I have never postd to this board before. So hello to all. I had my lap band installed by Dr Bertha in NJ on Sept 2001. I have lost 120 lbs... was told on my last fill which was not successfull that I need and endoscopy..... had it done and sure enough i have band erosion....my band must be removed. Needless to say I'm pretty upset....its like losing a friend.....So here are my questions...How long of a recovery is it for band removal and erosion repair?

Can another surgery be done at the time of removal like VSG. I will be talking to my Dr on wed but I would like to some other opinions and learn for everyone experience/advise on this.

Thanks for you help!

Hey Pauliegirl

Sorry I cannot help you with any answers as this has not happened to me. I just wanted to say to keep your chin up and though this is not great news, you will be okay and everything will work itself out.

Congrats on such an amazing weight loss!!! I bet you look and feel fantastic!! Complications are a pain and costly but at least they found the problem before it caused too much damage and you will be fixed in no time. Good luck with it all. Will be sending positive thoughts your way!!

Regards

Suzie x

Hey Pauliegirl,

I'm so sorry to hear about your erosion. :welldone: As I'm sure you know, Dr. Bertha is VERY experienced and will steer you in absolutely the right direction. As I understand it, often the erosion repair is quite swift and only a matter of a few weeks is needed before a new band can be installed (if you're interested in that). Whether another WLS can or should be done at the time of band removal depends on your personal medical situation.

Good luck and I hope everything works out just the way you want!!

I'm very sorry you're losing your band. I lost mine to erosion too. Doctors will rarely reband after erosion, because of problems with scar tissue. Also, no one knows what causes erosion, so most doctors fear the same thing will happen again. Many people switch to VSG, and that's my plan. The downside is that permanently reducing the stomach seems more drastic, but the upside is no more fills, no more port, no more raging hunger. Good luck with your decision.

Just wanted to say I'm sorry you are going through all this. Good Luck, and keep up posted!

Hey PAuliegirl, sorry to hear about the erosion. How didi they know there was a problem? Keep your spirits high and think about all you have accomplished. This is just a minor set back. All things will work thenselves out as long as you persevere. Good luck.

NN32

I just had to have my band removed on 12/17/06 due to erosion. I was unaware of the erosion, no pain, but had several dark stools during the day and that evening I became cold and dizzy feeling. Upon standing up, the feeling got worse and before I could walk out of the room, I fainted, rushed to the ER and had the endoscope, to determine band erosion. I had emergency surgery, 8 pints of blood, ICU for four days and four days in regular room. I have been told by my surgeon that this is rare (less than a 2% chance) but unfortunately an emergency situation when it happens. The surgeon told my family that I was minutes away from not making it, so please do not let this go on. I am four weeks post op and still very tired and sore. I will not choose to have anything else done for weight loss, a near death experience is enough to make me take control of my food intake forever. Good luck with your removal.

i'm not banded yet and i am concerned about erosion... is there anything you can do to prevent this or is it just something that happens to some people?!

Pauliegirl, I'm so sorry to hear of this. When was your last check up with Dr. Bertha/Abkin before you found this out? Did you have any symptoms?

nanaholmes experience scares the beejebus out of me. I didn't realize an erosion could put someone in ICU.