Comments on: Lap Band Erosion

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 23:28:23 +0000

Hi Mary,
You can have Barrett’s with or without the lapband.
You have to follow Barrett treatment with acid blockers, anti-reflux meds and also probably cauterization of the Barrets.
The lapband should have 1/2 of the restriction while in treatment.

By: mary

mary — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:58:04 +0000

I had a Lap Band in 2010 I love my band I haven’t gain back any weight. I have lost about 114 pounds. But resently I started having chest pains they found Barretts in my esophygus. And said my band was loose and there was a inflamation above the band and a recent bleed below the band in my upper stomach. I don’t want to loose my band am I endanger of that? I have a lot of chest and stomach pain. I also loose my food but that is my faultfor eating things I shouldn’t and not chewing well.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 01:29:19 +0000

Hello Dawn,
I am sorry to know about your weight loss surgieries failures.
There are endoscopic suture treatments for big pouches and also for closing the outlet of the bypass when they do not give you the proper restriction. I don’t do it myself.
What you called a new sleeve is the gastric plication and in cases that there is not too much scar tissue can be done over the pouch. Did you have your bypass done laparoscopic or as an open surgery?

By: Dawn L

Dawn L — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:42:16 +0000

I had a Molina Band done in August 1995. I weighed 495lbs and lost 175 in a year. I never had any real issues besides the occasional vomiting due to over eating or consuming something too dry or not chewed well. I eventually started gaining the weight back and by 2004 I had gotten back up to 411lbs and consulted with a bariatric surgeon about the gastric bypass. He, of course, needed to do a scope to see what damage the existing band had done in my stomach and as suspected, it had erroded into my stomach and he couldn’t completely remove it. He snipped and released it and did the bypass but unfortunately, he was not able to make the “pouch” as small as it was supposed to be. Therefore, I am able to eat more than I would be able to. I did lose weight…112lbs within a year but I was back up to 375 by September 2010. I have since been diagnosed with hypothyroidism and have been regulating it with meds and have lost weight. Right now I currently weigh 320lbs and I would love to consult with another surgeon to see if I would be eligible for the the new “sleeve”. Has anyone gone through the same issues stemming from the Molina band and if so, is this a possibility after having two weight loss surgeries? I know that the Molina band probably saved my life at the time but both my parents had it done as well and have gained all their weight back plus some! Not to discredit the late Dr. Molina, but isn’t ironic he passed away due to health issues caused by obesity. :-/

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 00:26:50 +0000

Hello Mary,
EGD’s are good for looking for stomach erosions after been banded. The Molina band is a non-adjustable band and depending on your doctor’s preferences you find what kind of material he uses for giving you restriction.
I’ve done gastric sleeves in patients with Molina band and during the gastric sleeves I’ve done I notice that take me longer time due to scar tissue formation but besides that everything was OK.

By: Mary Dillon

Mary Dillon — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 20:03:13 +0000

I have a Molina band. I recently had EGD which was normal. They also said stomach and eshogus was normal and did not see the band. What does this mean could not see the band. Also would I be a good canditate for the sleeve? Also can you get the adjustable band?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 03:21:23 +0000

Hello Dee,
I recommend you to eat soft food, wait 10 days and see if is any improvement and just in this 10 days take tylenol for pain, then you start again with your ibuprofen. If this does not work have an unfill.

By: Dee

Dee — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:00:32 +0000

Thank you Dr. Rodriguez!

I was also wondering what should I take for the Rheumatoid Arthritis inflamation and pain while coming off of the fish oil, vitamins, ibuprofen etc.

What type of foods should I eat during this 10 day period. I have pain around the ban area. Do you think it’s due to gaining the weight back? I haven’t had a fill in almost 2 years now

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 22:17:08 +0000

Hello Dee,
You need to quit the Fish oil, vitamins and Ibuprofen and have Maalox and Pepcid compete en regular bases.
After 10 days of having quit all of that have a fluoro check and if is the lapband tight tell them to remove some saline and wait for a month until all comes back to normal.

By: Dee

Dee — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 20:27:20 +0000

Hello there,

I’ve had the lapband since 2008 and I have gained all my weight back unfortunetly. I have been experiencing burning sensation, loud noises, belching (even when I haven’t eaten), passing a lot of gas in my sleep (per my husband says) and pain in my stomach for the past month or so. I haven’t had a fill in year. I’ve been off of remicade & methotraxate for a year now. Just taking Ibuprofen or over the counter pain. Herbel Turmeric, fish oil, vitamin D.

I suffer with RA and I’ve had that way before I got the lapband. What shall I do?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 05:47:45 +0000

Hello Mary,
Most probably cause they didn’t see the band it is because the Molina Band it is not seen with X-rays.
They could see that there is restriction at the upper stomach. Many Molina bands melts with the stomach wall.
What you need is an endoscopic evaluation of the esophagus and the stomach, by doing it will answer many questions about your respiratory problems and will tell you if you are a good candidate to have a sleeve.

