no longer recall, I decided the world would end if I didn't clean off two terraces. This meant a lot of bending, sweeping, hosing down and some lifting and dragging as well. By evening, I had a deep pulling pain in my left side and since then, when I get out of bed, roll over or move in a way that that uses any abdominal muscles.....I hurt. Like a gas stitch or something. I'm HOPING it's just a bit of overuse of the muscles around surgery. It hurt a little like it hurt after banding. I can eat (although I am very restricted and food is stuck more than usual). Any thoughts? Is this normal 3.5 months after surgery? Can I pull or hurt the muscles and not hurt the band itself.

Hi Everyone. Sorry I've been off more than on the past few days. Been in a slump. I decided to tackle a big cleaning job Sunday and did a huge amount of bending and pushing and lifts plant pots to clean around them and I really hurt today all over my abdomen. I guess the muscles and scar tissue is still easy to hurt. I can eat fine so I don't think I hurt anything other than my muscles. But boy oh boy, do I hurt. Right across the upper stomach area. Feel like I just had surgery again! I've been very down all together. My husband's business has been in the toilet lately- he's in the watch and jewelry business- and it's really getting to me. I'm angry at him for not pushing more when business was good, because we're really feeling it. Gold is up and the economy is lousy....not a good combination. People can't buy when they need to put gas in their tanks, and then the product goes up in price as well. Lousy. He's feeling angy at "the world" and when he's not angry, he's depressed. So now, I'm angry and veryvery down. I'm praying hard that a deal he has going turns out well.....it could make all the difference. I work long hours and work hard and I'm so frustrated when I watch him be angry instead of looking for more work. ARRRGGGHH! Not your problem. Anyway, it is my birthday today, Monday (11th). Turned 57. I'm really lucky that I don't look my age, but today I feel it. Hurt and feel sad. And we had a staff retreat today and food was all over the place. I found out that gooey Peanut Butter chocolate brownies do down just fine, as do chocolate kisses. BAD DAY! I'm sure the sugar shock isn't making me feel any better. Oh well, first sugar day I've had. Guess it had to happen. I was 261.5 this morning. Down .5 . I guess I'll get back there in a day or two. Thanks for listening!

Someone tell me what C2K is? And you sound much better today! I'll be off until tomorrow night. See you then.

I think the hair is supposed to stop falling out within a few months so hopefully the two of you will have an end to it. Today I'm just tired. My legs and back are hurting. But the good news is had my mammogram and all is well. With some loss in the boobs, I was feeling all kinds of different stuff, and the cysts I have were feeling bigger, so I made an appointment and got it done. I go yearly anyway. My mom is a 28 year survivor of breast cancer. The radiologist, who knows me almost 20 years, didn't recognize me immediately! That was great too. See ya later.

2.35 is fantastic! It's .35 more than my surgeon wants his patients to lose a week. Weight Watchers says more than 2 is too much. I can't remember- did you have a 3 week liquid after banding, or were you back on foods quickly? To tell you the truth, I lost much of my weight in the 3 weeks of liquid I was on. Clear liquid. No Soup. My doc is very strict and I followed it. So I got a big push to the loss because of that. Now it's slower. I'm probably somewhere between 2 and 3 a week also. I remember diets where I couldn't lose that much and it drove me nuts. I know you're not really believing it yet, but you're doing great. I've been checking the drain for hair every shower, but I think I'm losing about the same as usual.....enough to stuff the top of the drain so that I have to remove it to let the shower Water go down- LOL. But I have very very thick hair, so I'm never upset to see some come out. They said we could lose some.....but that will stop. Is anyone else even posting under April anymore? I've got to look.

Hi Leslie, That much! I'm shaking my head because it would seem to me one would have to work in a laundry to use up that many calories. For me it's a couple of lifts and loads and then sitting on the bed folding. Are you sure that's not scrubbin' with a rock down by the river calories? LOL. I'm down a 1/2 pound. Not much but I'll take every 1/2 pound I can get. They add up.... I'm finding that counting calories and putting it all down on paper (I use myfooddiary.com) is making a difference. It allows me to see what I'm doing, and for once, I'm looking at the day and seeing if I need to make changes the next. You're right about people. You really are. I guess I'm a little sensitive right now and am hungry for hearing how I look (low in calories, high in emotion).

Brenda, Hi- good question. I'd like to be able to say that I've got the "not hungry" signage inbedded in me, but so far, that's my toughest challenge. Especially at dinner. I try to make just enough for my portion, and I'm not too bad when I do that, although I always need something later at night. But if I'm eating out, it's very hard for me not to eat until I'm uncomfortable. How much is that? Really, not much more than the 6 oz they prefer. I'm still eating way less than I ever did prior to banding. And I'm a big fish eater, so my calorie counts are still reasonable. But I'm still not proficient at leaving food on the plate in a restaurant, so I've got to do better at doggie bags.....I should really ask for one and cut away 1/2 the food when before I start. Need to work on head vs. body hunger as well.

Okay, I'm back. You guys are on the east coast and by now getting to bed. Had to make dinner and pay a condolence call for a friends dad. MAMA-GOOD TO SEE YOU. So glad you're here. I think we'd happy have many musketeers if folks would stick around. You're doing great. Stop worrying. My goodness, listen to us complain. It took me almost 9 months to lose about 60 pounds on South Beach. And I was thrilled ....at least until I put it all back on. We're all losing quickly and it does slow. But in three months, we've all lost an excellent amount of weight. Turler, did you say NOT NOTICE! I have lost 53 pounds and NO ONE NOTICED tonight. Yikes. Is it the big clothes that are swimming, or do these people just not ever look at me anyway! WOW. That was weird and yes, being as sensitive as we all are.....I felt lousy no one said anything. At work it's so supportive, it's great. But this was not fun. And the other thing I don't find fun is exercise. Not now. I was a gym rat and dancer in my twenties and thirties. Heck, I lived in NY and walked miles a day just getting around. I started gaining when I moved to LA and started driving. Now, by time I get home from work andmake and clear dinner I don't want to do anything but disappear onto the boards or into the TV. And the recumbent bike is right in front of the TV. You think I have energy.....but I don't. And I'm a fundraiser, so a lot of my work is evening and events and they exhaust me. I took a few weeks off after banding and I did great with walking etc. Because I was focusing only on me. You guys amaze me with the running etc. I'm not giving myself the excuse of age because I've never had that hold me back and honestly, I don't look my age (I should figure out how to post a photo). But multiple injuries have left my hip and both knees in lousy shape and that doesn't make things easier. I think people who lose 60 or 70 pounds after banding in April are going to run out of steam. Even if they're ahead now, the statistics show that in 5 years the range of weight loss stabilizes among all bandsters. So, where are they rushing to anyway. What's wrong with your 30+ pounds. And how do you think your body feels when it's starving? It's probably holding every calorie it can. Of course you're down and tired. Like Leslie said, no fuel. You're gonna need to add some calories. Good ones like fish or chicken, green veggies. And do you drink enough fluids without salt? I try to get in 8-10 glasses a day and when I don't, I don't lose. I can drink that much because I can't eat in the AM so I treat myself to a giant iced coffee, have at least one cup with my Metamucil, and that's four before 11AM. Whew, a lot said. I've got to go change a load and fold some wash. How many calories does that burn?