Band causing entrapment of the body of the stomach

[Hamilt10 2]

I was banded is 2011. I have lost over 50 pounds...the hard way. Whenever I get a fill that creates the restriction I need to lose weight, eventually (days, weeks, or months) the opening will close and I cannot tolerate even liquids. This has lead to many unfills and and ER visit. This past weekend, I had the second ER visit. I had been losing weight beautifully for 4 months. The band became too restrictive and fluids would not pass. The surgeon removed 2 cc's. After a week of pain in the esophagus, I felt normal again (he did an upper GI to check the band and it was fine). Three weeks later, he filled 1.25 cc's. The band became too restrictive a week later so we removed .5cc's. Two days later, I cannot keep any fluids down. The surgeon is in New York, off to the ER I go. I was very dehydrated so they gave me IV's. They loaded me up on anti-nausea meds that did NOT work. The longer I was there, I began to get a constant intense pain in my rib cage. The worst of it was in my middle back. Hours in the ER did no resolve the blockage and now the pain is so intense I am almost in tears. I was admitted to the hospital. The next morning, I received an EGD. Following is the impression right from the report: 1, Blood in the fundus. 2. Inflammation in the fundus and body of the stomach. 3. Irregular z-line. 4. Normal esophagus. 6. The gastric band appears to cause entrapment of the fundus and the body of the stomach. Inflammation and hemorrhagic mucosa occurs from the entrapment. This entrapment was relieved by the endoscopic procedure, the hemorrhogic mucosa is seen in the body and fundus. I understand this to mean that the doc pushed the stomach, that was blocking the way, back through the band. When I woke up from the procedure the pain was gone and I could tolerate liquids. This doc believes this has happened before and was likely happening at my first ER visit. Since the only way to really know would be to do the EGD once I have reported the blockage. Has anyone else had this happen? I can't find any documentation on it. He was very direct about having me see my surgeon immediately to "manage this". Thank goodness my esophagus is normal

[2muchfun 8,927]

I've been reading here for years and I've not seen anyone post anything like what you're experiencing. And I would assume "manage" means having your band removed?

[Hamilt10 2]

I got the feeling this doc did not approve of what he saw and "manage" did indeed mean get it out! I made an appt with the surgeon yesterday and sent over the EGD report and pics. They now have asked me to get the CD of the procedure. I have a feeling this may be a first for them also.

Edited July 15, 2014 by Hamilt10

[Jack 855]

This report is the first of it's kind I've ever seen in 10 years reading on this board.

Good luck in finding the cause and resolving the problem.

Please keep us advised of your status and procedures.

[Hamilt10 2]

Well found out indeed this is rare. My doc has never seen it. I was told I could have lost my stomach or worse. Only 10 pounds from goal and will likely have it removed. Thank goodness I was listening to my body! The band has served me well

[Bandarella 223]

I've heard of this...with devastating consequences. It happens most frequently with a very loose band that allows the stomach to slip up through the band causing death to the entrapped tissue, my surgeons PA warned me of this at the time of my complete unfill, which is ludicrous since my band wasn't even on my stomach, lol. You're very lucky. Are you going to revise?

[Hamilt10 2]

I am thinking about having it removed. This, along with my GERD, has really worried me. It's depressing to think that after 4 years it has to come our. I fear I will gain all my weight back. My family is really adamant about removing it