LapBand Erosion

Okay...I'm new to this forum....Hi, All!  In December of 2008 I had Lap-band surgery.  From then until August of 2010 I lost a total of about 75 pounds!  YEAH!  However.....at the end of August I went in the hospital with severe stomach pain.  Found out my lap-band had eroded (spent 9 days in the hospital).  I had to have 6 units of blood while in the hospital (did not do well at all).  I was home for about 2 weeks and ended up back in the hospital for another 7 days due to fluid around my lungs.  My doctor told me that in 6 months (end of February) I could have the lap-band put back in.  YIKES!!!!  I have gained 35 pounds of the 75 I lost since August of 2010.  I am really considering having the surgery again....BUT.....I AM SCARED TO DEATH!!!!!  I almost died in the hospital with the erosion (spent 4 days in CCU and 2 in ICU).  Has anyone out there been through this type of situation or know of someone who has?  I need help!

 
OMG!  This absolutely infuriates me when I see these band mills suggesting a 2nd erosion.

NONONO, please don't get another band.  It is highly likely to erode again.  Look how ill you were the first time, do you really want a repeat of that?

NO good surgeon would suggest rebanding after erosion, no way is it safe for the patient.

If it were me, I would NOT get the band if the first one eroded.  Please look at all of your options.

You should not have another lap band surgery.  Revise to the sleeve if you can, but don't let them put another band in...erosion is a contraindication for rebanding.
Good luck to you!
Steph

As much as I love my band if that would ever happen to me I would not get another band put in me .

to risky and it's just not worth the risk to be honest.

I would never get another WLS done the band is a one deal shot for me but that is just me and how I feel about the other surgerys its a personal choice :o)

And I agree any doc that suggests putting a lapband in atter a erosion then that is a not a good doc imo !!!

My doc told me straight out if that ever happened to me he would not put my life at risk for another band . He was straight up and honest about it when I first sat down to talk to him .

Hi Lisadawn,

I'm so glad you survived this. Don't have another band put in!!! 

I also had major complications that nearly killed me. It's been 5 years since I had my band removed during emergency surgery and I'm only just looking into having the sleeve or Duodenal Switch done because I've regained all my weight.  I'm scared silly at the thought of another surgery and I'm scared silly at the thought of NOT having it. I understand what you're saying.

Stick around and talk with us.

Nicci

I am not medically qualified and your doc is. But erosion is normally a contra-indication for re-banding.

Kate

I'm sorry you've been through such a difficult time!  Personally, if it were me and my band eroded I would NOT have another one "installed".  If my insurance would pay for it, I would opt for another surgery, probably the sleeve. There is a possibility I might consider the other 2 surgeries that have malabsorption but I would have to think on it long and hard.

Best of luck to you,

Trixie

I know someone who's band eroded and they moved to a sleeve.

That would be my choice too ( I think! .. hard to know until you get there..) if I should ever have an erosion.

I might try to maintain on my own for a while and see how things went though.  I would never want to go back to where I was.  :(