I am 9 weeks post-op and since day 2 after surgery I've been having heart palpitations. My surgeon told me to contact my primary care Dr. who after blood work and EKG sent me to a cardiologist for a 48 hour holter monitor which showed significant heart rhythm abnormalities. I thought it was because I was crushing my medications, once the Surgeon told me I could start taking them whole again the palpitations did get much better, I thought they had stopped but last Sat. I had a real bad day with them. Now the cardiologist wants me to wear some sort of monitor for 30 days! I can't help but think its all got something to do with the band. Anyone else had a problem like this?

Hi

Started having them 3 days ago being day 4. Seeing band DR tomorrow. although doesnt hurt had me worried. Didnt crush pills but i thought it was because swollowing pills got stuck or something. Stopped taking the panadols but still happening. Only other idea I have is that I'm not having enough Protein shakes etc. so consuming more but still there.

Is it still an issue for you? Would appreciate any feedback.

Yes, I'm still having palpatations, weird. I've been seeing a Cardiologist but I think it has him stumped also. They stopped for several weeks, I thought whatever it was has healed itself:phanvan but they started back up again this past weekend. I'm not doing anything different, same meds, same food. I go back to the Cardiologist tomorrow, I'll see what he has to say. I still think it has something to do with the lap band, but unless they tell me its going to kill me they arn't getting my band!

thanks, I agree it must be related to the band. Will let you know if i make any progress.

Since getting my band, I get them occasionally. It usually happens after I eat but not all the time. I can usually get them to stop by coughing. Here's my theory (for what it's worth, I'm a nurse not a cardiologist)...when I eat, my pouch expands a little which "bumps" into the heart muscle and causes the palpations.

Saw DR today. He said it is probably nerves that are affected when the pouch expands which also are linked to muscles around the heart. or something like that (and similar to above explanation) I think I did overdo it on the third day with a large serving of thickish soup and also drinking too much all in one session. The Dr suggested I monitor when it happens and the relationship to meals. I am currently getting them daily.

Wow, now this has me a bit nervous. Have any of you had any heart palpitations before being banded? I get them every once in a while (I'm not banded yet). I don't think people that never had them would understand what they feel like. I usually stop them by coughing too or taking deep breaths.

One time, years ago, I decide I would just go with it and not cough or take a deep breath and what happened is I nearly passed out. Everything around me started to fade. It was a little scary. I've been to the heart specialist about this but he and she (i went to 2) were unable to figure out why it happens. I actually will get 1 bout which lasts about 10 seconds every couple of months.:confused:

No never had it before..must admit was pretty worried...they go on for minutes but don't hurt or anything. Will try the deep breath or coughing trick next time.

I woundnt worry..seems pretty rare but only advise is to to not consume too much in one go for the first few weeks so its not triggered.

I had SVT's a tacyacardia condition which I had surgery to correct 12 yrs ago ....It resurfaced while on the pre op diet...I don't know if It was a lack of protien.....I have been on heart meds ever since 16 months ago.... My cardiologist thinks my body will adjust:ranger:

I'll reply even though this is an old post. Since you are already taking medication for your heart arrythmia you know how it works. Stress is the killer for those of us who get them. Your cardiologist should have warned that after surgery your body releases catecholemines which stress your body and heart which cause skipped beats. Since you already have a history you should just relax and let your body go back to normal. Took me about 3 weeks to go back to normal. Also you should have you potassium checked. Also, you should have your potassium checked. It often is lowed after WLS and can aggrivate skipped beats. Potassium supplement can be purchased over the counter so not a big expense if needed. Good Luck!

Wolff Parkinson White Syndrome, I was diagnosed with it about a month and a half ago, Look it up, Could be the answer to some of your symptoms. Also tell your cardiologist about it, Its very very hard to diagnose, But should show up on an EKG. Good Luck.

~Hotpink~

I HAVE BEEN BANDED FOR TEN WEEKS AND HAVE HAD PALPATATIONS ON AND OFF FOR YEARS, I HAD MY HEART CHECKED OUT AND WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO STRESS. STRANGELY ENOUGH I HAVN,T HAD ANY SINCE BANDING AND YET I AM MORE STRESSED NOW THAN I HAVE EVER BEEN...LOL FUNNY HOW THINGS WORK ISN,T IT?:rolleyes

I am 9 weeks post-op and since day 2 after surgery I've been having heart palpitations. My surgeon told me to contact my primary care Dr. who after blood work and EKG sent me to a cardiologist for a 48 hour holter monitor which showed significant heart rhythm abnormalities. I thought it was because I was crushing my medications, once the Surgeon told me I could start taking them whole again the palpitations did get much better, I thought they had stopped but last Sat. I had a real bad day with them. Now the cardiologist wants me to wear some sort of monitor for 30 days! I can't help but think its all got something to do with the band. Anyone else had a problem like this?

Yes - I had heart palps during the surgery and I was referred to a cardiologist as well. He thought this was caused by the drugs they give you to knock you out. He also said that the fibres rub together causing the palps. My Doctor says at some stage I will have to have them burnt - but I should be fine in the mean time but I have been having them again now - even though i had the surgery 2 years ago.

I started this thread a couple months ago, I'm sitting here right now having such palpatations my hands are like ice and every time it does it I get light headed. I did go back to my Cardiologist last week. They did a 24 hour moniter, (of course on a day I was feeling better) and he said "Oh your doing much better, come back in 4 months) I told him that I have really bad days, his response was that in 4 months if I'm still having them we'll do another moniter that I wear for quite some time. I asked him if these palpatations would damage my heart or injur me in any other way and he said no that they were just annoying to me. Sorry but it sure makes me feel bad and I'm still worried.

Sorry to hear about it. I looked at a couple of home type monitors that record the last half an hour etc that you could then show to the doctor. They seem to cost a couple of hundred dollars in the states. Mine stopped a few days later and I'm putting it down to eating too much too quick.

Saw my surgeon that did my lap band today, I asked him about the palpatations (again) told him about all the ideas and suggestions. He says that he thinks its because certain people are more prone to the palpatations anyway but after lap band your diet changes and most women especially need extra calcium and magnesium. He said that when he was a resident that when someone had a heart attack that they gave them calcium and it would stop the arrythmias. He suggested the medication Citracel, said the calcium thats in Tums also has carbinate which will cause gas so to stay away from that kind. He also said to increase fluids big time.

I don't know, I guess I'll try it out and see what happens, he also wants to do another fill, it will be my third because I've only lost 4 lbs the last 6 weeks. :cry

I'll be sure to let you all know how it goes.