PamRN

So I finally get myself down to Tijuana last week,for the fill I thought I'd been needing, only to find that my loss of restriction was due to erosion. Luckily my surgeon uses fluoroscopy for all fills, and saw the contrast flowing out around my band. I was scoped later that day, and my band has eroded 70 to 80%. Dr Verboonen's recommendation is that I have the band removed asap, take prilosec daily, heal for 5 to 6 weeks and then reband to prevent weight rebounding. He wanted to take it out on the spot, but United Airlines (yeah...united airlines...what a nightmare they continued to be... never again...) wanted nearly $760 plus $100 fee each for 2 tickets to change my flights by one day for one way home. Plus there's the cost of removal/rebanding, which even at a great reduction (cost of band/anesthesia only) was more than I had since I wasn't expecting this. I'm glad for the postponed procedure though, because I really need to find out all I can before deciding what route I want to go with this. Since my band is all the way into my stomach on one side, the dr will remove it endoscopically, then take the port through a small laparoscopic incision. I've been trying to find some research or literature regarding current practices in relation to band erosion, but there isn't a lot to be found. I'm wondering if a 5 to 6 week recovery is long enough? Do I want another band? I know I don't want to go back to obesity, but I still don't know if I'm ready for a more invasive surgery. I think the biggest worry I'm having is the 5 to 6 week thing... I've posted before about some off and on abdominal aches and pains with total loss of restriction, so I am not surprised to find that something was wrong, but it still sucks. I can't for the life of me understand why something sawing it's way through the lining of my stomach didn't hurt like hell! If any of you have any information, links to studies or personal experience with erosion, I'd sure love to hear from you. For those of you who don't, make sure you get your follow up endoscopes at least once a year!

It's gotta be ice cold for me. Hot just sits there feeling like a heartburn.

I use it some, but sometimes it's just annoying and gets in my way. If it's the right word it can save some typing.

I'm going down this saturday for the removal. I'm not sure where I'm going from there. At this point cost is a pretty big issue. With christmas coming and the expenses of these recent two trips coupled with the loan I'm still paying for a band I'm not gonna have is pretty limiting. Dr. V is going to discuss cost of rebanding, which is his recommendation. But I'm not sure I'll be able to even do that for a while. I'm so worried about the rebound gaining, and if rebanded going through this again, and the potential costs if I re-erode, not to mention the potential for long term damage, that I'm feeling a bit hopeless. debrat good luck with your gs. I got your pm, but when I had a minute to answer it I couldnt find it, it disappeared. I really like Dr V, he seems very interested in success for his pts. Dr P did my original surgery, but my relationship with him was pretty limited by his lack of english speaking skills and need for an interpreter. Up until this erosion I thought he did a great job. Now I'm wondering if he caused it procedurally or by the fill at surgery... The midband company recommends waiting at least 4-6 weeks for a first fill, and at the least 3 months before rebanding, but feels it's a higher probability that I would re-erode, and suggested I consider other options. Financially I am out of options for a while.

I agree, you can't go wrong with diapers, onesies, and baby socks, those seem to suck down the washer drains... For diapers I usually buy a small size and a larger size, so when baby outgrows the tiny ones, mom will have a transition bag already on hand. I get great appreciative comments on that.

I was unfilled In October for severe erosion. My band will be removed next week. I still have early am restriction even though 70-80 % of the band is no longer around the outside of my stomach. It's hanging around inside there doing nothing. I can however eat about anything at this point, so I'm really going to have to be careful. I've gained enough weight back, I'd like to stop now...

Did I mention that I chose the midband because I researched my options thoroughly and found that the chance of a midband erosion is very very small? yeah... look where that got me. Bettina you are right in the idea that if you follow bandster rules perfectly, the chance of slippage is pretty small... but food mastication is not the only reason a person pb's or vomits. The flu is pretty prevalent, and flu vaccines only protect you from a certain strain of flu... say type a for instance... if you then get exposed to type b...well... you're probably gonna get very sick. If you forcefully vomit, you could have a slip... there's always food poisoning, travel/motion sickness, vertigo... etc. Your dr may also believe that if you're a perfect bandster you won't slip, but there's always a small chance, and a small chance is not so small when it happens to you. I hope your determination protects you and you have a long healthy banding experience. As your support friends, we just want you to be clear and educated. If you never believe it could slip you won't have checks to make sure it hasn't. That could be band suicide. I am one of the nearly nonexistent group of people on this planet that has had an erosion with a midband... so, never think never...always be aware of the possibilities and keep your eye on them. Good Luck to you.

I know it is eroded because they use flouroscopy to do the fill and we could all see the barium I drank flowing around the band, then the dr did an endoscope and could see the band inside my stomach. He gave me a videotape copy of the scope and the band is almost all the way inside. The band manufacturer's recommend no fill until a few weeks after surgery. When I woke up from surgery, they told me that they put in a 6 cc fill to make the band snug as I had a small stomach. Since then there have been several who have also gotten a fill at surgery. Most Dr's wont do it. It may well be what caused the erosion, but maybe not, maybe it was something else. Soreness at the port is something that may come and go. It is usually the last area to feel better after surgery. If your port is low and your clothing puts pressure on it, then you could be irritating it more. If it gets red, hot to the touch, oozes, turns black and blue like bruised or swells up then get to a dr asap as you could have an infected port.

