Erosion?

Bret · December 17, 2006

I've seen a few forum entries saying bands have had to be removed after a diagnosis of "Erosion". What exactly is erosion as related to a lap band? whats the cause? and how common is it?

I'd appreciate any info anyone may have on this.

Thanks

Bret

Alexandra · December 17, 2006

Hi Bret,

Erosion is the wearing away of stomach tissue by the pressure of the band. It's a known risk of ANY type of implant that's in contact with body tissue, and unfortunately there's no way to predict its occurrence. It is NOT due to the patient's behavior. All the statistics I've ever seen say it happens in 1-3% of patients, so it's not a common thing, but it does mean the band has to come out.

The good news is that it's not an emergency; the process is slow and the stomach is self-healing. I've been told by a surgeon I know that once he removed a band that had eroded into a patient's stomach, and after removal there was no hole behind it that needed stitching. Usually a stitch or two will be needed, but the healing is expected to be complete and often another band can be placed later.

Bret · December 17, 2006

Thanks Alexandria. Thats one complication I hadn't heard of. But, since it can't be predicted and the patient's behaviors don't cause it, its not one I'm going to worry about.

Thanks again,

Bret

maryrose · December 17, 2006

Hi Bret,

I am looking in the lap band and have been obsessed with this complication lately. I just started thinking, OK, you have this foreign apparatus banded around your internal organ, wouldn't it have some type of effect on this organ after a while, ie ulceration, stricture, etc.

What are the symptoms of band erosion? How would you know you have it? I'l guessing pain?

Alexandra · December 17, 2006

Maryrose, someone who's had it will probably answer you but I can give a start. I think they'll say that the most common symptom of erosion was an inexplicable loss of restriction.

There are doctors who prefer to do fills under fluoroscopy because it gives them a periodic view of the band and its position, and sometimes if erosion is present it will be visible in this way. But the only sure way to diagnose erosion is through an endoscopy, which is why some doctors recommend having them annually or so even if there are no adverse symptoms. My surgeon doesn't think that's necessary; endoscopy is an expensive, invasive test and there's no reason to think more than 3% of bandsters will have erosion. The cases he's seen have presented with symptoms that led them to think erosion was a possibility, so it's fine to wait until there are some symptoms before heading for an endoscopy.