By: Mary Dillon

Mary Dillon — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:15:52 +0000

I have a molina band had a EGD said did not see the band, what does that mean

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 14:05:43 +0000

Hello Michael,
You could have the 2 procedures in one time unless there is an erosion of the Molina Band into the stomach.

By: Michael

Michael — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 00:21:22 +0000

Is it difficult to remove a Molina band. What are some of the issues. Can this band be revised to the sleeve and does it have to be 2 surgeries?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 01:05:04 +0000

Hello Mary,
Yes, the removal and doing the gastric sleeve can be done at the same time unless there is an erosion.
Your coughing reflux it is cause by a tight gastric band or slippage.

By: Mary Dillon

Mary Dillon — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 21:30:53 +0000

Is it difficult to remove a Molina band. What are some of the issues. Can this band be revised to the sleeve and does it have to be 2 surgeries?

By: Mary Dillon

Mary Dillon — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 16:55:03 +0000

If your Molina band has not eroaded can you have it removed and gastric sleeve done in one surgery and I have coughing reflux could this be caused by the band

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 05:04:06 +0000

Hello Amber,
The esophageal pain resembles the heart pain…You need a endoscopy for evaluating the severity of the irritation.
I recommend you to have Maalox 2 table spoons e/4 hrs while awake and any acid blocker e/12 hrs.
Dieting and choosing food and beverages without irritants is also beneficial to you.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 04:56:41 +0000

Hello Jeannie,
Lapband erosion is small at the initial face but in later stages can become a large erosion and the lapband can be found totally inside the stomach lumen.
Ibuprofen and other meds can hurt the stomach of lap banded patients but also frequent vomiting, some vitamins, iron and large fills.
I recommend you to have the lapband removal as a priority in your life since you were diagnose already 3 years ago and at some point you could have an emergency surgery for different reasons.
Worries me also that a general surgeon without enough experience in de-banding could be doing an open surgery instead of a laparoscopic one.

By: Amber

Amber — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 00:44:50 +0000

Hello Dr.

I had the lap band surgery in 2006 and never got a fill until last Nov. 10′. I was 225 and dropped down to 150 by September. They filled me 1cc once a month until May I was at 8cc. I started experiencing bad acid reflux, vomiting pretty much after every meal and waking up in the night coughing up and vomiting my food or acid depending on if I ate or not. That went on until about September before I finally went and had them take some out about 2cc. I had lost so much weight I was scared if they loosened it I would gain weight back. I felt better vomiting less but still needing to eat tums constantly and take prolosec. I gained 10 pounds but stayed right at 160 ever since. Now on Christmas Eve I started having severe pain in my stomach and chest along with a high temperature. It hurts to eat, breathe, even drink water. I thought it was a flu and tried to fight it until the pain was so unbearable. I went to the hospital on Christmas and they did all types of tests. I had no idea it was my lap band I thought I was having a heart-attack and I’m only 26. All the tests seemed normal except in the catscan they said I had food or fluid up to my neck and wasn’t going down. They released me and yesterday I saw my surgeon and he deflated me completely and said I would get better. I am still experiencing extreme pain constantly and nothing goes down without burning severely. I am having no restriction but can hardly stand the pain. It seems like my surgeon doesn’t seem to think its that serious and it will go away, but I am freaked out since I have never experienced this much pain in my life. Will this just go away or is it more serious? I know I have serious esophagus damage from vomiting. Could it just be irritated or could my band have slipped or erodided? Thank you!

By: Jeannie

Jeannie — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 22:17:40 +0000

Hi Dr Rodriquez,
I’m so glad I found this. I have so many questions. I was told that my band eroded into my stomach but wasnt really given much other information. After some research on my own, I found out that I was never suppose to be taking ibuprophen, which I was…and quite a bit after I had my baby due to back problems. it was after this that I found out that my band had eroded. I had the fluid taken out while I was pregnant due to heartburn. About 4 weeks after I delivered, I started getting fills again and at first I noticed good restriction but after my second fill, I didnt notice anything different so I decided to go to a different doctor because I’ve never really been a big fan of mine and they are the ones that decided to do a barium swallow and told me i had eroeded. Anyway, longer story short, I cannot afford to have it taken out (I was a cash pay initially and have since lost my job/insurance…not that it would have paid for anything anyway). I’ve lived with it eroded for almost 3 years with only minimal problems but I’m always scared that it will perforate my stomach and I will get really sick (or worse). Is this possible? And is it possible that my use of ibuprophen caused the erosion? Thank you so much for this forum and for being so open and available to us banders! Sincerely, Jeannie Jones St. Joseph, Missouri

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 13:21:39 +0000

Hello Stacey,
You need a barium swallow to be sure there is not a lapband erosion.
Port problems are frequent after re-locating to a new place.
When lapband ports protrudes and is kind of flipping from its original position should be relocated again or to be pull out.
Some of the patients have to stay without a port for a month and then put it back.

