What is an "erosion"?

Yooper · June 24, 2007

I keep seeing people report having bands removed due to erosion. What is it? What did you feel? Anything, nothing?

annieM · June 24, 2007

Erosion is when the band ends up inside the stomach instead of being on the outside. This happened more to people who had their bands before the techniques were perfected. It's gotta hurt.

Yooper · June 24, 2007

Erosion is when the band ends up inside the stomach instead of being on the outside. This happened more to people who had their bands before the techniques were perfected. It's gotta hurt.

Thanks, I needed to hear that! I haven't had a fill since Apr. 2004, but I still have restriction. If I eat too fast, or too much I can't keep it. I have no pain, so thank god no erosion. Mine was done in Feb, '03. I feel fine. I had a doctor appt with a new doc, since I moved 500 miles away from the original, but I had to cancel because the records had not been received yet, (friday) I'm doing ok, but I really have to diet now, I am doing Nutrisystem, and the portions seem to be getting me back to where my stomach was in '04. I see the new doctor 7/11 now, this should be interesting. Thanks again.

lisalee · June 24, 2007

Yooper....my doctor tells me that you can't always feel erosion. Erosion is when the band rubs into the stomach...it may or may not end up going all the way through the wall. If it did you could have serious complications such as stomach acid spilling into your abdominal cavity.

Erosion is irritation of the stomach wall, sometimes causing breakdown of the tissue. It can (according to my doctor) only be visualized on the barium swallow.

Another thing that can happen is having your band slip. This is a little like having a tucked in shirt be pulled out a little. What it does is cause undue tension on the stomach, causing obstruction and sometimes pain. Again, it is best seen under barium.

I think the important thing to remember is that you cannot always "feel" when there is something wrong w/ your band. They did tell me that chronic heartburn or reflux is a dangerous sign.

I have seen people in the "fill office" that had no indicator or symptoms of problems but had to have their band unfilled completely to see if the problems resolve.

Good reasons to keep in touch w/your doctor...mine says at least every 6 months to make sure everything is O.K.

Good luck!

sherriberry · June 24, 2007

I have been havng a burning sensation sometimes if I am laying down and go to get up, it is right where my port is, do you know what this could be?

Sherri:help:

Yooper · June 25, 2007

Yooper....my doctor tells me that you can't always feel erosion. Erosion is when the band rubs into the stomach...it may or may not end up going all the way through the wall. If it did you could have serious complications such as stomach acid spilling into your abdominal cavity.
Erosion is irritation of the stomach wall, sometimes causing breakdown of the tissue. It can (according to my doctor) only be visualized on the barium swallow.

Another thing that can happen is having your band slip. This is a little like having a tucked in shirt be pulled out a little. What it does is cause undue tension on the stomach, causing obstruction and sometimes pain. Again, it is best seen under barium.

I think the important thing to remember is that you cannot always "feel" when there is something wrong w/ your band. They did tell me that chronic heartburn or reflux is a dangerous sign.

I have seen people in the "fill office" that had no indicator or symptoms of problems but had to have their band unfilled completely to see if the problems resolve.

Good reasons to keep in touch w/your doctor...mine says at least every 6 months to make sure everything is O.K.

Good luck!

Ok, now ya got me scared again! I do have reflux, but it's normally associated with eating just before going to bed or drinking alcohol. Neither of which are uncommon in people over 50. That's the only thing "wrong" with me to date. My new PCP didn't seem too concerned and gave me a script for Nexium, it was great, so far no new problems. I do see the new doc for follow up on 7/11.

Yooper · June 25, 2007

I have been havng a burning sensation sometimes if I am laying down and go to get up, it is right where my port is, do you know what this could be?
Sherri:help:

Sorry Sherri, but I've never had that problem I have no idea what would cause it. This is something I would call the dr's office about. When was your surgery??