Question:
Anyone heard of Dr. Oria / Dr. Molina in Houston?

I am seriously considering the non-adjustable banding and I learnt that it is ONLY performed by Dr. Oria in Houston, TX. He is the successor of Dr. Molina who previously performed the surgery but died recently. Have you heard of this and what are your thoughts on it, please? I guess one concern I have is that if the proceedure is good, why havent other surgeons caught on?    — June M. (posted on January 28, 2004)

January 28, 2004
Please go over to this yahoo group: <p> http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/HWLSSG/ <p> And do a search for/ask about Dr. Molina. A lot of post-ops have had problems with the non-adjustable band requiring removal and/or revision. <p> If you want to be banded, why would you not consider the newer AGB?
   — Ali M

January 30, 2004
Beth, you are wrong about the NonAdjustable Band being recognized by the ASBS. I have their publication in front of me right now and the Band by Dr. Oria is definitely included and recognized as a viable option. Have you done research and compiled the statistics to back up your comment that "it does not work"? Out of 12,000+ surgeries, I can't imagine that there would not be some rate of failure as with EVERY SINGLE type of WLS. I do believe that some people may need more than just restricted eating.. they may require malabsorption; however, I believe that to immediately go to that type of surgery and completely/permanently alter they digestive tract is not the best route to go. The NonAdjustable band is totally and completely reversible if ever that is needed. THEN a malabsorption route might be considered. There are thousands of success stories out there for the NonAdjustable band. I believe it should be considered as the first option for those considering WLS. There will be exceptions to every single scenario out there.
   — Paula R.

January 30, 2004
Dr. Molina is dead! if you want to know about his work, write stacy mcclain from saratoga texas. she will share her horror story with you! kim
   — KIM B.

January 30, 2004
We are aware that Dr. Molina passed away...as the original post mentioned, Dr. Oria has taken over Dr. Molina's procedure. I don't think there is a need to have such a nasty tone when discussing Dr. Molina. The truth is that his procedure has helped far more people than not. With ALL medical procedures there is some percentage of failure or bad experiences. If there were only one doctor in the world doing RNY, I am sure he would get a major bad rap when his patients got together to complain. If YOU PERSONALLY have had a bad experience with Dr. Molina's procedure, then please post and tell us what has happened. I, personally, would like very much to add your story to my research on this procedure. If YOU HAVE NOT had this procedure, then please stop speaking for others as though you know what you are talking about when you do not. Paula
   — Paula R.

February 8, 2004
DO NOT have this form of WLS!!! I have had nothing but problems and am looking to have RNY with Dr. Davis in Houston. The Molina band only has a 20% success rate. Mine in floating around inside me somewhere. Do yourself a favor and find another form of surgery.
   — Sandy H.

June 23, 2004
I hope you received the information you were looking for and that you truly researched your options. It appears there are several people here who like to speak about something they have no experience with. I have had this surgery and have not had any complications whatsoever. I lived with it for 7 years before I let someone talk me into reversing it.. I have since been rebanded and have no complaints. Please contact me if you would like to know the truth and not just be scared by people who may or may not have any experience. Paula
   — Paula R.

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

April 28, 2010
I had it in 1989 and it is a failure! I lost 50 lbs and gained back 150.I am now looking into a RNY gastric bypass and am learning that the "Molina Band" is a famous failure--90% of us failed!! I had no idea until recently and had always thought that I was a bad person. Mine is currently about 1/2 down my stomach. When a band is placed horizonally around the stomach-even the top of it- it allows the outward curved side to stretch and eventually displaces the band.
   — blenda