Expert: John Pilcher, MD - 8/19/2011

Question
I have my band removed 8/4 due to slipping. The first week I did just fine resting in bed. The second week I started having sharp/pulling pain next to my ribs on the right hand side. I have a lot of heartburn and belching. My dr has done CT scan and ultrasound thinking maybe gallbladder related. All came back fine. My question is would I have stitches up high by my ribs that might be causing the pain? I know I have them at the incision sight but this is 3 to 4 inches higher up. I'm just concerned that this isn't related to the band removal. I don't know where to go from here.

Answer
Jennifer,
It is a bit difficult in a situation where I am not looking at you or talking to you directly.  My best guess would be that you have some scar tissue or inflammation related to the surgery, that will settle down after a few weeks.  There is not really a test to confirm or rule out this possibility - time is the only think that will confirm this.

My second guess is that you may have some delayed or deficient gastric emptying.  This is very common after Band slip or Band erosion, because the nerves that help the stomach empty (Vagus nerve) get caught up in the inflammation at the top end of the stomach.  If you are having pain from poor gastric emptying, you will also feel a sensation of bloating and fullness.  This can be tested using a "gastric emptying test."

Best of luck!
Dr JP