Questions?????

DaisyGirl · August 7, 2004

I am going to see my first set of Doctors next week and I am getting a bit nervous that they will find something wrong with me and I will not be able to get the band. I was wondering what kind of things would cause me not to qualify for the lap band.

I have heard of so many conflicting things. and I know this should be a question for my surgeon but I forgot to ask.

Also, did everyone have to have a stress test before getting their band. If so what is it like.

Thanks so much.

Amy

Alexandra · August 7, 2004

Hi Amy,

Welcome, and it's nice to meet you! From what I hear there are precious few things you could have that might make you a bad candidate for banding. You may have health conditions that make you a bad candidate for SURGERY, but that's another story. And if they do find anything in that vein, you will be much better off to have whatever it is diagnosed and treated. Surgery can always come later.

Presurgical testing is more comprehensive than your average physical, and I've heard of people having heart problems, tumors, stones of one sort or another and various other things diagnosed in the process. But obviously that would be true for any other medical procedure requiring significant testing as well.

As far as not qualifying for the band, really, I can't think of much. Significant abdominal scarring from previous trauma or surgeries can present complications, but even with that it may be possible. Are you worried about something specific?

You're taking a big step forward in reclaiming your health and future, so take each step as it comes and try not to worry. Worry in itself can raise your blood pressure and so on, and you don't want to create problems where none exist!

A stress test was not required for me; I'm not even sure I know what one is. I would guess it's not routine unless indicated by a given patient's health.

Let us know how your doctor visit goes. And relax!

claraluz · August 7, 2004

What Alex said. Just as with anything else, different surgeons require slightly different pre-op workups and if you have any particular health problems, the surgeon may require extra tests for you pertaining to that condition that he wouldn't require for someone else. Any previous stomach surgery, particularly for reflux may be a contraindication. Esophageal problems probably would be. Pregnancy (they usually don't want you to get pregnant until after your first year, I think). Most surgeons require a psychological evaluation and I suppose that could rule you out, though I've never actually heard of it happening. My surgeon wanted to be very sure that my expectations for the surgery were not out-of-line with the results that were to be statistically expected. So when I told him I wanted to lose all my excess weight, I had to do some fast talking to call him back to my bedside. He wanted to be sure that I understood that a loss of sixty percent of my excess weight was more reasonable. It was only after I reminded him that I had twice before lost all of my excess weight without the band that he relented. Please don't worry. Most of us have had a few health problems related to obesity. And welcome to the board and to a world of hope.

Nancy

donali · August 7, 2004

Certain autoimmune disorders are contraindications, as well, as it affects healing. Here's a list put out by http://www.lap-band-surgery.org/LAP-BAND-Contraindications.cfm :

LAP BAND Contraindications

The LAP BAND System is not right for you if:

You have an inflammatory disease or condition of the gastrointestinal tract, such as ulcers, severe esophagitis, or Crohn's disease.

You have severe heart or lung disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.

You have some other disease that makes you a poor candidate for surgery.

You have a problem that could cause bleeding in the esophagus or stomach. That might include esophageal or gastric varices (a dilated vein). It might also be something such as congenital or acquired intestinal telangiectasia (dilation of a small blood vessel).

You have portal hypertension.

Your esophagus, stomach, or intestine is not normal (congenital or acquired). For instance you might have a narrowed opening.

You have/experience an intra-operative gastric injury, such as a gastric perforation at or near the location of the intended band placement.

You have cirrhosis.

You have chronic pancreatitis.

You are pregnant. (If you become pregnant after the LAP BAND System has been placed, the band may need to be deflated. The same is true if you need more nutrition for any other reason, such as becoming seriously ill. In rare cases, removal may be needed.)

You are addicted to alcohol or drugs.

You are under 18 years of age.

You have an infection anywhere in your body or one that could contaminate the surgical area.

You are on chronic, long-term steroid treatment.

You cannot or do not want to follow the dietary rules that come with this procedure.

You might be allergic to materials in the device.

You cannot tolerate pain from an implanted device.

You or someone in you family has an autoimmune connective tissue disease. That might be a disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma. The same is true if you have symptoms of one of these diseases.

New Hope · August 8, 2004

Amy, you'll do just fine! A stress test is just you walking on a treadmill with heart monitors attached for a certain length of time. The treadmill speed is gradually increased and the incline level. IT looks for any irregularities in your heart rythm. It's really a good test to have in your file for future reference and for your peace of mind.