I have had my band since February 2007. Yesterday, I went in for an upper GI to check and make sure my pouch hadn't stretched. I haven't had any pain or discomfort, no vomiting, or acid reflux. My only complaint was that despite having an almost full band, I could at times eat much more than I thought I should be able to. Hence the decision by my doctor to do the upper GI. As reference, I began at 277 before my lapband surgery. I got down as low as 183, bounced back up to 223 and am now sitting at 211 with a BMI of 32. My goal weight is about 165. This is in a period of almost four years.

When I drank the contrast liquid, we watched as the Fluid went down the esophagus, into the pouch, and through the stoma. We also watched as some of the liquid went AROUND my band! The only way that can happen is if a portion of the band is now INSIDE of my stomach. Preliminary diagnosis is band erosion. Next week I will be scheduling an endoscopy to determine the extent of the erosion and see how much damage has been done to my stomach.

In the brief conversation I had with my doctor after the discovery, he stated that the only option for treatment is removal of the band. You could have knocked me over with a feather. I have become dependent on my band and to think of not having restriction is a scary thought for me. Like others, the thought of going back to the weight I was at before is not an option.

My doctor has indicated that once the band has been removed and I have healed from that surgery (after about four months), I can either be re-banded (I don't think so), or I can do a revision to either bypass or gastric sleeve. I am not keen on the idea of bypass. It just seems so extreme and there's no where to go after that surgery. So I am leaning towards the sleeve. From everything I have read, the majority of people who have had this procedure are very happy with it.

Yesterday was spent trying to wrap my head around the prospect of having two surgeries next year. Talking with my family and trying to understand my options. I am fortunate in that my situation is not an emergency. There is no infection and I can eat properly. (The doctor did deflate my band completely). I also have insurance through my company and the enrollment period is coming up in the next couple of weeks so I can make decisions accordingly knowing that I am going to have these surgeries. It is still yet to be determined if my insurance company (BCBS AL) will cover either surgery (scary thought), but I'm willing to fight for it. I was self pay for my band so I don't know if that will impact their decision or not. I know they do cover WLS and have the typical six month waiting period (not sure I would have to do that given the circumstances).

I will be posting here with my progress and experience for the benefit of others who may encounter similar complications and decisions. I would very much like to hear from others who have had band erosion and have done the revision to the sleeve or those who have the sleeve and what their experience has been with that type of surgery.

I can't believe I'm at this point again. Ugh.

Had my lap band removed on Thursday, March 29th. My procedure seems to have gone pretty smoothly. I wasn't nervous at all. Didn't have any nausea. My surgeon said that everything looked the way he anticipated it would look. He placed a drain in my stomach which was a bit of a surprise. I wasn't expecting that. He said it was a last minute decision on his part. Now I have to figure out how to deal with that while at work.

They took me down on Friday morning for my leak tests. They said everything looked fine but it took until 7:00 for my surgeon to let me know it was okay for me to drink. Then I had to drink a certain amount within a couple of hours before he would let me go home. I drank what I was supposed to, was discharged around 11:00, then we had to run around getting perscriptions filled. I was really tired by the time I got home. My only real complaint is the dry mouth I get while I'm sleeping. I don't have a lot of pain, just soreness.

Oh, I gained 10 lbs in the hospital!!!!!! It's beginning to go down slowly but they really kept me hydrated! LOL So basically, the band removal seems to have been a lot easier than having it placed. Now I need to work towards getting my sleeve. My surgeon has said that if I had another band placed that I would more than likely erode again and I certain don't want to have to do this again.

Onward and upward!

Who is your doctor? Also do you have Alabama BCBS that is through a federal employer? I heard that insurance pays for a sleeve. I'm sure that all of the Alabama BCBS plans don't cover it. I know it really depends on the plan your employer chose.

Hi Jenn. Dr. Pinnar did my surgery. I have BCBS-AL through a private employer. It definitely depends on the plans that your employer chooses to offer through the insurance company. Fortunately, I know for certain that my plan covers the sleeve.

Doing great three days after having my band removed due to erosion. (My band was 40% eroded) The abdominal drain is still in and will be until Friday but the color of the Fluid is changing from pink to yellow as it should. There is a little irritation around the area where it is placed in my stomach but the surgeon assured me today that is normal. The only complaint I have right now is that the more the swelling goes down the hungrier I get and I am still on Clear liquids until Friday and I can only go to mushy foods (baby food consistency) until then. I'm not starving, oddly enough, but the head hunger is incredible. I have lost ten lbs from the day I came home from the hospital (IV fluids) and am currently at the same weight I was at when I was admitted and six lbs down from when I began the pre-op diet.

So far so good

Since you are getting your revision done in the next couple of months does that mean that you don't have to follow all of the regular BCBS of Alabama guidelines to get a revision like you do with your initial surgery. Did you not have to have a minimum BMI, participate in a physician guided weight loss program for 6 months, have a sleep study, etc?

