my thoughts on Lap Band only Dr.s

 I went to a dr. who only did Lap band surgery,  I was not very impressed and I wondered why would that be, that a doctor would only do Lap Band Surgery,    or used to do the RNY but does not do it any more.....   after digging a little deeper it made me realize that either the Dr. does not feel comfortable doing the RNY  or got in some kinda trouble from the medical board.. but i think if someone is looking into weight loss surgery they should go to someone who specializes in all of them, that way they can help you decide on your best option and what is best for you...  if they only do lap band then I would wonder why?   this is just me... and my thoughts... i am sure there are good dr. who only do lap band... but i would pick a dr. who does all surgery and felt comfortable doing all...  

also is there some type of commission or do they get some type of kick back using a specific type of band?  

I went to a Lap band only surgeon.  I made the decision on what I wanted and would not be swayed.  He used to do rny as well but I heard he had a patient die and it tore him up and he didn't feel like it was a safe surgery to do.  His surgical skills are top notch so I think he just decided to go with what he believes in. 

I don't know if they get a kick back I think they do what they feel works best.

Go to Dr. Terry Simpson's website if he wasn't the doctor you already saw. He only does lapband and gives you lots of reasons why he only does it and only uses one brand (Allergan). He has side by side charts to compare Bands and RNY & DS He used to do other surgeries but feels the band is the best and safest. Yes do your research of course and good luck on your choice.

 

His side-by-side charts are at odds with what the American Society of Bariatric and Metabolic Surgeons say is going on the  world of wls.


Here's what they say about the DS:
The amount of excess weight loss after the BPD has been reported to be around 70 percent – with weight loss in some patients persisting up to 18 years.

And here's what they say about the Band:
Excess weight loss with the laparoscopic adjustable gastric band is lower than that with the gastric bypass or malabsorptive procedures, varying between 28% and 65% at 2 years and 54% at 5 years.



Simpson advertises that the results are all the same...60%  So who is right...Simpson or EVERYBODY ELSE?

www.asbs.org/Newsite07/patients/resources/asbs_story.htm

Everything about his website is misleading and deceitful.

I remember when he used to have a photo of a "supposed" Mexican lapband that was removed from someone.  The sutures hadn't even been cut yet.  It appeared like someone just ripped it out of the patient.  HA!  I realize US surgeons are losing a lot of business to MX but maybe US surgeons need to think about why that is.

 Hi There

Im a 9 yr post op RNY patient... I have for the past 4 1/2 years, worked with Lap-Band patients only...assisting them in their insurance approval process and after care support.  To maintain my 185+ pound weightloss I now eat the same way Band patients do - it works... 

Ive been able to live thru and watch the progression of weightloss surgery for a long time.... Lap-Band was not approved in the US when I had surgery.  It wasnt a choice available to me...I wi**** was.  I dont recommend RNY for anyone anymore (although if asked post-op Ill certainly offer all  my support and experience) ...There are too many complications, potential long term risks and health issues, iron and vitamin deficiencies requiring infusions or transfusions, possible osteoporsis and the list goes on....

There are far less risks with Lap-Band....Lap-Band also allows for a more normal way of eating and adjustment to food after surgery.. Initially bypass surgeries allow a patient to lose a lot more weight than Lap-Band because they have the benefit of malabsorption.... After 3 years or so youll see many bypass patients regain a lot of weight because they may have stretched their pouch ortheir stoma and their intestines will have thickened and allowed for absorption of calories... but not the nutrients... so you can end up and Ive seen many who have, obese again and vitamin deficient... And come back for a band over bypass....

Those surgeons who have done bypass and then switched over to Lap-Band only usually do so because they have seen the benefits of BAND without complication like bypass patients have.  They do so because they choose to not because of a negative.... 

Id be happy to talk to you in person if youd like.  Its a difficult decision -- No pressures no sales and no cost -- just question and answer from someone who has a lot of experience... if you would like.... Thanks 

I talked to a few surgeons at a practice which only did banding, and these guys for some reason rubbed me the wrong way. I'm sure their surgical skills were completely fine... and they had very  low complication rates, etc. However, I got the impression that their primary focus was making money. It was the very first thing that they asked about during my consultation. I'm sure it was just me... but it really turned me off of this particular practice. I was also skeptical about them ONLY wanting to do banding. Even though I had already decided I wanted the band because it was the best fit for me.... it bothered me when they belittled other surgical options. I do not believe that banding is a one-size-fits-all procedure... I feel that surgery type should depend on what is best for the patient.

I'm sure there are many fabulous banding-only outfits. I just personally did not find one that I felt was a good fit.

Whatever you do, and whatever surgery you decide on, make sure that you've thoroughly researched all of your options.

Good luck!!

I completely agree with your thinking.

These band mills... they are a horror.  The band has a ton of long term risks and complications.  The sleeve does not.  Actually, doctors that claim they only do banding because it's the safest, that's a load.  The actual surgery is the safest, but long term the sleeve is safer hands down.

Then there are some that need malabsorption.  They just need a bit more help than restriction alone can do. 

It's all a personal decision.  But... going to a band mill and expecting him to help you with what YOU might need as an individual instead of part of the herd being run through the band mill... they aren't going to do that.  It would be like going to a Toyota dealer and assuming they will tell you that a Honda is a better bet for you.  They aren't going to do that.  They are going to sell you the only procedure they do, easy banding.

Terry Simpson's website is a FANTASTIC example.  He has these graphs that show the horrors of anything but banding.  BUT... he doesn't even mention sleeves, the fastest growing surgery and safest surgery long term today.  Why?  Because he doesn't do it.  He also doesn't mention all the many things that can and do go wrong with banding.  It is nothing short of deceptive.  He does not mention esophageal dilation, pouch dilation, stoma spasms, slips, erosions, stomach necrosis from a severe slip, port infections, band intolerance.  Why is he only listing complications of bypass and DS but fails to mention the risks associated with banding?  These are not rare complications, they are verrrry common!  But he's pushing the band so he's deceptive about it.

Oh, check out his weight loss stats.  All procedures have a 60% EWL.  Total crap once again. Here is something a little closer to truth than Simpson (aka band mill) website:

Medical News: ASMBS: Gastric Banding Less Effective than Other Procedures - in Meeting Coverage, ASMBS from MedPage Today

Then... his death stats.  1 in 10,000 for a band and 1 in 200 for bypass/DS.  What a load!  He's comparing low risk bands to higher risk patients getting bypass/DS.  He isn't even comparing the same surgical risk groups.  Walking away from his deceitful website will have a person thinking the only way they will survive WLS is if they get a band.

Look at Darcie Leigh.  Another form of deception.  Check out her web page.  She's not telling anyone that her weight loss was due to RNY while pushing banding.  She's showing a successful photo of an RNY person while inferring she is banded on the website.  And now, at goal and doing well she suddenly prefers banding.  Of course, that's all the doctors DO at her silly surgical center.

The Simpson website is a fantastic example of why you should do exactly as you think and feel.  Go to someone who does all the surgery types so that you can see which is best for you.  There is no surgery type that is right for everyone.  WLS is not a one size fits all.  If the surgeon isn't capable of giving you a safer more complex surgery then you should find someone who can and will.  Band mills are easy money, bottom line.