FEELING DISCOURAGED :(

[mstrustar2730 0]

IM SCHEDULED FOR SURGERY ON MONDAY THE 26TH AND WAS JUST WATCHING THE NEWS AND IT SHOWED ANOTHER DEATH FROM THE LAPBAND AT ONE OF THE SURGERY CENTERS IN BEVERLY HILLS CA WHERE IM SCHEDULED AT. I DONT KNOW IF THIS IS A SIGN FOR ME TO PULL OUT OR A SIGN FOR ME TO KEEP GOING. IVE COME SOOOOO FAR ON THIS JOURNEY AND I WAS SOO HAPPY BUT NOW I FEEL SCARED. I NEED SOME ENCOURAGMENT PLEASE SOMEBODY HELP!!!!! BELOW IS THE ARTICLE:

By Stuart Pfeifer, Los Angeles Times September 23, 2011, 6:41 p.m.

An Orange County woman has died after weight-loss surgery at a West Hills outpatient clinic, the fifth person to die shortly after Lap-Band procedures at clinics affiliated with the 1-800-GET-THIN advertising campaign since 2009, according to lawsuits, coroner's records and interviews.

Paramedics rushed Paula Rojeski on Sept. 8 from Valley Surgical Center to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter. The coroner's office performed an autopsy but has not yet determined how she died.

Rojeski, 55, was the second Lap-Band patient to die after surgeries at the West Hills facility on Woodlake Avenue, which has used multiple names, most recently Valley Surgical Center. Three patients have died after procedures at another clinic on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, which also has used numerous names including Beverly Hills Surgery Center.

Both locations receive referrals from 1-800-GET-THIN, which sends prospective weight-loss patients to outpatient clinics that perform Lap-Band surgeries in Southern California. The ads have attracted criticism, including from the device's manufacturer, about underplaying of risks associated with the procedure.

1-800-GET-THIN, the ubiquitous marketing campaign seen on billboards, television and the Internet, has led to a surge of Lap-Band weight-loss surgeries in Southern California. More than 100,000 people called 1-800-GET-THIN in its first 15 months of business, leading to more than 10,000 scheduled surgeries, the marketing company said in a trademark lawsuit. (It filed the suit against an attorney who had set up a website to attract former patients as clients.)

The Lap-Band, manufactured by Irvine-based Allergan Inc., is a silicone ring that is surgically implanted around the stomach to discourage overeating. The surgeries vary in cost — ranging from $12,000 to about $20,000 by some accounts — and often are covered by insurance.

The patients' deaths and injuries have led to a series of wrongful-death and personal injury lawsuits against 1-800-GET-THIN, its affiliated surgery centers and doctors who performed the procedures. Allergan is not affiliated with 1-800-GET-THIN.

Another lawsuit, seeking class-action status, accuses 1-800-GET-THIN of false advertising, saying the ads failed to provide adequate warnings about the risks of the surgery. Wrongful death lawsuits allege that two brothers, Julian and Michael Omidi, were part of a "joint venture" that included the surgery centers and the 1-800-GET-THIN marketing firm.

Both Omidis have been disciplined by the state medical board over issues unrelated to 1-800-GET-THIN, according to state records.

Rojeski, a Ladera Ranch resident who loved dogs and worked as a buyer for an aerospace firm, had told friends and family that she was looking forward to the Lap-Band surgery. One friend described Rojeski as being thrilled ahead of what she hoped would be a life-changing procedure.

"I had just talked to Paula the night before. She was really excited, really happy. She told me, 'I'm going to be skinny!'" said Rojeski's longtime friend Marni Rader.

Friends said they thought that Rojeski was not significantly overweight — her California driver's license listed her as 5 foot 5 and 160 pounds — and that the surgery was unnecessary. Rader estimated that Rojeski weighed 180 pounds.

"I was a supportive friend, but I didn't think she needed it," Rader said. "I don't understand why it would be worth the risk for 20 or 30 pounds."

Rader said she and Rojeski met more than 10 years ago at a dog park in Orange County and had been friends ever since.

"She was never married. She never had kids. Her dogs were her kids," Rader said. "That was her happiest moment, in the park with her dogs. She loved her dogs as much as she loved her family and friends."

Dr. Michael Omidi, listed in a government filing as owner of the outpatient center at which Rojeski had her surgery, did not return a telephone call seeking comment about Rojeski's death. Instead, attorney Robert Silverman sent an email statement to The Times that he said Omidi had authorized.

"Any loss of life is tragic and our hearts and prayers go out to the family and loved ones," the statement said. "The surgery center you are discussing is fully accredited by a prestigious organization. It is my understanding that the center is conducting a full investigation of the events that transpired. Any reporting on this matter is premature."

