Ask Dr. Curry

No clear winner, there are some cir****tances where I like one over the other.  High BMI and male patients for example I prefer the AP large by Allergan.  For lower BMI patients they both work great if you are compliant with the program.

Dr. Curry, My sister is looking into weight loss surgery. She would like to get the sleeve. She was recently diagnosed with Sarcoidosis. Would she be able to have the surgery? Thanks

I would recommend that the sarcoidosis be well in remission for a while, like about 12 months.  If she is requiring a lot of steroids then a sleeve might not work out too well.

Okay I have a question. I had a fill last Wed. and on Thursday morning and through out the day I was not able to keep down water so they had me come in for an partial unfill. this is only my second fill since surgery. I am not on mushy food (or suppose to be) but this morning I tried to eat eggbeaters and they go stuck I am having trouble with anything that is not liquid out not smooth.(I an eat yogurt). I vomited this morning after the eggs (a first for me) and now I have a pain under my left rib cage. could this be a slip?? or am I just being a hypo.

Probably just need another unfill but an upper GI might not be a bad idea to confirm good band position.

Since you are a Dr, can you answer this burning question I have? Before I had the surgery, I ate a lot and didn't exercise. Now that I have had the surgery, if I eat something out of the way, I gain even though I walk 3 miles a day and dont eat NEARLY as much as I did. How can this happen? It blows me away! Thanks!!

That's a tough one...I'm afraid I don't have a good answer!

I posted this question before, but haven't recieved an answer. Not sure if it was just overlooked or still checking into.  Thanks in advance. I got my lapband on 3/26, and had my first fill last Tuesday (now 2 weeks ago).  Since my fill, I have been feeling pressure on my throat.  I also have hashimodo's thryroid disease that I do not think is under control at this point.  I know I get this feeling in my throat (almost like someone pushing on my windpipe) when my thyroid levels are not right.  But this happened right after my first fill, so I am wondering if maybe it has something to do with that.  Food, water- all going down without issues, no being "stuck".  I have no idea if it is the band or thyroid. 

I am wondering- who should I call about this?  Should it be my lapband surgeon or should I see my regular PCP, who has always taken care of my thyroid issues in the past?  I am also my PCP's first lapband patient, so if it is due to the band, not sure if he would recognize it.

So confused as to who to turn to- please help

I actually answered this question a while ago, I'm not sure what happened to it.  If your thyroid is not properly regulated I would definitely get that taken care of first, although I think you are going to end up having to see your band surgeon about this issue too, so might as well line them both up.

Hello my name is Michelle and I am 22 years old, I have been wanting to have the lap-band surgery for a long time. My gyn doctor has recently sent a letter to my insurence telling them how much I need this surgery. Last year I had a major surgery on my left overy. She found  a pelvic mass the size of 17 x 15 cm from the time it was found in June of 2007 till my surgery in July of 07 it had grown 15 to 16 cm larger. it was noted to be benign. In January I had another ultra sound done and they found a small complex cyst on my right overy, this is being treated by medication for now unless it grows larger. I am wondering will all of this cause me not to be able to have the surgery. My doctor told me that unless I lost the weight the cysts and my insulin levels will never go away, I never want to go through that surgery again. I have tried diet and excerise for almost a year and a half all I keep doing is gaining weight not loosing. I am getting very frusterated of what to do anymore. please let me know what you think. I am tired of doctors telling me how bad I need to loose weight but no one will help me much...  thank you Michelle