Eroded Band Removed After 6 Years

[ktiggerama 1]

I got my band 5/31/2006, I have never had problems with it very seldom something would get stuck because I wasn't paying attention to something I was eating or I ate too large of a piece of food.. My question to other bandsters is how many people that have had to have theirs removed? I started having problems about 1 1/2 months ago. It started with a tightness in my chest and food started getting stuck a lot and there was some vomiting happening as soon as I ate. I went to my surgeon and he took out 2 cc's of a 4 cc band. In 2 weeks I went back on July 3rd for an endoscopy, as soon as he did it I had to have emergency surgery. Dr. Fegelman said I had a very badly eroded band. He told me that he had attended seminar recently and they were saying as much as 80% of bandsters have been getting erosion. Mine was eroded in my stomach and my insurance did not cover the first surgery, so I doubt it will cover this surgery. Is there anyone out there that has had a eroded band? I have never had such pain,my surgeon said it is some from the gas but mostly from the erosion in my stomach. The worst part is at night because you cannot get comfortable to sleep. I have been off work for almost 1 week now and it doesn't look like I will be going back soon. I would appreciate any feedback. Oh and by the way I lost 64 pounds with my band.

Thanks,

Kim

[Buffalogyrl 17]

I got my band 5/31/2006' date=' I have never had problems with it very seldom something would get stuck because I wasn't paying attention to something I was eating or I ate too large of a piece of food.. My question to other bandsters is how many people that have had to have theirs removed? I started having problems about 1 1/2 months ago. It started with a tightness in my chest and food started getting stuck a lot and there was some vomiting happening as soon as I ate. I went to my surgeon and he took out 2 cc's of a 4 cc band. In 2 weeks I went back on July 3rd for an endoscopy, as soon as he did it I had to have emergency surgery. Dr. Fegelman said I had a very badly eroded band. He told me that he had attended seminar recently and they were saying as much as 80% of bandsters have been getting erosion. Mine was eroded in my stomach and my insurance did not cover the first surgery, so I doubt it will cover this surgery. Is there anyone out there that has had a eroded band? I have never had such pain,my surgeon said it is some from the gas but mostly from the erosion in my stomach. The worst part is at night because you cannot get comfortable to sleep. I have been off work for almost 1 week now and it doesn't look like I will be going back soon. I would appreciate any feedback. Oh and by the way I lost 64 pounds with my band.

Thanks,

Kim[/quote']

I'm sorry to hear this news. My Dr is having a bandsters conference in Sept for his patients because of all the new info and changes he learned of at a recent conference. I wonder if this is one of the urgent issues. Im a newbie to bandsters life but always wonder what long term side effects of this is. I just know in my heart something this good is to good to be forever. Hope you are feeling strong and healthy and continue to reach your health goals.

[ktiggerama 1]

Thanks for replying....don't get me wrong, I loved they'band until I had to,have it scraped out. It worked for me like nothing else had, but i thought it would surely last longer than 6 years.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Was your band Allergan by chance? If so, you need to contact Allergan for a replacement (newer model) or reimbursement for your expenses. Allergan had a voluntary recall of their 4cc band via the FDA. Have a look:

http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfMAUDE/detail.cfm?mdrfoi__id=1132883

[ktiggerama 1]

Yes it was the Allergan band, thanks so much for the info. I will check this out.

[Mutti 1]

Hi ktiggerama,

Our stories are very similar. I had my band on 8/7/06 and will be having it removes 8/8/2012. (6 yrs almost to the day which is a coincidence) And my name is Kim also. haha. Anyhow, They did a barium on me and said everything is going down ok. I have chest pain and tightness and heartburn. I dont know what they will find as of right now and I'm not sure what they told my insurance company( BCBS), but they ok'd it. My surgeon wants me to revise to VSG and I would like to have it done at the same time as the removal if there isn't to much damage around the band. I lost 75lbs the first year which was my goal and I have gradually gained it all back.

