Need a fill Dr for Lap Band

My daughter is having Lap Band surgery in Mexico by Dr Aceves on July 3. She will need a follow up and fill Dr. I refered her to Dr Cirangle who was a complete JERK to her 2X. He is one of those Drs *****fuse to help patients that were operated on in Mexdico. I wont waste eveyones time here with the arguments involved in going to Mexico. Suffice it to say that Dr Aceves is one of the worlds true masters in Lap Band surgery and most of the attitudes by US surgeons boil down to ******g in the corners. It should be criminal to refuse service like this but I have come to expect it, I am banded nyself. What should be a positive experience is becomming a hassle thanks to Drs like Cirangle. I am sure his own patients are quite happy with him That is not the issue. All othere things aside we are in need of a Dr who will do fills in Oahu for patients that were banded in Mexico. Thanks for any help. Craig www.carothersweb.com

I wish I knew the answer - but I wanted to say, that I'm sorry she had that experience with Cirangle, that's awful... and as far as Doctors in the Hawaii area - they'd all be on Oahu, and since it's only a fill - I would try Dr. Fowler at Castle first.. You can look up some of the others here on the site - I'm not sure who all does lap band though - I do not believe that dr's Balfour or Huang do, but I could be wrong, and dr. Lapshies office told me he doesn't do bariatrics any longer... You can try Dr. Muryama, and I forgot the other doctor in town's name. Just do a search on OH by Hawaii doctors and then I'd call around. I'm not sure it's any of their business WHO did the surgery, as long as she's got copies of records so they know what they're doing as far as how much she's filled/not filled at this point, so they know where they're going with it. HTH, sorry I couldn't offer more, Tin K

Hello, since I saw my name being used, I felt I should give a little info. I started a hospital based bariatric program in december of last year. We started doing surgery in april. I perform the lapband and the lapbypass. I do not know of anyone else currently performing the lapband in hawaii. Your frustration with finding a surgeon to perform an adjustment is not unique. Current hesitation on the part of the bariatric surgeon to perform an adjustment lies in not knowing how the band sits on your abdominal wall and the type of band used (in addition to liability). I do perform adjustments for people who have had their lapband off-island. I require the op note and a swallow study to check band position. There are also plenty of surgeons in california who will perform adjustments. Good luck with your search, and take some relief in the fact that the lapband procedure is gaining momentum, and with it will be more surgeons who will perform adjustments. Sincerely, Steven Fowler

Dr. Fowler: Thank you for your refreshing response. I live in extream Nortehr Calif. There are no fill Dr/s up here. In fact I have to drive 7 Hours to get to one and flying back to Mexico is about as cost effective for me. My daughter, however, lives in Honolulu. I will certainly have her look you up. Dr Aceves sends you home with a post op Xray and barium swallow to show position etc. He also gives you the band box and serial numberand the op notes. In my case I even have the DVD of the proceedure. Sorry to have vented so much frustration but after considerable investigation I can't help but feel that issues other than purely medical and liability are having a profound effect on the availalblity of American medical personell to perform this much needed service. Thanks again for your quick response and valuable input Craig www.carothersweb.com