I was banded two and a half years ago with limited success. My band has been either too loose or too tight, which is the only time I've lost weight. My band is at max fill and I have little restriction

I have recently changed surgeon, a woman who is actually interested in what's happening. She emptied the band to check for leaks - there wasn't one. I did a bariatric swallow to check it's in the right place - it is. Today I had a gastroscopy which has revealed "gastric band eroded into the lumen in the proximal stomach". I'm not sure what this means exactly but I know I'll have to have it removed. I have an appointment with my surgeon next week to find out more details.

Does anyone have experience, or know of this?

Would appreciate any feedback.

Take care, Rachel.

Thank you Denise. I just got back from the doc. I have a severe kidney infection and probable stones. I'm struggling with whether to try to wait it out or go on to the hospital. Thanks for your response.

Charleston mom: What were your symptoms with the erosion? Thank God you went when you did! How long had you had the band?

I happened on this doing my research. All I know about it is what I read here. So of course you should RESEARCH much more. I do find it interesting. Please use cut/paste if the link dose not work for you. Chell

http://www.gastricbypasssanfrancisco.com/vertical-gastrectomy-sleeve-san-francisco-ca.htm

Charleston mom: What were your symptoms with the erosion? Thank God you went when you did! How long had you had the band?

I was ten years out. I had my first slip after about year 2 and they removed the Fluid and it slipped back up.

Had my second slip after about 6 years; same thing.

Then I found it hard to eat any solid food without vomiting. Lost most of my teeth (had to have them capped). I went in - in June - for a check up to see if maybe I could have some fluid put back in and try to jump start the weight loss which is when I found out I had another bad slip. They could not tell the erosion until they got in there - it was VERY bad. I'm very lucky and very grateful to be alive.

Other than solid food intolerance, which is quite common in any case with the band, I didn't have symptoms. The doctors said I might have lived another few weeks had I not happened to have made an appointment to get a fill and found out what was going on.