24 hours after my lap band surgery on October 1st, my face became very red (almost windburned looking) and very hot. I didn't pay much attention to it and went to bed.

Big mistake.

The next day, my lower jaw swelled to the point I had trouble speaking. I developed lumps on my face and the itching and swelling actually disfigured my mouth and eyes.

I ended up in the ER on Saturday the 3rd, where I was given a steroid shot and medrol pack. I didn't start the medrol pack until the next day (my GP said I should've started it immediately) which led to me swelling once again and negating any improvements. Back to the GP today (my lap band surgeon is an hour and a half away and I won't see him until Wed.) for another shot and full day doses of the medrol pack at one time.

I have poured over my drug list and can't figure out what could've caused this reaction. To all of you, please be very aware and cautious about your recovery. Don't hesitate, like I did, before calling anyone or taking action because you feel it's not serious or you don't want to 'bother anyone'.

My GP is unable to say when I'll get better. He says reactions like this take 'a long time' to go away. When pressed for a time frame, he just repeated 'a long time'. I can't take my kids to school and I don't leave the house. That's how horrible this is.

Again...please be aware and be careful. Lap Band Surgery may be lower risk but it's still a risk.

How awful for you! I wondered how you were doing. I hope that they are able to get you cleared up soon!

Solome, so sorry! It must be extremely painful. I will keep you in my prayers for a quick healing and to find out which medicine you had a reaction to.

I had a major allergy attack over xmas last year after taking Keflex antibiotics for a port infection. My whole body was full of welts and my face was swollen to the point of no recognition. It lasted 10 days and it was awful. It sounds like something like that has happened to you. I had to take steroids and Phenergan. It started to go away so I stopped them and it came back with a vengence. I was told by the pharmacist that I should have gone off the steroids gradually so was told to go back on the tablets again. Not a fun experience, so I feel your pain.

Been there, not fun. I had an allergic reaction to Avelox an antibiotic. Thank gosh not to your severity. I did have the hives all over and swelling. Thank goodness, mine went down after about 48-72 hours. I will say a prayer that yours goes away quickly. Kelli

Any penicillin or derivatives of it do this to me. It took about two, two and a half weeks to go away. Its miserable. I am so sorry that happened.

I would look first at any antibiotic you might be on, then any anti-nausea meds.

You can develop an allergy to something at any time, even if you never had it before.

Did it really go away????? <hugging self and rocking back and forth-finally feeling a little hope>

When did all of your reactions begin? About 24 hours after the suspect medication? Did it take about a week to 10 days?

I'm on day 6 (began Thursday the 2nd but really blew up on the 3rd) and while I have just a tiny improvement, it's nowhere near me being back to normal. I dumped every med except for the 3 I was on before the surgery (and had been on for years) and am taking the steroids and antihistimines.

I can't look in the mirror without crying...and please understand. I'm 40 with three kids...I'm over the vanity thing. But the way I look now is beyond description and leaving the house isn't even an option. I work 3rd shift by myself and when my relief comes in the morning, they avoid looking at me. THAT'S how bad it is. Please tell me yours was about the same! I have to believe this is going away. I'm not prone to depression but this has knocked me on my a** in more ways than one.

The itching makes me insane.

Thank you again for your responses...I just logged on and hoped to hear from someone that might have had something similar but never expected something like this. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for the board and for all of you. :redface:

Yeah, it was EVERY BIT as bad. When I went to the doctor's office they had people filing into the room to take a look at me, their mouths hanging open. It was BAD.

It does go away, but yeah, its in your blood stream and takes time to get filtered out. You'll start to feel better soon. Don't miss any of your steroids!

I've been through it too. I am allergic to all forms of penicillin, have been since I was a child and about two years ago a doctor prescribed me penicillin . . . although I have been telling every medical professional I have an allergy for years. I did not realize from the script that it was a version of penicillin . . . you better believe I was in the house for a few days after. I was itchy and hurting, not to mention in bad humor all the while cursing the doctor that gave me a script that every medical record ever indicates I have an allergy.

Anyway, I feel your pain. I hope you can figure out which med caused it so that you can avoid it in the future. I really hope you heal quickly . . . it took me most of a week to feel human again. Sorry you had to go through this.

An allergic reaction to a medication can happen at any time during a course of treatment. It could have any been a delayed reaction to something you had in the hospital. My daughter was prescribed Omnicef for 10 days and had an anaphylactic reaction on the 9th day and ended up being hospitalized for 2 weeks due to that. I'm sorry that you're going through this. I know how dreadful it is. I hope you feel better soon.

Mine started straight after I finished the course of antibiotics. The drs that I saw said that it was not unusual for that to happen. Mine started with a few spots in the morning but by the time I got home from work they were all over my body up to my chin. I saw a dr on the way home but he only gave me cream to put on (dummy). I woke up at 1 am and scared the hell out of myself when I saw my face ... ended up at the hospital where they gave the meds which eventually helped get rid of it.

Good luck with getting better and keep us posted.

I'm adding a current pic of my face on my profile...would those of you who have had this reaction take a look and let me know if it's similar? I can't tell you how much I'm hoping it is....I have this unshakable fear I'm going to be like this the rest of my life.

I can't see a photo except the pretty one of you. I posted photos when I had mine but I can't remember what thread. I have to leave for work shortly (in Australia) but will try and post them again for you later.

Lap Band Surgery and Lap Band Discussion Forum - salome000's Album: Allergic Reaction

This is the album link...see if it works

Salome000,

Saw the pic and hope you get better soon. Weird thing was after my band removal surgery on Friday I felt all itchy all over but nothing really at least not to the extreme of what you have! I wonder if it has to do with the anesthesia. Wishing you better soon, take care Nancy

I found the ones I posted as well. Mine got better so don't stress too much. Hope this link works.

http://www.lapbandtalk.com/f18/rash-47563/