Jump to content
×
Are you looking for the BariatricPal Store? Go now!

Sadly another Lopez erosion...



Recommended Posts

Teresa your friend is in my prayers. This is getting very scary for me. Since I am a Lopez patient also. I am calling today about an endoscopy. As I told you all I have been pretty sick lately. Well I had to go back to the Doctor last Thursday. I am now on so many meds I have to write them down so I don't forget which one to take. My bronchitis/whatever is just not clearing up. Now I am on steroids and inhalers and more antibotics. I just don't know what to think anymore just getting so frustrated. I am at least getting some stuff out of my lungs now and no fever. I just don't know if I should be concerned that the band is involved or just a bad case of bronchitis.

Going to make a call today. I don't know if they could even do one until I am better.

Just the fact that Lopez was my surgeon makes me worry anymore.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Me too Kathy... I feel the exact same way. It makes me nervous and then to hear that there was other tampering in her stomach makes me cringe. I see my family practitioner in a couple of hours and I'm going to beg for an endo just to relieve my mind or help me prepare for the next step either way. I absolutely don't want to lose my band without some backup plan. Let me know how the endo goes for you, Teresa

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Don't beg for an endo. Lie for one. Put on your best Susan Lucci and tell them you vomited blood a couple times in the past week. They'll probably schedule you for an immediate Upper GI. Just go with it, but when the results come back fine tell they you vomited blood again yesterday. Mix some green eye shadow with your foundation if you gotta.

Kathy, I had certain bronchial problems also. food sitting in my esophagus added to a few years of bulimia left me with Barrett's Esophagitis, so maybe there's a possibility that your band & breathing are related? Just a thought. Hi by the way, nice to see you :(

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I don't think I'll have to lie for one. If I tell him its imperative and explain everything that has been going on with everyone else and myself he will probably happily send me for one. Hopefully anyway. I did have a bad boute of vomiting a few weeks ago and my throat hasn't been the same since.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

this erosion thing has me scared, no way in knowing if it happened or not? I had my surgery 2 weeks ago; i still have a lot of pain and very difficult to get up out of a car; i know that my doctor said he stitched to the stomach and those are stomach muscles you are trying to use and is painful; but there are times i get a burning sensation in there; i am to go back to work on thursday and worried as it does hurt to get up and down and still not sleeping in a bed.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi Everyone,

OK, I really freaked out now also. I too am a Dr Lopez patient. I have an appointment Wednesday with my GP and am also requesting a endo!

I will update you all with my results.

Staci

Orlando FL

banded in TJ 12/16/04

Dr Lopez

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Jamoorse, erosion is a slow process. You wouldn't be eroded only after 2 weeks.

Staci, high five on that endo! No need to worry everyone, just get annual endoscopies and keep an eye on your band. I'm living proof that erosion is NOT the end of the world. I'm still fighting the battle without a band, but I'm still kicking!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I realize that erosion and port problems can happen to any of us regardless of where we were banded or who our surgeon was/is .... but I continually find it interesting at how many of these problems seem to migrate back to the same Mexican surgeon. I don't think that it's just coincidence.

I feel for every single one of you that have had problems and/or have lost your band. We all need to continue to communicate to the bandster wannabee's that come here seeking advice. I would run like the wind from this doc if I were considering getting banded in Mexico and did a search on this board using his name.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

why do you think you need an endo, why do you someone of you think you are eroded, what symptons do you have, this doctor in mexico must be horrible

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

He didn't seem horrible at the time. I spent 6 months researching him, got a good report from Inamed about the doctor, talked to countless people who had both recently gotten their band from the same surgeon and had gotten it years before from the same surgeon. He was very nice and seemed very caring. On the other hand countless problems have been seen and heard about since right after I got my surgery. So indeed he must BE horrible. It just didn't seem like it at the time.

I talked to my doctor today and he is sending me to a gastroenterologist to get an endo. I had a bad vomiting episode about a month ago and have had a sore throat ever since. He didn't see any problems by just looking at the back of my throat and he thinks it is high time I got an endo. It should be fine with my insurance. He also said that he has heard the erosion statistics are much higher for the band than initially predicted. He said many weren't apparent during the initial study because of the limited number of patients and the short duration of their band experience. Now that thousands have gotten the band more erosion cases are becoming apparent.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

ok so i shouldn't have erosion since I am only 2 weeks out of surgery; why are all you getting endos? How do you know if you need an endo

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Jamoorse, the only way to detect erosion is with an endoscopy, where they put you to sleep and look at the band from the inside by sliding a tube down your throat that's got a tiny camera attached to it. My surgeon thinks it's a good idea for all banded patients to have an annual endoscopy. He didn't originally think this way, but lately he's been removing too many eroded bands from people that had surgery in Mexico, which raised his concern about his own US patients, so he wants to see patients get endoscopies as part of regular band maintenance.

It's good to see the band from the inside since patients can be eroded with no symptoms. Many doctors do fills while you drink a barium liquid while they view your stomach through an x-ray machine. With some eroded patients, the barium won't flow through the band correctly, so the doctor will schedule an endoscopy to get a better look since it's most likely erosion. Most people don't know they're eroded since there aren't always symptoms. Port infections have been leading to erosion around here, but erosion is a slow process. I eroded after 1.5 years as did some of my banded friends. I hope this helps ease your mind.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How do you know if you have infection; would a person get an infection only after 2 weeks? did anyone else have soreness to the belly after surgery or take long to get going?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Many people were very sore for a couple weeks after surgery. I didn't have pain, but I was disgusting sick for 2 solid weeks before I started feeling better.

If your port is infected, you'll be the first to know. The wound would be just like any other infected cut - it would be red, warm, hot, inflammed, leaking, etc.

You sound like the typical new bandster - a worry wart! That's good news because you sound pretty normal!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now

  • Trending Products

  • Trending Topics

  • Recent Status Updates

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • Recent Topics

  • Hot Products

  • Sign Up For
    Our Newsletter

    Follow us for the latest news
    and special product offers!
  • Together, we have lost...
      lbs

    PatchAid Vitamin Patches

    ×