I had my lapband done yesterday and im just curious if anyone else got sent home with an ON-Q bag (pain bag) Its a round ball full of medicine that has tubes from the bag to my incisions it hangs around my neck in a black bag. It is supposed to help with the pain but they are still very sore. (along with my shoulder, Whats up with that???) I have to take the tubes out of my incisions tomorow and i just wanted to see if i was alone in this!!!

I don't think that's a common thing with this surgery. It is very common in orthopedic surgery. The pain in your shoulder is gas pain only to be relieved with walking. Your physician must use the ball to assist with pain management.

Hope it helps.

sharon (RN/MSN)

I had the surgery in April and also had the "pain ball". The nurse removed it before I left the hospital and I didn't even feel it. Good luck as you start your new life.

Hi,

I did not have the pain ball. I see them alot at work, I am an OB/GYN RN. But I have never seen it used for lap sites. As others said, the shoulder pain is gas pain, it should go away with walking and time. Taking the catheter out is very easy. I am sure they went over it with you, it wont take but a second Good luck!!

I had one and I hated it! I took mine out earlier than they recommended. I did contact the dr before doing so. The first time I took a shower a little water got beneath the tape and settled near the incision and I was too afraid of infection to leave it in, plus having it was an annoying hassle to me. Taking it out was no big deal, yes sort of weird, pulling the little tubing out of your belly, but it didn't hurt or anything.

I also had an On-Q bag. I had surgery on Tuesday and they released me on Wednesday from the hospital with the bag. The Barriatric Coordinator told me that by Saturday I could remove myself and gave me the instructions, but when she called to check on me Friday, it was leaking on my clothes and she said to go ahead and remove which I did. There was absolutely no pain when removing it.

I didn't get an On-Q system for the lapband surgery, but have had one before for a major abdominal surgery. To me, the lapband was a little surgery, since I've had three major surgeries that cut me from just above the navel to 5 inches below the navel. They took out part of my small intestine in each surgery. This is not to minimalize the lapband surgery. This is just to compare it to my previous surgeries, so I hope no one thinks I'm belittling them by calling it a little surgery.

Anyway, after my first two abdominal surgeries, I was put on a morphine pump, and I worked that thing for several days for pain relief. Because of the morphine, my incision didn't hurt, but I was in a major fog. Actually the incision did hurt because I had to wait until it was time for the next press of the button that would bring me pain relief. I would be in pain, then press the button and go into a fog until the pain would return. I'd have to endure pain until the button allowed more morphine, then the fog would return. Vicious cycle.

During the last major abdominal surgery, the doctor opted for On-Q instead of the morphine pump. My head was clear, since I wasn't given a systemic dose of the morphine. The constant stream of morphine going right to the source of the pain kept me from feeling pain. I didn't have that pain/fog cycle going on like in my previous surgeries. I was able to be up and doing so much faster than in my previous operations.

I describe the On-Q system as sort of like the soaker hoses that are used in the garden. They seep out the morphine at a slow continuous rate. I didn't use nearly as much morphine as I did when I was on the pump, but it was enough to stop the pain. That's the beauty of On-Q.

Gee whiz, I sound like a salesman! Nope, just someone who thought it was great for the pain relief.

I had my surgery on friday (the 27th of June) and I had the ONQ Bag as well. I did not have any issues with it at all and I assume that it helped with pain along with the pain meds., etc. I was a little nervous about taking it out myself but called the 1-800 number and a nurse just confirmed for me that it was ok to remove and reminded me of the steps.....which is to remove the bandages and then when you pull out the cathaters to ensure that each end has a black tip.

Hope this helps