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

Another one bites the dust... I'm eroded



Recommended Posts

All bands can slip. No matter what your surgeon told you, all bands can slip. Did I mention that all bands can slip?

Dr. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

?dr. c what causes it? would like to come to u for band but i think i am going to be forced to mx, any suggestions. i hear u are a great dc and close to where i live. monroe thanks for help vkb13vkb@yahoo.com

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for the link Leatha, I've been reading through some of the posts there. I'm with Penny in the idea that 5-6 weeks just ISNT long enough to be rebanded. My difference is that I am having my band removed endoscopically and the port through a small incision, so I will be spared the more invasive lap surgery for this portion. I will however have repairs for the entrance and exit wounds where the band is through the stomach. So I'm thinking the month of liquid diet etc... will still apply.

I swear in the endo video that band is nearly all the way inside. It's really gross looking... alien like... <bleh> Every time I feel an ache or pain now I shudder and wish I could just have it out NOW. Waiting is getting harder and harder.

I researched and found some studies that show endoscopic removal to be the new method of choice for many Dr's outside the US. That's reassuring, to know my Surgeon is keeping up with the newest research and applications. I'll keep you posted. I return to Tijuana November 11th.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

All bands can slip. No matter what your surgeon told you, all bands can slip. Did I mention that all bands can slip?

Dr. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

Is there a way you can tell if you are stretching your pouch? Other than just over eating, I don't know to what degree over eating is. In other words over eating how much 4 cups, 2 cups, what?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi

Im really sorry to hear of your erosion and surprised because its a midband and its so unusual.

I noticed from your siggie that you had a 6ml fill at surgery time which seems a little odd?

I did a lot of research before I was banded so know that MID the manufacturers do not recommend any fill until 6 weeks post op and then the max they recommend for the first fill is 4ml.

Or am I reading it wrong:confused:

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

All bands can slip. No matter what your surgeon told you, all bands can slip. Did I mention that all bands can slip?

Dr. C

Cincinnati, Ohio

www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND

DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

Dr. C Have you ever heard of having a bowel obstruction with the lap band? I recently had to go to the e.r. [ I think I had the flu] since i was having dry heaves and was worried about the band. They gave me a c.t. scan and said the band was the cause of a obstruction in the small intest. Put me in the hospital for three days to watch me ,then said I didn't need surgery and let me go home!

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So I finally get myself down to Tijuana last week,for the fill I thought I'd been needing, only to find that my loss of restriction was due to erosion. Luckily my surgeon uses fluoroscopy for all fills, and saw the contrast flowing out around my band. I was scoped later that day, and my band has eroded 70 to 80%.

Dr Verboonen's recommendation is that I have the band removed asap, take prilosec daily, heal for 5 to 6 weeks and then reband to prevent weight rebounding. He wanted to take it out on the spot, but United Airlines (yeah...united airlines...what a nightmare they continued to be... never again...) wanted nearly $760 plus $100 fee each for 2 tickets to change my flights by one day for one way home. Plus there's the cost of removal/rebanding, which even at a great reduction (cost of band/anesthesia only) was more than I had since I wasn't expecting this.

I'm glad for the postponed procedure though, because I really need to find out all I can before deciding what route I want to go with this. Since my band is all the way into my stomach on one side, the dr will remove it endoscopically, then take the port through a small laparoscopic incision.

I've been trying to find some research or literature regarding current practices in relation to band erosion, but there isn't a lot to be found. I'm wondering if a 5 to 6 week recovery is long enough? Do I want another band? I know I don't want to go back to obesity, but I still don't know if I'm ready for a more invasive surgery. I think the biggest worry I'm having is the 5 to 6 week thing...

I've posted before about some off and on abdominal aches and pains with total loss of restriction, so I am not surprised to find that something was wrong, but it still sucks. I can't for the life of me understand why something sawing it's way through the lining of my stomach didn't hurt like hell!

If any of you have any information, links to studies or personal experience with erosion, I'd sure love to hear from you. For those of you who don't, make sure you get your follow up endoscopes at least once a year!