I went to Obesity Goodbye in October. When they did my fill they found erosion. Dr Verboonen was called in to look at the flouroscopy and scheduled my for an egd (endoscope) which verified erosion. Flights for 2, hotel, fill, egd, meals... $1500...I go back November 11th to have my band removed. That will cost in the neighborhood of $2000, around $3000 including hotel, meals, and flights... then he wants me to come back in 5 or 6 weeks for a new band. He will discuss that cost when I'm there this time... This has suddenly gotten very expensive for me. I'm glad Dr V has taken over my care. He seems very knowledgeable and kind. I'm just not sure where the money will come from to go through with another band... not to mention christmas is in 7 weeks... Dr V seems like a good Dr, but for what it has cost me so far... I'm regretting that I didn't have it done here. Cost was the reason I went to mexico... cost wise I'm now at what the american docs charge, and I am about to be bandless, though I'll still be paying for the loan I took out to help pay for it... Just something to consider before going outside the states... remember also that after Jan 1 2007, you'll have to buy a passport to get in and out of the us borders.

Here's something to think about... Are you sure he isn't monitoring your computer keystrokes, emails and postings? Programs that email him a copy of everything you type are very easy and fairly cheap. Do you run a spyware program? He could garner an awful lot of information that way if you aren't careful. This could cause problems if you use email to correspond with your attorney. If you don't already you should run a spyware everyday to make sure he doesn't start this if he hasn't thought of it already.

Hi, I had the band placed in sept of 2004. I am about to have my band removed because of erosion. I had initially lost 96 pounds, but after eroding have gained some back. Just so you know, I don't regret banding at all. Even though I am having a serious complication and having my band out soon, I am still glad I went this route first. I have the option at this point of having a second band put in, or go with something more permanent and invasive. I am still researching and considering my options. At this point I am still very hesitant to go the more invasive route, but it's something I have to give some thought to. If I reband, and re-erode, I still have that option. If I do nothing I'm sure I'll regain probably all I've lost, and maybe more. If I go more invasive and it doesn't work I have no other route to take. I guess I'm in a place similar to your's... what to do... what to do...

Nope you're not off the mark. I awoke from surgery with a filled band. It worked great for about 18 months without any other fill. I lost about 96 pounds total before I started losing restriction. I have since gained about 40 back I have been in contact with the makers of the band, and they do indeed recommend a waiting period before the first fill. As for holding my surgeon accountable... he's in Mexico, it's not likely that I have any recourse. I can't imagine how much money, effort and time a legal pursuit across international lines would take. At least his parter Dr V. is doing my removal, and if I choose, rebanding for the cost of the band and anesthesia only. Dr V seems very knowledgeable and compassionate. I really like him so far. I think across international lines, that's about as good as it can get. I'm certain if I go to someone else for removal it will cost an outrageous amount. I've seen quotes for as high as 10,000 just for removal, and they use the laparoscopic method instead of the newer less invasive endoscopic route, so I am comfortable with that part at least. As far as blaming my erosion on the early fill, well, it could be the cause, in fact it very likely is as I didn't have any infections or other difficulty post banding, but it could be any of a myriad of other reasons I don't know about. I read where the excess thread after the knot of a stitch caused an irritation that lead to erosion for one patient, port infection after a fill caused another, and body rejection others still. I guess there's no way to be certain.

change that midband erosion statistic to 2... mine's 70-80% eroded, and coming out november 11.

Thanks for the link Leatha, I've been reading through some of the posts there. I'm with Penny in the idea that 5-6 weeks just ISNT long enough to be rebanded. My difference is that I am having my band removed endoscopically and the port through a small incision, so I will be spared the more invasive lap surgery for this portion. I will however have repairs for the entrance and exit wounds where the band is through the stomach. So I'm thinking the month of liquid diet etc... will still apply. I swear in the endo video that band is nearly all the way inside. It's really gross looking... alien like... <bleh> Every time I feel an ache or pain now I shudder and wish I could just have it out NOW. Waiting is getting harder and harder. I researched and found some studies that show endoscopic removal to be the new method of choice for many Dr's outside the US. That's reassuring, to know my Surgeon is keeping up with the newest research and applications. I'll keep you posted. I return to Tijuana November 11th.

Hi Paula, I was taking pepcid complete more and more frequently for the discomfort, but it wasn't helping. I go back to Tijuana November 11 to have it removed. I have found a few studies that say it actually is safe to be rebanded after erosion. There of course is no guarantee that it won't re-erode, but in the studies I found, the incidence of re-erosion is pretty low. Then again, erosion with the midband is pretty low...and here I am... I won't be able to go back before christmas for rebanding so I'll have to wait more than my dr's recommended 5-6 weeks if I do decide to have another band placed. After what I've read, I'm leaning in that direction for the moment. My insurance doesn't cover squat for bariatrics, I'll be self pay all the way, and I am currently still paying for the loan part of my first band. The idea of a second loan to pay for more expensive, more invasive procedure makes me queasy. Are there any eroded bandsters on here or that anyone knows of that has been rebanded? I'd love to find someone who's been there before I have to decide.

