Hi all,

In my research I haven't come across any real info on the long term effects of the band to the anatomy of the stomach.

Somewhere on this board I think a doctor had posted about (to completely paraphrase) "even though the band is reversable it doesn't mean there isn't a lasting effect of scarring to the stomach".

I understand the band is meant to stay in for a lifetime and that if we just take it out (without a medical necessity (sp)) because we reached our goal weight that we will probably gain it all back again. And i know that there are risks for every surgery. And I know that the risks are worth it in regard to the risk of being morbidly obese.

But I just wonder for information's sake:

What exactly does the band to the stomach in the long term when the band is working correctly, without slippage and without erosion? Has there been any studies at all? Is there a lot of scarring? Would that effect the stomach? Would it make a person more open to other internal problems?

Do you ever worry that there is something that may harm you in the long run?

Thank you all

well the band is not new... it is just new to the us... maybe you should look up reports from the J and J swedish band... that might give you more info. As to me. I may be nieve but if it makes me eat like this the rest of my life even if removed its all good!

Two sisters I know were banded in 2001 and they were part of the trials, so there is no US-based long term research study data available.

Do you ever worry that there is something that may harm you in the long run?

Honestly - not one bit. MAYBE the band will be somehow harmful, hard to see how though. DEFINITELY carrying a BMI over 50 would have been harmful in the long run!

Well the truth of it is that it has only been around for a relatively short amount of time compared to the other WLS out there. Still it has been around long enough to show that, for at least the first 10 years, there are no major complications that occur except for the ones we know of that are possible like erosion and slippage and leakage. But past that time we really don't know.

It is good that you are doing this research though. It will make you more confident in whichever decision you make.

My guess is that they wouldn't have much info on the subject because if you have had your band for a long time and have had no problems like slippage or erosion then the band will still be around the stomach and there would be no way to tell if there was damage unless the band was taken off. I wonder if there are a lot people that actually fit into all of those criteria to know what actually happens down there. Hopefully there is someone and we can get some insight from them, Good QUESTION!

ya know, I keep seeing these kinds of posts. My question and comment is: my brother had the stomach stapeling many many years ago. He told me after I was banded that they also banded his stomach but it was just a one size kinda thing. That is still in him, this was over 25 years ago, so unless some kind of problem arises, it should be fine, dontcha think?

Extremely good question!

The answer to your question is: "we don't know"...

But I'll do my best to guess on what would most likely happen.

It turns out that there has never really been any published study on the effects of band reversal on stomach anatomy. One would assume that there may be some scar tissue, muscular wall abnormalities, or some other problem after leaving it in for a long time.

However, what you must understand, is that the stomach is extremely resistant! When you eat food, the stomach gets bigger by a process called "receptive relaxation", where the muscle in the stomach wall relaxes. The stomach is a motile organ, with lots of muscle in the wall. SO, my best guess would be that the band does cause some scar tissue to form, but I strongly doubt it wouldn't remain functional. In other words, I think that there would be small, and not very important abrnormalities after removing the band.

But keep in mind that you can live without your stomach! Lots of people have their stomachs removed because of cancer or something, and they are perfectly able to just shunt the food right into the duodenum. In the case of our friends with gastric bypass, the remainder of the unbypassed stomach sits in the abdomen essentially useless.

So, my best guess is that these abnormalities (scar tissue, etc) are really not going to effect the functionality of the stomach all that much.

Cheers

my stomach has never been the same since my band eroded...

ya know, I keep seeing these kinds of posts. My question and comment is: my brother had the stomach stapeling many many years ago. He told me after I was banded that they also banded his stomach but it was just a one size kinda thing. That is still in him, this was over 25 years ago, so unless some kind of problem arises, it should be fine, dontcha think?

j.s., please tell us more about your brother. Has he managed to keep the weight off?

Michelle,

my stomach has never been the same since my band eroded...

I read where Lisa said that HER stomach is acting crazy too. Gosh y'all, what next? :phanvan

Thanks everyone, especially snowhard! That was a really good explanation.

La Madam-what do you mean about your stomach never being the same? How long has it been since it was eroded and it came out? What did the doc say about the effects?

The band is relatively new, I just want to understand it the best I can.

I'm curious to know what you mean by never was the same again. Do you have problems regularly. Did you consume a lot of carbonated drinks or anything at all that may have possibly led to the erosion? I worry about erosion a lot myself.

My band eroded in Noember 2005. I have cramps and stomach pain daily, a weird gurgling noise, my bowels are not the same either. Can't explain the pain, it is not like a normal stomach ache like you have to go to the bathroom. I live with it daily. During the 18 months I had my band I never had one single stomach ache or pain other then my bowel obstruction. I NEVER drank carbonation or took any NSAIDS while banded not one single time and have not done so yet , still no carbonation or NSAIDS for me

La Madam,

What is your doctor's response to your stomach problems? Does he feel it is from the erosion itself or the length of time you had the band in?

Has anyone else said they had similiar problems?

Don't get me wrong-I am going to do this. I need it to keep living. I just want to know beyond the immediate future what I may or may not be taking on. If indeed that kind of info is out there through either research or experience from people who share...like La Madam

Honestly I have not made it back down to MX to have my Dr. address this problem but I do have an appointment scheduled for another scope with my PCP next week. I do not know for sure it any of this is related to my band or it's erosion all I know is ever since my band removal my stomach has never been the same...always in pain...but I tell you what, having my band and getting my life back and losing 100+ lbs was worth the pain I suffer from now.

Michelle,

Just curious - did your doc prescribe you any meds (like prilosec) after band removal? (for short or long term use)

When I had an stomach ulcer (years back) MY stomach HURT. Constant dull ache - and when I ate something that was a no-no, I had diarrhea - and/or the stomach pain increased. Back then (1992) Prilosec was the best on the market - and thats what he prescribed. I was better in no time.

Anyway, isnt an erosion similear to a stomach ulcer?