I may be in the same boat as you. I have a barium swallow study on 4/5/12. I also would like to consider the Vertical gastric sleeve if I have to have my band removed.

Not to be nosy but are you by any chance from Jacksonville. It was just a guess since your ID is Jaxbandster. I am from that area! Thanks so much

Went for my upper endoscopy today. Band erosion confirmed. You can clearly see half the band on the inside of my stomach. Will be meeting with my surgeon soon to come up with a plan of action.

Here's hoping my insurance will cover revision to the sleeve.

Sorry! Do they say how this happens or how to avoid it next time?

Since you are getting your revision done in the next couple of months does that mean that you don't have to follow all of the regular BCBS of Alabama guidelines to get a revision like you do with your initial surgery. Did you not have to have a minimum BMI, participate in a physician guided weight loss program for 6 months, have a sleep study, etc?

I may be in the same boat as you. I have a barium swallow study on 4/5/12. I also would like to consider the Vertical gastric sleeve if I have to have my band removed.

Not to be nosy but are you by any chance from Jacksonville. It was just a guess since your ID is Jaxbandster. I am from that area! Thanks so much

Hi Jenn,

I'm not real certain if they are going to make me go through the pre-surgery requirements or not. I have another follow up appointment next Friday and am hoping they will go ahead and start the pre-determination filing after that. I will have to let you know as I go along.

Yes, I was born and raised in Jacksonville (with a 20 year stent down on the Gulf coast) and had my surgery up here. Dr. Cywes put in my band, his partner Dr. Pinnar removed it.

How did your barium swallow go?

Sorry! Do they say how this happens or how to avoid it next time?

Hi Jill,

There is a lot of speculation about this subject. There are some theories that say it is from filling the band too quickly and too tightly. There are some that say some people are just predisposed to erosion. There are others that say it's due to patient non-compliance. To sum it up, no one really knows for sure.

Hi Jax,

When I had the barium swallow on 4/5/12 I was surprised to find out that my band was actually too tight. It had been a really long time since my last fill. My esophagus was also dilated ( possibly from over eating or just from too much food sitting there since the band was soo tight). I guess that's why I felt like I didn't have very much restriction. So they removed all of my fluid from the band in order to give the esophagus a chance to reduce back to normal size over time. I have also been having some pain in the stomach area on my left upper side so I am scheduled to have an upper endoscopy on Friday 4/27/12. Even though I don't want to have it done, I am glad that they ordered it. I just want to make sure nothing is wrong and I want to know if there is any erosion. That is the only way to really tell if you have erosion. Normally they cannot tell if you have erosion by the barium swallow. I certainly don't hope that there is any erosion, but if I do that is probably the only way my insurance will pay for the sleeve. The insurance person at the doctors office says it is really hard to get BCBS of Alabama to pay for WLS. They do everything they can to get out of it. Also I learned that BCBS of Alabama will only pay for one WLS in your lifetime. Luckily my first one was paid for by UHC or I would have no chance at all. We will see after Friday what my future holds.

Fortunately, my band hasn't given me any issues besides some minor pulling feelings and twinges.

Jax, where were the pulling feelings and twinges you mention?

When I had the barium swallow on 4/5/12 I was surprised to find out that my band was actually too tight. It had been a really long time since my last fill.

Jenn, how long had it been since your last fill? I'm wondering after reading your post if my band is too tight. It seems counterintuitive, but if it happened to you, I guess it could happen to me.

Jax, how are you doing now? Since I am hoping to have my band removed, I'd be interested to know how you dealt with the drain at work. I may find myself in that position at some point!

Hi Bunkie,

I wish I knew how to describe the pulling and twinges I had. They were in the esophogial area right below my sternum. I described them to my surgeon and he pretty much dismissed the symptoms explaining that erosion usually doesn't have any symptoms. (shrug)

My surgery was on March 29th and with the exception of being able to eat most anything I want I am doing really well! I actually still have a minimal amount of restriction from where the band used to be. I still have to eat slowly and chew well or I get uncomfortable. In fact, I got stuck really hard on steak a couple of weeks ago. I was miserable! So don't expect to go right back to being able to eat "normally" after you get your band out. Unfortunately I can and do eat much more than I was able to before but that will come to an end once I revised to the sleeve. :-)

With the drain, I was fortunate that I like to wear long flowing skirts and I simply pinned the drain to the inside of my waist band and it hung down from there. It was annoying as hell and I was glad to get it out but it didn't hurt or anything. I don't know what I would have done if all I had were tight skirts or pants. Maybe worn a long sweater or jacket?

The insurance person at the doctors office says it is really hard to get BCBS of Alabama to pay for WLS. They do everything they can to get out of it. Also I learned that BCBS of Alabama will only pay for one WLS in your lifetime. Luckily my first one was paid for by UHC or I would have no chance at all. We will see after Friday what my future holds.

Jenn6524,

what is the outcome of your BCBSAL approval for revision?

I too have a band that needs removing. BCBSAL refused to pay for a revision to a sleeve, but they are considering replacing my band. Go figure....

Gigi