Pam,

How do you know whether it has slipped or you have errosion?

I was banded in Aug. and my port is very low and I fill no

restriction. I have had 1 fill in Oct. I am surprized they gave

you a fill when you had your band put it, I was told my band

had no restriction at first but maybe the girl in Mexico in charge

was wrong. Also, I am beginning to feel a little soreness around

the port.

Anniemay

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know it is eroded because they use flouroscopy to do the fill and we could all see the barium I drank flowing around the band, then the dr did an endoscope and could see the band inside my stomach. He gave me a videotape copy of the scope and the band is almost all the way inside. The band manufacturer's recommend no fill until a few weeks after surgery. When I woke up from surgery, they told me that they put in a 6 cc fill to make the band snug as I had a small stomach. Since then there have been several who have also gotten a fill at surgery. Most Dr's wont do it. It may well be what caused the erosion, but maybe not, maybe it was something else. Soreness at the port is something that may come and go. It is usually the last area to feel better after surgery. If your port is low and your clothing puts pressure on it, then you could be irritating it more. If it gets red, hot to the touch, oozes, turns black and blue like bruised or swells up then get to a dr asap as you could have an infected port.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I know it is eroded because they use flouroscopy to do the fill and we could all see the barium I drank flowing around the band, then the dr did an endoscope and could see the band inside my stomach. He gave me a videotape copy of the scope and the band is almost all the way inside. The band manufacturer's recommend no fill until a few weeks after surgery. When I woke up from surgery, they told me that they put in a 6 cc fill to make the band snug as I had a small stomach. Since then there have been several who have also gotten a fill at surgery. Most Dr's wont do it. It may well be what caused the erosion, but maybe not, maybe it was something else. Soreness at the port is something that may come and go. It is usually the last area to feel better after surgery. If your port is low and your clothing puts pressure on it, then you could be irritating it more. If it gets red, hot to the touch, oozes, turns black and blue like bruised or swells up then get to a dr asap as you could have an infected port.

PamRN,

My port sets about 1in. above my waist, I think this is abnormal, it has

always set low, I can remember feeling it everytime I bent over when

I first came home from surgery, my girlfriends sets much higher. I do

not have redness or brusing, so I will watch for it, I am going for another

fill, I will find out then.

Thanks...........Anniemay

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Bettina YES IT CAN!! Vomitting can make it slip. ALL bands have that piece sutured around the band and you can still slip. It has decreased the incidence but it is still possible. And the actual procedure is not done all the way around because that is known to increase erosion!!

Pam Good luck to you!!

I would think that the band is no longer a good option-

I would consider another WLS if you feel it is warranted. PM geezer sue.

My band can't slip...my doc guaranteed it. :) As long as I follow what I am supposed to do, it won't. I won't vomit, no reason too if I follow the directions. I could see where you might have a problem if you eat too much and the pouch pulls on the larger part of the stomach and pulls it thru the band...but slippage? no.:P

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

My band can't slip...my doc guaranteed it. :) As long as I follow what I am supposed to do, it won't. I won't vomit, no reason too if I follow the directions. I could see where you might have a problem if you eat too much and the pouch pulls on the larger part of the stomach and pulls it thru the band...but slippage? no.:D

Did I mention that I chose the midband because I researched my options thoroughly and found that the chance of a midband erosion is very very small? yeah... look where that got me.

Bettina you are right in the idea that if you follow bandster rules perfectly, the chance of slippage is pretty small... but food mastication is not the only reason a person pb's or vomits. The flu is pretty prevalent, and flu vaccines only protect you from a certain strain of flu... say type a for instance... if you then get exposed to type b...well... you're probably gonna get very sick. If you forcefully vomit, you could have a slip... there's always food poisoning, travel/motion sickness, vertigo... etc. Your dr may also believe that if you're a perfect bandster you won't slip, but there's always a small chance, and a small chance is not so small when it happens to you.

I hope your determination protects you and you have a long healthy banding experience. As your support friends, we just want you to be clear and educated. If you never believe it could slip you won't have checks to make sure it hasn't. That could be band suicide.

