Has anyone experienced ulcers with the Lapband?

Hi there!

I am new to WLS, just a little over 2 months out from VSG.  I have a question regarding lapband though.  About a year and a half ago, my friend had lapband surgery and she has done pretty well with it.  However, in the past month or so, she has been having severe stomach pains and has gone to the doctor and they believe she has an ulcer.  She has been in constant pain and isn't able to eat most days because of the pain.  It seems to be getting worse and she is calling out of work a lot. Her surgeon retired and she hasn't seen anyone about her band in about 6 months. I'm not sure how many cc's are in it now.  I am worried that her band could be aggravating the problem but I don't know much about the lapband so I don't want to alarm her.  I thought I would ask on here if anyone else had issues with stomach ulcers and the band. Any feedback would be great! 

Thank you!

I developed ulcers while banded. I still have them, too, in spite of having the band out over 8 years ago.

Your friend NEEDS medical attention. She's gone 6 months without medical supervision and she's in pain and unable to eat... very serious situation. I'd convince her to find help immediately.

She's probably scared of losing her band. I understand that. But the long term consequences are very real and very painful. You're a good friend to try to help her.
Good luck. I hope she finds some help soon.

Thank you, Nic.  I'm going to tell her to make an appointment with another surgeon in town that we both know to see if the band is irritating her stomach at all.  It may have nothing to do with her ulcer or the pain but I think she would feel better knowing.

She should be seen immediately.  A gastroenterologist is a good resource too.  Many GI specialists are dealing with bands and their side effects these days.

About 2 years after banding I started to have chest pain and thought it was heart related.

it turned out to be esophagitis and peptic ulcers.

i had an endoscopy to diagnose it and then was treated with Dexilant for about 6 weeks.

then I switched to Omeprazole  due to insurance issues with Dexilant.

i had a follow up endoscopy after 3 months and the ulcers were gone and my esophagus was healed.

i continue to take the Omeprazole but had had no other problems.

Did th doctor remove the fluid in your band while you were being treated for an ulcer? If so did you have hunger return? Possible weight gain? and if the fluid was removed, for how long?  thanks, Chris

No fluid removal.

I asked my bariatric surgeon for his favorite gastroenterologist, but did not see the bariatric guy or have fluid out.

The gastro guy did an endoscopy, saw the ulcers and esophagitis and prescribed meds.

I ate 'easy' for about 2 weeks while the esophagitis healed (more towards the mushy side), but nothing drastic.

Thanks for your answer. I'm kind of experiencing the same thing and thought I'd have to have my band unfilled, which worried me. I'm surprised to hear they could do an endoscopy without taking out the fluid. I'd never heard of that before. I'm releived to hear it. I've had my band for 11 years without a problem till now. It's my own fault for eating to much, then throwing up. It doesn't happen often but I've had company for 2 weeks and got a little out of control. When I eat carefully, I'm fine and don't have reflux. Chris

I have had 2 plastic surgeries and3 endoscopes in the 5 1/2 years since my band was placed.

I have ever had the fluid removed from my band.

I have had 2 or 3 small unfills over the years, but ever a complete unfill.

An unfill scares me, because many people who have their bands unfilled never seem to get back to a good level.

My gastroenterologist says that while I am going under anesthesia and as I am coming out, I keep telling him " I have a Lapband, be careful!!!"

I tell the whole team ... To remind the, to be super careful.  He said that camera is tiny and has no problem getting past the band.

Thanks so much. I really appreciate your answer. Chris