Crohn's and Lap Band

July 21, 2004

I have Crohn's disease. I'm over 100 pounds overweight. My best friend was banded a year ago and has lost over 90 pounds. She looks great. Everything I have read regarding IBS or Crohn's says that we are not canidates for the Lap Band surgery. Can anybody tell me why? Seems like the band would slow down eating and digestion, which would give the colon more time to recoup and heal. I'm very interested in hearing if anyone out there has this disease and if they have been banded sucessfully or not. Thank you very much...and hi...I'm new to the board.

Vera · July 21, 2004

Hi Dallas

I don't have Crohn's but I did have Ulcerative Colitis. I had my Colon removed and reconstruction to my rectum, basically a new reservoir was created from my small intestines so I don't wear a bag. I had that done in May 2000. I have bowel movements about 6 times a day not quite a dumping effect, but food moves faster in my system. Crohn's disease involves the whole digestive track, I don't know the full effects but have heard it is miserable. When I had my Band placed my doctor was informed of my colon removal and wasn't concerned it was problem.

I guess I'm not much help. Good luck with your research and welcome to LBT

Snuffy · July 21, 2004

I have crohn's disease and had a lapband placed in January 2004 and have lost 60 pounds. I am very happy so far and have not had any ill effects. INAMED says crohn's is a contra-indication for the lapband but my doctor felt the 343 pounds I was carrying was more of a problem than getting the band. A RNY would be a very bad choice for someone with crohn's. Hope this helps.

Stephanie

donali · July 21, 2004

Wow, Vera. I would have thought your procedure would have produced weightloss in and of itself. I had a friend in the late 70's that had one of the very last bowel bypasses done for WLS. She lost a ton of weight, but was very miserable for a long time with vomiting, diarrhea, etc. We've lost touch, so I don't know how well this has worked as a long term solution. I know that by the time we parted ways, she had not changed her eating habits - eating tons of candy, I think because subconsciously she felt like she was starving because the weight was dropping off so fast.

Of course I have no idea what specific differences there are between the bowel bypass and what you had done, but in my mind it seems like your bowel was totally bypassed...

I can't imagine how much that must have hurt - was it horrible?

**hugs**

Vera · July 21, 2004

I thought that my procedure would have produced weightloss in and of itself also...but NOT. The ulcers in my colon were very painful. I spent many nights trying to go to the bathroom so-to-speak, but just sat on the toilet crying. Months of prednizone to put me into remission didn't work. Everywhere I went I had to know where the bathroom was cause I would crap my pants within moments without warning. Yes I wore diapers. When I was asked if I wanted to have the procedure done, it wasn't hard to decide. It was the most painful recovery from surgery ever. Then for 6 weeks I had to take 4 baths a day, and could relate with any child who had a diaper rash.

I still have bowels and the good old muscles, the colon was removed, then the end of the small intestine was sliced flolded sewn together to about the size of a braut sausage, with a valve made (of tissue) at the top and bottom, and a ledge also made about where the bowel is. The new reservoir is lowered onto the ledge and stapled(titanium) into place. Hows that for a picture.

The pain is gone forever.

Good for you Stephanie:cool:

donali · July 21, 2004

Vera, so glad you are now pain free. What a nightmare.

**hugs**

Alexandra · July 21, 2004

Vera, hugs from me too. I hope you have many, many years of pain-free evacuation.

Penni60 · July 21, 2004

Here is what I have found and my opinion of why being banded and Crohn's Disease are not suggested. Of course it depends on what other co-morbidities you might have. In Stephanie's case the doc thought it was beneficial for her to be banded than to not be. In my personal opinion, due to the steroidal treatment of Crohn's disease as well that can cause complications and increase risk of erosion and infection since that family of drug tends to suppress the immune system.

This is the website I found the info below:

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/crohns/

What are the complications of Crohn's disease?

The most common complication is blockage of the intestine. Blockage occurs because the disease tends to thicken the intestinal wall with swelling and scar tissue, narrowing the passage. Crohn's disease may also cause sores, or ulcers, that tunnel through the affected area into surrounding tissues such as the bladder, vagina, or skin. The areas around the anus and rectum are often involved. The tunnels, called fistulas, are a common complication and often become infected. Sometimes fistulas can be treated with medicine, but in some cases they may require surgery.

Nutritional complications are common in Crohn's disease. Deficiencies of Proteins, calories, and Vitamins are well documented in Crohn's disease. These deficiencies may be caused by inadequate dietary intake, intestinal loss of Protein, or poor absorption (malabsorption).

Other complications associated with Crohn's disease include arthritis, skin problems, inflammation in the eyes or mouth, kidney stones, gallstones, or other diseases of the liver and biliary system. Some of these problems resolve during treatment for disease in the digestive system, but some must be treated separately.

For More Information

Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America, Inc.

386 Park Avenue South, 17th Floor

New York, NY 10016-8804

Phone: 1-800-932-2423 or (212) 685-3440

Email: info@ccfa.org

Internet: www.ccfa.org

Pediatric Crohn's & Colitis Association, Inc.

P.O. Box 188

Newton, MA 02468

Phone: (617) 489-5854

Email: questions@pcca.hypermart.net

Internet: http://pcca.hypermart.net

Reach Out for Youth with Ileitis and Colitis, Inc.

15 Chemung Place

Jericho, NY 11753

Phone: (516) 822-8010

United Ostomy Association, Inc.

19772 MacArthur Blvd.

#200

Irvine, CA 92612-2405

Phone: 1-800-826-0826 or (949) 660-8624

Fax: (949) 660-9262

Email: uoa@deltanet.com

Internet: www.uoa.org

sassaay · July 21, 2004

Hi Dallas, I am sorry that I don't have any info to help you... but maybe some of the responses thus far will help you in your research.

Hi Vera, Thank you for sharing... I am sure none of us had any idea and you are so open about what you have been through. I am glad that doctors were able to provide you with relief and also that you were still a candidate for the Band. Congratulations on your successes!

July 22, 2004

This does seem odd to me because my insurance (Aetna) will only pay for the band if you have Crohn's and other inflamatory bowel deseases. The link is to their clinical bulletin, see Roman Numeral II. Hope this helps,

Jacky

http://www.aetna.com/cpb/data/CPBA0157.html

bushbaby · July 23, 2004

Wow what a wealth of knowlege you all are... I am afraid I don't have any advise. But I do have lots of prayers for you. I pray that God will lead you to the answers that you are looking for and that you will find the help that you deserve and need.

paula · July 25, 2004

Hi Dallas, I was wondering the same thing. My sister has Crohn's disease and is about 150 lbs overweight and is very interested in getting the lap-band. I recommended that she (and you) talk to her gastro. doctor first. Alot of times they get an "inside" scoop on things before we do:) and may actually recommend you for this surgery.

Keep us posted.

Penni... thats WONDERFUL information! Thanks for sharing it!