Additional facts from previous story

Amanda Banks Legal Affairs Editor, The West AustralianUpdated March 6, 2013, 4:10 am

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A Perth mother died nearly two years after a stomach banding operation which resulted in her dress size shrinking from 22 to 14 but apparently led to complications that claimed her life, a Perth inquest was told yesterday.

Opening the hearing into the death of Katina Levissianos, counsel assisting the deputy coroner Kate Ellson said the inquest would explore issues including communication between the 55-year-old's GPs and surgeon and the adequacy of the information she was given after the gastric banding procedure.

The inquest is the second in Perth in six months involving a weight reduction operation.

"Given the large number of gastric banding operations that are performed each year, an important function of this inquest will be to highlight ways in which communication between patients, their surgeons and general practitioners can be improved with a view to preventing other deaths," Ms Ellson told Deputy Coroner Evelyn Vicker.

Ms Ellson said Mrs Levissianos was described by her husband as a "chatterbox with a bubbly personality" who would help anybody.

But she said Mrs Levissianos had concerns about her weight, including signs she was developing diabetes, and raised the issue with one of her two GPs, Dr William Diamond, in March 2007.

At the time she was seen by her surgeon, Dr Anthony Kierath, in January 2008, she was at least 60 per cent above her recommended body weight and had a body mass index of about 47.

After a laproscopic adjustable band insertion in February 2008, Mrs Levissianos' weight fell from 106kg to 70kg in the following six months. Mrs Levissianos became unwell and complained of being dizzy after attending a party on October 31. Ms Ellson said Mrs Levissianos had stayed in bed with the belief she was developing a cold.

Mrs Levissianos was found dead on November 4. An autopsy found obstruction at the site of her gastric band device and concluded the cause of death was aspiration of gastric contents in association with gastric necrosis, or dead tissue.

Say what you will ..I Don't  think it was her fault

http://au.news.yahoo.com/queensland/a/-/australian-news/1630 2716/stomach-surgery-led-to-death/

This is the problem: while the patient is telling the doctor about band issues like reflux, night cough, regurgitation, etc, the doctor is ordering tests to determine the cause. This takes time! I started having this problem AFTER my band was unfilled. I would dream I was suffocating and I would wake up choking on acid and food. I went to the doctors...pcp, band doctor and finally my gastroenterologist. I saw him in November. EGD 12/6/12, gastric emptying study in February, barium swallow in March, esophageal manometry in April, referred to Dr Pellegrini, had appt with him May 30th. June 7th band and a ton of scar tissue was removed...problem gone. But I could have DIED in the 9 months it took to determine that the band was the problem.
On top of reflux, regurgitating and vomiting every meal, I was having severe palpitations from my heart being irritated by the food in my esophagus. Esophageal dilation is NOT from over eating, pouch packing etc. It's due to the band damaging the lower esophageal sphincter. It won't open to let food into the pouch....
I'm almost four weeks out from removal, maintaining my weight and eating everything I want; salad, corn on the cob, asparagus, peaches, apples, half sandwiches. This is not a coincidence bandsters. This is the experience of so many of us.

I was worried the whole time you were going thru this.  I never could understand why they were putting off the removal and putting you at further risk.  Yes, you could have.

I have battled with a slipped band for three years.  I have had zero fluid in my band, but symptoms of a too tight fill. Vomiting and regurgitation hhave been AARP of everyday living.  Upper gi three years ago showed no slippage, and moved on to other causes. I have been to cardiologist, pulmonologist, to try and figure out what was causing my problems,  I finally had my removal approved after six months of fighting with insurance,  upon removal the surgeon said I did in fact have a slippage.   I am so thankful this band is out and I feel better after surgery than I have the last three years of my life.  I know slippage is not a huge risk, but it was enough for me to spread the word to everyone I know to not get the lap-band..,,,it is not worth the risk.   So thankful to be alive and on the mend.  

I would like to add that dr. Del a torre did not initial put in my band, he removed my band....and is my savior.  

 

So glad you got it removed! Are you revising to a more effective WLS now?