hey everyone,

this is my first time writing... im almost 4 years out from being banded. other than esophageal spasms almost 2 years ago, ive had absolutely no complications. i reached my goal weight about a year and a half in, had all my fill removed almost 2 years ago and have maintained my weight. about 2 months ago i started having pain in my upper abdomen. the pain is right where you would have discomfort if you got stuck... the pain radiates to my back in between my shoulder blades its worse at night and wakes me up. its hard to get a deep breath when an "attack" is occurring. they last anywhere from 2 to 30 minutes. they are not food specific... actually had an attack about 30 minutes ago and hadnt eaten anything all day. my first thought was gallbladder, but now im concerned about slippage. any body else had something similar? i go to my surgeon on wednesday, but of course i will spend the next few days researching lol

when i had emergeny gallbladder surgery, the pain is where you described (my upper back and in between my shoulder blades)

would subside after about 20 min but i had this 3 times and ended up in the er 3 different times before hub told dr i was staying til they fix me

thats kind of what im thinking also with the exception of it not flaring up after fatty foods.

that and the fact that you had 3 attacks in total before they removed it... ive had 3 today, and its been gong on for 2 months. ive got a VERY high pain tolerance, but the severity is definitely getting worse.

im very atuned with my band and body but this is throwing me for a loop thanks for your response

I just got out of the hospital this past week. Got my band 4.5 yrs ago. I was having similar problems that you are having ---spasm in center ---- like fluttering. Sometimes I got a tightness -- like a band around my upper waist just under the diaphragm. Sometimes there was burning in the back. Food (and even water) was suddenly getting stuck a lot. I could feel pressure to left side above and below the band. I had my gallbladder out 6 yrs ago. I was really worried that my band slipped or eroded. Then -- last week it got really bad and I was actually afraid I might be having a heart attack so I went to the ER. I almost fell off the table when they came back and told me I had panreatitis because I have always drank between 0 to no more than 5 glasses of wine a year. They put me on IV and clear liquids for a few days before releasing me. They think it's either from the high blood pressure pill I was taking or that a stone was caught. I was very surprized to find out that you can still get gallstones after you have a gallbladder removed. The stones can really raise cain with the pancreas. From what you are describing -- it sounds like your gallbladder. I'll bet your band is fine. I feel much better after going to the hospitial. They did all kinds of testing while I was there including upper GI, CAT scan on whole abdomen, Blood tests, EKG and even an endoscopy. My band, esophagus, heart and stomach are all fine. It's worth going to the doctor and getting tested so you know exactly what you're dealing with. Don't worry.

Hey, I seriously hope it's not band related, however pancreas or gallbladder issues are probably no better. Although I'm ok with them removing my gallbladder... My band they CAN NOT have!! Lol

I'm at the ER now... My hubby insisted. I'll update with the diagnosis as soon as I get one

Just an update to anyone interested. Went to my surgeon today... Thru a series of X-rays, unfortunately it wasn't conclusive if there is band erosion or not, so I go in at 11 am tomorrow for an endoscopy. We have to rule out erosion before we do anything else. I'm praying its not. They can have anything else from in there, just as long as they don't have to take my band.

Fingers crossed

I'm really pulling for you out here! keep us posted! I go in for an endo on Monday AM too.

Best wishes

Just an update to anyone interested. Went to my surgeon today... Thru a series of X-rays' date=' unfortunately it wasn't conclusive if there is band erosion or not, so I go in at 11 am tomorrow for an endoscopy. We have to rule out erosion before we do anything else. I'm praying its not. They can have anything else from in there, just as long as they don't have to take my band. <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

jen, keep us post. hope all is well!

Well, the final verdict... It's erosion. My band will be removed tomorrow morning. I'm an emotional mess. My band is my security blanket. I've not had any fill for 2 years so I know I can do it on my own, but it's easier to do when you've got a back up. I'm very sad... Im sure I'll be fine, I just have to wrap my brain around it.

Well' date=' the final verdict... It's erosion. My band will be removed tomorrow morning. I'm an emotional mess. My band is my security blanket. I've not had any fill for 2 years so I know I can do it on my own, but it's easier to do when you've got a back up. I'm very sad... Im sure I'll be fine, I just have to wrap my brain around it.[/quote']

Sorry to hear that. Hope all goes well!

Sorry to hear that. All the best for the surgery , I hope the erosions heal quickly and all the best for maintenance, it sounds as though you have that all worked out already.

I just got out of the hospital this past week. Got my band 4.5 yrs ago. I was having similar problems that you are having ---spasm in center ---- like fluttering. Sometimes I got a tightness -- like a band around my upper waist just under the diaphragm. Sometimes there was burning in the back. food (and even water) was suddenly getting stuck a lot. I could feel pressure to left side above and below the band. I had my gallbladder out 6 yrs ago. I was really worried that my band slipped or eroded. Then -- last week it got really bad and I was actually afraid I might be having a heart attack so I went to the ER. I almost fell off the table when they came back and told me I had panreatitis because I have always drank between 0 to no more than 5 glasses of wine a year. They put me on IV and Clear liquids for a few days before releasing me. They think it's either from the high blood pressure pill I was taking or that a stone was caught. I was very surprized to find out that you can still get gallstones after you have a gallbladder removed. The stones can really raise cain with the pancreas. From what you are describing -- it sounds like your gallbladder. I'll bet your band is fine. I feel much better after going to the hospitial. They did all kinds of testing while I was there including upper GI, CAT scan on whole abdomen, Blood tests, EKG and even an endoscopy. My band, esophagus, heart and stomach are all fine. It's worth going to the doctor and getting tested so you know exactly what you're dealing with. Don't worry.

About 16 yrs ago, I had an ERCP done by my GI dr. They found retained stones in my biles duct 2 yrs after my gallbladder was removed! The dye spilling onto my pancreas cause pancreatitis. The worst pain I've ever felt! Spent 6 days in the hospital gorked on pain meds and nothing but IV fluids. So, yes, you can retain stones after your gallbladder is gone. Haven't had any problems since, thank God!

Marci