My Endoscopy Results 12/22/05

[Penni60 45]

Hey Donali: I am with you on this. Why is it the MX docs don't have the same info. But when I talked to Craig Arthur after my erosion he explained that they "encourage" the MX docs to use the newer technique which doesn't tend to increase the chances of erosion. They can't enforce them to use the newer technique just "encourage" them. I wish I had the presense of mind to remember Lopez was a proctor. Craig told me they have told every doc to use the newer technique to cut down on the erosion chances.

The newer technique is to NOT use the perigastric but "encouraged" to use the pars flacida when securing the band to the stomach. I too agree it is surgeon technique that plays a HUGE factor in the erosion chances.

What are we to do? Inamed does not have anything in place that would review the techniques used by ANY of their doctors that are qualified to place the bands. They don't do any checks and balances to make sure the doctors have any follow up care in place. They do "recommend" to the doctors to have follow up care but can't really enforce that issue. SIGH!!

It all just pisses me off and I just want to scream at times.

[donali 57]

I was pretty sure that Lopez uses the pars flaccida technique - but I understand that technique is to reduce/eliminate slippage. I have never heard of it in connection with erosion prevention.

And I have to disagree that Inamed has no control over what the surgeons who place their bands do with them. Inamed will NOT sell bands to docs that haven't been trained, and they could institute a policy that they would NOT sell bands to docs who don't report, or who have a significant deviance from the norm in complications.

They could remove a doc from their "approved" list. Like I say, there's a lot they COULD do if they wanted to.

But they don't.

[ReneBean 3]

Wow. Lisa - could this suck anymore? I think not.

OK - cheerleader:

Go, Lisa! Go!

At the rate of speed this whole insurance process is moving, I expect it to be a while before I have any chance of getting a band - so we can do the "Eat Right & Exercise" thing together...ok?

(((((((Lisa)))))))

[gerry 0]

I want to have lap band surgery and without insurance I will need to go to Mexico, probably Tijuana since it will be closer and more convenient. The boards are wonderful with lots of information that I am absorbing in enormous amounts. Yet, they can be confusing.

I think I have decided on a surgeon and then, wham, I hear something negative about him. I know that there are risks, but I need to be sure the odds are in my favor. I would not be able to afford the costs , if I had erosions or slippage I have heard about on the board. Which doctors stand behind their work? This is important to me.

I have been leaning toward Kuri, Lopez or Ortiz or possibly Joya in Puerto Vallarta.

I fear the cluster of patients with problems may involve Ortiz, Lopez and Kuri.

What to do? What to do?

Thanks for any input, Gerry

[Penni60 45]

I agree Donali, there is lots INAMED 'could' be doing but just elect NOT to do it. I have had this same conversation with Craig Arthur, Don Mills, and Larry Fuller from INAMED every time I had a complication. THey just placate you till you are wore down and just throw up your hands. It is all a bunch of good ole boys fighting to get every last dollar from the consumer.

Damn the torpedoes and shoot the messenger. That is the attitude I get each time I reported a complication and suggest a resolve to prevent this in the future. They just ignore you and send you on your merry way all the while showing false compassion. SIGH!!

Sorry this just bites.

[Vera 7]

It so bites!

Inamed sould be accountable for how the band is placed, the port changes and why. I'm starting to wonder about the J&J or the swedish bands insindent's of eriosion.

I need to see a long...5 and more year study, not just the clinical studies

[Penni60 45]

The sad thing about the studies is that the data is not always accurate. Even the stats we have spouted at us of 1 - 3% get erosion are not accurate. That does not tell us if that is US numbers or MX numbers. And we all know the MX surgeons are not obligated to report their numbers at all. SIGH! The more I found out the more I got mad.

It so bites!

Inamed sould be accountable for how the band is placed, the port changes and why. I'm starting to wonder about the J&J or the swedish bands insindent's of eriosion.

I need to see a long...5 and more year study, not just the clinical studies