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

Lap band erosion



Recommended Posts

Ohhhh, that sounds sooo familiar! I must need an unfill because I can eat anything. Next day... I have mega restriction.

My problem was band intolerance, I hope you do not have the same.

What do you suggest I do first to figure out if it is band intolerance? Should I go get an unfill just to see if that helps for now? I am throwing up a lot more because I don't know when I can eat and when I can't. I have pain after too. Do you think it is slippage? I'm so confused at this point. I was banded in Mexico and have a wonderful doctor in the US that does my fills but she is about and hour and half away. I'm unemployed now and can't afford to keep going back and forth. I'm not sure she has ever experienced a patient with this sort of problem. She is banded herself (she also went to MX) and she believes a lot band restriction has to do with the reaction our bands have to our hormones. So at first I was thinking my hormones were out of wack but after reading your posts, you sound very simlilar to me. What did you do about the problem? I know you're not a doctor but any advice you can give me would be really helpful. I'm getting really upset. Today is my one year aniversary... I should be celebrating, but instead I'm scared and frustrated.

Thanks

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

What do you suggest I do first to figure out if it is band intolerance? Should I go get an unfill just to see if that helps for now? I am throwing up a lot more because I don't know when I can eat and when I can't. I have pain after too. Do you think it is slippage? I'm so confused at this point. I was banded in Mexico and have a wonderful doctor in the US that does my fills but she is about and hour and half away. I'm unemployed now and can't afford to keep going back and forth. I'm not sure she has ever experienced a patient with this sort of problem. She is banded herself (she also went to MX) and she believes a lot band restriction has to do with the reaction our bands have to our hormones. So at first I was thinking my hormones were out of wack but after reading your posts, you sound very simlilar to me. What did you do about the problem? I know you're not a doctor but any advice you can give me would be really helpful. I'm getting really upset. Today is my one year aniversary... I should be celebrating, but instead I'm scared and frustrated.

Thanks

To me, my personal opinion... band intolerance is like this:

You know how some get more restriction during TOM? Mine was always an extreme, I'd obstruct. Some get tighter when they are stressed... I just had to be a bit edgy and I'd obstruct. What causes others to be a little tighter caused me to obstruct.

The last four months I was banded I could only drink liquids with an unfilled band. That's why I got the revision.

You'll have to work with your doc to see if you can find a solution. I never found one. But if you are vomiting a lot you really do need an unfill.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

To me, my personal opinion... band intolerance is like this:

You know how some get more restriction during TOM? Mine was always an extreme, I'd obstruct. Some get tighter when they are stressed... I just had to be a bit edgy and I'd obstruct. What causes others to be a little tighter caused me to obstruct.

The last four months I was banded I could only drink liquids with an unfilled band. That's why I got the revision.

You'll have to work with your doc to see if you can find a solution. I never found one. But if you are vomiting a lot you really do need an unfill.

Thanks for that description and help. I made an appointment for the doc tomorrow morning. I am telling her the problem and absolutely getting and unfill. I guess I will start there. Your symptoms sound so much like mine. It's like my band is so fickle...like it has a mind of it's own and I can't figure it out. It drives me crazy. I can't eat at restaurants at all any more (even soup) because my band gets so tight. I was thinking that I get too much anxiety when eating out and my band reacts to it. I thought I was crazy until I read your description.

One more question...did you always have the problem or did it develop over time? Mine only started after several fills. At one time I had great restriction with little problems but after 2 months I lost it I guess because I lost so much weight. I went back for more fills and then I was too tight so I had 2 unfills. Havent been the same since I was too tight at one time. I don't know...I'm just trying to wrap my head around this.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for that description and help. I made an appointment for the doc tomorrow morning. I am telling her the problem and absolutely getting and unfill. I guess I will start there. Your symptoms sound so much like mine. It's like my band is so fickle...like it has a mind of it's own and I can't figure it out. It drives me crazy. I can't eat at restaurants at all any more (even soup) because my band gets so tight. I was thinking that I get too much anxiety when eating out and my band reacts to it. I thought I was crazy until I read your description.

One more question...did you always have the problem or did it develop over time? Mine only started after several fills. At one time I had great restriction with little problems but after 2 months I lost it I guess because I lost so much weight. I went back for more fills and then I was too tight so I had 2 unfills. Havent been the same since I was too tight at one time. I don't know...I'm just trying to wrap my head around this.

I had issues from the very beginning. I had no sweet spot, never. It did grow worse over time. Even with an unfilled band I could eat a porterhouse steak one day and I'd slime on a Protein Shake (at room temp made with Water instead of milk to keep it thin) the next day. There was no logic, there was nothing I could ever figure out. It was just constant. I'd wake up in the AMs wondering if I that day was going to be a food day or not.

I never slipped, I never eroded, I went to two other doctors for 2nd and 3rd opinions... they both said the band was perfect, nothing wrong with it. I had an upper endo done and that guy said the reflux was doing a job on my esophagus but the band was positioned fine and not too small.

It was a very frustrating time.

Restaurants... yes! I couldn't eat in restaurants either. I'd worry that I'd have to keep excusing myself to go barf and that just made it worse... stress = restriction, for me stress = obstruction.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for all your info. I will keep you posted on my progress and I am sure I will have more questions. Hopefully I will have improvement after tomorrow's appt. and unfill.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yesterday after my unfill, I felt great and was able to eat YAY! But today...not so good. I will see how the day progresses...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Yesterday after my unfill, I felt great and was able to eat YAY! But today...not so good. I will see how the day progresses...

