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.

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

Thank you...I couldn't even smile because my lower jaw is so swollen. Sigh.

I too have had massive hive issues a few times through the years. They have labeled mine idiopathic as we have no idea what caused them.

Then to make matters worse, I developed a reaction to the steroids, and my vision went from 20/20 to 20/500 in 3 days. So I had to stop the steroids!

Even without them it eventually did go away. I too had lots of facial swelling, and into my throat----so I am always have an Epi pen with me in case the swelling begins suddenly and blocks my airway.

Sorry you had to deal with this on top of being banded, my bet is it would have happened if it had been any surgery, and you are now forwarned for future surgeries. Be glad to have found out, and that it was in most cases a simple surgery to deal with on top of the reaction. I mean at least you are not down with a foot long incision, and unable to do anything at all!

So sorry you are dealing with this!

Kat

Aww you poor thing. Get well soon!!! :wub:

wow I hope you are feeling better. You know the evening I was home from the hospital my face became very warm and my face was red. I asked my hubby If i felt warm, I dont remember but mine went away the next day. hmm makes me wonder if I had a minor reaction. Thank Goodness you took action and did not wait to seek medical attn.

Maranada

Okay..now i'm a little worried. I had surgery yesterday and my face cheeks have been red and warm today....no itching or anything... Do you think its okay?

Also, I've never been allergic to any medicines....and never had any medical complications...

Mississippi Girl...did yours go away?

I just got back from the dermatologist.

The GOOD news...no scarring, no damage. He did say it may take up to 3 weeks.

Because my jaw and the immediate area around my mouth was so bad, he thought it might be something they put on me before putting the breathing tube in before surgery. He also felt it could've been the Avelox and Ancef I had before and during surgery.

Long story short...if you've had surgery before, find out what type of antibiotic you had and ask for it again. I had gentamiacin before and am getting that for my back surgery in 2 weeks.

Pull all your med records from a successful surgery and take the list to your weight loss doctor. Tell him/her that you want those during surgery.

Thanks again for all your help!

I'm so happy you got some good news!!!

Now I'm really paranoid about my surgery next month, since I've never had surgery before.

Mississippi Girl...did yours go away?

I just got back from the dermatologist.

The GOOD news...no scarring, no damage. He did say it may take up to 3 weeks.

Because my jaw and the immediate area around my mouth was so bad, he thought it might be something they put on me before putting the breathing tube in before surgery. He also felt it could've been the Avelox and Ancef I had before and during surgery.

Long story short...if you've had surgery before, find out what type of antibiotic you had and ask for it again. I had gentamiacin before and am getting that for my back surgery in 2 weeks.

Pull all your med records from a successful surgery and take the list to your weight loss doctor. Tell him/her that you want those during surgery.

Thanks again for all your help!

Okay. I called my doc first thing this morning. I'm having a mild allergic reaction to my pain medicine Hydrocodone. He advised me to take it with benadryl and it was much better this afternoon.

So I'm feeling relieved.

Also, good for you there won't be any scarring..what a crazy reaction. I hope you are feeling better!

Thanks for your help and sharing!

Glad to hear that things are looking up! Just remember how beautiful you will look once it is gone again... the difference is amazing!!

Quick update!!!

My dr. sent me to a dermatologist who said due to the concentration of swelling (my jaw and neck) that it could've been the stuff they clean your face with before inserting the breathing tube. Hmmm...interesting to keep in mind. Other than that, I'm down to looking like I just underwent a laser peel instead of the resident Quasimodo. You KNOW it's bad when all the doctors and nurses find reasons to come into your room to take a look!!!

Quick update!!!

My dr. sent me to a dermatologist who said due to the concentration of swelling (my jaw and neck) that it could've been the stuff they clean your face with before inserting the breathing tube. Hmmm...interesting to keep in mind. Other than that, I'm down to looking like I just underwent a laser peel instead of the resident Quasimodo. You KNOW it's bad when all the doctors and nurses find reasons to come into your room to take a look!!! :confused:

Glad you got a semi-diagnosis and are on your way to feeling better!!