Lapband's dirty little secret

[3636millie2 0]

Has anyone been told before having your lapband implantation surgery that no other lap band surgeon will touch you if you move, have problems, have a surgeon who will not listen to you when you are having issues, live in one state part of the year and another state for part of the year, etc? Am I wrong in feeling as though this should be brought up in the "seminars" that you go to prior to the surgeon accepting you as a patient?

I had my band placed in May 2008. In Feb of this year I developed problems, had surgery for lysis of adhesions. I have been slowly getting my band refilled. Have not even gotten to the fill level I had before surgery. Now having the same issues as pre surgery. Went to my surgeon. He would not even listen to my symptoms. Just demanded I put my purse down and get up on the table to have an unfill as he was making the statement that I should be happy that I have lost 85 lbs (didn't even bother to look at my barium swallow with follow through that my family physician had ordered until after he had taken 1 ml out of my band-which by the way did show that I was not too tight).

That was almost 2 weeks ago. I continue to have the same problems (severe pain with eating, several days a week not even able to get Protein shakes down, etc) only now much worse. I also have severe burinig throughout my abdominal area tht isn't relieved by Previcid in the AM, Pepcid in the PM and drinking Mylanta every 2 hours. I have tried to get an appointment with 5 different lap band surgeons for a second opinion as I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER want to go back to my original surgeon. Oh, I forgot to mention that the lap band surgeon I saw was just currently censured by the state board of medical examiners for not apparently listening to a patient in the past.

I am a Director of Nursing at an outpatient surgical center. I was finally able to call in a few favors and will be seeing one of the general surgeons that works in our facility (I was hoping to not have to do this as I think it is unprofessional to "call in favors") today as he thinks I have an erosion and the diffuse abdominal pain is caused by leakage of the stomach contents into my abdomen.

My point is....... All potential lap band patients should be informed before they commit to having surgery that once they have chosen their surgeon, they will basically never be able to see a different lap band surgeon. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have had the lap band done and would have instead chosen to have the sleeve.

Thanks to all for listening to my rant...........Wish me luck for today. Thanks.

[Brockbabe82 0]

I'm sorry you are having such a tough time. I do hope this new surgeon will ive you the answers to fix your problems.

[Carriedaway78 0]

Well that really stinks. I'm sorry to hear that you're going through that. So far I haven't had any problems with my doctor. Did you research your doc before surgery?

[tonya66 13]

My surgeon sees a lot of different patients, he is even giving fills for the Mexico patients.

A girl I work with switched to him too because her surgeon was a *&()*(.....So not all surgeons are like that.

Sorry you are having such a hard time, I really do feel for you and I am glad you were able to "call in some favors", your surgeon should've been more responsive to your complaints and issues!

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Has anyone been told before having your lapband implantation surgery that no other lap band surgeon will touch you if you move, have problems, have a surgeon who will not listen to you when you are having issues, live in one state part of the year and another state for part of the year, etc? Am I wrong in feeling as though this should be brought up in the "seminars" that you go to prior to the surgeon accepting you as a patient?

I had my band placed in May 2008. In Feb of this year I developed problems, had surgery for lysis of adhesions. I have been slowly getting my band refilled. Have not even gotten to the fill level I had before surgery. Now having the same issues as pre surgery. Went to my surgeon. He would not even listen to my symptoms. Just demanded I put my purse down and get up on the table to have an unfill as he was making the statement that I should be happy that I have lost 85 lbs (didn't even bother to look at my barium swallow with follow through that my family physician had ordered until after he had taken 1 ml out of my band-which by the way did show that I was not too tight).

That was almost 2 weeks ago. I continue to have the same problems (severe pain with eating, several days a week not even able to get Protein shakes down, etc) only now much worse. I also have severe burinig throughout my abdominal area tht isn't relieved by Previcid in the AM, Pepcid in the PM and drinking Mylanta every 2 hours. I have tried to get an appointment with 5 different lap band surgeons for a second opinion as I NEVER, NEVER, NEVER want to go back to my original surgeon. Oh, I forgot to mention that the lap band surgeon I saw was just currently censured by the state board of medical examiners for not apparently listening to a patient in the past.

I am a Director of Nursing at an outpatient surgical center. I was finally able to call in a few favors and will be seeing one of the general surgeons that works in our facility (I was hoping to not have to do this as I think it is unprofessional to "call in favors") today as he thinks I have an erosion and the diffuse abdominal pain is caused by leakage of the stomach contents into my abdomen.

My point is....... All potential lap band patients should be informed before they commit to having surgery that once they have chosen their surgeon, they will basically never be able to see a different lap band surgeon. If I knew then what I know now, I would never have had the lap band done and would have instead chosen to have the sleeve.

Thanks to all for listening to my rant...........Wish me luck for today. Thanks.

May I ask who your surgeon is? People should be warned about him and besides, we are both in AZ and I want to know who it is.

Dr. Berger in Flag is wonderful, he will see anyone banded anywhere. If you are self pay there is Aceves in Mexicali, 50 miles west of Yuma.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

Wait a minute, I know who your surgeon is! Orris/Debarros?

