Hey everyone, I wanted to check in with all of you to let you all know Iam home from TJ and bandless. I'm doing amazingly well emotionally...physically however I do have some pain. I found out what caused my erosion....we all know they stitch the band in place..well when I had bowel obstruction surgery Dr. Ortiz was concerned about a stitch he saw which is why he was so adamant of me coming back in 6 months for another endo, sure enough after reading my endo report and viewing the dvd the endo doctor gave him there is no doubt in his mind what so ever that the 1 single stitch caused the band to erode, the good thing coming out of this is Dr. Ortiz said and I qoute " you will be saving alot of peoples bands with this info, Iam going to a lap band conference in Feb and I'm going to take your reports and submit and share this info with Dr.'s all over the world and with Inamed" .( he did not even let me take my reports home, he wants them for this conference) So me losing my band is not such a bad thing if it will help others to not lose theirs. I'm taking one for the team here I'm in a good place with all of this, I truly am. I'm ready for the challenge of maintaining my weight loss. For those of you who have not had an endo, go and have one, just becuase there are no symptoms does not mean everything is good. Dr. Ortiz reccomends an endo between 18 months to 2 years out. Having it done at a year is useless in his opinion. Thanks to all of you for your awesome support and love, It isso greatly appreciated

I will continue to be hear for support for myself as wel las offer it to others.

P.S. Dr. Ortiz and Martinez oth told me it wil lfeel like I still have abvand due to the ring of scar tissus that was produced while I had the band..So I will pretend to still be a bandster, eat like a bandster and follow the rules like a bandster.

Glad to hear you are back an on your way to a speedy recovery..

Was there a reason why the Doctor could not install a new band or was it your choice?

I am glad you made it home. I was worried about you. I hope all is ok you over the next few weeks.

I'm so glad your home and doing so well Michelle.

HUGS AND KISSES !!!!!

I'm sorry you had to go through that, but glad you are home safe. feel better!

I'm confused about the stitch. Was this an EXTRA stitch that is not normally done on people? If so, WHERE was this "extra stitch" and WHY was it done?

I'm going to really start worrying if it is a stitch put on the anterior (front) side of the stomach above the band. The stitch does not actually attach to the band; it's only on the stomach. The purpose of the stitch is to form a "bump" that helps prevent slippage. This stitch was done on me by one of my surgeons---it was a technique she learned from Dr. Ponce in Georgia.

Thanks,

Yvonne

So glad you're o.k., Michelle. As I've told you, you're still my inspiration.

I'm so glad that you are doing well! You are truely a good person. I know you have meant a lot to a lot of people on this board! I'm glad to know that you will still be hanging around! Keep up the good work! You rock girlfriend!

Welcome home, Michelle.

Welcome Home and I glad you made it through without any problems. I am sorry about your band but knowing you, you will do just as well without it.

Lamadam

I am sorry this happened to you.. your amazing for taking it so well and loooking to the bright side... your an inspiration on so many levels..

I wish you all the best.

You always continue to inspire me. Your internal strength and well-being is phenomenal. And your POSITIVE outlook on issues that have come your way is so touching to me.

HUGS -- Even though I am a major lurker, the bandsters I have met and talked to will always be in my heart. This board has always been a wealth of inspiration and honesty, and you are definitely a large part of that.

Carol

Hi Michelle!

I AM SO HAPPY YOUR HOME. I love your attitude & how great you are handling this all. I too am a patient of Dr. Ortiz. I am very confused about this "stitch". Can you explain a little more? Is this a stitch that was placed in a certain place that normally isn't? Do all bandsters have this stitch placed in the same place? I am confused at how a stitch can cause erosion. I know so many people have asked the same question, but I truly don't understand!!! I'd love more info.

I'm amazed at how good I feel. I went back to work as a waitress on Thursday and worked all day as well as today. I'm on liquids for the next week but hunger is not even an isuue, so strange to say that but I'm sure it is due to all the bloatedness and swelling I still have from surgery. My incisions look great and are healing beautifully.

According to Dr. Ortiz he stitches the same way on all of his patients, this does NOT mean all of his patients erode, it means my body just rejected the stitch, it festered there and caused the erosion.

You are doing SO well. I can't believe you are already working !! Good for you ! Keep up that great attitude and spirit !