There is a cycle here, an inflammation cycle. You are swollen from barfing and the unfill. You really really need to stay on liquids for a couple of days until the swelling goes down and then you'll be able to eat.

Barfing causes swelling, swelling causes barfing, it just gets worse.

Liquids today. ;o)

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

There is a cycle here, an inflammation cycle. You are swollen from barfing and the unfill. You really really need to stay on liquids for a couple of days until the swelling goes down and then you'll be able to eat.

Barfing causes swelling, swelling causes barfing, it just gets worse.

Liquids today. ;o)

Ok what seems to be the pattern since my unfill on Friday is I'm tight til about late afternoon. I can eat very little so I've been pretty much sticking to liquids for my morning and afternoon. I may have a bite of something for lunch or try some Soup. But every evening I am able to eat like I should. I can eat solid Protein and veggie etc. It is very similar to when I had good restriction without complications before all this happened. As long as I have some consistency and predictabilty, I'm happy. I can handle eating very little during the day and having a satisfying dinner. I just hope this is how things stay....

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Just had mine removed 6weeks ago, how are you doing, i'm not doing so well physically and mentally

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Why did you have yours removed? Mine, I have been told, has "expanded", is that the same (do you know) as slipped? It has not given me any trouble up to this point, they did take all the "fill" out in hopes it would correct itself.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

i've had trouble for a year, first month and a half threw up at least once a day until I had all the fill removed. Then periodically had obstructions enough to be sick and had periodical stomach pains....went to the ER and they first diagnosed as Constipation, but I guess that is a symptom of the erosion process...finally had stomach pain 24/7 went to the ER again and they compared the two ER visit cat scans and saw the erosion and performed the removal surgery....I had severe infection in my stomach and intestines, stayed in the hospital for 10 days on antibiotics. It has been almost 6 weeks and I'm still healing inside and out. Have no idea about the slippage of the lap band but I would keep your doctor informed of all changes that you notice.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I am in New Hampshire and went to our local experienced doctor and it is too early to have any other procedure done, because I am still healing. Just trying to find someone that has had the Lap band removal because of erosion.....anyone out there????

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had mine removed just because when I had a fill, I threw up my dinner in my sleep. An unfilled band was worthless to me and I started gaining weight back. I didn't want a band that was doing me no good so I got a revision to a sleeve.

I love the sleeve. You get restriction immediately without worrying about fills and there is never a worry about being too tight or too loose.

I wish I had known about the sleeve to begin with. It works like the band is supposed to work. You can eat anything, but in small portions.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

How was your recovery time for the removal of the lap band....it's been 6 weeks and my incisions are still leaking how long before you could even consider the sleeve after the removal?

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

    • vsg.with.sharon

      Hey everyone!
      I’m new here! Looking for some friends! 🥰
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • LeighaTR

      Four days post surgery. I am sipping as fast as I can and getting NO WHERE near the goal of 60 - 80 grams of protein or the 64 oz of liquids. I just feel FULL. I don't know if it can still be the gas build up (I would think by now that would be gone) but it is a struggle to drink. And so far I have not had the nausea or spasms and don't want to wander into that territory by pushing too hard with liquids. I about passed out today as it was my most "strenuous" day. Went from second story to basement for shower and I was sure I was going to pass out. Looking back on my last few days I have had a total of less than 1000 calories. Am I just not getting enough nourishment in me? Once again a friday where I can't get ahold of the doc until Monday rolls back around so I am hoping maybe someone here has some experience on how to keep energy going. I do have fibromyalgia too and that may be where some added fatigue comes into play. How did you all fair with the goals the week after surgery?
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      2 days until I fly out to San Diego to have my Bypass Surg. in Tiajuana Mexico. Not gonna lie, the nerves are starting to surface. I don't fear the surgery itself, or the fact that I'm traveling alone, but its the aftermath that I'm stressing about the most, after this 8 week wait. I'm excited to finally be here, but I am really dreading the post surgical chapter. I know its going to be tough, real tough and I think I'm just in my head to much now that the day i here. Wish me luck, Hopefully I'm one of the lucky ones, and everything goes smoothly. Cant wait to give an exciting update,. If there is anyone else have a June bypass or even a recent one, Id love to have someone to compare war stories with. Also, anyone near San Antonio Tx? See ya soon with the future me. 💜
      · 3 replies
      1. Phil Penn

        Good Luck this procedure is well worth it I am down to 249.6 lb please continue with the process..

      2. Selina333

        I'm in Houston so kind of near you and had the sleeve in Dec. Down 61 lbs. Feeling better. Was definitely worth it. I hope the everything is going well for you. Update us when you can!

      3. Doughgurl

        I am back home after my bypass surgery in Tiajuana. I'm post op day 4. Everything went great! I guess I'm one of the lucky ones who have not encountered much pain at all, no nausea thus far and I'm having no problem keeping down broths and water. Thank you for your well wishes. I cant wait to keep up this journey and have a chance at better health and simply better quality of life. I know there will be bumps in the road ahead, and everything won't be peaches and cream, but at least I have a great start so far. 😍

    • LeighaTR

      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • Doughgurl

      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
      · 2 replies
      1. Selina333

        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

  • 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

    ×