Hi everyone.

I know the subject of erosion is running rampant around here lately, but I have a question for those who have had the band removed (and anyone else who'd like to chime in).

I understand erosion can be caused by any number of things. I've heard mention that the body sees it as a foreign object and attacks it, causing the erosion.

I think I've mentioned before, that I have an underactive thyroid that I'm being treated for. My dr told me that my immune system is attacking my thyroid, trying to destroy it, for which, I take medication daily.

Now to my question....for those who had to have your bands removed, did any of you have an underactive thyroid? I'm just curious. If that's the case....I wonder if that could happen to me when/if I get banded? Something to think about and ask the dr about I guess.

Thank you!

Dr. Pleatman: Thank you so much for the clarification. It is so nice to have a DOC on board here.

DesertMom: The band is a foreign object fitted tightly around the stomach.Anyone that has worn a ring or bangle or something that fitted tightly must have noticed how an indent is formed at the site.I think what happens is that some people get a slight inflammation at the band site or that the band just irritates the stomach and it starts eroding....interesting enough a lot of people with erosion reports "port issues" or port pain and I think it is inflammation....that is what the body does when it is trying to protect or reject.....

The analogy between the finger and the stomach isn't quite a comparison of apples to apples, as the stomach is hollow, which would present less resistance to pressure than a finger with a bone running down the middle. I believe the rest of your theory is more likely - an irritation develops due to peristalsis (the stomach contracting to push food through the digestive system), and due to that injury the stomach starts to absorb the offending particle (the band). This is just my opinion, of course.

PAM RN: The antibiotics before dental work is a new one for me. I'd never heard that one before. I've had dental work done a couple of times since banding without any pretreatment or problems. I'm wondering what in the world that is about? I'm definitely against over use of antibiotics anyway, considering the ever increasing resistance of bacteria, so I'd love to hear more about the rationale behind that. Anyone know more?

http://www.dentistry.com/pdentalupdates_05.asp

Most prosthetic implants safe during dental care

by Dr. Jerry Gordon, DMD

People who have artificial heart valves are required to take antibiotics prior to certain dental procedures to prevent a sometimes-fatal heart infection called subacute bacterial endocarditis (SBE). The reason is that bacteria in the mouth during dental treatment can travel through the blood stream and infect the artificial valve. Those who have other prosthetic devices may be concerned whether their knee replacement or pin in their arm, for example, is also at an increased risk for infection after dental treatment. Fortunately, most prosthetic devices are safe from infection and do not require antibiotics prior to dental treatment....

Everyone's so informative, thanks guys.

Just had to add this... lol

:deadhorse:

Oh my god, that is so funny!!!!! I've never seen that before.

I was told by my dentist that I would need antibiotics for appointments when I had a pin put in my broken ankle years ago, long before I got my band for the exact reason Donali posted. I feel safer taking them before my dental work after getting the band. I had posted something about this issue months ago. Teresa