Where the port is placed, differing opinions, what have you been told???

Ericalynn13 · April 19, 2005

Here are my stats, I am 5' 7", 464 pounds, with a BMI of 70+. I have been dieting since I was 14, and have been obese since that time. I have been told that my medical will not pay for this operation, nor will my husbands, so between friends, family and financing, I'm hoping to be able to pay cash for the operation.

My question/issue is this? The surgeon I met with last week told me that I could not get the lap-band because my BMI is too high and that he would have to put the port so far under my skin that they would not be able to find it for the fills. Is this surgeon a loon?? Has anyone else been told this? Is there anyone who has the same stats as me, that has successfully had the lap band done?

Does anyone have a surgeon they absolutly love within 1-2 hours driving distance of Seattle, Washington.

Please, let me know your thoughts!!!! Thank you

bandit · April 19, 2005

wow, i know i saw a thread on here about really high BMI and a good surgen, u should check the old threads and try to find it. I think it was posted like a month ago. Does anyone else remember it? I looked and cant find it. Ill try again, but if someone else remembers and can find it****bump it!

TrishS · April 19, 2005

Erica, Hello... I am 5' 2" and 340lbs, I have a BMI of 64.2 thats not far from 70. I looked high and low and through every WLS option that I could have. Once I learned about the band I knew I just knew it was for me. It fit my lifestyle. Im getting Banded in 10days.. A month or two ago, I was put down very badly for wanted to get the band I was told I was to big to get the band, that it wont work me... (by another board/chat) You know ever since that I have met people with BMI of 80+ and are losing weight left and right... If you really really want the Band over any other WLS then I would see another Doctor.. That is just my opinion. There is a message board on Yahoo Groups Called Extraordinary Bandsters These are for people with BMI's over 50 and its a wonderful group.. They showed me I CAN do this no matter what my BMI is. Check it out I think you will like it... Good Luck with everything and Let us know how things work out for you okay.. Take care

Rae · April 19, 2005

Hi Erica...My doctor is in Tacoma at the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic.....Dr. Fox and Dr. Srikanth...........you might go to their information meeting and see what you think.....lots of luck

vinesqueen · April 19, 2005

Hi Erica! Welcome to LBT! My husband (DH) started with a BMI of over 80-- like 86. We were both banded at the Northwest Weightloss Surgery center in Kirkland by Dr. Watkins http://nwwls.com/ 425-899-4610. Dr. Watkins and Dr Montgomery are the absolute best. They are very experinced laprascopic surgeons, and have been doing the Band for a few years. (My DH was done almost 2 years ago.) To date, Mike has been the highest BMI they've done, but well, there just on't get much higher.

Your BMI is an issueand the port might need to be placed on your sternum. This is the standard place for European DRs to place their ports.

It sounds like the surgeon you spoke with is not very experienced. Please give them a call to talk to them.

DeniseG · April 19, 2005

I know when I got my lapband back in 2003 at that time my doctor didn't do bands when someone was over 150 pounds overweight. (I could be wrong) I think his ruling on that has changed but, I am not sure.

Ericalynn13 · April 19, 2005

Wow!!! How sweet you guys are, I didn't even think I'd get a response, and to get all these positive statements, I really appreciate it.

I'm going to look into some of the doctors you guys suggested. Its good to know that this is an issue, I never dreamt that you could be too overweight for a WLS. *laughter*

But I am not going to give up!!! Thank you all so much. :-)