I was banded on 9/5/08 and started to experience a pain in my upper, left ribcage area a day ago. It especially hurts when I take a deep breath or cough. My doctor and I are from Houston, I am currently evacuated due to IKE and am worried my doctor won't be available over the next few days. I have tried some Gas-X, walked, drank some hot tea, removed my bra and no relief. Has any one else felt this and how can I fix it????

Mrs. Bubba, you mean you were "opened up" instead of banded laparoscopically? If so, do you know why? It takes MUCH longer to heal that way! :thumbup:

Yes, I know why. I Have had 3 stomach surgeries in the past. 26 years ago I had gastroplasty (stomach stapling) done. A week later by incision blew apart so emergency surgery.... Then I lost weight.... too much, as the opening grew shut and I could not get any nutrition at all... So a year and a half later I had to have a reversal as I was almost dead from malnutrition and starvationand weighed 120 lbs at 5' 9" tall. I had been pregnant, too, and lost 130 pounds during pregnancy.. Baby was fine, but I was a mess.... So then they put me on a diet to gain weight and expected my starving body to know when to stop gaining... So fast forward 24 years and I was 387 pounds and becoming unable to get around . I didn't think I could get banded, but after a long visit with the gal at the clinic I was told they would try. Everything checked out and surgery was 8-21... But there was so much scar tissue he had to open me up. They say the banding went perfectly, just needed to get at the stomach... My prognosis is good for a great weight loss.... I'm praying they are right... I'm 38 pounds down with about 160 to go. Depends on who you are. My number is different from the doctors..... Hope I didn't bore you....

No you didn't bore me at all! That's interesting. I'm so glad they could do the band for you! You have really struggled, haven't you? Thank God your baby was ok all those years ago. I bet you were scared to death! take it easy on yourself and let yourself heal well, ok? I think you'll do marvelously with the band!

Thanks... Would you mind telling me how you get all that information and the ticker thing on the bottom of your posts? I'm not a big computer person and I can't seem to figure it out...

I am not especially computer savvy but here is a link with good directions:

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f5/ticker-tutorial-pictures-41782/

Mrs. Bubba,

I am glad to hear you're doing well with the band... good luck and I hope your pain subsides as you heal!!!

mnn2501 - how did your dr determine that your port had flipped?

I had my surgery on the 15 of Sept. and I am still super sore on both side of my lower rib cage. It hurts when I strain to get up from a chair or roll over in bed. I can't hardly stand to lay on my sides yet, it hurts too bad to try to even roll over to get on my side. Is that gas pain?

Also, how long before you should get to feeling better. I have read where some had no problem and when back to work the next day. I am 5 days after surgery and I still feel horable.