Auto-immune Disease and Band Rejection

[Archermom 0]

Hi Delarla,

your last post rang a bell with me- I work with women after breastcancer surgeries - many of them have or had reconstructions. Guess what - their implants were mostly made out of Silicone. That's were all the big controverse started- if the silicone or a leaking implant can cause autoimmune disease or make an excisting one worse.

I am wondering if that is what they are referring to in a roundabout way - since the band contains silicone - could that in some cases make an excisiting auto immune problem worse?

Just my thoughts and 2 cents.

[BandsterHopeful 1]

To my knowledge despite a great many studies silicone from these implants was never shown to cause any illness at all, although it does appear suspicious. There is a big difference between a breast implant that leaks liquid silicone into the tissues and circulation, and a implant like the band that is made of solid silicone.

I believe, after all the extensive FDA testing that showed no conclusive problems, that the silicone breast implants are again back on the market in the US - or soon will be. They have continued to used safely in many other parts of the world. Renee

[leatha_g 4]

I have systemic lupus. The first doc I consulted said an emphatic 'NO', the one who eventually banded me felt if I had had a more severe history it might have been a problem. Nearly 3 years out, I can only tell you my health is 100% better thanks to the band and the change in lifestyle.

Can I wake up tomorrow with a severe flare of my autoimmune disorder? Yes. Could I have without the band? Yes. Would it have been worse with an additional 150lbs ? Most definately.

[NeenBand 7]

Okay, this thread is freaking me out.

First of all, I have Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue (Epstein Barr) which are considered auto-immune diseases.

Now I am freaking out because I'm wondering if I will be one of the ones here who are always in pain or having a problem with the band.

Also, a friend of mine had a silicone leak in her breast and it crippled her and made her ill.It created a connective tissue disease.

Is there any chance that the silicone chemicals can leach into the blood and tissue over time??? Because once it's in you, that's it. It can migrate into your lungs, brain, heart, liver, etc. and make you very sick.

[Alexandra 55]

Leenerbups, the silicone in the band absolutely cannot leach into your system; it's an inert, solid substance. Of course, you should discuss your medical issues at length wth the doctors, but this at least I am quite sure about. (It's a question asked at almost every pre-op seminar I attend, and the doctors always say the same thing.)

Bottom line: Some auto-immune and connective-tissue disorders may be issues when it comes to banding, it totally depends on the specific circumstances. This is not a question that can be adequately addressed on a support board. TALK TO YOUR DOCTORS.

[NeenBand 7]

Thanks Alex. I'm two weeks pre op and getting nervous.

My doctor took my medical history, so he knows about it and didn't say anything other than banding would help my symptoms. I will talk with him though. Do patients normally see their surgeon for a pre-op or do I have to call him ?

[Alexandra 55]

You'll have a pre-op class with a nurse practitioner, I know, but I don't know if you'll be seeing the doctor again until surgery day. If you have questions, though, of course they'll be happy to speak with you.

[NeenBand 7]

I'll bring it up in pre-op, and if the nurse wants me to delve deeper into it, I'll call Dr. A.

I was on another board and people with Fibro all said the lap band helped them, so that's a relief. This weight is killing me. I'd do with a some twinges, pangs and dings to get myself healthier if I have to.

[divaliciousdee 0]

OKay I am six months post-op. SO far so good! I have Lupus with secondary scleroderma. Could I have a flare up? Yes. I have felt 2000% better since surgery. No problems at all. I informed my surgeon of my ailments( I don't use the word disease) he checked with my Rheumatologist and they BOTH decided this was gonna do wonders for me. I have lost 46 pounds in six months. My body is doing what I want it to do instead of what my ailments dictate. I am happy for my band. I wouldn't change a thing. If I have erosion or rejection at least I will have it -46lbs or -100lbs post op.

