Molina band

I had a Molina band (non-adjustable) done 23 years ago..Lost alot, but regained most back.  Dr. said now band is eroding stomach  wall, as well a hiatal hernia.  Surgeon said a RNY revision  is only option before the band totally erodes.  Has anyone else dealt with this?

Wow, I've never heard of the Molina band and honestly I didn't even know they were gastric banding 23 years ago. Was this an experimental surgery? Just curious. 

Wow! Long time since non-adjustable bands were used. But if it is eroding into the stomach, removal is not just desirable it is essential, and soon! I am not surprised you have regained, without any ability to adjust the band, they cease to be effective after any loss of fat. 

If the doctor thinks RNY is the best option, I would say, go for it! Is there a reason why he says RNY and not sleeve? One problem with the Molina bands was the material they were made of which tends to adhere to stomach tissue, so there may be practical reasons for his suggestions - I think the band is more like mesh and has to be cut out along with some tissue. 

I believe some surgeons are reluctant to take on people who were operated on by Dr Molina! So if you have found one who is happy to do so, that is good news!

Here's a link for you  Old thread about Molina bands

Get a second opinion for sure, to see if VSG or DS may also be options.

There are a few of us still around. I had one done almost 15 years ago. Mine also eroded into my stomach and had to be revised. There are very few surgeons that will touch a Molina band. I have a friend that searched for two years to find one that would do hers. I was lucky to find Dr. Gonzalez who is experienced in doing them. He said they are very difficult to get out. Basically he had to cut my stomach above where the band is. 

If you can, find a surgeon who has experience with removing the Molina bands. 

I am 60 years old and I have had a Molina Band since I turned 30, in 1984.  I never lost much weight, maybe 50 pounds.  I still weigh about 275.  I just think "how big would I be if I had never had it"!!  I can't even imagine, because it does keep me in control.  My weight is not because I am hungry, it is a mental thing.  I am addicted to food just like a person is addicted to drugs.  I can eat a candy bar and have uphoria.  Some things I can never really eat, like hamburgers, if I do eat one, I usually throw it up.  It isn't so bad throwing up, it doesn't have stomach acid in it, so it isn't hurting my esophagus.  If I get nervous or upset, I usually can't eat, but will and throw up.  I remember Dr. Molina saying it was like a marriage, there would be times you would be happy with it and times you would want a divorce. 

I am sure the band is grown into my stomach and could never be removed.  I do sometimes get choked in the night, but otherwise we live together well. 

I never see anything good posted about the band, but I just don't know where I would be without it.  Oh yes, one other thing, I have never gotten diabetes and I think it is because I have the band.

I had the Molina band in the early 80's. It eroded in the early 90's. Now I would like to have the sleeve. The surgeon I saw told me Dr Molina used a clip that was still in my stomach so the sleeve would consist of 2 surgeries, 2 recoveries. Dr Molina used Dacron to wrap my stomach. I haven't found anything online that indicated he attached the Dacron to a clip. Have you heard of this?

I had the surgery with Molina in 1999, my dad had it also in 1986. His band eroded and it resulted in a hiatal hernia and he got colon cancer and his esophagus actually eroded bc of the band eroding and causing such damage. Be sure to check with your gastrointestinal specialist as I am now going to have to figure out how to remove my band so I don't have the same problem. Please let me know if you know of anyone that has successfully had theirs removed