So, I am posting this in a couple of forums hoping to get some help, advice - ANYTHING - I am at my wits end....

I had my lap band surgery in June of 08. I had a tummy tuck/hernia repair the end of this past April. Since then I've had an array of issues, including a bout with shingles (dealing with the after-pain now) and now severe to sometimes excruciating pain around my port area. It literally feels sometimes like it is ripping from my muscle that it's attached to.

I have been to see my plastic surgeon who said he didn't mess with the band OR port at all. Went to see my lap band surgeon who first tried muscle relaxers (didn't help but only made me sleepy beyond all reason) then next visit just pretty much said my muscles are still healing and give it more time. My thing is - how much more time? I mean, seriously? How long do I have to be in pain waiting to supposedly heal? Plus, the pain is getting worse, not better. The only test done was a ct scan when I went to the er because the pain was unbearable.

I am having no other issues - not throwing up, not nauseous, etc. So I am literally just here, in pain, and not knowing what to do next. Has anyone ever experienced anything like this? Any clue as to where to go from here? I would really appreciate any words of advice.

Thank you so much in advance.

Andrea

Andrea,

I am going through the same thing you are I believe. This has been going on with me practically since I had the surgery which by the way was 3/4/10. Tell me are you experiencing just burning agonizing pain in the port area like your port has some how come undone from the muscle wall? Yeah, me too. At first I thought it was something I did. Bent over and pulled the port, or bent over the wrong way. Talked to my doctor and my Nurse Practitioner about this. Each time I have had the severe pain they prescribed hydrocodone for the pain and had me put a heating pad on the port when I went to bed. Over time this has helped---somewhat---. I still have the pain flare up every month or so. So it never truely goes away. The last time I had this happen she (my nurse Practitioner) gave me a prescription for hydrocodone and told me that they were going to have to move my port because it was obviously causing ulcerations where the port had been sutured. I told her ok but haven't called back yet to get the operation done as she couldnt tell me what kind of new expense we were looking at. But pretty soon I will have to look at doing this. I am sorry that you too are going through this. However, I am glad I am not the only one. For a while I thought I was some nut job because no one else seemed to be having this problem. Sorry for the book but I hope this helps.

Sincerely

Craig

Craig,

That is EXACTLY what I am feeling. Except now it's to the point where it hurts even when I'm not doing anything at all or just the elastic from sweats or pants against it. Like right now as I type to you.

I was given percocet when i went to the ER for this pain and that helped, but he says take advil. REALLY? That is not working one bit. He also said that moving or repositioning it would probably not do any good - just cause more muscle pain. Personally, I don't think he knows what to do. I think if they end up moving it, pretty sure insurance will cover it.

I am going to see my plastic surgeon tomorrow about the muscle part of the issue.

Good luck to you, Craig. I hope it's not too crazy of an expense for you. :thumbup:

Andrea

It sounds like ulcerations for you as well. There are times when I am driving home and I have to untuck my shirt from my pants because just the pressure of the shirt touching my port causes pain. My NP told me that insurance should cover it as well but I have a crappy PPO so 20% will be my portion. I guess I will call them today. If your surgeon doesn't know what he is doing go seek a second opinion elsewhere. My Nurse Practitioner said moving the port was going to be the only way to relieve the pain again due to the ulcerations caused by the port placement. I wish you the best of luck!

Craig

Thanks for your response, Craig - I just spoke to the lap band doc's assistant and they prescribed percocet for the pain, but said the issue is one the plastic surgeon has to address. I have an appointment with the PS tomorrow. Maybe if they talked to each other, they could figure out what's going on. I am now at a point where I can no longer stand straight up without hurting terribly. I think it's an issue for BOTH of them to figure out.

I wish you the best of luck and let me know what the outcome is. OK?

Sincerely

Craig