I was banded 9-2-08. Everything seemed to be going fine and then 2 weeks after surgery I started itching all over and wherever I scratched I broke out into hives. I am wondering is this an allergic reaction to something else or to the band? I went to my family doctor and he said it could've been something I ate (which I doubt since I am on a liquid diet and I haven't changed the foods I've been eating) or possibly something else which I may never know. I hope it's not the band but is it possible to have an allergic reaction 2 weeks after surgery? My family Dr. gave me a steroid shot and put me on prednisone and an antihistamine, it is controlling the itching but what if it doesn't go away this week when I stop taking the medicine?

Why didn't you contact your surgeon? That's what I'd suggest.

It's EXTREMELY rare for someone to react to silicone, and that is what your band is made of. Some people will react to the foreign body in their body, and their body will not heal around the port, and much like a sliver in your finger, it gets inflamed, swollen, red, and tries to push the port to the surface to get it out. That would be a typical reaction if your body wasn't accepting it. It's most likely like your doctor said, a food allergy, clothing, soap, etc..... Wait until your done with the Prednisone and then if it continues, contact your surgeon. But I'd relax if I were you, and not focus on the band causing it. We tend to blame EVERYTHING on our band, and often overlook the obvious, which is usually the real reason.

Edited September 22, 200817 yr by IM_LORI
not done

thank you I will wait and see what happens when I'm off the medicine.

I didn't think it was the band at first not until yesterday when some family members were asking if I had researched allergic reactions to the band. So that's what I was doing today and then I came across this site. I go back to my surgeon this wednesday and I will talk to him about it. thanks

I also think it is very highly unlikely to be related to the band. Specially if the reaction seems to be on your skin. Sometimes it is something very small that can start the reaction. As far as the liquid diet being a possibility . . . aren't you ingesting Protein drinks that you probably never had before, or certain kinds of broth. We don't usually eat large quantities of the kinds of food we ingest on the liquid diet so it is a possibility.

One thing to keep in mind, it it continues they can do a test to see what is causing the reaction. I had to have this done and discovered I was highly allergic to my two small dogs . . . but I was never allergic to them before.

Have you thought about the reaction being from your bandage strips? They told me to let them fall off, and the longer they were on, the itchier I became. I didn't get hives, but a welt-like rash. I helped the last few steri-strips who just refused to come off, and put anti-itch cream on the rash (not directly on the incision). That eventually worked for me. If I have a bandage, electrode, or anything like that, the adhesive irritates my skin something fierce.

PATCHELTON-- thanks actually I did have an allergic reaction to the bandages, I am allergic to any adhesive stronger than a band-aid. That happened almost immediatley and it was only where the tape was not anywhere else. I controlled that itching with a hydrocortisone cream and it was about the same time that, that problem went away that the new allergic reaction started. If I still have the hives and itching by wednesday when I go back to the surgeon I will ask him. Thanks for the help.

I specifically asked my surgeon about the chances of having a reaction to the band, and he said that it is extremely unlikely.

It's EXTREMELY rare for someone to react to silicone, and that is what your band is made of. Some people will react to the foreign body in their body, and their body will not heal around the port, and much like a sliver in your finger, it gets inflamed, swollen, red, and tries to push the port to the surface to get it out. That would be a typical reaction if your body wasn't accepting it. It's most likely like your doctor said, a food allergy, clothing, soap, etc..... Wait until your done with the Prednisone and then if it continues, contact your surgeon. But I'd relax if I were you, and not focus on the band causing it. We tend to blame EVERYTHING on our band, and often overlook the obvious, which is usually the real reason.

Lori, take special care with the prednisone - especially if it's taken orally. Some of the steriod type drugs can cause SERIOUS problems with the band. I had an issue with bronchitis and was on a medrol dose pak (steriod) and my surgeons office nearly flipped out! Call them for advice right away.

I'm having the same problem. Itching all over. Not on any meds now so I know it isn't that. I did have an allergic reaction to the steri strips though, but those have been off for almost 2 weeks. My primary is just treating it with an antihistamine which helps a little.

6 days ago I had surgery for my lap band. 3 days ago I developed a terrible rash around each of my incision sites. I do have alot of allergies and I am worried I might be allergic to the band. I remove the bandages because I thought it was the adhesive. I called the doctor and he suggested Benadryl and hydrocortisone cream. I did this and it was getting worse. I called the doctor again and he prescribed a stronger antihistamine. It is getting worse and blistering Worried

Did they use surgical glue in your incisions? I am allergic to adhesives and now I know surgical glue as well. I had big read rash and blistering around each incision. It took weeks to clear up and a prescription for steroids and a steroid cream to clear it up.

I requested no glue be used due to a known allergy. I am also allergic to the glue on adhesives. I have also had a reaction to a night time mouth guard. I hope it is just the glue