simplelife2000

How awesome that you are at goal when this happened. I had a slip 2 years after mine was in and was told I would never be able to get another band but he suggested a bypass (I don't think the sleeve was around then) but it would have to another procedure after the removal. I did manage to get insurance to pay for it after an upward climb because of the other complex issues caused by the erosion. I chose not the go back for anything else and have gained some of the weight back due to other medical issues but believe it is manageable. My doctor is the pioneer of the LapBand in the Middle TN area and I was only his 5th. I do strongly urge you to go to somebody that has even a little more experience that that. It has been been determined that in the removal my vegus nerve was damaged resulting in more complicated problems. This kind of nerve damaged is not really mentioned (or wasn't at the time I did mine) as a side effect but could happen in any type of surgery especially abdominal. I'm not sorry I had the band and would do it again if I could, but I can't so I'm on my own which is okay too. Prayers to you and others that have been confronted with this issue. And CONGRATULATIONS again for being and maintaining your goal!

If you suspect a stomach virus, have your doctor give you some anti nausea med b/c it IS NOT good to come back through the band!!!!!

I just had my band removed 2 weeks ago because of erosion. I had the band about 4 years and 2 of the years had been having all kind of problems that could not be diagnosed. My PCP kept saying it was the band because he couldn't find anything and the lapband doctor kept saying it wasn't. I won't digress into all that, but I am glad it is gone and have NO regrets of having it done in the first place. It's the best thing I could have ever done and just have to accept that I unfortunately experienced one of the risks of it. Though my WL journey is not yet over, if it was not for the band, I would not have under control to the point where I feel I can handle it. Yeah, I'm scared since I lost 1/2 of my weight (100 lbs) and fear putting it back on, but I'm letting that fear be my motivation. I, too, mourn the loss of the band, but have to stay focused on the positive. Though you have gained 40 lbs in a short time, just know that it will come off quickly if you start now. I encourage you to maintain drinking of Protein drinks (that should curb your appetite) and have lots of sugar free popsicles and other treats on hand for those comfort needs. We all knew that the band was not the "cure" but the aid. You did the hard work while you had the band...just continue with it. My doctor has offered continued weight loss support which I think is great. Have you discussed this with your doctor?

That is what I thought erosion was when it was explained to me in the beginning; however, after being told that's what's wrong with me and looking at the pics, it's actually more like "here mone minute, gone the next"....it actually goes through the stomach. Mine is only partially inside and also has to be removed. Itactually works it's way inside the stomach. I was told that is very rare...I am only the 6th one my doctor has seen and he's a pioneer in the procedure. I knew something was wrong but the normal tests were saying I was okay. I took a requested endoscopy to find it and even after than when a barium swallow with air contract was done, they could see it on that test. I even had a CT scan a year ago that showed it fine. My doctor said that I should not get the band again but if I wanted to I could do one of the other surgeries, which I'm opting out of. If you have insurance, it wouldn't hurt to have your doctor send in a precert just to see if he codes it in a manner that would get it approved. I'm doing that...and if that fails...well...it's cash OUCH! I will know Friday what the cost is. I'm scared because of the 3-5 day in the hospital having to be fed by tube. That makes it all sound that more serious and scary! Even after all this, I don't regret getting the band. It helped by loose 100 lbs and even though I have more to go, I feel it much more manageable now. Good Luck!