Good luck to you and I would be more then happy to share what I have learned from my research from here and other sites.

[ktiggerama 1]

Hi Kim.....I feel for you, I had never gained any of my weight back or had any problems with heartburn or vomiting until 2 months ago. Yes my erosion was too bad and Dr Fegelman had to immediately take it out. He said if I wanted to we can discuss the sleeve in 8 months. Has yours eroded into your stomach yet? I am on pain meds, gas-x, antibiotics and some kind of anti fungal med. I also have a 4cc band made by Allergan which another person on here said the 4 cc bands had been recalled. I am just hoping and praying my insurance covers this. Good luck with yours and keep me posted. I hope you don't have the pain I am having.

[Mutti 1]

You are so sweet. I just have pain in the center of my chest. I don't know if it's eroded or not yet. The pain seems to be getting worse but it doesn't sound any where as bad as yours. My surgeon told me I would have to wait 3 months for a revision. I have heard of people that had an erosion and didn't know they did. I don't know. I just want it out. It feels like I am being strangled. Its just hard to describe. Maybe it is to high. Maybe its just Gerd.

I don't know what size my band is. I will have to ask.

Hopefully this will all be over for both of us soon.

Take Care

[ktiggerama 1]

That's how mine started, with chest pain....I even went to my cardiologist because I thought it was my heart that was on May 9th. He is actually the one that told me to go back and see Dr Fegelman. Mine was getting to the point where if I took a bite of anything I would have to run and vomit, but the odd thing is nothing came up except thick saliva. When Dr Fegelman did my endoscopy last week he said there were 2 small grapes stuck in there. The chest pain was terrible before the surgery. I was tired all the time and had no clue my band had eroded. If you start getting more pain, don't delay, because post surgery from this is terrible. Take care

[Mutti 1]

That sounds exactly like me! Thank Goodness! I mean, I have been on here for weeks trying to figure my issues out. So glad I finally found someone that understands. I think I friended you. maybe we can message each other as to how things are going?

[ktiggerama 1]

That's why I got on here. I was up in agony at 12:30 am and started googling some more. I just hate feeling like I have no control. Also 2 months ago, I kept feeling a tightness in my chest like I needed to burp but could not, but I will tell you one thing I have had NO appetite since the removal or taste buds. I'm so glad I found someone going through the same thing as well. Tomorrow starts a new day, and I hope with less pain. Please stay in contact, and like I said if anything starts getting worse, request surgery sooner

[carlavdm 0]

I can also relate to you, ladies - had mine removed after it slipped and "twisted" - this happened almost 4 weeks ago after I had the lapband for 5 years - still in a lot of pain. Figured out it was gas. I thought it would be better after 4 weeks?? Hubby is helping - slapping on my right side, until the burps come out and pain then goes away. Ktiggirama - how are you doing now?? Back to feeling "normal" again....Between shoulder pain, pain where the port was, and these terrible abdominal pain or gas, I am not sure when I can go back to work. the Dr mentioned that if I came in 24 hours later, my stomach would have perforated - but no antibiotics give , no endoscopy or Catscan - he did not even think I need strong painkillers...feel on my own here.... anyway - good to know I am not alone ...would love to hear from you guys - carla

[bigtruk_us 56]

I guess I should be proud of my doctor.Barker Bariatrics in Dallas.So far its been two years and no complications so far.knock on wood.ive read a lot stories about band erosions and infections from it.I even read about a forum on self fill questions.Thats scary

[ktiggerama 1]

Carla, I am feeling much better, but am still see a specialist. I have not gained any weight back, which I am happy. My doctor said it will take months to heal from all the damage that was caused. I still have stomach issues, things do not digest well. I too was having tightness in my chest and then vomiting started when I found out my band had eroded. I loved my band and was a big advocate of it, but now after almost dying I cannot say that anymore. What's is sad that Allergan should have told us this 6 years ago that the band could erode and potentially kill you. Hope everyone else that had this happen is well.

[Banjo257 920]

Prayers and well wishes to all.