Question:
Has anyone else had their Band entrap

I had my Gastric Segmentation, Stomach Banding in March of 1990. Everything went fine. I lost 140 lbs. In Feb. 1998 I took a very nasty fall on ice. It was within a few hrs that I began having complication. I began having heart burn, reflux, swelling of my ankles and legs. Stomach pains and the start of weight gain. I have now gained all my weight back. My band is entraped. The fall caused my band to slip and entrap. Has this happened to anyone else. Has anyone else had a fall causing their band to entrap? The Dr. that did my surgery is located in Houston Texas. I am looking for any medical papers written or Dr's that have encountered this problem with the Gastric Banding.    — Jane S. (posted on November 29, 1999)

September 4, 2003
i had the gastric band done in 93 and i have gained it all back. i think i stretched it out. i am looking in to getting the Y surgery done. i was fine for five years and all of a suddenly boom the weight started on and i could not stop it.i hope my insurance helps if not i will raise the money some how but i want to be thin again i still have my size 10 pants in the closet and i will get back in them and i will shine again!!!!!
   — linda G.

August 17, 2005
I had the surgery by Dr. Molina as well in 1995. I am having my first Upper GI on Friday and will finally know what position it's in now. I lost 117lbs and gained it back 5 yrs later. I am now trying to have it removed and have the bypass done at the same time.
   — Amy J.

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