Strange Post-Op symptom sent me to ER

[texas mommy 0]

I was banded one week ago on June 26, 2009. Surgery day was pretty smooth...outpatient and went home about 3 hours after surgery finished. Pain was horrible! I don't know if I forgot everything or if I just wasn't prepared but the pain was baffling. The gas was unbelievable and everywhere...especially shoulder. I was told at the hospital that I had to breathe more deeply or they wouldn't let me go home. So I got it in my head that this was imperative. I worked on the breathing all night and didn't sleep much...also, the barium gave me the most dramatic case of diarrhea in the history of me. :tongue2:

Next day was worse...and again, it all seemed to be a surprise. I guess they don't want to emphasize the ugly parts much but my pain was pretty awful. Also, something was causing a surge in pressure about every 3-4 minutes which took my breath away. I tightness in my chest and I couldn't breathe. I talked to my doctor's office several times about it throughout the day and they became increasingly worried that I might have a blood clot. So, we were told to go to the emergency room where I spent 4 hours getting another barium swallow (nice, more diarrhea, thanks! ), a CT scan, x-rays and blood tests. They sent me home saying no-clots and I am just in recovery. Although the radiologist who completed this second Upper GI noted that he thought the band was a little "high."

So, a few days later my best guess is that the thing causing the 'surge' in pain/pressure is my BAND. Each day the pressure lessens a bit....a week later now it only happens a time or two each day but I can't tell you how strange it is. Feels like, for just a moment, the band is creeping up into my chest. I am really short....with a short torso. Wondering if high band placement and 'compact' torso is cause for this occurrence. Wondering if any of you have ever heard of this before?

Thanks for your support and info. I have had so many questions answered already just by reading your stories.

[ReadyOrNot 0]

I didn't have anything like that happen to me, but I have heard of others who had their bands placed too high. I would definitely run it by your doctor and see what he/she thinks if it doesn't start to improve soon.

[Petalpusher 1]

What you're feeling is not normal. Keep calling your surgeon's office until you get some answers! Good Luck.