I know that not many of you know me yet on LBT and I have been missing in action, but I have some information to share that may be helpful to new and future bandsters. Some of you know that I have been sick with pneumonia; however, instead of getting better, it got worse and I have been in the hospital for about 3 1/2 days (got home last night). The doctor is not blaming my band but reminded me that just entering a hospital (that are filled with germs) and opening up your airway during general anesthesia is like an open highway to your lungs. I did everything they told me to after surgery, used my "breathing machine" regularly, started walking the neighborhood about day 3, and had returned to work in a week. Just remember to do everything your doctor says and maybe use that "breathing machine" a little bit longer than recommended. Also, my pneumonia presented very atypically and wanted to just throw out there the symptoms I had. My pneumonia ended up being in both lower lobes, just above the diaphram with fluid build up on the left. My pain was similar to that of gas pains in my left side, chest, and very specifically in my collar bone, just like after surgery. So after much testing and doctor's visits it was decided that it was not a "band" problem, a pulmonary embolus- but a serious pneumonia. I am feeling better, but not great. Hope to be of more help here in the future. Sorry so LONG!!

Glad to hear you are feeling better and that your doctor reassured you that the pnuemonia was in no way band-related!

One more thing...the pain from this has been enormous, my pain was unrelieved essentially for 2 wks. taking some very strong pain medicine. So... if you ever have symptoms like this- please continue to consult a physician until the source of the pain is determine.