Hey Pam!

I saw the article from the link on Centennial's FB page--I've been in Monday night group with BIll and his wife Debbie since May and he is doing an AMAZING JOB!

I support the expansion of all WLS with the revised standards (lower BMI--from 35 to 30 WITH co-morbidities), but am not keen on it applying to the adjustable gastric banding only.

With respect to gastric banding, I have to say that it is a product.  And the committee chairperson, Karen Woods, MD, owns stock in Allergan (makers of the Lap-Band), which I find to be a conflict of interest, personally.

It just stinks to me of a tactic to drive up sales.  

The band can be an effective tool, as Bill has so clearly shown.  

But within my circle of WLS friends, I know of at least 10  bandsters who want revisions to a different surgery (including me), and about 5 who did revise from band to either VSG or DS and are much happier with their revision than they were with their bands.

The band is the least successful of the surgeries (weight loss and reduction of co-morbidities)  and requires the most extensive follow up.  It also doesn't work well for those with eating disorders.  The brain's impulses are much louder than the band signals.  I know this from personal experience.

IMHO, changing the BMI requirements for all surgeries and making the VSG and DS more accessible via insurance coverage would be the best idea.

Here's another article from CNN on the topic.

Possible expansion of gastric banding procedures related to FDA advisory panel decision.

Read more about it in today's Tennessean.

Sorry to hear about your tough Journey.  Hopefully you will be able to get back on track.

I am going to have the VSG. 

I am interested to hear why you feel he is better with light weights than heavy weights?

As you can see from my pic I am far from a light weight.  right at 350# right now.

I know that Karen Starr does do aftercare. She is a awesome gal. Hey Marie, hope all is well sweetie.

Hi, I just saw your post on Dr. McDowell.  He did my surgery over 4 years ago.  I didn't have any complications and initially lost 95 lbs.  But that only lasted for 6 months and then I started gaining it back and have have gained most of it back.  :(  I tried everything, I'm even seeing a personal trainer.  I had the RNY but should have had the DS but Dr. McDowell doesn't perform those so he didn't recommend that for me.

I'm looking into a revision but it has not been an easy task.  There are very few doctors that revise from RNY to DS. 

If you are a lightweight, I would recommend him. But if you are a heavyweight like myself, I would not.