By: Stacey Sandlin

Stacey Sandlin — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 08:33:12 +0000

Hello – I am American and have currently moved to Germany – I have had a lap band for about 6 years and no problems, last year it slipped and I had to have it repaired and the port was moved to a different spot. Now about 1 year later I am having port problems – like it is protruding out of my stomach much like a hernia – at the same time I feel swollen, like pressure or fluid in my left side – and it gets worse as the day goes on – its not painful just uncomfortable – today my port has a bubble of fluid on my scar -I have had a blood test and come up negative for any type of infection, but i feel something is not right – I am trying to locate a lap band doctor in my town but not having much luck – and I am starting to get worried – should I be worried ? and can this swelling or pressure feeling be caused by my port issues ?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 14:06:56 +0000

Hello Rebecca,
You have to take acid blockers, to stay on liquid diet for few days and to quit Glucerna also for while.
Vomiting will worsened the inflammation of the stomach so preventing that condition will be very helpful to you.
I am assuming that the upper GI was found normal without slippage and having some saline removed will help you eat better also.

By: Rebecca Torres

Rebecca Torres — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 20:30:31 +0000

So grateful for your website, reading info. on others having gone through the discomfort of possible erosion of a I think is a Molina band. The surgeon I had past away and now I’m desperate for help, I feel all alone with no one to help. I have no insurance so I will have to pay out of pocket,hope I can find someone that can take me on. I recently had an upper GI to see what’s going on. I can’t sleep, eat or drink much. Worried I’ll become dehydrated, so I force myself to drink Glucerna shakes and water. I’m always vomiting and my stomach is inflammed. I suffer from depression due to my condition. I’m almost 60 years old and worried about surgery and the out come. Please give me advice.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:57:19 +0000

Hello Helen,
Your Lapband has to come out because of the stomach erosion.
It is not wise to have a bariatric procedure like Gastric Bypass or Gastric Sleeve at the same time that the de-banding because an important increase of complications.
You will need to wait 6 months after de-banding to start thinking about another procedure.
I like to go first for the Gastric Sleeve rather the Gastric Bypass after de-banding.

By: Helen

Helen — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:18:54 +0000

I had a lap band fitted in the UK just over 3 years ago. After 12 months I had to take some painkillers for my back and started vomitting. I didnt for one moment think it was the band, just assumed the tablets had got stuck. I ended up in hospital and after 7 days they decided the band had slipped. Luckily I didnt have too much damage (or so they said) to the stomach and they re-sited it. Since then I’ve had little restriction, portion sizes have increased, I’ve put on weight and become anaemic. I had an endoscopy yesterday and found out the band has eroded into my stomach. I’ve had no pain or other symptoms and the band was only half full. I’ve been told it has to come out and I wont be able to have another procedure. Looking at your last message, does this mean there’s hope still for a bypass?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:52:26 +0000

Hello Mary,
Removing gastric bands of any kind is not painful since is done with the laparoscope.

By: Mary Dillon

Mary Dillon — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:43:54 +0000

Is removing the molina band painfull?

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 22:01:33 +0000

Hello Marcia,
Yes, you can have another weight loss procedure done.
Depending on scar tissue at the stomach area after an erosion you can have another lapband or to have a gastric plication, gastric sleeve or a bypass.

By: Marcia

Marcia — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 18:04:05 +0000

Hello Dr Rodriguez

After band erosion would I be able to have another WLS procedure?

By: christina

christina — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 05:02:27 +0000

Great! My email is mjcb426@yahoo.com..I would love a diet regimen to follow bc at this point id rather not get the band tighter but have justh the little restriction and eat healthy and keep working out. So u can send that to my personal email and I now have yours saved as well

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 01:40:45 +0000

My email is: md@thebariatric.com
Protein shakes give you extra calories. Your calories should be in your food either the proteins.
I like protein diets but the ones that comes with food.
I will loved to help you…That is why I became a doctor….

By: christina

christina — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 00:17:52 +0000

My doctor said to take protein shakes and so did my trainer 4 optimal weight loss..I guess a high protein diet is what I need..or that could be a replacement for the grams of protein I need daily? Is tere any way u can email me a diet regimen? It appears I was givin wrong information and maybe that’s y i m not losing even with alittle restriction. And I will stop the crystal light and see if that help as well. Is it normal 4 patient 2 take a while 2 adjust to the band? Its been almost 2 years and only 60lbs..I am 5’8 and weighed 206 until I loosend my band and now I am at 217. I seriously need some help

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 23:44:19 +0000

Hi Christina,
I had a patient that crystal light was causing her the lapband problems but other patients didn’t complain about it.
Why are you having a protein shake? Lapband patients do not need neither proteins or vitamins at all.

