Ask Dr. Curry?

Hi Dr Curry,

I wanted to ask you a question about lap band for women of color. My doctor told me that Lapband doesn't work well for African American Women & that I should get RNY. I'm currently 276 and he tells me I most likely will  only lose 30% of my excess wieght and will plateau at about 230 and never reach my goal wieght. However he beleives that if I get RNY I will lose 50% of my excess wieght and plateau at about 180-200.  When I tried to tell him about my personal history & that I haven't been this heavy until recently  partly because I've gotten bored and depressed from having too much time on my hands. IMy husband got a great career opportunity so I quit my job and we moved to a new city. I loved not working at first but in the last two years I got bored and got fat. I also gained wieght in part because I quit smoking when we moved. When I tried to explain this to him he dismissed it by saying (actually kind of laughing at me while saying) "Your 276 lbs" as if there is NO WAY I could hope to lose a minimum of 70 lbs with the lapband.I wanted to hear from some of you who have had the lapband especially black or Latina (he also mentioned Latina women). Is he right? Is lapband a waste of my time? Please help me I'm feeling very discouraged. Do I have to get RNY in order to lose real wieght?

You know, there may be some truth to this, I have wondered it myself a few times.  I don't know that it has been studied.  We have certainly had many succesful cases, but I'm not sure that it would be as high in African American women as in white women.  The good thing though, is that averages mean nothing when applied to an individual.  You can lose as much weight as you want, whether you are white, black, brown, or yellow.  Your success is within your own control!

Hi Dr. Curry!  I hope you can help me.  What type of tests should I ask my surgeons to do if I think I may have a leak somewhere in my band?  Twice already they have used contrast solution and the flouroscope to look for leaks and have found nothing, and yet, 2 to 3 days after I get a fill I loose absolutely all restriction.  I'm sure we've been missing something.  What do you think I should suggest they do to make sure there is no leakage from any part of the band or port.   Thanks for your help!

If it seems like there is a leak, there is a leak.  It doesn't matter what the Xrays say.  Replacing the port almost always fixes this problem.  Very small slow leaks often times don't show up.

Dr Curry,

I am 2.5 yrs out from banding and down 100 pounds and plannin ga Tummy Tuck in July. I heard today that the surgeons often have to remove the port we have and replace it with a new one. Could this be true? I can see repositioning it but removal? As much as I would love a lower profile, I am not sure my PS will agree with that.

Any insight would be helpful.

Thanks so much!

Kathy V, RN

There is no reason to have to replace the port, unless you just wanted a low profile, which I would definitely recommend.  Even with a low profile, after abdominoplasy it will be a little more noticeable.

Dr. Curry,I had the Realize Band surgery on 12-10-08. I have lost about 22 pounds and going for my third fill under floro in 2 weeks. I have been told by another band patient that too many floros can make the band brittle. Is this true? My doctor cannot find my port in his office and floros are my only way to get a fill. I would appreciate your feedback since you do so many floros. Many thanks,Carol

Absolutely not true.

Dr. Curry,
Thanks so much for your reply! It is so great to have you on this forum so we can get accurate and professional advice when needed. There is so much bad information out there! Your time and dedication is greatly appreciated.
Carol

Dear Dr. Curry,
I am 51 years old and weigh 296 lbs.  I have HBP and Type 2 Diabetes. I have started the process to get a LapBand and my insurance company requires me to go through 6 months of medically supervised weight loss program in order to be considered for the LapBand.  I started this process in February.
I take Bystolic and Azor for my HBP.  I take 20mg Lipitor. My Primary Physician had me on Avandia (2mg), Avandamet 2mg/1000mg, Fortamet (I think it's 500mg) and Janumet.  I was very bothered with extreme swelling that was making my joints very painful and I also felt sick and w no energy.  I ran out of the Avandia and within days I was feeling better.  I went to my regular 90 day appt check up and my doctor was to put me in insuling injections.  I strongly objected to this and she went ahead and gave me a three month "reprieve" and prescribed Starlix (120mg).  I also need to tell you that I am allergic to Sulfanomides. 
I am afraid of needles and I am also afraid that once I am on Insulin, i will never be able to get off it after my surgery.  I understand the need to keep my blood sugar  under control but I think I would like to see more options with medication until my surgery and then see what develops after surgery.
Please give me some guidance.
Thank you.