My left side hurts!

March 9, 2005

I'm hoping someone can give me some advice please. I've been banded for over 8 months now and within the last month I've had "episodes" of pain in my lower left abdomen. It usually happens in the middle of the night and I just can't get comfortable. I'm finding that when it happens I have a really hard time eating or drinking anything the next day. Is this just gas or could there be something wrong? I went to my doctor and he deflated me for a week which helped. I've been refilled for a week now and it's happening again. Any advice out there? Thanks!

Alexandra · March 9, 2005

That sounds unusual, and doesn't sound like it's related to the band itself. Is the pain in your port area? Are you doing exercises that might create stress on your port and/or the muscles it's attached to?

It could also be intestinal, if you're not getting enough Fiber. Have you had Constipation? A friend of mine had similar symptoms and was eventually diagnosed with diverticulitis.

Have you had a physical recently? This may not be related to your band at all. You might want to call your PCP and discuss it. Good luck!!

Norma Jamerson · March 10, 2005

I am so glad you asked that question. I was actually in the ER yesterday for the same lower left abdominal pain plus bleeding for 3 weeks. They did an ultrasound and found that I had ovarian cysts and that one of the cysts had ruptured and leaked Fluid. That is what they believe was causing the pain. The bleeding is part of another issue (depo shots are starting to finally leave my system). Anyway, go see your regular doctor or an obgyn is my recommendation. Women who are overweight tend to get ovarian cysts. I will find out tomorrow more info about it. All my surgen kept telling me was that it was gas trapped in. I was having gas pains too, but this lower left pain wouldn't go away. So check into it.

La_madam · March 10, 2005

I get the left sideach everytime I get a fill, then it goes away after a few days but oddly as I read this post I had a sideache today for the first time in months...My Dr. said this is normal as your body gets used to the foreign object in your bodyand it can also be trapped gas trapped around the port area. .

March 11, 2005

Thanks for the replies. Today I couldn't take it anymore and went in to have my band let out a bit to see if that helps. I'm almost positive my side pain is gas but I'm worried my band slipped a month ago when I had the flu. I've been having some trouble ever since and even had my band unfilled completely for a week which helped tremendously. If I don't start feeling better by Monday I have to go drink some barium and see what's going on in there. I'm very worried.