This may sound strange but since I found out about my erosion it has gotten me thinking......

Almost all of the erosion cases I have heard about here and on other boards have all be from MX surgeons. There is something to be said about that. Could it be their technique in placing the band? Could it be the band itself? I know Inamed has a MX Inamed site with a MX distributor. Could they be made differently? Think about it ..all of the eroded bandsters here on LBt that I know of..Donali, Francesca, Karen, Catfanlover, myself and a few others I can not recall their names were all banded in Mexico. I even know of a few who are not on this board but were banded in MX and have had erosion. I can not recall one bandster that I know of who eroded and had surgery in the U.S.

Are there any bandsters here who have eroded that had surgery in the U.S. ? If so please post

Anytime a "family" member has anything devistating happen, we cant get them off our minds....

Just checking to see if anyone reported a US erosion?!

There is a Yahoo! erosion board - http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/ErodedBandsters/I know that some of the people on that board were banded in the states, and I think the gal with the worst horror story was banded in the states.

However, the roll call database I set up there only has three records - mine, and two others. 2 Lopez, 1 Ortiz/Martinez.

I honestly don't want to believe it's a Mexico thing - in fact, I posted on Michelle's eroded thread that erosion was NOT a reflection on reputable Mexican docs, that it just happens... But I could be wrong... ????

Hey guys,

I was banded in MX (Dr. Sanchez, who I love dearly)...I have an inamed 4cc band, still receive occaisonal calls from the PA (and one from Dr S not too long ago). He has been responsive to ever issue I've had (which honestly haven't been that many) and I've suggested to quite a few of my associates considering banding that they consider MX. I note that many of the people who have erosion issues have in them in conjunction with other issues as well. I have lost a pretty substantial amount of weight and am always cognizant of what goes into my stomach, be it medicine or food. I know there are other bands that they use in MX (i.e., the swedish band, which I believe precedes Inamed's 4cc) but I very specifically wanted the inamed band and Dr. S knew that). My heart goes out to those who have suffered from erosion issues but I can honeslty say I am one (of quite a few I know) who did not suffer badly at all. A brand new hospital, immediate resonses to any call day or night in the hospital, and the area is fabulous. Just my .02.

MuffinBirdie had an erosion, didn't she? I think she was banded in Europe somewhere...France? Anyone remember?

As far as technique... it's been stated several places (including by himself) that Dr. Ortiz has trained many US surgeons in band techniques. Wouldn't that mean they are using the same techniques? I think Michelle has the Inmed band that IS FDA approved, right?

Reports of band erosion on PubMed are from the US, France, Belgium, Italy, Iceland...all over.

MuffinBirdie had an erosion, didn't she? I think she was banded in Europe somewhere...France? Anyone remember?

As far as technique... it's been stated several places (including by himself) that Dr. Ortiz has trained many US surgeons in band techniques. Wouldn't that mean they are using the same techniques? I think Michelle has the Inmed band that IS FDA approved, right?

I'm pretty sure Muffinbirdie slipped and Ortiz repaired and replaced her band with an Inamed. She was banded in Europe somewhere, too.

It seems unlikely that Inamed would not be sending the same bands to MX as are used in the States. It still reflects the quality of their product. They don't want just any old body placing bands...I doubt they'd let any old band out the door of the warehouse, either. Who knows.

All I know is I want an endoscopy.

It may have something to do with the reluctance of U.S . doctors to treat MX banded patients; I am under the impression that erosion occurs after untreated slippage...

Dr. Fisher in Vegas had at least one erosion (that I know of, anyway.) I know this because my Mexican surgeon came to Vegas to teach Fisher how to remove the eroded band.

Bands have been in Mexico many more years than they've been in US, plus Mexican surgeons train American guys. Call me crazy, but I'm almost sure I'm eroded. How can a band squeeze so hard every day of my life without eventually making its way through the skin? I'm so confused.

Michelle, I'm so sorry. I didn't even know you eroded till Penni told me. I hope you're handling it well. xo

"I do know one thing. The lap bands used in Mexico are not FDA approved. I learned that from my own dr. who has researched it."

The bands being used by the popular Tijuana doctors are Inamed bands, which are FDA approved. Inamed speaks highly of Dr. Lopez, for example. I'm 99% certain that both Ortiz and Lopez are Inamed proctors, so they are using Inamed bands.

Michelle, I think everyone must have thought about you and Jon before or after they drifted off to sleep last night. You're such a wise and strong woman. Thank you again for all of your knowledge and support.

I totally agree...

I would think too that for those banded for 2 or 3 years, banding was relatively new in the states and Mexico back then, as time goes by doctors do gain more experience, its like anything, they get better, learn new things with practice.

I'm feeling comfortable with it because it has been done here for 10 years or so AND I'm being operated on by a surgical group headed by the guy that invented it.

I would think as time goes on though, surgeons become more experienced, they learn more every year about how to avoid possible problems and your risks reduce all the time.

Geez, I almost feel like a ticking time bomb. ((sigh)) I am feeling a bit now like I wish I would have just had bypass and said hell with it.

Geez, I almost feel like a ticking time bomb. ((sigh)) I am feeling a bit now like I wish I would have just had bypass and said hell with it.

Well the BIG difference that did and would still make me choose the band over the bypass anyday is that it IS reversible. Even tho it's an additional expense I'd be willing to bet Michelle's $ outlay is less than it would have been 2 years into a bypass. In most circumstances w/ the bypass, there is no going back.

Like you'd ever get to say the "hell with it" when it comes to weightloss, Jenna. Funny... that's the phrase that almost goes thru my mind before I EAT.

Could it be that banding in Mexico began before it was approved in the U.S. So it's a length of time with the band issue?

This was my first thought. I think this has a lot to do with it.

Originally Posted by aneffie53

Could it be that banding in Mexico began before it was approved in the U.S. So it's a length of time with the band issue?

DOubt it, I only had my band for 19 months..it eroded between 15 months and 19 months post op.