[sisterfunkhaus 3]

I have wodered about this b/c I POSSIBLY have Systemic Lupus. I have tested +1 ANA ONCE in five years. My doctor at this point calls it an inflammatory arthropothy. I take Plaquanil and have no symptoms as of right now. My symptoms have never been life or death. I've never had any organ involvement. As a matter of fact, I NEVER had even one symptom until five years ago when I gained weight for the second time. In my case, I think my body isn't liking the 100 lbs. of extra fat. I have a feeling that the band is going to help. I am very glad to see other autoimmune people having good luck with the band. I haven't gotten mine yet, but I will soon :eek: The doctors office I went to before was going to do it. The doc that I am going to didn't seem to think it would be a problem and has done this surgery on several auto-immune people.

I am also curious, what happens when the body rejects the band?

[SkyeBlu 0]

It was determined between my Surgeon and my Rheumatologist that the benefits of having the band placed far outweighed the "possiblity" of a issue due to my lupus. And, if my body does eventually reject my band we will cross that bridge IF it comes for me to cross.

If you really get down to it you do what is best for you and you make that determination between you and your doc. Just don't hide anything from him just to get the band!

[sisterfunkhaus 3]

Skye-I agree. I am SO willing to take that risk.

[Amanda 0]

It was news to me too that Hashimoto's was a contraindication for the band. One of Dr. Kuri's patient facilitators said that people and with auto-immune disease have trouble with the band and shouldn't get it. I asked her if she thought that was my trouble. Never heard back. They seem to stand on their "it's all in your head Amanda" or alternatively, "you have an undiagnosed serious illness that caused your symptoms and it's nothing to do with the band." Well, I know it had everything to do with the band, as I had none of these problems before it. But now I finally have an idea what went wrong. A doctor in the ER put me on Pepcid (4X the OTC dose) and my chest/gastric pain is gone and so is my anxiety and choking, and I am generally feeling 95% better. I don't know whether the band has given me a permanent case of GERD (which I never had before) but it feels so good to feel good. I continue to be darn p.o.ed at the [lack of] care I received from Dr. Kuri and his team, and wonder how I would have fared if they had suggested Pepcid two months ago. Maybe I would have been able to keep the band? On the dieting front, had grains for the first time since the band, and all my cravings came right back along with some weight. For some folks I know it's sugar, but grains are really my addictive foods. Planning to try the food Addicts plan. If I can just get below 200 I will be happy. Really God. I promise. :confused:

[DeLarla 22]

"It created a connective tissue disease.

BINGO - that was the term I was trying to remember! People with connective tissue auto immune diseases are not supposed to be banded (according to my surgeons.)

My Mexican surgeon (Lopez) knew I had Sarcoidosis, AND HE SAID BEING BANDED WILL HELP MY DISEASE. I have nodules on my lungs, which make it hard to catch my breath. I can breathe now that I've lost 80 pounds with the band.

DeLarla's band complications were in no manner related to Sarcoid Disease. My port wound became infected while all my other wounds healed perfectly. If any disease would have caused one wound to be infected, then all my wounds would have been infected.

According to Inamed 2 years ago, there have been no documented cases of band complications due to Auto Immune diseases, but due to what Archermom was referring to with "silicone breast implants either causing connective tissue disease, or connective tissue disease causing breast implant complications," Inamed added the warning against band insertion. I suck at discussing medical issues, so somebody please re-write what I'm trying to say to clarify it.

Both Dr. Lopez and Dr. Kuri (Mexican surgeons) know I have Sarcoid. Neither blamed my auto immune disease for my erosion. If my Sarcoid caused my erosion, what should we blame all the other erosions on considering nobody else has auto immune diseases.

Like Leatha said, losing weight has helped both of us live longer and healthier, and either one of us can become really sick from our disease at any given time regardless of the band.

[DeLarla 22]

I lost almost 80 pounds with my band before it eroded and was removed. I probably would have been banded even if I had a connective tissue auto immune disease. It was worth the gamble.