I've had my band since 2010. In 2014, it was emptied due to pain and severe GERD issues. It's been empty ever since as the acid had never really gone away. At the time, during the ER visit, a barium swallow showed it was still in place and so it was left alone except for being emptied. The last couple months, my abdomen is just always bloated, tight, and often there's pain, with continued acid. I went to my regular GI last week because I'm having spells of nausea and lightheadedness, flushing and just general sick feelings, sometimes after eating and often before a bowel movement. He sent me for a CT scan yesterday and immediately called me to tell me there is air around the lap band and he is at a loss. There doesn't appear to be a perforation in the colon. He wants me to see my Bariatric surgeon because he doesn't have a lot of experience with bands himself. I have an appt with my original surgeon tomorrow.

My Googling is making me nervous because free air in the abdomen apparently usually means there's a hole somewhere. Has anyone had a similar experience? Could this mean I have erosion? Thanks for any input!

Erosion was my first thought. What does a perforated colon have to do with air around the band though? They're so far apart?

But, if there's erosion, there should also be food contamination in your body cavity which would make your white blood cell count sky rocket?

But then it's been nearly 2 years since unfilling your band so why would there be erosion? You would have had symptoms long ago if that were the case?

I love mysteries but I hope you're OK. Let us know what your surgeon says? Sounds like the radiology tech or GI is stumped too?

Omg I have the same symptoms..minus the acid. I'm trying to get in to see a bariatric surgeon but I need a referral from my pcp.

What was your dr results?
Also the erosion comment; erosion can occur even when empty.