band cut my stomach open too tight

[TryingHard 0]

I got my band in Mexico on Sept 6 2007. I am 39 years old and weighed 215 at time of lap band placement and I am now 155 lbs. The weight loss is rapid. I can't eat much. I have been in constant pain off and on. I noticed the port began pushing through my stomach. My family doctor here in California told me to go back to Mexico because he does not know how to treat me and my HMO will take to long to find a specialist. I went to Mexico and the surgeon who put in the lap band performed an endoscopy and said my body was rejected it and said I should check into the ER room here in the states. The Mexico surgeon gave me the DVD and pictures of my endoscopy. The doctors here said the band was placed on me too tight and penetrated into my stomach and cut it in half. My stomach built scar tissues walls to protect the food from spilling into my body cavity. However I was told by a non gastric specialist that I would not be able to work for 6 months to a year and I will have a feeding tube for months while my stomach heals once they find a surgeon experienced and willing to take the liability of a Mexico patient. My family doctor said this surgery seriousness is on the scale of 1 to 10 is considered a 10. I have been placed on bed rest to avoid the rupture of the scar tissue walls which is called a phister (spelling ?) if it ruptures. Loma Linda hospital is searching for a surgeon while I wait here bed ridden. Does anyone have this problem and is it true that I will be in the hospital for weeks or months and have a feeding tube and cant work for a year? Please help me I am so scared and can't stop crying.

[pippinje 0]

I am so sorry to hear about this. I wish you the best of luck and a speedy recovery. I know it has to be really scary and I hope you find someone on here who could maybe point you to a surgeon who could help or give you some insight in what to expect.

[TryingHard 0]

thank you for your kindness

[DonHoll1 0]

So sorry to hear this has happened to you. Please keep us up-dated. Wish you the best Donna

[TXbandit 4]

TryingHard,

I am praying for your speedy recovery. It is good your stomach made the scar tissue and you haven't had the stomach contents spill out into the abdomen, which over time causes a bad infection. You are in a safe place in the hospital now, but I can't imagine you would need hospitalization for months! Especially with an HMO - they usually get home health or some other way for you to recover without hospitalization. They will find you a surgeon who will take care of you. God bless you! :kiss2:

[sfeiner 2]

Trying hard, How scarey! I will pray for you. It scares all of us to hear something like this. Personally thats why I would never go to Mexico or anywhere that the Dr doesn't complete the care. The band is so much more tha the surgery and the Dr should be committed to the whole process. I pray for a fast recovery. Please keep us updated. Sharon

[trystelle 3]

Hope that you find a speedy resolution to this problem Keep your chin up!

[andielmt 0]

wow how scary i hope you get well soon, ive never heard of this happening to anyone. so you had been banded for awhile before this happened? was the fill to much? is that what caused it? are you going to be alright? keep us posted

andrea

[Princessannod1 0]

May God continue to bless you, you will have a speedy recovery. I am praying for you and that the hospital finds a surgeon to help you.

[Chickie 15]

I got my band in Mexico on Sept 6 2007. I am 39 years old and weighed 215 at time of lap band placement and I am now 155 lbs. The weight loss is rapid. I can't eat much. I have been in constant pain off and on. I noticed the port began pushing through my stomach. My family doctor here in California told me to go back to Mexico because he does not know how to treat me and my HMO will take to long to find a specialist. I went to Mexico and the surgeon who put in the lap band performed an endoscopy and said my body was rejected it and said I should check into the ER room here in the states. The Mexico surgeon gave me the DVD and pictures of my endoscopy. The doctors here said the band was placed on me too tight and penetrated into my stomach and cut it in half.

"They' don't actually know what causes erosion. They theory is either improper band placement, or being too tight for too long. But they are both just theories. No one really knows for sure. You could do every single thing right, have the best doctor on the planet, and still erode.

However I was told by a non gastric specialist that I would not be able to work for 6 months to a year and I will have a feeding tube for months while my stomach heals once they find a surgeon experienced and willing to take the liability of a Mexico patient. My family doctor said this surgery seriousness is on the scale of 1 to 10 is considered a 10. I have been placed on bed rest to avoid the rupture of the scar tissue walls which is called a phister (spelling ?) if it ruptures. Loma Linda hospital is searching for a surgeon while I wait here bed ridden. Does anyone have this problem and is it true that I will be in the hospital for weeks or months and have a feeding tube and cant work for a year? Please help me I am so scared and can't stop crying.

I can't say that I have ever heard of this before. We have had a few members here at LBT erode, and none of them spoke of feeding tubes, and being bed ridden for up to a year post removal.

It might be worth doing a search for the erosion stories here on the board. They might put your mind at ease.

Best of luck to you.

[HeatherA 1]

Oh you poor thing... I can't imagine how scared you must be. I will add you to my prayer list. I hope they find a surgeon quickly that can fix you right up and get you back on your feet quickly.

{{{HUGS}}}

[Jazzywoman 0]

I do hope you find help. I'll add you to my prayer list as well.

However, hearing your story helps us all. Now we know what you are going through, and it helps us keep watch on our progress.

Huggles...

[georgia girl 35]

I am so sorry to hear this. I know you must be scared. I'm praying that you find a surgeon to help you and that you get well soon.

[rebandit 0]

the drs told me my erosion was probably due to being too tight for too long . However i didnt end up with quite those problems. I did have a lot of scarred tissue. The pictures they showed me freaked me out . All my dr had to do was remove the old band and install a new one higher. I hope that was safe . I still have a bit of pain from the old one. I hope you dont have to go months of recovery. Good luck to you.

[tonya66 13]

Oh, this is horrible. You might post over in the "complication" thread and perhaps someone can help you. This is just horrible, I have never heard of someone requiring a feeding tube? I hope you have a speedy recovery and your health is the most important thing right now!