Question:
anyone had the non adjustable gastric band? happy with outcome?

considering surgery and was most interested in the non adjustable gastric band. I'm in Houston and wanted to hear from others who have had this procedure and what Doctor they used?    — brandy M. (posted on December 5, 2001)

December 5, 2001
HI BRANDY,I HAD LAPERSOPIC GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY I'M NOT SURE IF IT IS THE SAME AS YOU WERE ASKING ABOUT BUT MY SURGERY WENT GREAT.I HAD MINE DONE ON 11-5-01.THE FIRST WEEK I LOST 23 POUNDS AND NOW A MONTH LATER I'VE LOST 47 POUNDS.I DON'T GET HUNGER PAINS ANYMORE IN FACT I FORGET TO EAT SOMETIMES AND THAT I NEVER DID BEFORE.I WEIGHTED IN AT 347AND I THINK GOD THAT I DID THIS. MY HEALTH WAS GETTING SO BAD.I AM 54 BUT FELT LIKE 84.I HURT WITH AUTHORIDES STILL BUT I THINK IT WILL GET BETTER AS THE WEIGHT COMES OFF.I MAY STILL HAVE TO HAVE KNEE SURGERY CAUSE IT IS TOO FAR GONE TO HOPE IT WILL STOP HURTING .IF YOU HAVE ANY CONCERNS I HOPE YOU WILL FEEL BETTER ABOUT THIS SURGERY.I AM FROM VICTORIA,TX MY DR. IS DR.MCDANIELS AND HE IS GREAT.IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU MY EMAIL IS [email protected] luck. NANCY M.
   — NANCY M.

December 5, 2001
Your probably describing the VBG. Or doctor Molinas non adjustable band. Your probably better off with the adjustable band. Its done LAP, recovery is about a week. Do consider it. Theres a banders group drop me a email for contact info.
   — bob-haller

December 6, 2001
I'm assuming you mean the VBG. Yes, I'm a year post and have lost 132lbs. I went from a size 26+ to a current 6/7, so yes, I'm very happy with my outcome. My lifestyle is definately active and I sure wasn't this way last year.
   — Jo (Part 2) C.

June 23, 2004
I have had the nonadjustable band. It is not the same as the lap band. There is no tube or resevior left inside your body like with the lap band. Someone mentioned recovery time.. I had my surgery on a Wednesday and flew home on Thursday. I would have stayed an extra night just because I was so sore. :) Let me know if you have more questions. Paula
   — Paula R.

June 20, 2006
Hi there. I had the non adjustable banding done by Dr. Oria in Houston. I would do it over again a million times! Dr. Oria is the best and the non adjustable band has changed my life. If you want to know anything else, feel free to e-mail me at [email protected]
   — jenny5501

August 1, 2006
To: [email protected] From: mrenee07 <[email protected]> Date: Tue Aug 1, 2006 9:26 am Subject: POOR RESULTS and Subsequent REVISION SURGERY I personally do not think this is a good surgery. I realize that each case is different, so, in fairness, I will say perhaps I am the only one who did not find success with this procedure. However, I have read comments from a number of other unsatisfied patients. I had this surgery with Dr. Oria two years ago. I lost 20 lbs and no more. Like many of us (self-pay and overweight), I wanted something inexpensive and immediate. The problem, in my opinion is, while this procedure is certainly less invasive; it cannot be adjusted (without another surgery). Thus, if one does not have enough restriction, you are out of luck. Of course, one can always have another surgery to correct the problem, but then how much less invasive to your body are you really being at that point? I want to say that both Dr. Oria and his staff are extremely nice, professional and generally kind people. However, this doesn't amount to considerable and lasting weight loss. I can't help but feel that I wasted my hard earned money. I have been self-pay for two WLS now and quite frankly, that sucks. I was compliant with Dr. Oria's band, however, the restriction decreased within months after I had the surgery. I was so upset and again felt like a failure. I mean, how can you have a WLS and still be fat. Honestly, I was devastated. Not to mention, I felt like a fool for not doing better research. Ultimately, I am not saying that you shouldn't have this procedure with Dr. Oria. Each of us must make our own decisions regarding such a personal matter. However, inform yourself. Do research on people who have had the "Molina band" or the non- adjustable band who had to have a second surgery called a "revision" in order to actually lose a substantial amount of weight. There are a lot of revision patients out there. I truly hate that I had to be one. Yet, remaining severely obese was not an option for me. So, I gave in and had a gastric bypass (RNY). Note: I weighed 260+ when I had Dr. Oria's procedure in 2004. I lost 20 lbs in three months and began to gain thereafter. I was 257 in 7/06. I was 245 the day of surgery with Dr. V. Wongsa and one week later I weigh 236. 240 was the lowest I ever got with Oria's band. I feel great--also the incisions (done laproscopically) are so much cleaner and smaller than the horrible scar that resulted from Oria's modified-open procedure. Moral of my story: DO YOUR HOMEWORK; DO NOT BE SWAYED BY HOW NICE PEOPLE ARE--IT IS THE WEIGHT LOSS THAT IS IMPORTANT! I am truly sorry if this offends anyone (Dr. Oria and staff included), but I felt it necessary to alert others to the potential outcome of a Molina/Oria/Non-adjustable band procedure (FYI: Dr. Molina is deceased, however the procedure is still sometimes called a Molina band). Good luck on your journey and please feel free to email me with any questions- ([email protected]) -Renee
   — Renee147