I'm In A Bind (not a band)

the best me · March 24, 2006

I suppose I am unpopular now. :cry

Not with me, you aren't!

Hooray! I agree completely!!! Kudos to you and Yippeee!!! Bravo!!

Aftercare is a huge issue. I was banded in MX, and feel like I have the fortitude to be a good self-advocate, well-informed, able to get the medical care I need, and don't mind that my band doc is on the other side of the country. You and I sound alot alike in that regard. But I also have local after-care for fills, etc. and had that lined up before I left for surgery.

You pretty much know super doc will only band you and be done. So will your frienddoc be availabel for fills, etc after your surgery? I just re-read and yes, but he's leaning on you for proper info., right? hmmmm

And next week's surgeon has done 90 bands with no surgical complications, he just has uninformed patients who are not doing well with the band. Right? And will be available for aftercare, which he DOES have a clue about.

I know it's hard for your frienddoc and you, but I'd be making nice with hubby and doing some of what fiveholts said. Time to talk. Maybe break it down to just the facts, put it in writing, list the Pros/Cons together with hubby and make a sensible decision, rather than an emotionally passionate one. Geez, this is a tough one. Let us know how it goes!

Good luck!

hagerteresa · March 24, 2006

Good Job Kathy and fiveholts!!! I agree completely. Like both of you, I had my surgery in Mexico but had my aftercare lined up locally well in advance of my surgery. Aftercare is easily as important as the banding. What good is a band if you have no restriction and nobody who will do your fills for an affordable price if at all. If nothing else call or email Inamed and see what they have to say about the various doctors your considering. I made lists when I was making my surgeon decision too and it helped. I agree about your hubby being your "partner" too. You NEED his support and his understanding. Your on the same team. Best wishes to you, Teresa

Dody · March 24, 2006

As I've said in other posts, Neurosurgeons and Cardiologists think they sit in the right hand of God, and the rest of them are fighting for their spot on the left hand. I'm saying this as a retired nurse who dealth with doctors most of her life. There are some exceptions, but they are far and few between.

kabeerah · March 24, 2006

fiveholts that was excellent advice! my dh understands my desire to this and has accepted it. i think the biggestest factor for him are trust issues. he trust that our friend will look out for my best interest. he is not so sure of the other doc. superdoc has the most experience out of everyone because he is a training doc. however, i wonder how many complications he has had. i mean he has banded over 5000...i fiond it hard to believe that they have all been perfect. not to mention many of them are seeking private docs for their aftercare so there is nobody to keep track of how many slips/erosions or other complications he's had. the doc who is scheduled to band me was trained in australia and has only banded 90 and does their after care...he claims no slips or erosions.

i really appreciate you offering another perspective to balance things. on one hand i have legallykristen saying that this is typical of surgeons to ewant you to take their recommendation and on the other hand i have you saying...listen and take heed. whAT A DESICION! i really what to do this and had my hopes up high for this week, but i do not want a riskier procedure than neccessary. at the same time their is no ganrantee that super doc will band be or when/where. i'm desparate. my kids are bored and tired of me being to tired to do things with them. i hate being to tired. i cant even stand up and prepare a meal for my family. i have a live inmaid who does everything and i hTE IT. I FEEL LIKE I AM DISABLED BECAUSE of my weight. i do not think i am in the right frame of mind to make this desicision. i still want to do it but now i'm scared.

the best me · March 24, 2006

kabeerah, when I first started surfing the boards about lapbanding, the magic number I heard was "50". If your doc has done fewer than 50 band placements, think twice. The first few band placements are proctored by Inamed-approved surgeons, then there's a learning curve up to about 50, after that, it's old hat, so to speak.

There is NOTHING scientific or etched in stone about that number, that I have been able to gather, so take it for what it's worth, but 90 band surgeries is pretty good. Much of his experience may come in the way of Laporoscopic surgery in general. If this is the case, he's even more ahead of the game. It's hard to work on someones innerds with poles and pincers while looking at a TV screen...if your doc for next week has plenty of practice doing laporoscopic surgery, 90 bands is not a horrible number. IMO. Just something ELSE to think about, LOL

CCBSTX · March 24, 2006

Experience and Aftercare are most important with the band! Maybe look at other options, if you are not comfortable with EITHER the experience or aftercare of surgeon! Perhaps, there are other surgeons within driving distance, that can take good care of you??

Shawn

MeganA · March 24, 2006

I am at work and read through this post really fast and I have PMS and am easily ticked off... so bare with me if I make an a** out of myself.

One thing I have learned is to listen to people I trust that are in the field. When I started investigating plastic surgeons, I asked my very trusted lap band surgeon who HE recommended because he knows a hell of a lot more about it than any friend, husband, etc.

LISTEN TO YOUR FRIEND. Do not be in such a hurry that you have surgery with an innexperienced surgeon just because you can't wait. All the follow up in the world won't help if your band isn't properly placed in the beginning. My guess is that if you talk to the surgeon's office that your friend suggested he may have relationships with follow up care offices in your area.

As for your husband saying he won't give you the money to have the surgery if you don't go to a different doctor- why the hell is he in charge of what you do with your body? Man, he is in for a rude awakening when you get the band, lose weight, gain some self esteem and kick his condescending, controlling butt to the curb.

This your body. Your life. Your band future.

Megan