I have never seen any information about whether or not having the band does damage to your stomach even if you don't constantly throw up - I know erosion is possible but has anyone heard any news about how long it is safe to keep the band in - I know someone who has had one for 4 years with no problem but she tells me to be careful about being too tight and throwing up because of the erosion but what about just having some foreign object tight around part of your stomach - is your stomach that flexible? Thanks.

The band is meant to be in place indefinitely. The LAP BAND has been in use in the USA since 2001 but a version of the band has been in use since 1985 (in Switzerland). MOST people who have it removed (for whatever reason) regain any lost weight.

Erosion is a problem for less than 1% of all banded people, so its something you don't need to worry about. Slippage is more common and happens for various reasons; the one you can control is scrupulously following your docs post op diet (don't advance food groups earlier than you are cleared for them)

Both issues are rare.

I have had my band in for 6 years now during which time I lost a lot of weight (first 2 years) and then regained very quickly about half back. I have been saying for over a year that I thought something was wrong with my band....it just didn't feel right...self tightened, hurt etc but all the tests showed there was nothing wrong. I did, however, convince my surgeon to give me a defill (I wanted it all out but low and behold he wouldn't do that) which did help a little but I asked about erosion at that time, and the Barium swallow apparently showed all was well.

Imagine my horror when 2 weeks ago I literally nearly died because I threw up loads (and I mean loads) of nice fresh red blood which sent my blood pressure plummeting...it took a couple of days for them to stabilise me and get enough blood into me to bring me round....but I am here to tell the tale. After an OBG the pictures clearly showed my band had eroded inside my stomach (well 2/3 of the way) and was clearly visible. The pain is unbelieveable and I am now awaiting to have my band removed.

Six years of relatively hard graft (still dieting) and I am now going to be bandless with a metabolism that if I eat above 1000 cals a day, I put weight on....so here comes morbid obesity again.

I was asked at the beginning of my journey what I wanted from my band and I said to lose enough weight to see my grandchildren....well I have had 3 born during this time so I guess I got my wish.

I had a kink in my tube 8 months out which left me on a ventilator, and now this....I think my band is divorcing me and I am not left with the house in the Bahamas if you get my meaning.

Sorry to be on a downer, but listen to your own bodies and do not take no for an answer....you know how you and your band feel, they don't.

I am sorry to hear about your trouble. I have just found out that I have erosion also. I have had terrible symptoms, first my blood pressure went sky high, I was told to get to my heart Dr. Well he couldn't find anything wrong with my heart. Ithen ended up in the emergency room and they couldn't find anything wrong, so Iwent back to my lap band Dr, he finally did a barium swallow, and a cat scan and found out I have erosion. I am scheduled to have it out June 15, I am scared to death to live with out it. My dr said there are other weight loss options, but all of them require you to be morbid obese again. I don't want to get there again. Have you had your surgery yet?

Hi...thanks for your reply. I am so sorry you too are suffering and having to have your band removed. My surgery is booked for 16th June and if it is possible, my surgeon will do a revision to RNY at the same time. He would have preferred a sleeve but I said I had lived with a restriction only method for 6 years and had not lost sufficient weight and thought that I needed the malabsorption help now...so he agreed. If, however, my stomach is too sore to do the bypass, he will let it heal for a couple of months and do it then.

I do tend to put on weight at a very fast rate...not because I gorge myself on takeaways etc or fatty foods and chocolate, just eating more than 1200 cals puts weight on me cos I have eaten so little for so long.

What have they offered you operation wise? My hubby had the RNY two years ago (and I have many friends with it) so I know what to expect. I also know you can regain but again that I believe is down to what you eat. I just want to lose the weight in the first place and take things from there.

Good luck....it's hard saying good bye isn't it!!!

can you tell me how to tell when something is wrong? I am having an intense burning sensation in my upper stomach but it is relieved with burp but it is intense and happens for no particular reason? Im worried....