Erosion

pugmum · January 9, 2009

Hi! I am 3 years out from my lap-band surgery. About 7 months ago, I started having a bit of discomfort under my left breast when I would bend over to pick something up. When I would be sitting down, I would lean back to avoid this feeling. I had my surgery in California, but have subsequently moved to PA and am followed by a surgeon in Pittsburgh. Over the phone twice (it is a 2-hour drive), they told me that it did not sound like anything band-related, perhaps, just some inflammation. It went completely away after a couple of months.

Four months ago, I went to the ER with severe abdominal pain. After x-rays and a CT scan with contrast, they diagnosed me with Constipation. Okay. I took some meds and did get rid of my constipation (!), BUT since then have had chronic diarrhea (sometimes just water). In the interim, as part of the workup to determine the cause of my diarrhea, weight loss, extreme fatigue, I had a colonoscopy and EGD. Last week, the EGD showed that my band has eroded into my stomach.

Now, I obviously have been in contact with my surgeon in the city, and am scheduled for an upper GI series and interview, etc. next week. On the phone, however, they tell me that none of my symptoms have to do with my band. My PCP here says that he doesn't see how it could be anything but my band. I have even found an undissolved pill in my stool.

Interestingly, one of the symptoms of erosion is supposed to be weight gain because of loss of restriction, but I have lost 25 pounds in these past few months and have very little appetite and still have lots of restriction. On films, my band is pretty far into my stomach; it is not a minor erosion.

I come here wondering if anyone else has experienced these types of symptoms with erosion. Because if this hypermotility is not band-associated, I'm wondering what my next step will be.

Oh, in case you're wondering, I have lost 75 pounds. :confused:

Thanks, Kelli