I'm 6 months post-op. 3 months ago feeling great and not thinking, I pushed a stalled SUV along with several other people who were being Good Samaritans. While pushing I left "something", then immediately thought, "Whoops, I should not have done that." Since then, I've had a contrast CT scan, and a pelvic ultrasound. I have fairly constant left lower abdominal pain noticed when walking and my port is sore (at times). Those tests showed nothing wrong. I feel like I have a hernia. My abdomen is usually sore/tender/a heaviness--again noticed most when walking around. What tests reveal a hernia? How can one tell if it is a pulled or torn abdomen muscle versus a hernia? If it is a hernia, I'm not really up for another surgery--hoping this will go away. Although, it is going on 3 months now. Thoughts/suggestions anyone?

Well, I am not a doctor, but I have survived a "lower abdominal, midline, incisional hernia" Basically it was a hernia where my c-section scar was. I did not know it was there until I had my appendix out, then they waited for me to heal from that surgery, and cut me open again for the hernia repair. (then I had the lapband surgery a month later, 3 surgeries in 3 months).

Now, although I did not feel any pain for the hernia, I picked up a microwave recently and my port started to hurt. I picked it up and rested it on my tummy while moving it from a chair to a table. Then I noticed a weird "zing" of pain. I figure I pulled a stitch on my port. After a while (about a month), it went away.

Some people with hernias see it protruding from the outside. Some people have pain, and others don't. But I bet they would have to do a laproscapy (sp?) to find something.

Good luck hun, hope you feel better in the new year!!!

Hard to say Amy, sounds like it could be a hernia to me. I did have one patient who developed a hernia right under the port so it was very difficult to detect as there was already a lump there.

Dr. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

I'm 6 months post-op. 3 months ago feeling great and not thinking, I pushed a stalled SUV along with several other people who were being Good Samaritans. While pushing I left "something", then immediately thought, "Whoops, I should not have done that." Since then, I've had a contrast CT scan, and a pelvic ultrasound. I have fairly constant left lower abdominal pain noticed when walking and my port is sore (at times). Those tests showed nothing wrong. I feel like I have a hernia. My abdomen is usually sore/tender/a heaviness--again noticed most when walking around. What tests reveal a hernia? How can one tell if it is a pulled or torn abdomen muscle versus a hernia? If it is a hernia, I'm not really up for another surgery--hoping this will go away. Although, it is going on 3 months now. Thoughts/suggestions anyone?

I am four days post op and am also finding pain in my lower left abdomen, which isnt anywhere near where they operated on me. I am also puzzled. Hope that you find t he answer and please let me know. I hope an d pray mine will be gone before 6 months. Your in my thoughts and prayers.

I inquired about this same pain at my doctors office and they said that was the side a lot of the work was performed on, so it will be sore. I still have the pain 2 mos later just not as noticable. I did think it was weird b/c it is below the scars.

I had my lap band done on December 6th and I also have that pain. Mine is slightly above the port and I find it difficult to lay on that side or bend over to pick things up. I don't know if it's my port, my muscle or what. Anyone have any answers?

I swear it is the stitches girls. I can feel them pull sometimes if I bend the wrong way (Don't have to clean the bath tub anymore, cause that hurts.) DH takes care of that now.

They had to "anchor" the port into place with stitches. Once the tissue grows around them it will be better, but for now just pray the stitches don't break or your port will flip.

That is my theory anyway...

I have the same problem. It's been a year since surgery and every now and then I will have pain on that side near my port *but it doesn't feel as if it is my port* if that makes any sense.

Hello-- I posted awhile ago (see below). A few days after I posted that last message, I began experiencing heart burn off and on and upper abdominal contractions which were rather scary. I was put on protonix which intitially made the contractions worse. The contractions seem to have gone away, but the weird heartburn has not (have never had heartburn before). I had a GI today and a barium swallow with my surgeon present along with the radiologist. I apparently didn't have much of a fill (no pouch was seen), so he gave me one-- a 'small' pouch was created. Anyway, he did say the band looked a little high. Since this morning after this fill, I feel worse. I can't take this much longer. Maalox has not helped, protonix does not seem to help much. This pain/heartburn thing started Dec. 31. My next appointment is this Friday. I want an endoscope done, right?? Can an erosion have been detected with today's tests? I'm really starting to want this band out even if they don't find anything wrong. Funny thing is, with this new pain, I don't notice my left lower abdominal pain anymore. Perhaps a shrink needs to be recommended. Hope not. Suggestions/opinions appreciated. I'm grateful for this website. For now, I'm on liquids and just resting, waiting for this to go away, or for an answer/support. I fear an erosion is taking place after only 6 months and 70 lbs. -- More than half way to goal weight.

lower left abd pain? Dr. C?

<HR style="COLOR: #d1d1e1" SIZE=1><!-- / icon and title --><!-- message -->I'm 6 months post-op. 3 months ago feeling great and not thinking, I pushed a stalled SUV along with several other people who were being Good Samaritans. While pushing I left "something", then immediately thought, "Whoops, I should not have done that." Since then, I've had a contrast CT scan, and a pelvic ultrasound. I have fairly constant left lower abdominal pain noticed when walking and my port is sore (at times). Those tests showed nothing wrong. I feel like I have a hernia. My abdomen is usually sore/tender/a heaviness--again noticed most when walking around. What tests reveal a hernia? How can one tell if it is a pulled or torn abdomen muscle versus a hernia? If it is a hernia, I'm not really up for another surgery--hoping this will go away. Although, it is going on 3 months now. Thoughts/suggestions anyone?

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Amy

Please call your doctor tomorrow with your concerns and in the meantime try to relax. A warm bath and some hot tea? I have a constant "stitch in my left side" that my PA says is probably gas. I twisted really hard a few days after surgery and felt a great burning pain. I've worried about this ever since. Worried about stretched pouch and slippage. The band is not an exact science because everyone seems to react differently. I'll bet 90% of all lapband patients have concerns that just can't be answered.

I don't mean to minimalize your situation. Your concerns are valid, but at least your surgeon is aware and you do have an appt on Friday. The more tense you are, it is likely your stomach muscles will tighten and cause greater pain.

Reactions to fills are varried and can be quite alarming.

If you are able to drink liquids you are probably ok until you are able to contact your doctor. Try to get some sleep and think positively that answers will be found soon.

I feel the same thing some times. it almost feels like a cramp you get when you're exercising...buts it's below my port

sometimes if there is an irritation, then another muscle will contract (one near the spot that is irritated). Its sort of the way the body tries to relieve the pressure off of the initial hurt spot. I have an entrapped nerve ending in my abdominal wall. Now I got this a long time ago, but it took forever to diagnose. Ask your doctor if they have ruled that out. Many times if it is that it can be treated with injections. Lower abdominal pain and nausea and heartburn... also reminds me of when I had a big old ovarian cyst. That thing made me very very sick. I'm sure there are other things it could also be, I just thought I would share my experience with those two things since they were things Drs overlooked. Good luck!

To be honest, I have pain ocassional in different parts of my abdomen area. My port is one of them. Anytime you have something altered out of the norm I think your body works to adjust. I can eat, I can swallow and the pain is not unbearable. Differents areas that come and go. Not too worried. Love my band!