Hi, I was banded Friday, and everything seems to be going well. I'm not too hungry and the demon that compels me to overeat seems to be sleeping (yahoo!). Anyway, a few of my incisions are itching and it's driving me mad. Also, I have sporadic pain in my shoulder-to-neck area (on both sides) like a pinched nerve that only goes away when I lie down. I suppose that's the referred pain from the diaphragm? Any idea how long the referred pain lasts? Is it a matter of days or weeks?

Thanks!

Julie

252/248/150

Banded 5/19/06

Dr. Chris Cobourn, Mississauga, ON Canada

Hi Julie! Welcome to bandland. The itching you're experiencing is probably your incisions healing. As long as they don't become red, inflamed, and they don't seep, you're probably fine. Also, the pain you're feeling in your shoulder is most likely the referred pain from your diaphram being expanded during surgery. It should diminish within a few weeks...I hope. I feel it every now and then 8 months out but it's nothing like it was immediately post-op.

Yeah, what Tricia said!

My 'gas pains' only lasted about a week... haven't felt them since then (about 6 weeks ago).

And for my itchiness, I used some tea-tree/vit e oil AROUND the incisions... it helped me.

Just wanted to say hi to a fellow Cobourn-er. :eek:

Mandi

Hi, Julie - I'm exactly 2 weeks post op and can tell you my incision itching only died down over the last day or two. Actually, since I am thinking of it I am now itching again! Funny how the mind works. Anyway, if you're like me you'll have another 10 days or so of the itching... if you have to scratch, just gently scratch with your fingertips - not your nails... it helped me some. Plus I use that Mederma ointment for scar healing, it helps some but not much. Maybe try Mandi's suggestion of tea tree & Vitamin E oil around the cuts. Or... ask your doctor if it gets unbearable.

Good luck to you!