Lap band erosion 18 months after surgery

by Henrik Frokjaer
(Denmark)

Approx 18 month after my lap band operation I started to experience stomach pain and went for check up at the hospital. It was then found out the band cut through the stomach and could be seen from the inside, also known as lap band erosion.

I now have to have the band removed, but at least I lost 42kg since my operation so it was not a total waste to get the band in the first place, just a shame i have to go trough surgery again to have it removed.

I had the lap band operation in the Philippines and not much information was given on the risks in connection with the procedure.

Related Pages:
- Lap Band Problems & Lap Band Complications
- Lap Band Surgery Failure - 2 Types & How to Avoid Them

Comments for
Lap band erosion 18 months after surgery

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Advise on how safe is bypass after Realize band erosion NEW
by: Tammy

Julie,

I too had erosion...mine was the Realize band! It was put in July 2008 but emergency removal Sept. 2010. I had lost 183 lbs. and felt wonderful until 4 days prior to being rushed to hospital. That was the beginning of my horrific nightmare. Long story short I was left with infection in my body and remained very very sick until May 2011. Since removal of band I have fought a losing battle to try keeping the weight off. Nothing works!!! I'm now left not only with all this weight gain but a spleen that has dead spots in it, and a liver that doesn't function 100% apparently causing me to gain weight even eating very small meals. I keep thinking I just couldn't possibly be stupid enough to go through a surgery again, but truth be told I'm so about to look for a surgeon. I've been told by surgeon that removed he didn't advise weight loss surgery for me but he's just one person. I've gained close to 100 lbs. to date and it's March 28th/ 2012. I'm writing in hopes someone will read my story and have some good advise for me. Was wondering if you experienced weight gain as I did before your recent bypass, how are you doing with the bypass, and how bad was your erosion? Did you experience any spleen and/or liver enlarging? Was your band eroded all the way through as mine was? I have two children (boys) age 24 and 18...sad to say but it almost took me away from them forever...I was literally on my death bed two different times. I'm so scared of putting them through something like that again...myself though I'm as good as dead already because of the mental stress of gaining so much weight. I just need advise please! Also in advance to all rude people that might consider commenting something ugly, please don't! Until you've been through something like this you don't have a clue of the pain I'm feeling!!!

Consider a Conversion NEW
by: Lap Band Groupie

Henrik, I'm so sorry this has happened (and congrats on your WL). Although erosions are rare, they happen and you should have been informed of complications by your Doc. I was lucky enough to have three Bariatric Centers of Excellence in my city to choose from, and the Doc I chose had very good statistics (only one slip, no erosions, in all his procedures). I'd encourage you to at least look at having a conversion operation (depending on your circumstances/the erosion, some Docs will do it all in the same operation/save you some cost, some wait for you to heal). I know several Banders who've had conversions (I know I would if I lost mine). If you haven't had an unfill yet on your journey, just a note to be mentally prepared for the hunger to come back with a vengeance…if we could have done this without WLS we would have. Best wishes!

Almost at my goal NEW
by: Henrik Frokjaer

I had the surgery done in the Philippines because I was stationed there for several years and was living there.
The costs in the Philippines is actually the same as in the states, so not much to save there, and for sure you will find better and more experience doctors in US.

I only need to loose approx 40 lb to reach my goal, so i got close.

I'm so sorry.... NEW
by: Yvonne McCarthy (BariatricGirl)

I feel so badly for you. I hope some banders will offer you some support. When you go out of the U.S. you never know if you're getting a good place or not but when you don't have the money to pay for it in the U.S. what do you do? I hope you'll be OK and I wish you didn't have to go through the surgery.
Best of luck, Yvonne

Sorry about your problem NEW
by: Julie

I too, had an erosion after 2 1/2 years. I am sorry this happened to you. I know how hard that can be on you. I lost a bit more than you (113 pounds) and I was just devestated with this loss.

I had the band removed and 10 months later (3 weeks ago) I had a bypass.

Hoping you do well without your band. Do you still have a lot to lose?

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