By: christina

christina — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:58:10 +0000

Ps..I only drink water..tea..or crystal light..I do not drink juice or soda. And of course the occassional glass of wine (my job is very stressful) once to three times a week..thanks so much

By: christina

christina — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:53:55 +0000

I live in victorville.california. yes I will go get maalox and what would be the best acid blocker? Yes I can’t help but stress..I’m always worried that something is wrong with the band but I don’t have any serious issues just this weird feeling. I know for sure I don’t want 2 go tighter if I don’t have to.I know 5ccs is not a lot 2 have in the band but it gives me just enough restirction to where I’m able 2 eat ie. Oatmeal 4 breakfast..snack (1 hardboiled egg or a veggie) then lunch (tuna or chicken salad) then snack 1 hardboiled egg or veggie then either a protein shake or a half chkn breast for dinner. I’m trying 2 boost my metabolism.and I also work out 4 days a week. For 1.5_2 hrs a day. Does this sound reasonable? My personal trainer gave m these ideas for meals since I don’t want 2 be too too tight..bc it seems like when I am I’m miserable and can hardly drink water. Sometimes I feel as if I’m the only person who EVER feels this way!

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 03:09:55 +0000

Hello Christine,
Where are you located? You need to have with you Maalox or pepto like in cases you feel this way.
I definetly think is something you are drinking or eating and of course to be stressed do not help at all.
Let me know.

By: christina morales

christina morales — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 02:01:43 +0000

What the heck could it be? It freaks me out..I just left the gym and drank water and the feeling came back for about 10 minutes but only happens iif I take a deep breath in and also hungry at the same time..so weird!! I also use a primatine mist inhaler so maybe that?? Could tis be a symptom of erosion? I know it isn’t slippage bc I have bo “stuck” issues..I wish I had a doctor I could go to that I’m comfortable with. And I also have horrible anxiety and need a cript for some ativan bc that jus makes me relax and to stop thinking about my band and stressing something is wrong all the time! I’m sorry I jus don’t know anybody with the band and my doctor isn’t helpful AT ALL!!!

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 18:18:38 +0000

Hello Christina,
No more alcohol “for while” until that feeling is gone….

By: christina morales

christina morales — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:55:23 +0000

I rarely drink coffee and never drink soda..for alcohol I do drink wine coolers or a glass of wine 2 or 3 times a week. No more alcohol at all? And its not really pain its just an akward feeling which I haven’t had today at all.I had oatmeal and a teapoon of peanut butter for brkfst.and so far I’m good. Right now I’m takin just generic acid blockers and occassionally prilosec otc. It seems I only have this akward feeling when I don’t have any food in my stomach

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:43:23 +0000

Hello Christina,
I will recommend you to take Maalox e /4 hrs and an acid blocker e /12 hrs.
You need to quit coffee, coke or any other gastric irritant as alcohol, hot food or vinegar.
If you still have pain after taking the medication you will need to take out all the saline for 1 month.

By: Dr. Arturo Rodriguez

Dr. Arturo Rodriguez — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 13:37:57 +0000

Hello deborath,
I haven’t have or known of any surgery needed besides the debanding for patients with erosion.
The scar that forms in the upper part of the stomach do not cause ‘mechanical’ problems to the GI function.
I don’t expect further complications after a debanding surgery. The surgeons should expect difficulties during a second bariatric procedure and complications as leaking are more frequent when doing a gastric bypass.

By: christina morales

christina morales — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 19:57:39 +0000

Hello doctor. I have this weird feeling in my stomach. Like a dull ache/pain but not unbearable just irritating..it feels like how the chest feels when u take a deep breath in the freezing cold. I’m sry I don’t know how to describe it. What could this possibly be? I thought erosion but don’t have a loss of restriction (only through my unfill 3 months ago) and my port is inplace. I don’t have any issues of food getting stuck or pbing. I have a 10cc band and I have 5 ccs in now.I was at 6.5 but that was way too tight and went bacl down to 5ccs. I have a hard time going to my doctor because he is so rude. Since my unfil I gained 14lbs abd I know he will give me a hard time. What could this be? Oh also it seems to feel better after I eat and is mainly in the morning when I get this feeling. Please help!

By: Deborah

Deborah — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 16:25:11 +0000

Thank you so much Dr. for your recommendations. One more question….do you know of the long term effects of the erosion…i.e. could the scar tissue that forms be so much that additional surgery is needed to remove the scar tissue or do you know of any other future complications?

Thanks again!!!