Hi All,

I was bending down to reach something the other day, and I had this really uncomfortable pain across my chest getting up, and it made me wonder -

Is it possible, since the catheter that connects the band to the port is of fixed length, that one could actually get the catheter caught around something by flexing the wrong way (like Yoga, or bending down to tie one's shoes), or, in the alternative, what's to keep it from pulling inside, when you do something like a back stretch?

Is this just thinking too much?

I mean, how do you know that one day you don't twist the wrong way, and it suddenly loops around an organ, tightens around it like a noose, and all of a sudden, your esophagus, or liver, or whatever, gets strangled, and you turn purple?

Any insight here to avoid involuntary internal strangulation??!!

Best, Bandster Brad

I mean, how do you know that one day you don't twist the wrong way, and it suddenly loops around an organ, tightens around it like a noose, and all of a sudden, your esophagus, or liver, or whatever, gets strangled, and you turn purple?

Any insight here to avoid involuntary internal strangulation??!!

Best, Bandster Brad

Very Funny! Well written Brad!

I'm not sure it's possible to strangle your liver with tubing.

When you said catheter I was thinking urinary catheter that you get during surgery and was wondering why you are still walking around with that thing up yer, ya know.

Anyhow, I think the tubing is only 6-8 inches long, maybe more, but it only goes far enough to connect the port and band...I don't think of it as floating around in there trying to noose something! hehe And I think once they let all the gas out of you after surgery it all squishes back together in there and so there isn't alot of "floating" going on...I dunno!!

We need Cameron or one of the nurses to answer this one!

When you said catheter I was thinking urinary catheter that you get during surgery and was wondering why you are still walking around with that thing up yer, ya know.

I thought the same thing when I read it!

OK Brad

I thought the same as the others...it's TUBING.

While having a fluoroscopy check of my band the radiologist had me moving all different directions and I could see my tubing moving with my body as well. Very interesting indeed cause I pointed that out to the doc, he laughed and said the tubing has to flex with your body. In my case he gave an extra service loop near the port. I'd guess my tubing was about 9 inches from the looks of it.

As far as pain while bending over, If I'd had just drank of eaten anything recently and bend over, I get an odd pain/discomfort in my chest. Even if I lie down shortly after drinking or eating I have issues...

Hi, and thank you very much for your kind responses.

FIRST OF ALL - the reason I called it a "catheter" is because that's what my Dr. called it, so I presumed (perhaps incorrectly) that's what it IS called!

Another reason I am somewhat concerned about the tubing is mine comes out the RIGHT side, so it has a little longer to travel than most. Can you imagine being out running in your neighborhood, you bend down to tie your shoes, and ALL OF A SUDDEN you turn purple with pink blotches or something, because your tubing kinked your (anything you worry about - fill in the blank) - then you have to try to explain it to the ER guys, while being under the influence of gosh only knows-what?!

It would be totally cool if a nurse or some other expert could respond. Not that I don't sincerely appreciate all of yours!

Thanks, Brad