I am one of the nearly nonexistent group of people on this planet that has had an erosion with a midband... so, never think never...always be aware of the possibilities and keep your eye on them. Good Luck to you.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Forgive me if this question has been answered before, as I am new and waiting for my band. Would drinking Maalox or taking Pepcid on a daily basis reduce the risk of or even prevent erosion? When I went to the informational meeting, they just kept saying if you "follow the lap-band rules", you'll be fine.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Mtred,

I doubt it, cause errosion I believe, starts from the outside of the stomach. As for drinking pepto bismol or any of those things, I'm not

sure that's a good idea before surgery because those interfere with

your natural stomach acids and too much of anything unatural is not

good. Check with the dr.

Anniemay

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Did I mention that I chose the midband because I researched my options thoroughly and found that the chance of a midband erosion is very very small? yeah... look where that got me.

Bettina you are right in the idea that if you follow bandster rules perfectly, the chance of slippage is pretty small... but food mastication is not the only reason a person pb's or vomits. The flu is pretty prevalent, and flu vaccines only protect you from a certain strain of flu... say type a for instance... if you then get exposed to type b...well... you're probably gonna get very sick. If you forcefully vomit, you could have a slip... there's always food poisoning, travel/motion sickness, vertigo... etc. Your dr may also believe that if you're a perfect bandster you won't slip, but there's always a small chance, and a small chance is not so small when it happens to you.

I hope your determination protects you and you have a long healthy banding experience. As your support friends, we just want you to be clear and educated. If you never believe it could slip you won't have checks to make sure it hasn't. That could be band suicide.

I am one of the nearly nonexistent group of people on this planet that has had an erosion with a midband... so, never think never...always be aware of the possibilities and keep your eye on them. Good Luck to you.

Thank you for your concern and support. I do appreciate it.:)

I am totally clear and completely educated when it comes to the band. (i don't mean to sound mean about it, but I wasn't sure if you were telling me that I don't know what I am doing or not.):cry

I have checks all the time with the doc, it is required by him and my insurance. I also know that I don't have the same food issues as others, so does my Doc and that is why we are 100% that I won't have problems. Hmmm...flu and such, yeah its possible, but I never get sick so I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will remain in the same good health. I have only thrown up once in my life and was a kid. I am lucky and just dont' throw up....looking for wood to knock...lol. I don't eat out-ever- so food poisoning shouldn't happen..Motion sickness--don't get that either.

I am not saying that nothing bad could ever happen to me--but as far as doing what I am supposed to --all will be perfect. Outside of that, I can't control and I will just keep my fingers crossed. :D

Take care! :P:) :)

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

    • Prdgrdma

      So I guess after gastric bypass surgery, I cant eat flock chips because they are fried???  They sell them on here so I thought I could have them. So high in protein and no carbs.  They don't bother me at all.  Help. 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        It's possible for a very high fat meal to cause dumping in some (30% or so) gastric bypass patients, although it's more likely to be triggered by high sugar, or by the high fat/high sugar combo (think ice cream, donuts). Dietitians will tell you to never do anything that isn't 100% healthy ever again. Realistically, you should aim for a good balance of protein, carbs, and fat each day. Should you eat fried foods every day? No. Is it possible they will make you sick? Maybe. Is it okay to eat some to see what happens and have them for a treat every now and again? Yes.

    • NovelTee

      I'm not at all hungry on this liquid pre-op diet, but I miss the sensation of chewing. It's been about two weeks––surgery is in two days––and I can't imagine how I'll feel a couple of weeks post-op. Tonight, I randomly stumbled upon a mukbang channel on YouTube, and it was strangely soothing... is it just me, or is this a thing? 
      · 1 reply
      1. NickelChip

        I actually watched cooking shows during my pre-op, like Great British Baking Show. It was a little bizarre, but didn't make me hungry. I think it was also soothing in a way.

