Auto-immune Disease and Band Rejection

[SouthTX LapBand 0]

According to Inamed 2 years ago, there have been no documented cases of band complications due to Auto Immune diseases, but due to what Archermom was referring to with "silicone breast implants either causing connective tissue disease, or connective tissue disease causing breast implant complications," Inamed added the warning against band insertion.

Eloquent enough!! Inamed added it as a CYA (cover your ass) legal defense against silocone law suits.

Theresa

[BandsterHopeful 1]

Amanda, I'm wondering why in the world did you not see a GI doc near you if you were having so much trouble? That seems to be a logical thing, when your band doctor is so far away. Lots of tests could have been run in MX, but your insurance would not have covered them and they would have been extremely expensive. Also, GERD is very common in heavy people, with or without the band. You said on anothr board that the GI doc you just saw found some esopageal narrowing above the band? Well, that had nothing to do with the band and may well have been there before.

I'm sorry you had so much trouble. GERD is easily treated , and you should not have lasting trouble. It's common with any GI upset.

I do hope you're better soon. Renee

[tstory1107 0]

I was supposedly diagnosed with Sarcoidosis about 8 months ago, or the pathology says the biopsy appears to be sarcoidosis. I have problems with erothema nodusum on my legs, and at time have had to take prednisone or methotrexate. I havent had any meds in the last 12 months. I still want to have this surgery and want to know if you have had it done and if its affected your sarcoidosis? And if so how was your healing?

[DeLarla 22]

Tanya, I'm only familiar with my own Sarcodosis, which sounds different than yours. I had a horrible spell about 20 years ago, when I was convinced I had a peanut stuck in my lung. Nobody believed me, but I spent my life hardly breathing and constantly trying to cough out some obstruction. I was misdiagnosed and put on anti-anxiety meds, asthma meds, etc. They finally diagnosed the sarcoid after seeing something suspicious on my lung (there are nodules on my right lung.)

Sarcoid is not a connective tissue disease though, so my surgeons allowed me to get the band. I don't know a lot about Sarcoid, but I sure have huge problems with anesthesia and not being able to breathe. Other than that, losing 75 pounds makes breathing easier in the grand scheme of things. My band did not reject due to my auto immune disease. My Mexican doctor had a bad rash of band erosions all about the same time, and I was one of them.

[I'llsucceed 1]

Hi Amanda

First I have heard of this as well. I have crohn's disease and was told RNY was absolutely out, but that I could go ahead with the band no problem.

I am 9 months out and no issues as of yet. In fact, my crohn's is 100% better. Continue to check out for your own piece of mind, but I really don't think that is the case. Good luck !

(Hijack) So glad your doing well. My girlfriend also has Crohn's & she was told no WLS ever at all, no matter what the type including the band. She was very sad- so happy to hear your successful & I will spread the word.

[chabutter 0]

no the website says that people with autoimmune gastro intestine problems should not have the lap band. Thats for people with GI problems or Crohns disease. You should not say this, there are many people with lupus, or rheumatoid arthritis that might flip out over this false information

[leatha_g 4]

Hmm.. lol. Okay.. So what does this mean??

"Contraindications

The LAP-BAND System is not right for you if:

1. You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's disease.
   
2. You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
   
3. You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.
   
4. You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel).
   
5. You have portal hypertension.
   
6. Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal (congenital or acquired). For instance you might have a narrowed opening.
   
7. You have/experienced an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement.
   
8. You have cirrhosis.
   
9. You have chronic pancreatitis.
   
10. You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the BioEnterics® LAP-BAND® System has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.)
    
11. You are addicted to alcohol or drugs.
    
12. You are under 18 years of age.
    
13. You have an infection anywhere in your body or one that could contaminate the surgical area.
    
14. You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment.
    
15. You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure.
    
16. You might be allergic to materials in the device.
    
17. You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device.
    
18. You or someone in your family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases. "

[melati 0]

There was never any proven connection between silicone and autoimmune diseases. My dr definately told me that banding wouldn't be a problem with RA in my family.

Of course, dr.s are there to make money, so they don't have any $ loss if we lose our bands.

[chabutter 0]

there are many forms of lupus.. some lupus attacks the skin, some effect the joints, some affect the heart and lungs, and some affect the GI track. The type mention directly affects the GI track. Same goes with Rheumatoid arthritis. I have rheumatoid arthritis that only effects my joints.. but some people have psorisis RA, and other types. I guess it depends on a case by case basis.

[Guest dammfamily]

I have been searching to see if anyone has had Discoid Lupus or if it is compatible with the Band long term?? I can't seem to find anything. Any help would be appreciated.

Rae

[DRMwith2 0]

I wonder the same thing. Why the heck did I do this. My doc is refusing to take the band out. I know I am not even one month post op, but I am in so much pain and so swollen I cannot stand it. I have not been able to sleep in my bed for 3.5 weeks because I cannot get myself up. I have had so much pain that I am on 24/7 pain killer too. So sorry you also are having issues, but I hope you can get to your goal prior to having it taken out, and pray that your Dr. will be more accepting of that than mine is.

Amanda,

Its the first time I have heard of this.However I have had a compromized immune system from a very young age....have had several series of treatment for it.Have had severe allergies and asthma all my life.

But I also have had some sort of auto-immune problem (something attacking my joints RA factor negative,no signs of osteo arthritis...)it comes and goes and ....who knows what it is...

Have had problems with the band from the beginning and still have a huge amount of pain...some days more some days less.......other symptoms more under control now.I get good restriction with fills but my fill dr is now also pushing for endo.....

Would be interesting to know what the Inamed people say.I have the cousin band though.

Vinesqueen,I can physically feel the band (where it is around my stomach..)even when I have 2cc in band (takes 9)My dr says they dont know why some people react like that..he also told me my body rejects the band but I am sure it was just so that he doesnt have to be responsible for cost of removing (he never carries the cost even if the band fails after a month or port problems after 2..)it or he doesnt know or care what else to say....

Sorry for high jacking the post but this caught me on a bad day when I was already wondering again what the heck is going on with this band inside me....but not enough to lose it yet..(still have some weight to lose..)

[desertmom 297]

hi

A few things that I have learned over the years and that might help a little is the following.

Do not try to low carb while you have the issues you have.Eat a healthy mix of carbs and Protein with not too much calories per day.When I stopped trying to follow the bandsters food regime (of my doctor)things started improving for me.I then started eating little bits of sweet potato or 2 spoons or brown rice with healthy veg and protein.Eat little bits at a time.Take the meal you would have had and half it...eat one half now and one half 2 hours later...

NO FIZZY DRINKS...it causes swelling in my stomach for some reason.And things that use to cause pain was pineapple, to much Tomato, and all fruit juices.

My band is being removed the 19th.I have about 70 pounds that I have to lose and am considering getting the sleeve.My therapist and I have made a deal that I will not make a decision in the next 6 months and that I will try my best to get back to eating normal like I did all of last year (I lost 60 pounds last year)

If I dont manage to find balance again in 6 months I can consider sleeve.O,and my dr just didnt want to hear the word remove...I had to insist this time.Mentally it is hard as he tried to convince me that if I work and fill the band I can lose the 70 pounds in the next 6 months but I had to stick to my decision to remove the band.

Good luck with your band.I hope you start feeling better and you will lose some weight while you have this band.

xxo