Scare Tissue Restricting Band

[ROHO617 0]

I have been told by my Dr that I probably have scare tissue built up around my band. I developed a bleeding ulcer in my stomach which caused me to be sick alot which in turn caused swelling around my band. I have to have it drained because I would swell so much I became dehydrated. Over a period of 1 yr. I had 21 fills and unfills. My PA implied that I was abusing my band, apparently they didn't believe what I was telling them. I went to my person internist Dr. and he found the bleeding ulcer. I had the band drained once more and allowed 3 months to heal before filling again. the trouble is now each time I have a fill put in it becomes tighter and tighter causing it to be drained again for swelling to go down. Now they are telling me that I have developed scare tissue around the band from so many adjustments and need to have surgery to have it cut away, I may even be in danger of having to have the band remove altogether. I paid cash for my band and have to pay $150 for each adjustment, fills as well as unfills. Now I am going to have to pay for the scare tissue removal as well! this is not right, They should have believed me when I told them something was wrong to begin with!!! But they are the doctors!! Has anyone else out there had trouble with scare tissue? If so please converse with me? Help!

Bewildered, Roho617:

Surgery Date 9-15-2003.. 287lbs

4-19-2006.. 192lbs

[Alexandra 55]

Wow, Ruthie, that sounds rough! :confused: To tell you the truth, I was a little worried about something like that myself. We've been banded about the same length of time, and all of a sudden two months ago I found myself extremely tight. I never got dehydrated--it was never THAT bad--but I had constant reflux and heartburn.

After a complete unfill everything is just fine, and an endoscopy and barium test revealed no problems. But I still have plenty of restriction even with no Fluid in my band and it occurred to me that perhaps this is due to scar tissue. I haven't had nearly as many adjustments as you--maybe a total of 9 over three years. But my understanding is that every band creates a certain amount of scarring in the surrounding tissue; it's a foreign body, after all.

How are you feeling now? Is there any reason to continue to have the band adjusted? Why not just leave it unfilled for the indefinite future? If the scar tissue isn't causing any trouble by itself, what's the point in having it removed?

I'm a big believer in less intervention, if possible. What would be the downside in just leaving it all alone, as is (that is, empty) for a while?

[NeenBand 7]

Ruthie, I have no answers but wanted to post support. You sound like you've had a rough and uncertain time of it. I hope you find the answers and help you need.

[ROHO617 0]

Thanks for the support! I willnot have my band removed with out a fight. I still want to loose about 30 lbs. If I could get my band fitting right, about 50lbs. Otherwise I will have to live on a very strict diet. I gain weight on anything over 1000 calories a day. I have have been on Voltaren for over 20 years and the doctor says that this contributed along with the over fill of the band to the ulcer. I have a hard time exercising, hip and back problems. Everbody has something. I would do it all again even with all of this. I love the new me, I just dont like being hungry all the time!! Good Luck to you all!

[NeenBand 7]

Good luck to you too Ruthie!!

Honestly, I had not thought about the scarring that takes place due to the band being there (as Alex mentioned This would explain why people like Decarla who have had it removed still feel something.

[rachele 0]

I had problems with scar tissue completely blocking off the tubing to my band after I was 3 years and 3 mo out. (I know you are NOT going to like to hear this) I was given the choice of having the scar tissue scraped out and running a good chance that it would occur again. I wasn't willing to risk that because after losing over 100 pounds and starting to regain quickly because the scar tissue rendered the band completely useless. The more I gained, the tighter the band got of course, which led me to soft food syndrome to add weight to my already out of control pregnancy weight.

I opted to have my band removed and had the Duodenal Switch performed on 11/17/05. I have lost 65 pounds since then, and I eat much more than I ever did and a lot wider variety of foods. I eat normally, like a average person (probably less, though!)

Difference is, I had insurance that would pay for it. I'm sorry you are going through this. It feels so devastating. Wishing you well...