    • Clueless_girl

      How do you figure out what your ideal weight should be? I've had a figure in my head for years, but after 3 mths of recovery I'm already almost there. So maybe my goal should be lower?
      · 3 replies
      1. NickelChip

        Well, there is actually a formula for "Ideal Body Weight" and you can use a calculator to figure it out for you. This one also does an adjusted weight for a person who starts out overweight or obese. https://www.mdcalc.com/calc/68/ideal-body-weight-adjusted-body-weight

        I would use that as a starting point, and then just see how you feel as you lose. How you look and feel is more important than a number.

      2. Clueless_girl

        I did find different calculators but I couldn't find any that accounted for body frame. But you're right, it is just a number. It was just disheartening to see that although I lost 60% of my excess weight, it's still not in the "normal/healthy" range..

      3. NickelChip

        I think it's important to remember that the weight charts and BMI ranges were developed a very long time ago and only intended to be applied to people who have never been overweight or obese. Those numbers aren't for us. When you are larger, especially for a long time, your body develops extra bone to support the weight. Your organs get a little bigger to handle the extra mass. Your entire infrastructure increases so you can support and function with the extra weight. That doesn't all go away just because you burn off the excess fat. If you still had a pair of jeans from your skinniest point in life and then lost weight to get to the exact number on the scale you were when those jeans fit you, chances are they would be a little baggy now because you would actually be thinner than you were, even though the scale and the BMI chart disagree. When in doubt, listen to the jeans, not the scale!

    • Aunty Mamo

      Tomorrow marks two weeks since surgery day and while I'm feeling remarkably well and going about just about every normal activity, I did wind up with a surface abscess on on of my incision sights and was put on an antibiotic that made me so impacted that it took me more than two hours to eliminate yesterday and scared the hell out of me. Now there's Miralax in all my beverages that aren't Smooth Move tea. I cannot experience that again. I shouldn't have to take Ativan to go to the lady's. I really looking forward to my body getting with the program again. 
      I'm in day three of the "puree" stage of eating and despite the strange textures, all of the savory flavors seem decadent. 
      I timed this surgery so that I'd be recovering during my spring break. That was a good plan. Today is a state holiday and the final day of break. I feel really strong to return to school tomorrow. 
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • BeanitoDiego

      Now that I'm in maintenance mode, I'm getting a into a routine for my meals. Every day, I start out with 8-16 ounces of water, and then a proffee, which I have come to look forward to even the night before. My proffees are simply a black coffee with a protein powder added. There are three products that I cycle through: Premier Vanilla, Orgain Vanilla, and Dymatize Vanilla.
      For second breakfast on workdays, I will have a low-fat yogurt with two tablespoons of PBFit and two teaspoons of no sugar added dried cherries. I will have ingested 35-45 grams of protein at this point between the two breakfasts, with 250-285 calories, and about 20 carbs.
      For second breakfast on non-workdays, I will prepare two servings of plain, instant oatmeal with a tablespoon of an olive oil-based spread. This means I will have had 34 grams of protein, 365 calories, and 38 carbs. Non-workdays are when I am being very active with training sessions, so I allow myself more carbohydrate fuel.
      Snacks on any day are always mixed nuts, even when I am travelling. I will have 0.2 cups of a blend that I make myself. It consists of dry roasted peanuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, pistachios, and Brazil nuts. This is 5 grams of protein, 163 calories, and 7 carbs.
      Breakfast and snacks have been the easiest to nail down. Lunch and dinner have more variables, and I prepare enough for leftovers. I concentrate on protein first, and then add vegetables. Typically tempeh, tofu, or Field Roast products with roasted or sautéed vegetables. Today, I will be eating leftovers from last night. Two ounces of tempeh with four ounces of roasted vegetables that consist of red and yellow sweet peppers, sweet potatoes, small purple potatoes, zucchini, and carrots. I will add a tablespoon of olive oil-based spread, break up 3 walnuts to sprinkle of top, and garnish with two tablespoons of grated Parmesan cheese. This particular meal will be 19 grams of protein, 377 calories, and 28 grams of carbs. Bear in mind that I do eat more carbs when I am not working, and I focus on ingesting healthy carbs instead of breads/crackers/chips/crisps.
      It's a helluva journey and I'm thankful to be on it!
       
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
  • 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

    ×