My wife had the lap-band operation one week ago today.

but ever since she has been in great discomfort on a daily basis.

She is constantly dizzy and light headed and complains of what i believe to be Esophagael spasm's (when i spoke to her nurse she also said my wife was spasming) now they have her on a bunch of meds

clidinium/cdp (for the spasms? she says this makes her loopy but could be in connection with the next drug)

Butorphanol (she complains this just makes her 'loopy' and does not want to take it.)

promethegan ( for nausea i believe)

Now my wife takes these drugs only as a last resort. I do believe that this is part of the problem if she would take it more regular surely it would help her more?

but the bottom line is i am fed up of walking in the bedroom and seeing my wife crying from the pain.

Can someone please give me some advice on how to stop this or at least how to make life easier for her.

so far she has only had water/protien shakes and Soup (nurse said two days ago that she could have thicker soup because we are worried she may be suffering from malnutrition)

Please any advice you can give will be greatly welcomed.

Paul

Nice to hear from you Paul's wife. I am sad to hear that you are struggling... but many of us do care. So know you are well supported even if it is cyberland. As many have said you can get dizzy/loopy from the lack of protein.. but for me- I get very dizzy/loopy from not having enough water. I can only have my water (or any other type of beverage) room temp, warm, or hot. I will clarify by room temp I mean 59 degrees or higher. Anything under that I have major issues. So do keep an eye on your water intake.

For that need to chew feeling, if it is afternoon or evening- I can chew ice or gum. But my favorite has been turkey jerkey (you are not ready for that stage yet- don't even try it until are allowed to).

Please keep us posted on how you are doing.

Best wishes,

Ang in AZ

So sorry you are going through this. I too had shocking shocking shocking pain for a week and a half after my surgery. I was doubled over and couldn't move and actually ended up at the hospital with all sorts of tests. These showed nothing wrong with the band etc but I was crying, couldn't move and I am not a crybaby - 9 pound 13 1/2 ounce baby number one and 10 pound 11 1/2 ounce baby number two without epidurals so I think I cope pretty well with pain - and this was close to the worst most intense pain I had ever had so I know how bad this is for you. The only thing that worked for me was time for it to heal and pain medication in the meantime. Certainly having fill taken out if it is in there may help, but I wish you all the best. I too don't feel that I was properly prepared for this surgery. Unfortunately in Australia, well with my doctor anyway, we don't have all the pre tests, psych tests, post op diets etc. I was given a 10min consult with the surgeon - (almost a year before the surgery was done because I was pregnant) he said 6 weeks after the birth should be long enough to get my breastfeeding organised and that was it. Didn't see him again until after the surgery. Then sent on my way with a two year old and a six week old baby and I was in so much pain, I could hardly move. thank god for husbands - yours sounds great too by the way. Let me know how you get on.

So what happened at the doctor appt???? I feel like I've been left hanging! LOLOLOL Are you feeling any better?

Esophogial (esophogus) spasms happen sometimes when you drink liquids that are really cold or maybe have too much swelling from the band placement. Tell your Dr. you are experiencing them and he may need to take some of the fluid (if there was any put in at time of surgery) out. Several patients who saw My Dr. thought they didnt have any fluid in their bands at the time of placement but actually did- and that in combination with the swelling from placement caused those spasms..Good lUck and I hope it gets sorted out for you. No one should have to be in that kind of pain.

Hi! I have had esophogial spasms for years.I have to get my esophosas streached about once a year.I was banded Feb.18,08 and for two days I had spasma I know how you feel it really hurts.My doctor had me to get a egd and my esophoses was streached know more pain.