It was hard day for me finding out Tuesday and then jumping immediately from the gamut of emotions to thinking about surgery all in the same day.

I left our house Tuesday morning at 5:30am headed to Ventura for the Endoscopy so Dr. Billy could check out the band. None of us thought I had eroded. Even Dr. Billy was surprised. I did hear him say, "I don't know how she knew but she did." I had not been "feeling" right for the last month. But I couldn't put my finger on it. Then a Michelle was diagnosed with Erosion and that got me scared. I immediately called Billy's office and asked for the Endo. They got it scheduled right away.

OK so after the Endo is done, he takes the tube out of my throat and I say, "Did I just hear you say I am eroded?" He said yes. I then just shut down. I cry immediately and never heard another word for a few minutes. I then had to have a silent talk with myself and get it together. I had a decision to make and quick. Billy told me that the band was eroded but it was not a life-threatening situation. He did say we can take it off that night. He said we can work you into the schedule and take it off. He also told me that I could wait till after the holidays if I wanted. I told him to go ahead and schedule the surgery. I did not want to wait hoping there would not be any complications later. He was also leaving town on the 15th and I would have to go to Tahoe and have the procedure done there if I developed complications and wanted him to do it.

Mind you all these thoughts and emotions I was experiencing while I was still on the table after the ENDO procedure. I hadn't even left the room yet. When Billy left the room to check on something for me I just broke down and bawled my eyes out. I was facing losing the ONE thing that had worked for me in my weight loss battle. I was scared, mad, angry, frustrated, hurt, disappointed, discouraged, deflated, why me, why now, every negative emotion you can think of I think I experienced it while I was on that ENDO table.

Billy came back into the room and said for me to stop by his office before I left to make sure I knew what I was making a decision about. He was concerned that since I was under the influence of the ENDO sedation that I might not be making an informed choice. Believe me when he said I was eroded I was very alert and aware of what my decision would be. It had to come out. And it had to come out that night.

So, John and I stopped by Billy's office and he told us to go home if we wanted and to call him at 4p so he could tell us what the plan of action was. So John and I headed home. On the way home, we briefly discussed the options and I wanted the band removed that day. I barely was home long enough to send out a few emails and make a couple of calls to let people know what was going on.

At 4p on Tuesday I called Billy. He said to go to Admitting and he would have paperwork ready for me. Initially the surgery was set up for 7p but I was a work in remember so I didn't get into surgery till 9p. I got back to my room at around 2am on Wednesday. Don't know how long the surgery was, but Billy said it typically takes 2 hours. That would make sense. Two hours in surgery and at least an hour to an hour and a half in recovery. I don't remember much about that night.

Wednesday after I woke up, I was sore and had to go for an upper GI to rule out any perforation before they would let me drink anything. The UPPER GI was all clear, so I started on a clear liquid diet that day. I was able to get up and go to the bathroom and to walk some.

Thursday, Billy came in and took out my drain and sent me home. THANK GOD!!

I am now recuperating and getting stronger every day. It has been a struggle and I am adjusting to the notion that I don't have this tool anymore. I can't really feel different yet because I am still on Clear Liquids. I can start on mushie foods after tomorrow, Saturday.

IT will be a hard battle, but with the knowledge I have learned thus far with the band I will use knowing I don't have the band. SIGH!!

It has been a long time since I could eat large quantities of food. Just tonight I was eating some Soup and was concerned when I went to regular food how the band was going to react. Weird like some phantom is hovering over me still. I would compare it to when someone loses an arm or leg. The arm or leg can still be felt but logically you know it isn't there.

Billy used 3 of my old scars and used a 4th scar from my tubal ligation from years ago. I am really not in alot of pain but every now and then I feel a tug or a burn and I am reminded that yes I did just have the band removed. So I take a half of a pill and that quiets the pain.

With my history of depression it would be so easy to slip into a dark hole but I can't and won't allow myself to even look inside that hole. If I start to fall I am afraid I won't come back out. I have fought too hard to get to the point I am now. I won't let myself regress.

My parting words:

When you don't "feel" right, check it out.

When you know something is off but you can't put a name to it, check it out.

Be Proactive in your how health care, check it out.

Don't let someone else tell you "it isn't necessary", check it out.

I say all this with all the love and compassion I can muster cause I don't want any of you to look back and wish you had and didn't.

I am mentally accepting of the outcome. I am physically healing and taking it slow. I can have another band in 6 months. I will go see Dr. Billy in a month for a check up. He said we will discuss my options at that time. He also said he would support me in whatever decision I made whether it be surgery or not. What a great and caring Doc. I have said on here that I might consider the DS operation. I now know that I will NOT have any other surgery. I am through with surgeries for now. I am gonna fight the good battle with nutrition and exercise.