I'm sorry you are dealing with this. I have heard nothing but complaints about that practice lately.

Berger in Flag is great!

Don't be quick to jump to erosion, you'll need an upper endo to find out for sure. But you do have symptoms of band intolerance as well. Hopefully it isn't erosion so if you choose you can revise to something else at the time of band removal if it comes down to that.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Millie - as someone who had to change surgeons, I understand your problem. The last time I went to see my new surgeon I met a woman who had been banded in Mexico and a surgeon near where she lives said he would not touch her. Fortunately she found my new doctor.

I left my former surgeon because he told me I had a different band than I did (said I had a 10cc when I have a 4cc). He gave me aggressive fills - 2cc and then 1cc and overfilled me and then blamed me when I developed problems until he saw the results of the upper GI - then called me in immediately for a 1cc unfill - his attitude was completely different then. All this, plus the fact that I was only his 23rd banding patient and he is a general surgeon who also does bariatric surgery, caused me to seek a second opinion and ultimately leave his practice. My new doctor does bariatric surgery only.

You have the right to all of your medical test results and get the disks of all your upper GI's. These will be helpful for your new doctor.

I do wish you a lot of luck and hope you find the care you deserve.

[Headhunter 6]

My "Mantra" throughout my entire post-band/revision to RNY experience has been this:

Choose your surgeon wisely.

I had a jackass install my Lap Band. The aftercare was pathetic, and when problems began to surface, he hid like a criminal.

It's not always easy to do. I mean, the OP was a professional in the Medical Industry, and even SHE ended up with a schmuck.

Keep us posted, Millie.....

HH

[Jul 0]

I agree this should be told to every patient. Also

i have to wonder what happens to patients who's surgeon either moves out of the country or God forbid if the surgeon dies?!!

it doesn't make sense either. I mean if you have a heart surgery and move to a different state and need to see a heart surgeon again you're not going to be refused! or shouldn't be anyway. Anyway I agree with your rant 100%. Hope everything works out well for you.

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

I agree this should be told to every patient. Also

i have to wonder what happens to patients who's surgeon either moves out of the country or God forbid if the surgeon dies?!!

it doesn't make sense either. I mean if you have a heart surgery and move to a different state and need to see a heart surgeon again you're not going to be refused! or shouldn't be anyway. Anyway I agree with your rant 100%. Hope everything works out well for you.

All the more reason for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy. There is no aftercare, none. If you do have a complication you can go to a surgeon, GI surgeon, or a bariatric surgeon. With bands you have to go to a bariatric surgeon and they are kinda pissy, if they don't get the surgery business they do not want to do the aftercare because the money is in surgery, not aftercare.

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Many surgeons don't like taking over someone else's patient. I do post this any time I see someone here considering going to Mexico or away from their "home" for surgery.

Literally we SHOULD be able to figure out to ask; but when we're getting the band I think most of us are focused ON the band and don't have an idea/understanding about how very important follow up care is to success/health.

[talkalot1981 5]

Well I wonder about someone like me. I mean my family is military and we move almost every 4 years. What do I do then? I am sure Tricare had to refer me to a new surgeon but what if he rejects the referral? I know I am here in Alaska for the next 2 1/2 years, so I hope all goes well... Jennifer

[Headhunter 6]

Many surgeons don't like taking over someone else's patient. I do post this any time I see someone here considering going to Mexico or away from their "home" for surgery.

Literally we SHOULD be able to figure out to ask; but when we're getting the band I think most of us are focused ON the band and don't have an idea/understanding about how very important follow up care is to success/health.

This is true.....the aftercare portion is a HUGE part of the whole band experience, but we are usually so anxious to get it installed that we don't spend ENOUGH time considering the aftercare.....of lack thereof....until it's too late.....

HH

[bmooney364 30]

I am beginning to see what you mean. I waited and went through alot of crazy stuff with my surgeons staff and my insurance because I wanted this one. He has a great reputation and low complication rate. He is very skillful and careful, taking alot of tests to make sure things are right. Long story short, he is leaving for a much better position at a large medical center. Thank God the surgeon who assisted him has agreed to take his patients. This new surgeon is in my hometown and he is great. I did not know that he did lapbands. I may have considered him and he definitely would have been my 2nd choice. I know how frustrating it is dealing with lapband issues. I wonder is all WLS are so complicated. I guess there are so many diffrent ways of doing things and rules that surgeons don't want to deal with another surgeons way of doing thing. That and aftercare is not where the money is, but it seems that is where the time and effort come in.Good luck hope you can get to the bottom of your problems soon. Keep us updated.

[lml32937 65]

I was advised at my seminar and thru my own personal research that my surgeon and I would be come buddies for life. I was told at the seminar and by him pre-op that if we moved I needed to let him know asap and that he and his team would coordinate my care to where ever I was moving to- I thought this was standard protocol- obvioulsy not- I am glad I am not planning on moving but sympathize with all of your problems.... Good luck!