I have heard from a bypass patient, that when he was doing his research on surgery that he found organs can grow attached to the lap band device and with sudden movement can cause ripping and internal bleeding. Anyone know anything about this?

In my 2 years of research I have never heard of this. Why not ask Dr.Pleatman. He is on this board and would be a good source of information & a medical opinion.

I dunno. I think that sounds like stories they tell each other to validate their choice. I'm pretty sure that our organs have stopped growing by the time we have become adults.

I mean think about it, if our internal organs keep growing wouldn't that cause generally terrible health issues? Sure, things can get enlarged, like hearts but I don't think they "grow into" other thing, otherwise heart patients with enlarged hearts would have the issue of the heart growing into like the liver...

I researched the h*ll out of the lapband and I never heard or read anything remotely close to that.

never heard of it here either

I have heard from a bypass patient, that when he was doing his research on surgery that he found organs can grow attached to the lap band device and with sudden movement can cause ripping and internal bleeding. Anyone know anything about this?

Spydr,

Hi, my name is Dr. Ron Hekier. My wife and I are general surgeons that perform the Lap Band surgery.

I think it is virtually impossible for the event described to you to occur. The Lap Band is made of an inert, smooth material, that generally does not have anything stick to it. Also, during the procedure, a small portion of the stomach is brought over the band to prevent slippage. This results in most of the Band not being exposed to other organs in the abdominal cavity.

Besides, I have never heard of a case where an internal adhesion has ripped with sudden movement and caused bleeding.

With the VBG (vertical banded gastroplasty or 'stomach stapling) the mesh around the top of the stomach can form adhesions to and stick to the liver. But even in those cases, you don't get bleeding from sudden movement.

My $0.02.

Regards,

Thanks Dr. Hekier And great to have another Doctor on board here!

Yes, thank you Dr. Hekier! It's so cool to know that doctors read this site.

Not to pass the topic, But it is great to have 2 Dr's on the board..

Thanks Doc! I thought it sounded implasable.

Thanks everyone. I didn't want to seem pushy and didn't know if I would be welcome to post here. I certainly don't want to intrude, but I would be happy to impart what I hope to be impartial, scientific, knowledge.

Thanks for the kind words!

Always glad to have another Dr. on board. Welcome.

Thank you to everyone that posted. And thanks Doc for the insight. It must just be one of those urban myths floating around out there!

Dr. Hieker: Thank you for answering the question - however, could you explain what EROSION actually means. For some reason, I thought that erosion did have to do with the Lap Band somehow eroding into your stomach or bowel (i.e. getting incorporated into it somehow). Someone else on the site here recently asked what is erosion, and no one could really answer - maybe you could help us!

I take blood thinners.. whew! good thing this isn't true... I'd be in BIG trouble.. lol