Hi,

I had band fitted last week and was doing fine. However, over the last two days I can feel the band, I'm really aware of it. I am having gas pains, it almost feels as if there is a blockage. I am drinking water and peppermint tea. Any suggestions?

Gem

You are still healing. You probably still have swelling. Give it some time. Hang in there!

It can be like that right after surgery, when the band starts to "seat", or find it's groove. Ask your dr if they gave you a fill at the time of surgery. Lot's do to test for leaks. I thought my band was empty till I went in for a fill and found out they had put 1.5cc in at time of surgery. That is why I had such great weight loss in the beginning. Drink slowy, make sure you are taking in your protein, it promotes healing and weight loss. If you are truly, deeply concerned, call your surgeon.

Both ladies above offer good advice. You're still healing and your stomach is still very swollen. Give it some time and be sure not to jump phases on your recovery diet. If your doc says liquids, then stick to liquids. If he says mushies then stick to mushies, etc.

If something feels wrong, call your surgeon. Especially if you cannot get water down.

Go see your surgeon to be sure. I felt my tubing a few weeks after surgery and thought it was because I was still healing and it would subside. WRONG!!! Turns out my tubing had shifted. At my follow-up visit, which was 6 weeks later, the doctor told me I would definitely have to have a revision surgery but it didn't have to happen immediately. Original surgery 12/28/11. Had bad shoulder pains 4/10/12 and ended up in the er. I didn't have gas pains after the initial surgery so I thought that may be the culprit. NO!!! It was the pain radiating from my abdomen. Had to have revision on 4/18/12. Scar tissue had developed and I have had a rough recovery. I've had 10 times more pain than initial surgery.

So, my advice is to let your surgeon take a look. It may be nothing. If so, nothing's lost. If there is a revision needed its better to do it early.