Lap band rumor mill.....

My surgeon in Grand Forks really pushed me to get the lap band but I have decided on the rny, of course I know myself better than anyone, right?  Anyhow, someone from my little town told me that Merit Care in Fargo doesn't plan on continuing doing them.  Does anyone know if this is true?  I have someone interested in it but that doesn't seem like a positive bit of information......

I have not heard anything, however, I highly doubt it... I think Dr. Howell(Meritcare) was one of the first in this area to do gastric bypass!  Now, if you told me that Innovis in Fargo was not going to do them anymore, I would say, yes that is true, they did quit doing them a while back... Innovis does NOT do gastric bypass, however, they work with Dr. Smith in Park Rapids MN.  Maybe someone got the two hospitals confused??? 

Here is the scoop.

Meritcare had stopped doing the lap band for a short time. The doctors on board at that time were having issues with it. They decided to not pursue doing the surgery for that time being. I guess if a person stops believing in something at some point it is best to follow your heart,mind,whatever you want to call it.

A couple of months or so ago another doctor got on board with Meritcare and he is doing the Lap band. His name ( I won't spell it right) Is Dr. Fabien. His nurse is very informative about the lap band. I have not heard anything negative or positive about the surgery since he got on board.

So, that is the scoop,the rumor mill was kinda of right lol

Kelly/tink

I went to the informational meeting at MC in Fargo in early October & Dr. Monson said that recent research had showed really high failure rates at 5 yrs out & more where failure was defined as failing to lose & maintain at least 50% of the person's excess body weight.  He also said that the only group of people where most of the people do well years out from the procedure are young females who just meet BMI qualifications to have had the surgery who like to exercise.  At that time he said that due to these findings, they were going to start moving away from doing it.  That's really all I know on it, though.