Lap band removal after 10 years due to erosion

[Carat12 1]

I have recently been diagnosed with an erosion after 10 years. I am scheduled for band removal on 7/31. In the meantime all the Fluid was removed from my band and I have no restriction what so ever. In the past month I have gained almost 15lbs and I do not know what to do. I know it is mainly due to volume but it is impossible to eat the same amount I was eating when the band was functioning. I want to either have another band put in or convert to the sleeve. My doctor says I need to wait 6 months before she will do this. I am at my wits end. I do not know what to do. I cannot gain all my weight back. I kept it off for 10 years and can't go back to the way I was while I wait. I have been on a no carb diet for the past 3 weeks. Does any one have any suggestion on how to slow the gain? Any diets that will work.

[SandyM 1,956]

Diets don't work. Sounds like your weight is still pretty controlled but your appetite may not be. The obvious is increase your exercise and try to keep you calories maintained. Do you do MFP and track your diet?

[Jack 855]

You will have to recruit the habits and tools you learned over this time frame, to fill in while you are in 'dry dock' for repairs.

Those inner strengths must be converted to reliable sources for the duration. We know they work.

You may well come out of this stronger and thinner than before.

Remember, it's not your Will Power....it's your WON'T power that you can draw from.

Every day you can check in here and dump a load of your thoughts/fears/anxieties/action plans to overcome all those issues.

We know 'eating' is NOT the problem.

We know that "OVER eating' IS the problem.

Active daily meditation can help too.

Exercise in ANY form does wonders.

What is left out by too many too often, is the phase where INactivity is diverted into anything requiring physical effort.

I know at times the sheer dread of fail can paralyze us all. With attention to detail, we can overcome THAT phase too.

You can do it.

Cheers on your journey.

Edited July 11, 2014 by Jack

[vogette 1]

I have recently been diagnosed with an erosion after 10 years. I am scheduled for band removal on 7/31. In the meantime all the Fluid was removed from my band and I have no restriction what so ever. In the past month I have gained almost 15lbs and I do not know what to do. I know it is mainly due to volume but it is impossible to eat the same amount I was eating when the band was functioning. I want to either have another band put in or convert to the sleeve. My doctor says I need to wait 6 months before she will do this. I am at my wits end. I do not know what to do. I cannot gain all my weight back. I kept it off for 10 years and can't go back to the way I was while I wait. I have been on a no carb diet for the past 3 weeks. Does any one have any suggestion on how to slow the gain? Any diets that will work.

Hi! I am in your exact position. I had my band in May 2010, and lost a whopping 47 kilograms. I felt fantastic. Then my band turned evil. I struggled for 18 months and my surgeon could not find a fault with it, but I vomited after every meal, reflux, Fluid in fluid out it was terrible. And I gained weight, because the only things I could eat were cheese and crackers, and milky drinks! It came to a head in May this year, when I had to go to the Emergency department, as I couldn't swallow anything, including Water. I had a major slippage. Before I went in for surgery, I was told if it was a slip, they could fix it. I wanted the band out, and I wanted a sleeve.

I am booked for a sleeve in November (the surgeon wanted 4 months of healing between, but I am travelling for a month in October, so I will have surgery the day after I come home).

My issue now is, I am terrified that I will put on weight! I have gain about 5 kg since having the band out, and boy do I feel it! I have joined weight watchers, and I have been diligent, but I have still gained! I exercise - I walk for at least 30mins daily in my lunch break, and weekends I cycle for 1-2 hours.

Frustrated and scared!

[blackonynx 27]

I have recently been diagnosed with an erosion after 10 years. I am scheduled for band removal on 7/31. In the meantime all the Fluid was removed from my band and I have no restriction what so ever. In the past month I have gained almost 15lbs and I do not know what to do. I know it is mainly due to volume but it is impossible to eat the same amount I was eating when the band was functioning. I want to either have another band put in or convert to the sleeve. My doctor says I need to wait 6 months before she will do this. I am at my wits end. I do not know what to do. I cannot gain all my weight back. I kept it off for 10 years and can't go back to the way I was while I wait. I have been on a no carb diet for the past 3 weeks. Does any one have any suggestion on how to slow the gain? Any diets that will work.

Hey Carat, I had my band removed 3 days ago and have to wait to have RNY done. I know how and what you're feeling b/c I feel the same way. There is some good advice given here and we have to watch out for eating the wrong types of foods, watch our calories, and increase our physical activities. Believe me, I know that's easier said than done. Good Luck!

