Hello

I've not posted here for over 1 year, but this morning I received an email from lapbandtalk and decided that everyone should know about gastroparesis, my result of an eroded band!

I had the band put on by Dr. Lopez in TJ Feb.03, it was removed because of severe erosion March 05. Shortly after having the band removed I started having pain with anything I ate. I thought it was just my stomach healing from the removal. It only got worse over time, I went to see a gasto. dr. December 05..they did many tests that included a endoscopy, colonoscopy, cat-scan, ultrasound, they decided I should have my gallbladder out, after it was removed the pain was worse. My mom and I went to Scottsdale Mayo clinic, after again many tests, they did an emptying test and concluded my stomach is not digesting food, it is taking hours upon hours to move anything thru my stomach. The erosion and/or the removal process permanetly damaged my stomach nerves.

I just want people who are thinking of having the band or that have the band but have mild complications to realize what can happen. There is nothing they do for Gastroparesis, I was prescribed a medication that will speed up the digestion process...there is a 30% chance of getting Parkinsons. I have a 4 & 6 yr. old, I cannot risk getting such a terrible disease. The pain is sometimes horrid, I feel my stomach is coming out of my chest, burning, knawing pain for hours and hours. PLEASE be careful, the band I know is reversable.....the condition is not!!!!

I have not heard of this, are you seeing a doctor in town where you are getting your information? Thank you, I will look into this.

To any of you who read the post from Dr. C about this condition....he says not to lose any sleep over it. I don't know how many of you look to this doctor for support or help, but he sounds dangerous.

This condition may not be as common as other complications, but if you experience like I have you will realize that it is serious and difficult to deal with.

Please have your bands checked regularly, don't listen to doctors like him that take your money for the surgery and have little to no care about complications later.

To any of you who read the post from Dr. C about this condition....he says not to lose any sleep over it. I don't know how many of you look to this doctor for support or help, but he sounds dangerous.

This condition may not be as common as other complications, but if you experience like I have you will realize that it is serious and difficult to deal with.

Please have your bands checked regularly, don't listen to doctors like him that take your money for the surgery and have little to no care about complications later.

I in no way mean to minimize what you went through, but I'm not sure you are being fair to Dr. C. I only know him through posts here, but he's taken time to answer questions from people who aren't his patients and won't ever be.

The way I read it was that yes, it can happen, but he believes it's very rare as he hasn't seen any nor heard first-hand of any. Wasn't the question from a new patient? Who isn't having symptoms to worry about?

I think your sharing your story was great. We all need to know what can happen, and also how often. And what to watch for.

Bandednomore, are they sure your gastroparesis is directly related to your banding and subsequent erosion?

Gastroparesis can happen even in those who are not banded. It is a serious condition and one I honestly feel for you for having, but this is the first I've heard it directly related to banding. Is it possible that the band just happened to be involved in a patient who just happened to get gastroparesis? Just food for thought.

Gastroparesis is common with diabetics and people who have undergone stomach surgery. I had 75 lbs to lose the day I was banded, no health issues at all, no stomach problems at all....I never had heartburn once in my life. Every single one of my problems that lead to me being dianosed with Gastroparesis at Mayo clinic happend after the band was removed. I appreciate your thoughts, but researching gastroparesis and learning how it happens with the nerves being damaged, I do not believe anything else could have caused it....especially since I had zero problems before I was banded.

Lisah25, I do understand this is not common, I just want people to know that while my band was eroding, I had no symptoms. I could eat normally, no pain, I had lost all my weight, I felt like a million bucks. I would have not known about my erosion if I had not went to get a fill. It would have gotten worse and then it can be very dangerous. I just feel now that even if you are feeling normal with no reason to have your band checked....you still should. I think that now doctors know that this can happen they should at least let people know about it. Just trying to spread this information....I wish I would have known!

I use the user name "bandednomore" on a different forum and just wanted to state this isn't me for anyone that makes a connection.

I wanted to thank everyone for their kind thoughts and prayers.

I've started Protonix and another medication that is supposed to aid in the digestion process, something similar to Reglan without all of the awful side effects.

I'm jealous of all of you who still have your band, keep it checked regularly...I wish I had!