Severe pain post lapbanding

[trixiebelle08]

I was lapbanded back in July this year and since then have had severe, spasmodic pain underneath my left rib and sometimes radiating into my left shoulder and neck.  The pain is only relieved slightly by taking oxycodone, lying down and sometimes passing wind.  I had investigative surgery 2 weeks ago where the surgeon repositioned my bands tubing so it was not pressing up on the nerves in the diaphragm in case this was the issue. Unfortunately this has not remedied the pain at all and its getting worse and more restrictive on my lifestyle. I thought it might be related to constipation as I tend to bloat up and get a lot of burping and wind but have ruled that out since clearing out my bowel. I did not have this problem prior to being banded and am at a loss to explain it (so is my surgeon and GP). The surgeon says he has never seen anything like it in the thousands of bands he has done.  Has anyone got any ideas?  I am a member of several lapband forums and no-one sees to have had a problem like this. Its very frustrating.

[trixiebelle08]

Thanks so much for your insight! I think I may end up having to have the lapband taken out which is a shame because I have lost so much weight but still have another 20kg to go. I have tried every other method of weightloss and opted for the band as I see it as a solution for life.  Thus far I have only been dealing with my surgeon but (at his request) seeing a GP for pain relief prescriptions.  I was thinking about asking for a referral to a neurologist or pain clinic (they dont have any here in East Gippsland, Victoria, Aust) in case it is a damaged nerve or something like that.  I dont know if you are australian but I live on buscopan (natural anti spasmodic), de-gas (simethicone) and endone (oxycodone) and capadex (another painkiller). Its driving me crazy and the worst part is if its not the band and the surgeon did damage something during surgery then I may have this pain for life!!!  My surgeon is a lovely man but he almost seemed offended that something has gone wrong as he insists he has never heard of this happening and that other surgeons he has consulted with havent heard of it either.  His specialty is gastroenterology too!! Regards, Tania

[Jaybay]

Your symptoms sound a great deal like mine, which are due to scar tissue (adhesions) constricting my intestines.  Ask your surgeon for a copy of the written operative report.  I'm always surprised after numerous surgeries just how much the surgeons don't tell me on my followup appointments.  There may be a mention in your report of adhesions or something else your doctor didn't think to tell you when you discussed your surgery.

Are you dealing with your surgeon only, or are you also seeing a gastroenterologist on a regular basis?  There may be something else going on that a surgeon may not think of.  It may be worth the cost of a visit to consult one about your new symptoms.

I encourage everyone to keep copies of any medical tests and surgeries.  If a certain condition develops into a chronic condition lasting years or even a lifetime, those records can be of great worth to the patient and any other doctors that may come along.  Record retention rules are different for every doctor's office and from state-to-state, so make the effort to keep copies for your own reference.  As I already mentioned, sometimes you'll find some surprising things in those records that need to be questioned.