Shoot you might see me on the next "Biggest Loser". LOL!!!

Thanks for the support.

HUGS

Oh, Penni, I'm so sorry! Hang in there.

I am so sorry - Thank God you are back and being so strong and postive. I go in Tuesday to see my Doc and am taking all the infor00 I have gathered over the last 3 weeks. I want my Endo this time around - no more anti meds for reflux.

Oh Penni, I am so sorry. I was in the hospital last week with my son and I am trying to catch up on the board and oh my I had no idea this had happened to you. You are such a strong person. Thanks for sharing your insight as it might help others. I have been worrying about it so much lately....

Hi Penni,

Sorry to hear about both yours and Michelle's experience. Hope you have a speedy recovery. Teresa

penni,

thanks for sharing your story. i too have that feeling that somethings just not quite right. in september i shelled out over 2,000 to have the band checked TWICE and was assured ita all good. but i still wonder. originally it took 3.4 cc's to have restriction, now 2.6 closes me up? just doesnt sound right!

anyhow, you have a come such a long way and are such a strong woman. i know you can make it! you also have all the good folks at LBT here for support.

you are in my thoughts,

Did your insurance pay to have the band removed? Or did you have to pay for it yourself? And if so, how much did it cost, if you don't mind my asking? My biggest fear is putting my family in the hole, financially, for a decision I made for myself...

Did your insurance pay to have the band removed? Or did you have to pay for it yourself? And if so, how much did it cost, if you don't mind my asking? My biggest fear is putting my family in the hole, financially, for a decision I made for myself...

So far my insurance is covering the surgery. I still have yet to get a bill so the final talley hasn't arrived as yet.

I can't tell you how much it cost to have the band removed. I never thought to ask and I was never told. I was too caught up in the moment of having the Endo one minute then the surgery 8 hours later.

By the way, I am doing GOOD. I am fighting the head hunger vs the physical hunger. I gained over the Christmas holiday. I expected that. But come the new year (absolutely NOT a New Year Resolution though), I plan on getting back to basics on eating and exercising.

I go see Dr. Billy on the 19th of Jan to discuss my options. I can't even begin to think about getting re-banded for 6 months. So I have to wait it out with eating and exercising discipline.

It is really scary though to know you can eat things you couldn't eat being banded. I ate a sandwich the other day with actual bread and without any problems. SCARY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for all the support.

PS: Michelle if you see this. That was me that called your cell phone the other day. I was in your area and was gonna swing by your restaurant and say HI. By the time, I got your message we were already half way home. I will call you in the next few days.

WOW Ladies! Ican only say Im so sorry for your bad experiences, my heart goes out to you. It shows me just how vigilant we need to be when working with this band. I still havent had a fill and I cant feel the band at all, I hope this is normal. It seems that you had some internal intuition, and you followed that lead. I hope I can be as astute as you are. Thank you for your care for us in sharing your experiences. Ill remember you in my prayers.

Thank you all for the continued support. It is much appreciated. I can't emphasize enough to listen to your bodies. That little voice in your head that tells you something is wrong please listen to it.

{hijack}HI TERESA!!!!! :waves wildly: How the heck have you been??? We've missed you!!!! {/hijack}

OH my GAWD I just saw that Teresa posted. Thanks Donali for pointing that out.

Hey how was the Cruise? OK SPILL the details.

I don't see how port issues or stitches can cause an erosion--don't see the connection. Does it mean that an infection triggers the erosion? How would an ulcer contribute?

I don't see how port issues or stitches can cause an erosion--don't see the connection. Does it mean that an infection triggers the erosion? How would an ulcer contribute?

If you have an infected port, the infection can travel up the tubing and eventually land on the band. It can cause an inflammation of the stomach tissue and this might eventually lead to an erosion from the outside into your stomach.

Stitches placed in a way where the stomach can become irritated and this can also eventually lead to erosion. The band can rub against the stitches causing the irritation.

An ulcer is an inflammed area that if not treated can develop into an open sore inside your stomach, even without the band. So this can cause erosion from the inside out.

Hope this helped.

Thanks Penni. I hope you heal quickly and consider rebanding with a competent surgeon; I'm glad you didn't listen to your dr.

I think I have an ulcer or GERD so I will insist on an endoscopy. Since ulcers are caused by bacteria, I am getting concerned.

I am so sorry, Penni. I hope your new year brings you lots of happiness.