KINGFISH1

Sorry to hear about the likely outcome, but it is the best thing in the long run. You don't want to be going through this year after year. Some of us are just not destined to be the lucky ones, but while there are other alternatives, the cost of having another procedure can be prohibitive. I am having my band out soon, and the cost of this surgery is covered, but I have to wait for a few months before I can revise to something else. The cost to me would be around $NZ20,000 if this future surgery is not covered, but I would find a way to get it together. I have already gained some weight back and my band is still there so I shudder to think of living with a huge weight problem for the rest of my days. The taste of how good it felt to be 44lbs lighter, is too wonderful to give up. Marion

My symptoms with my band erosion are I never felt any restriction from inflations. My weight loss since banding two and a half years ago is only about 3 - 5kgs, but that could also be because my band locking mechanism had failed prior to erosion. I am wide open - can eat anything including breads, meats, fruit and vegetables. I could come close to eating what I did before I was banded but I try to resist the urge to do so 24/7. I have had an abscess over my port incision that is constantly discharging, but this is not always a symptom of band erosion according to my surgeon. I am still waiting for surgery to have the band removed and the abscess cleaned out, hopefully within the next week and then I am back to square one again! Hope this helps Marion

Hi Kari I remember you from the lapband forum on OH. I was banded four days before you in May 05. A week ago I was diagnosed with band erosion, plus the scope showed that my band locking mechanism had failed which could have been the cause of my erosion. How are things looking now for you - I hope whatever problems you had have now been resolved. Marion from New Zealand