Corrine, I'm not sure if you're interested in pursuing outside the USA but my quote was far, FAR less than that for removal, I'm going back to Tijuana to have mine removed next month.

I graduated in 2001 as well. I took my teenage daughter in, and did my assessment on her...she wore a sports bra and shorts. There was only me, my instructor and my daughter in the room. Everyone was offered the opportunity to arrange for the partner. We did breast exams on prosthesis breasts with varying degrees of lumps, cysts, masses or normal tissue so we could identify what we felt

John Q, I'm sorry for the grief you must certainly feel. As you said... life style and upbringing is only an excuse. My own childhood was far from idealic, but I'm a great parent, my kids tell me so and often. I think that rape is a cowardly crime that is horrifying to it's victims. Your friend may have been molested and you just never knew. Maybe not, but it's likely. However, I'm afraid I don't believe there is a true cure for child molesters. I'm of the opinion that now that he's been one, he'll likely always have the urge. That's sad. I personally believe castration is the only fair treatment for rapists, whether they rape children or adults. It is effective because it removes the urge AND the ability, and there by would protect the rest of society as there is no chance for a repeat offense. That would save both the offender from more guilt and jail time, and protect the public. One less child molested means one less person to turn into a child molester for that reason right? Keep in mind that is just my opinion. I've known too many victims from both levels, and the thought of an adult terrorizing and assaulting one of my children in that way would definitely make me capable of cold blooded murder. I dare say I could look a molester in the eye while I kill him/her. Then and only then could I say to my children, that person will never hurt you or anyone else ever again. If I were silly enough to rely on our judicial system to take care of them, there'd only be a pause or delay in their reign of terror before they'd be on the prowl again...stalking the next victim. We only need to listen to the news to hear proof of that. A judge just recently let a molester go free after the jury convicted him... WTF?!

Thanks for all the well wishes. I've sent an email to Dr V with some of my questions and concerns. I've also researched and found that as usual GSue is on target with her info. Different doc's have different ideas. As for what I'd tell others; I'd say research, and make an informed decision... as a science major I have to see proof, I'm not a fan of opinion for facts when it comes to life altering decisions. Show me the studies, or people that have been there done that, then I'll decide. I have found a couple of research articles about rebanding, and so far they seem in support of it. I am also looking into the mgb and ds. I'm not sure at this stage if I will find a doc to do either for me unless I gain back more weight...not something that appeals to me... but since I'm losing the only thing that ever helped me lose weight, and have gained some since it's eroded, it's probably inevitable. I'm looking into all my options before deciding. I'd love to find some folks who've been rebanded for a while without erosion issues, or even some who have so my doubts can be confirmed or dissuaded. I'm pretty upset over the loan payments I'm still making for a band that I soon wont have anymore...what a cruddy investment that turned into. I cringe at how much more money I'm going to have to throw in to fix this.

Mom of 4, what does a MGB cost? You may have seen my post about eroding, my band has to come out asap, and I'm researching my options before decided whether to be rebanded or move on. I'd read about MGB prebanding and thought it sounded promising, but didn't know where it was done, or anyone who'd had it done.

I'd had some belly burning and abdominal aches, discomfort when lying on my left side, aches in my esophagus that would migrate up to under my jaw, sudden loss of restriction, and rebound weight gain. All of the aches and pains were fairly mild to moderated discomforts that were off and on, but becoming more frequent. For as seriously eroded as I am, I am surprised that it didn't hurt much worse. I'm sad, but ok so far, as a nurse, I know my life could be so much worse. I'm sure if my weight continues to rebound I won't be so accepting, but for now, I'm hanging in there & I'm always greatful for the support of my LBT family. This fight isn't over yet!

Stick to your guns, he's USING a child to empower himself over you AGAIN. He knows your child means everything to you. He's trying to scare you into submission with the one thing he know's you'll do anything for. And on the other hand, at least your daughter is getting some daddy attention for a change. That might be a good thing for her. Ignore his power plays, do what you need to do, agree to nothing without your atty's advise.

Pinky, it isn't advisable to take a potassium supplement if you aren't sure your levels are too low. Too much postassium is equally as dangerous as too little. Eating a banana or kiwi, or any of a number of other foods can bring your potassium up if you have a good reason to believe you are diluting your system with too much water or aren't eating a well balanced diet. I wouldn't take a supplement without a blood test.

Will they only fill inamed lapbands? Many of us who chose Mexico also chose a different band.

I had great results with obesity goodbye, Dr Ponce de Leon was my surgeon though. I'm actually returning to Tijuana and OGB for my first flouroscopy and fill on Oct 16th. If I lived closer I'd have gone back much sooner. My 64 year old mother will be going with me again and we're going to stay an extra day because she loves the shops on revolution avenue. Good Luck.