I was banded on May 9, 2008 and I thought that by now I would be feeling much better. I'm having breathing problems (which did not occur until after the surgery) and my surgeon and therapist tell me that it's all in my head. Yeah, me feeling like I'm being smothered at night is a fabulous feeling. Whatever!

Sorry everyone but I had to vent!!!

Either way, the band MUST be removed!!

Thanks

Sorry to hear of your distress. Is there any tests they can do to find out the cause of those symptoms?

Thanks for your concern!

My surgeon has run tests and come up with no reason for my symptoms to "link to the band" then he's telling me it's all in my head. They even sent me back to the psychiatrist (saw during pre-op) and she's also convinced it's all in my head!!! I'm saddened that no one believes me, even when I was hospitalized (for dehydration and the breathing) after the surgery, I tried to discuss it with the staff at the hospital and I go the same answer--you'll get over it.

I'm now waiting on my insurance to review my case to see if they will pay for removal, if not, I will have to pay.

Ms Jai - anatomically speaking it's really odd that the band would be impacting your breathing this much.

The gas they use really messes with your lungs, though, and I didn't stop feeling gas pain until at least 2 months after surgery.

I'm wondering if it's related to the gas - are you doing your breathing exercises? It's supposed to be hard.

Also, maybe you developed allergies. It's been a TERRIBLE pollen season. I never had allergies but this season I have been coughing with a horrible tickle in my throat, sometimes getting "not breathing" feeling until I blow my nose. My nose doesn't even feel stuffed, but its a post nasal drip at the very back of my nose...once I blow it, I can breathe a lot easier. it's very weird.

Finally, have you tried sleeping propped up on pillows? Even now, I easily "choke" at night if I'm lying flat on my back. With 100lbs more on me, I could rarely sleep completely flat.

I just can't believe the band is causing the problem :wink2:

Ms Jai - anatomically speaking it's really odd that the band would be impacting your breathing this much.

The gas they use really messes with your lungs, though, and I didn't stop feeling gas pain until at least 2 months after surgery.

I'm wondering if it's related to the gas - are you doing your breathing exercises? It's supposed to be hard.

Also, maybe you developed allergies. It's been a TERRIBLE pollen season. I never had allergies but this season I have been coughing with a horrible tickle in my throat, sometimes getting "not breathing" feeling until I blow my nose. My nose doesn't even feel stuffed, but its a post nasal drip at the very back of my nose...once I blow it, I can breathe a lot easier. it's very weird.

Finally, have you tried sleeping propped up on pillows? Even now, I easily "choke" at night if I'm lying flat on my back. With 100lbs more on me, I could rarely sleep completely flat.

I just can't believe the band is causing the problem :wink2:

Thanks for the comment.

I already sleep sitting up.

Some people do seem to panic once they have their band placed.

Have you consulted your primary care physician? Ask her for a referral to a pulmonary specialist.

Do you think it is just a sensation? Have you fainted from lack of oxygen? Are your fingernails blue or pink (under the nails).

If you are in distress, you need to find a doctor to help. Go to a specialist.

Hastings, thanks for your post.

No, I haven't fainted, but one of the reasons I was hospitalized last week was for difficulty breathing. And yes, I've seen several doctors, but because my oxygen levels are satisfactory by medical standards, they dismiss it as being mental.

I've had constant chest pressure (not from the gas they used during surgery--had that sensation and it passed) and I get "winded" by performing the smallest tasks--talking on the phone, working at my desk, bathing--none of which were ever a problem prior to surgery!! As for the cold, blue fingertips, yes that is an issue BUT I've always had that issue even as a child. Either way, something is not right.

C'mon are you kidding???? You don't even know what's causing the problem and you already want to get rid of the band? You haven't even started on your journey.

I would get a second opinion. I would find someone that would find out what is wrong with me before having it removed.

I'm sorry you are strugging with this. I hate it when they can't figure out what is wrong.

Good luck and hang in there.

the symptoms you are suggesting don't seem to be anything related to the band. like someone suggested, i think you need to see a pulmonary specialist or something of the like.

it is all too easy to blame the band, they are right .... be patient, don't panic, let it settle and then reassess.

you need to trust the surgeon. If the hospital is saying your O2 saturation is satisfactory, then that is what it will be ... if it wasn't ... you would still be there now, until it is.

Do you have sleep apnea? You should not have to sleep sitting up at night. I know when I was heavier I would feel like I was suffocating if I were lying down, unless I was using my cpap.

Sorry you are having this trouble. I hope you find a doctor who will listen and figure out what's going on.

The first time I got something stuck, I thought I was having a breathing problem, and lemme tell ya, I would not tolerate that kind of problem one minute longer than I had to! I have serious issues with suffocation.

have they checked you for asthma? Are you coughing?

i suffer from depression and anxiety. i can not speak for anyone else but for me anxiety feels just like what you describe. i would feel like i couldnt get enough air in my lungs and like i was smothering and going to pass out or die. i was prescribed 0.5mg clonopin twice daily and i am a new person. those feelings have gone completely away. please see a psychiatrist before you remove the band. because i don't think the band has anything to do with it.

I am not a doctor or even in the medical field, but do you think it could it be a reaction to the anesthesia? Everyone reacts differently to medication. Could it possibly be panic attacks? Just throwing up some possibilites that come to mind. I'm sorry you are having a difficult time. You need to see a specialist so they can pinpoint the problem. Hopefully they can resolve it so that you can keep your band. I'm sure you've gone through a lot to get it and would think you'd want to keep it. Good luck and I hope your health improves.

Im not trying to scare you here but my friend who had a hysterectomy a year ago had some of the same problems. She was winded from just walking. She had no engery. She complained to anyone who would listen to her that something wasnt right. No one would listen. Finally she got someone to listen and what was found out is that she had blood clots in her lungs.

Has this possiblity been ruled out?

Hello--

Sorry to hear about your issues.

My mom is a respiratory therapist and I was speaking with her on the phone while I was reading your post.

She recommended a vascular specialist, a pulmonologist (sp?), and a cardiologist. Breathing problems are NOT to be taken lightly. Get every inch of you inspected. Once you see all those specialists and nothing is wrong, then you should start exploring psychological issues. UNTIL THEN, take care of yourself and see some specialists.