[maygoddess 53]

Hi! Sorry to hear about the erosion..Scares me cuz I am 12 years out...right now my band is unfilled since Sept 19th due to esophogeal dilation.I am hoping it will heal so I can get some fill back but realized I was just living with too tight of a band for too long. My fault. But since having my complete unfill, I have gained about 15-18lbs..most of that was first two weeks. It has been super frustrating because I have been ultra careful with my calories now..not eating fatty foods and really counting calories..started back at gym but STILL gaining...I just put on 4lbs overnight after three days at a conference where I tracked 30K steps in one day..18K another day..eating very healthy while there..and no..not monthly period Water gain. Soooo depressed! Had to go buy a few clothing items in bigger size already cuz I have been wearing same size for years..everytihng is now too small!! I think our metabolism is not normal. This does not seem possible to gain this much weight in short time, especially when I am making an effort..at least MAINTAIN..but gain? I think we have been in a long term starvation mode and when I was unfilled and able to eat more easily, my body decided to take advantage of that and hold on to everything it can! I would not complain if I was eating crap and not excercising..just praying I heal up and can get refilled a little to help..this is just horrible! I hope you heal up and get whatever surgery works best for you.

[banded2004 31]

I hear you! I have gained 35 lbs this year after 10 yrs with my band due to band problems. I wore my clothes until the bitter end before buying larger sizes. I felt so much shame and anxiety. I gained so fast when my band stop working. I watched my food too.

I did the 5 day pouch test to get my carb cravings down and for the past 4 weeks have stayed at 1000-1200 cal approx and have lost 7 lbs. it is not much food and it is hard to stay on this for an extended period. I needed to take some action to try and make myself feel better while resolving my band issues. The Bariatric Pal tool has been so helpful.

I hope you resolve your band issues and can find peace in the meantime. Keep posting!

[banded2004 31]

Waiting for a surgery date to have my band removed. I have daily pain and am on pain killers to manage and a standby of of antibiotics if I have a flare up. A lot of grieving about losing my band. Still at 8lb weight loss so only another 27 to go to get back to my weight loss goal I had achieved with my band.

[Jack 855]

"lot of grieving about losing my band."

a process that requires attention.....but like riding a bull it's only for a short count till the buzzer! You are already 8/27th in the winner with only your own INNER strength!!!

You can do it!!!

[banded2004 31]

What a great message!!! Thank you! :-))

[mindunlmtd@gmail.com 0]

RIP Lap Band 8/14/09 - 10/31/14

I miss my friend and constant reminder that I have cured my high blood pressure, sleep apnea and I was an insulin taking diabetic with my lap band's help I was in control of my diabetes with diet alone. I am a nurse who got hurt at work. When I found out that my injury ended my nursing career, I had a nervous break down I vomited projectile for days and fainted from panic attacks everyday. The vomiting made my band eat into my cardia and it was like being knifed . Hospital stay of 10 days and almost lost my life form the bleeding. I was left with an open wound and two JP drains the opening never closed I was left like that for 3 months with a open wound that would not heal. On Dec 19/14I had another emergency surgery to remove what was left in. A piece of mesh that my first doctor put over my port for stability. If any of you have a removal get the notes from your original lap band placement. Check to see if your surgeon put in mesh. Make sure the removal doctor knows.

This!!! It will save you the complications of another surgery. The port area got a terrible infection 3 rounds of antibiotics and wound care to close these wounds from the inside out. The little holes they used for the instruments burst with infection as well. Yes I gained lots of weight on a Paleo diet. This kind of diet is so post to help reboot your metabolism. My body was used to nearly nothing. I lost 90 lbs with my band and am now back up to 180 already. I am so mourning for my band. Trying so hard but I think, I will have to go for the sleeve. I feel defeated. I guess I just can't do it on my own. I never could!!! I am on the yo yo carousel how do I get off!!! Went to a nutritionist tried to do it right.

[TDN 1]

I think I might have an erosion..... What are the symptoms??? I been banded since 2009 and for the past 3 days ive been vomiting everything except liquids....ive lost 5 pounds in 3 days and am scared. I don't want a band removal. I ve been at same weight for years! and I had skin removal in april and don't want anymore surgeries or scars ;(