[ROHO617 0]

I am glad the other surgery worked out for you. This something I had thought of as well, not wanting to gain back any more, I had originally lost 120 lbs. Now I stand a 100lbs. However my doctor said that would not BA possiblity because I am not considered morbidly obese. What am I supposed to do gain it all back again just to have another surger?? I am trying Nutri system just to keep it stable. So far I have no signs of tighening, yet!!

[rachele 0]

However my doctor said that would not BA possiblity because I am not considered morbidly obese.

Many docs don't feel this way. If you're open to the suggestion, you could see another surgeon?

Nutri-System is pretty good, but expensive. I lost on it before but couldn't keep it off. Tastes good,too. Good luck. You're in a tough spot.

[StephieC 0]

I had the original Lap-Band surgery just 01 month after it was approved by the FDA in 2001. My start weight was 240 and I was down to 162 at my lowest. I have been the unfortunate recipient of some unusual abdominal tumors that gave me an enormous weight gain. I was back up to 200 last year and I seem to hover around 190-195 currently. I was at a steady 190 for several years as I seem to have lost the first 50 in the first year. Now, in the middle of my tumor removal surgeries (yes, there were 2), I somehow managed to have the tube between my port and my band come "un-done" and it started "floating" around and poking my insides causing excruciating pain. I had the tube repaired in a quick outpatient procedure. I also managed to have a 4th surgery because my last tumor removal resulted in a hernia. Now that I am apparently healthy, which is been nearly 7 months now, I cannot seem to lose the weight. I never know when the band will work. Sometimes I can eat whatever I want and sometimes I can't. I was able to have my repair covered by insurance, but it doesn't normally cover WLS. My doc told me that I have severe scar tissue around my band because it is old and it doesn't want to stretch with the fills so it doesn't work properly. I desperately want to lose the weight, down to at least 150, but I am in a vicious cycle. I am too exhausted all of the time to go work out, which I need to do to lose the weight, but the extra weight makes me exhausted! Arghhh! Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone ever heard of Cigna covering revision surgery? I am thinking that although they don't normally cover WLS, since I am having health issues, they may actually cover it as a means of repair. Does this make any sense or am I just wishful thinking? The band and the port are starting to cause pain when I lay down in certain positions, too. Any thoughts? Thanks to any and all for any suggestions.

[privatedancer7 1]

Good luck to you too Ruthie!!

Honestly, I had not thought about the scarring that takes place due to the band being there (as Alex mentioned This would explain why people like Decarla who have had it removed still feel something.

Do you know if this could cause difficulty swallowing even though the band has been removed? My band was removed in August 2008 and I still have good and bad days with getting food down. I am thinking now that maybe the scar tissue or something else is causing the problem.

Private Dancer7

Banded March 2008

Removed August 2008

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Do you know if this could cause difficulty swallowing even though the band has been removed? My band was removed in August 2008 and I still have good and bad days with getting food down. I am thinking now that maybe the scar tissue or something else is causing the problem.

Private Dancer7

Banded March 2008

Removed August 2008

I had my band removed 6/3. I still have esophageal problems caused by the band but it is finally much better. I still have to be careful when I swallow or I choke.

I think it's part of the game. :thumbup:(

[privatedancer7 1]

I had my band removed 6/3. I still have esophageal problems caused by the band but it is finally much better. I still have to be careful when I swallow or I choke.

I think it's part of the game. :thumbup:(

Thanks for the response. I guess that it depends on if you are lucky or the degree of skill of the surgeon. I have read some posts where people had virtually no reaction after the removal. I suppose that it does come with the territory.

Private Dancer7

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Thanks for the response. I guess that it depends on if you are lucky or the degree of skill of the surgeon. I have read some posts where people had virtually no reaction after the removal. I suppose that it does come with the territory.

Private Dancer7

Removing the band is pretty easy, the scar tissue is a whole different ball game. I had a revision done at the same time.

But my esophageal damage was caused by the band, not the surgery to remove the band. That is one big reason I had revision surgery.

Lap bands are not easy on your esophagus. I do believe esopohageal damage is common with banded folks.