1-800-GET-THIN and the Omidi brothers have filed a series of lawsuits against The Times, its journalists and website commenters over past coverage of the surgery deaths. Judges have dismissed three of the lawsuits and ordered the plaintiffs to pay The Times' legal expenses and fees in two of the cases.

Rojeski's friend, Rader, was one of several guests who attended a Sept. 17 memorial service at Rojeski's home. She said friends and family were surprised by two late-arriving guests: Silverman and a lawyer named Brian Oxman, both of whom have represented 1-800-GET-THIN and the Omidis in the past. They brought flowers.

"They didn't say they were sorry. They just came by," Rader said.

Oxman said in an email that he attended the service "to express my deepest sympathy to the Rojeski family and bring them flowers." He also said the Rojeski family "was a long time resident of Superior, Wisconsin, where my mother grew up and knew the Roheski family well."

Silverman did not respond to a request for comment about his attendance at the memorial.

Alexander Robertson, a Westlake Village attorney who has filed several lawsuits against 1-800-GET-THIN and its affiliates, said he thinks it's time for the Medical Board of California to take action. His clients include the family of Laura Faitro, the other woman who died after Lap-Band surgery at the West Hills center at which Rojeski had her surgery.

"Clearly it sounds like there's something very wrong," Robertson said. "I just wonder where's the Medical Board in all of this? With five reported deaths, that's not just smoke, that's a forest fire. Somebody needs to investigate."

Medical Board spokeswoman Jennifer Simoes said she could not disclose whether any of the deaths were under investigation. But she said the agency would investigate any outpatient surgery deaths of which it becomes aware.

[Corrigan 75]

I really don't think I'd get Lap band surgery done by someone advertising on a billboard. Done by a properly

trained surgeon, LBS is just as safe as any other surgery. If there is any way you can get yours done at a Center

of Excellence, I think you should. You'll never regret it. Whatever you decide, good luck.

[Cindy C 150]

This is unfortunate but with any surgery death is always a possibility. It's a risk we take. Luckily, the mortality rate with lapband is less than 1:1000. What you have to ask yourself is what are the chances you will die if you don't do something about your weight? Those odds are much higher!

[honk 780]

Personally I would find another hospital.

[Under150orbust 0]

I would seek another center or hospital. That says a lot to me about their methods and how patients are cared for. Death is always a possibility but to have that many all revolving around a 1800 number seems a little suspicious. If you are having doubts, don't chance it. I wouldn't go to a doctor or center that has a history of deaths.

[bromo 17]

I, too, would find another place to have my surgery. Look for a Center of Excellence, they have to pass rigorous tests to carry that designation.

[rn2012 6]

My heart dropped with the quickness when i was reading your post, I personally would choose another facility. I'm not a big fan of out patient center. I will be having my surgery at a major hospital in philly. Good Luck with whatever decision you decide.

[mstrustar2730 0]

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR RESPONSES IT MADE ME FEEL ALOT BETTER

[Humming Bird 275]

I don't know enough about the woman or the surgeon to comment on her death. It is a shame, but at this point it could have been some other medical condition that caused her death.

I find it interesting they commented about the weight that was listed on her driver's license. Of course we all keep our exact true weight updated with the DMV! NOT! Geez ........ my license says I weigh 180. It said that when I weighed 264 and it still says it now when I stay below 160.

[MelissaNY 16]

I wonder if the patients have to go through the tests and things most that have wls o through b4 surgery. (stress test, ekg, endodcopy, bloodtest, psychology, ect ect ??) and also i would def not have wls surgery from a 800 phone number, looking for a center of execellence is DEF a must do. I cringe when i see people go to other countries for surgery, im sure things do work out, but it just scres the crap out of me. If its the only thing or place you can afford, then it is not worthat this time, maybe it is a sign to save some money or get a different dr.

[cheryl2586 3,053]

If it would make you feel better find some where else to have your surgery but the fact is that people die during surgery. That can happen anywhere. With every surgery there is a risk of death. Im sure that hospitals do not share their amount of people who die on the table with the public or news paper unless something like this happens.

[bobrocky 8]

I also would suggest a Cente of Excellency if you can. I was very pleased with them. The 1-880 groups have had problems.

[stacythegreat 1]

That is scary to see right before your surgery. I had mine at a really good hosp. in Nashville, TN. I don't think I would want to have something like this done in a surgery center type place. Good luck.

THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR RESPONSES IT MADE ME FEEL ALOT BETTER

[spoiltmom 44]

If I were you I would go ahead with the Lap Band but I would find a new hospital to have it done at. Your not using the same doctor that the news article is talking about are you?

[DenMar 1]

That article scared me too. I am scheduled for 10/18/11 but at a reputable hospital. They have had a 0% mortality rate since they started this program. Still it makes me nervous. I am only 35 BMI with 2 comorbitities but now wonder if its worth it