Infoblog

during surgery, a small amount of CO2 gas is used to inflate the
belly to better visualize and work with the abdominal organs. This
gas dissipates completely by the end of the surgery (as soon as the
trocars are removed), but the stretching of the organs remains. The
diapharagm, especially, is irritated by the stretching and sends
("refers") pain to the shoulder. The mexican docs also put a couple
extra sutures into the diaphargm to better secure the band, and this
can also irritate the diaphragm until it heals. This irritation can
also cause hiccups (which are diaphragm spasms) and make it hard to
take a deep breath for 1-2 weeks.
A heating pad to the shoulder and abdomen often helps. 3 weeks,
though, is a long time to still be having this pain. If it continues,
please check in with your doc.
Do you really mean shoulder BLADE pain? as in the middle of the left
side of the back? the diaphargm pain is usally higher, in the
shoulder itself. Perhaps you have a pinched nerve from something
else? sandy RN

I have not been banded yet. I do know, however, that shoulder pain
is often a result of trapped gas post-operatively. Actually the
phrenic nerve (I think that's the one)in the gut is being irritated
from the gas and the pain is being referred to the shoulder. I would
just increase my activity to try to eliminate the gas. Of course, if
you're very concerned, seek medical care.
Hope that helps,
HCT.

It's only after you have a good fill and some restriction that your
hunger will begin to diminish and you'll be able to eat only much
less. You've probably read that in your pre-band research. You're in
the 6-8 week healing phase now before you can get your first fill (if
you need it - some don't).
You don't really even HAVE much of a pouch until you have a fill,
and most people can eat and drink pretty normally until a good fill
level in a few months.
You can still lose some good weight in the next month or two, even
without a good fill, if you follow the band guidelines about choosing
good foods, limiting quantities, and getting some good daily
exercise.
A good calorie goal is about 1200-1500 calories a day, but this can
be hard until you get a decent fill. Many of us use FitDay.com to
learn about better foods, and the protein (50-60 grams a day) and
fiber (25 grams a day, on average) that we need. Sandy RN

Dr. Kuri's site is www.beliteweight.com . He also has his own support group on

I had the gastric lap band placed 3 weeks ago. I am having left
shoulder blade pain. Has anyone else experienced this? Thanks for
your help.

Hi, I've been banded for alomost 2 weeks and I am a little worried! I
keep hearing about PBing and only being able to have a couple of
bites and then being full - this is not my experience!! I measure
everything - except water - so I know I'm not eating too much but I
do not think I feel full. I can drink a glass of water fairly
quickly without any difficulty - and I think I have felt hungry - I
say think because maybe its just pain or gas i feel. Is something
wrong here? Im just terrified that i have a non-working band or that
i somehow stretched my pouch. Has anyone had this experience? I
guess i shouldn't complain since im down 18 lbs - but i think my
first PB i will rejoice just because then i'll know my band is up and
working! Can anyone help alleviate my fears. Much appreciated!

I am not a patient or even someone researching Dr. Lopez. But your points
are well taken. I agree with why would Inamed allow such low standards.
Contact Don Mills at Inamed email is don.mills@.... He is wonderfully
helpful and insightful! If he knows what is happening he will tell you what
he can. They don't keep records of those types of things, but he knows the
surgeons that are using Inamed and he knows their standing with Inamed. He
also has a connection to the Sales Reps that visit these Surgeons on behalf
of Inamed. EXCELLENT RESOURCE!
Another way to determine care of other Mexican Doctors is to call and talk
to every single name they will give you as past patients - don't be
satisfied with 10! Ask for patients within the time he has been placing the
band, not just recent ones. But you definitely want to talk with recent
patients, as their experience will be FRESH on the mind.
I have found you can learn a lot about the Dr and the patient by hearing
them talk about their experience, rather than writing about it.
ASK A LOT OF QUESTIONS - and when someone attempts to shut you down, as if
you have asked too many, KEEP ASKING! You must be as informed as possible
and if it takes a 10000000 of the same types of questions, SO BE IT! Just be
sure to get your answers and be comfortable with it!
I wish you the very best of luck in your search! It is a difficult decision
especially when there are soooooo many differing opinions on Mexico
Surgeons. But rest assured when armed with the right information we are a
force to be wreckend with! LOL :)

New fill option in Bend, Oregon. All I know is what is here, but
thought there might be some interest.
For those who don't have a local fill doc, my recommendation is to
start banging on doors of interventional radiologists. That's the
kind of thing they do.
dan
This is a forwarded message
From: Stephanie <arterburns_97@...

Julie,
Feel free to email me and I can answer any questions you have about
Dr. Kuri. My twin sister and I were banded by him last December and
I can't say enough good things about him.
We researched a TON and like Dan has said on here before we came up
with 3 mexican docs that we would even consider (Kuri, Ortiz &
Rumbaut). We ended up going with Dr. Kuri and have been very pleased
with our decision.
My email is awayfrmitall@...
Good Luck to you,
Jamie

I do know where infections come from.
Well, Of course I am unable to attest to the conditions in the operating
suite, as I was unconscious. What I merely meant to imply was that I felt
that the staff at San Oviv was doing an excellent job and that things
appeared to be appropriately handled. (bandages came in sterile wrapping,
food was covered, floors were mopped with what smelled like antiseptic
cleaner at least once a day, my nurse washed his hands each time he came
into my room) Of course, wherever sick people are, there are germs and even
where healthy people are.. but attempting to practice good hygiene is one
way we can try to reduce the spread of those germs.
I have had no problems with infection and I felt that Dr. Lopez and the
Nursing staff took excellent care of me while I was having the procedure
done. Based on my experience I would recommend both the hospital and the
surgeon to a friend. I believe that a doctor and staff who practice good
care in my presence might be trusted to practice good care when I am under
anesthesia. I could be wrong, but a doctor who did not practice good care in
my presence would not be trusted to care for me while I was under
anesthesia.
I am not in the medical profession, but I have had experience as a patient
and having had children who had some longer than usual hospital stays in our
area. I felt that the staff at San Oviv was every bit as professional as I
have experienced at the hospitals I have experienced in the States.
That said.. I think that the information about Dr. Lopez is curious. I have
to wonder why Inamed would continue to use him as a proctor if his
reputation is soiled as having much larger than average incidence of port
infections. Especially since he is proctoring in the US. It would be
interesting to know if the high number of infections came from people who
received treatment during a certain time period, or at a certain hospital.
To say that He has "unreported" infection incidences implies that he does
not have integrity. This was not what I experienced and so I wanted to offer
a differing opinion.