Hi everyone! Got banded july 30 of 07 and everything had been going great. Lost about 80 lbs to date. Not until recently that i started having some problems. Earlier in the week and i had some pretty evident chest pressure in the middle of my chest right above my breasts and sometimes in between im assuming esophagus. And on top of that ive been really constipated and im usually not. Went to the doc said i needed to be "flushed" out so he gave me some laxatives. Did that felt a little better but chest pressure remained. But the constipation didnt go away and i had to take a suppository laxative but this time not really anything was happening and i had some rectal bleeding. So I am a little worried. The odd thing is that ive been feeling like i have to go to the bathroom all the time. My stomach is gurgling and im cramping like i need to go but nothing ever happens. Its like something is blocking something else and i dont have any movement. So meanwhile till i see the doc i have this chest pressure and extreme constipation..Wondering if anyone else out there has dealt with this. I dont know if its band related but most likely i think it is. Just looking for any input..Thanks everyone!

I haven't experienced this in a big way but it sounds like you need to see your doctor asap if you are bleeding. Can you get to your local hospital to get it checked out?

I have had lots of constipation. I never had this before surgery. I started taking fiber tablets. The fruit kind you chew. It helped. I also feel the need to go often and cannot. Hope this helps. It is uncomfotable.

Did your doc tell you that you may be dehydrated adn that could also be why you are constipated? It's hard to get in enough water ....I keep a very large bottle by my bed with cups and have a water cooler in the kithchen. Work is tough so I keep water on my desk to remind me also in my car. Hope this helps keep us posted

Was the doctor you saw your regular PCP or your surgeon? PCP's don't know much at all about lapands and the complications that can arise.....your really need to see your surgeon. Did your doctor look at your pouch with a flouroscope? It's hard to tell what going on in there unless they use one.

I went last week for a fill and the flouroscope showed my pouch was dilated and food was not going through like it should.....had to have a complete unfill and will be on liquids for a few weeks until it heals and goes back into shape.

Constipation is not good for you.....until you can get to the dr, you need to take some Milk of Magnesia and get it cleared out, then start on some stool softeners every night to keep it from happened again. After that, do what the doctor recommends but until then, you need to get some relief.

I've been banded for 2,5yrs. and never had had constipation problems, but I eat lots of fiber and veggies all the time. Make sure you are drinking enough water.

You should check with your doctor before taking anything for that (you don't want to hurt your band).

hope it will soon get better

thanks everyone for your input. I am planning to see my surgeon this week. Im guessing its time for some xrays to see whats going on. Im scared i did something wrong like over eat. I was self-pay and there really is no excuse. I did have a little bit of relief it was very little but it was something ill take it. I started taking miralax but i read it takes a couple of days to start working. Meanwhile chest pressure still remains it comes and goes and im just dealing with it. Not eating anything heavy just really doing mushy and liquids. Its the gurgly bloating feeling that remains constant and thats what sucks. I will keep everyone posted on what happens when i see the doctor. In the meantime thanks..

How is it going?

When I read your post, I got a little concerned that you may be going towards a bowel obstruction (been there, done that and have the ilestomy to show for it becasue I couldn't be unblocked). I had many of the symptoms you are talking about, but was still "pooping" a little, so it didn't occur to me or my dr. that I might have an obstruction. I never had the tight feeling in my chest, but I was not banded when I had it and I am thinking that the band may be kind of forcing your gas and other stuff down, causing pressure and pain.

Please go get this checked out. One word of warning, tell any and all medical professionals that you have the band. A standard treatment for an obstruction is the insertion of a NG tube and I have been told that you should not have this done "blindly" (as is routine) because your band has restricted the size of opening into your stomach.

Well i finally got my xrays scheduled for next tuesday..so ill find out hopefully what is going on. Ive been taking mira lax for a week now and it seems to be helping. I mean it gives me the gurgly feeling and gas and kinda feels like diahrea. Almost feel like just liquid is coming out. These past days my stools have also been black..sorry if this TMI. The chest pain has been less but when i start eating something it comes up right between my breasts. So I dont know im just frustrated. Im scared something is wrong and that I caused it and that it may result in me going under the knife again. Well ill know tuesday and ill let you guys know. Thanks everyone

Make sure you tell your doc that your stools have been black. that is important.

Hi Everyone just wanted to give an update. Had my barium swallow done last Tuesday it was terrible eww. The last time I remember doing it I didnt have to swallow that junk so many times. Anyway I was able to see my band up on the screen and it looked ok and the nurse or who ever did it had also said that it looked "ok" but i dont know yet caues my freakin doctor has not gotten back to me since then about the results. So I really dont know exactly if there is a problem or not. Ive been calling to get my results but I have yet to hear a response. Meanwhile though my chest pressure has not really been relavant lately so thats been great. As far as constipation I was doing just fine for a couple of days I think had alot to do with the MiraLax and as soon as I stopped cause I read you couldnt drink it everyday my constipation returned within in a few days. Also my stools were no longer black I think that also had to do with the MiraLax. They went back to normal after stopping the Lax. So now ive been taking benefiber and its barely helping, trying to drink more water. Another thing though is that I barely have any restriction and its freaking me out. I use to feel full alot more quickly than I do now so I have to remind myself to stop eating. Im assuming ready for my first fill. So until I hear from my doctor on my Xrays im just getting by. I will update when I know results. Thanks everyone!

Finally got my results on Friday and I was told all was well with my band. Its in the position its suppose to be and so forth, so relieved! Yet my restriction feels like nothing so I scheduled a fill. Still very constipated so Im going to see my family doctor to check and see if i have a bowel obstruction or if she can prescribe me a powder that I can drink everyday because I have been taking every form of fiber everyday and its just not working. The only way I get relief is when I drink this tea called 'get regular' go figure! But im pretty sure you cant drink it everyday so I only do it once in a while. So i need something. Just wanted to thank everyone for there input.

Hi luckycharm, do you have an gastroenterologist? I really think you need a specialist. I had all kinds of issues before lap-band, but thankfully, I'm regular since getting lap-band. I contribute this to giving up soda, but my doctor isn't convinced that this is the only reason. Good luck to you! Oh, eating prunes or drinking prune juice can really help with constipation.

You might have your gall bladder checked out also

I had colon cancer in 2001; I've always had a problem with constipation and a slow sluggish system. First find yourself a good gastroenterologist. I've been having more problems with my constipation since my band. Since the cancer I take two tablespoons of Benefiber each morning. My gastroenterologist recommended taking Miralax as well. I have not used it yet, but will try it when I get back from my next business trip and can be around in case there are problems.

I will start with a lower dose than suggested and increase to the recommended dose if needed.

I have had similar problems but no bleeding. I am getting plenty of fiber (maybe too much??) and I drink a gallon+ of water a day so it is not dehydration. I am taking a daily laxative but it doesn't help that much. Let us know what the doctor says.