MsButterKup23

I am a former patient of Dr. Robert Owen Powell. This man operated on me in 2005. I kept a blog of my experience of being banded by Dr. Powell. It is located at the link below: http://www.obesityhelp.com/member/msbutterkup23/blog/2006/10/ For those who are interested in every little detail in why I say RUN away from this doctor. He commonly went back and forth between Texas and California and it looks like he is only in California. I'm sure he FORGETS to tell the nice people who come into his office that ALL of his Texas Patients were TAKEN away from him and given to other physicians. I'm not the only person with complaints about Dr. Powell, there is at least one lady online who claims Dr. Powell failed to give her mom proper care and he almost killed her!! Do your research folks. Life has gone on and I haven't kept the previously mentioned blog current. On August 26, 2010, I made the wisest decision I could have based upon the fact that I got to a point where I was unable to swallow Water let alone eat solid food for months! I got completely away from True Results AKA Surgery Center of Richardson and went with another DFW Area physician that specializes in Lap Band revisisons to Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy (VSG). I was tired of the sales pitch I guess and more so the constant adjustments (Fills) that a Lap Band requires. I lost 140lbs when the band seemed to be working right so I know my story might be a bit hard to understand completely. During my surgery to have the band removed my new surgeon realized why I had such hell with the Lap Band. DR. POWELL HAD PLACED MY LAP BAND IN BACKWARDS, in fact my new surgeon, whom I completely trust now has NEVER seen a Band placed the way Dr. Powell had mine in my chest. The word is Lap Band is reversable. That is SOMEWHAT true. The damage it causes is permanent. I will forever have a severely weakened esophagus because of this band and I'm only 33 years old. I still have times of discomfort even after having the band from hell removed when I try to eat solids and they get stuck in the weaken portion. Please take the time to do your research on Dr. Powell or any surgeon you pick to do anytype of surgery on your body. It's your body, you are stuck with any and all damages and complications that might occur. Do web searches and ask other patients about their experiences. Just be careful because some doctors have staff posing as patients to get you interested!! Not to start a which is best surgery war, but do an internet search for "Lap Band Lawyer" because he suits are about to start as people are realizing what was done to them.. Sincerely, Carrie H

I am curious to see how everyone from a few years back are doing. I'm not sure if there is anyone else who has been on OH that's been banded as long or longer than me and still has the band. I am NOT happy with my band neither is my Hubby. I can eat mushy foods on a good day. I'm mostly on a liquid diet. I originally lost 140lbs, played the fill/unfill games. In Feb. 2008 I had ALL of my Fluid removed because I could not swallow my own saliva. At the current time, I have ZERO liquid in my band and I'm on liquids most of the time. My husband on the other hand has fluid in his band and can eat whatever he wants as much as he wants. My plan is to have an EGD tomorrow, see how destroyed my stomach is from this stupid band. My insurance company approved me for a band removal but denied me for the Vertical Sleeve Gastrectemy Procedure as it's "experimental". Dr. Robert O. Powell had several of us in the DFW area. For some reason his patients were ALL TAKEN away from him and given to other doctors. We didn't pick the doctor we have at this time and I think he knows a lot more about all the bad stuff he's seen that Dr. Powell has done. Dr. Powell is in California still banding innocent folks. He needs to be stopped in my honest opinion. I have an appointment for a second opinion with another doctor who is not affiliated with my case or the Surgery Center and is used to "cleaning up" after the crappy doctors destroy bodies. I'd love to see other's updates. Perhaps it might make others think twice before having this procedure done. All was great for 2-3 years then what. They couldn't give us an estimate on how long the band was good for when we first asked. I refuse to ever have another band placed in my body and would beg anyone I know not to have one placed. Best of luck to everyone! -Carrie

My doctor sold me Myocel (Vanilla). It smells like Playdough and tastes like cardboard. This is day 1 of my 2 week pre-op diet. Anyone else use this product and if so what is good to put in it? I'm starving, but I literally gag everytime I take a gulp. This is the stuff I am going to be on post-op so I have to get used to it. Thanks! -Carrie

I'm looking at Nov. 16th as the day that my doctor is going to replace my port with the new "low profile" port. Anyone had this done? He said local, the surgery center is talking sedation... I don't do sedation. I had some bad pain in the past in my port area with my ribs, but the pain has since disapeared. I am a bit timid about messing with something that doesn't hurt and fear I am setting myself up for a possibility of more pain if I have it replaced. Please let me know your experience.

I haven't posted on here in ages. I'm one of those who've had a difficult road with my band and original surgeon. I'm currently 37 weeks pregnant with my second child. I was banded in 2005. I thought some may want to hear about my pregnancy experience with the band. My first pregnancy (without the band) I started out around 302lbs and ended up losing 40lbs due to daily nausea/vomiting. My daughter was born at 38 weeks via c-section due to hypertension and a failed induction. She weighed 7lbs, 2 ozs and is a healthy 4 year old. This pregnancy I've had very little nausea and vomiting compared to my previous pregnancy. I've only "lost it" a couple times per month on average. My doctor gave me Phenergan to prevent it but I am unable to take it due to a seizure disorder I have. I take Benadryl if it gets real bad and it helps the nausea. I'm about 3 pounds under my starting weight at the beginning of this pregnancy. I'm constantly between 230 and 235. My OB has done growth scans on my daughter and she is consistantly measuring a week ahead on her growth. We are expecing another 7 pound baby. My husband is also banded and he has gained the 30 pounds I was supposed to. We both have some work to do after Trinity is born. I'm having a scheduled c-section on Feb. 12th so please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. Best of luck to everyone who is pregnant or TTC.

MsButterKup23's Profile Has my blog with my experience with Dr. Powell on it.

Sorry I'm the one to burst your bubble. I'm in the Dallas area where Dr. Powell had ALL of his patients handed out to other doctors. My husband and I were both banded by this man and personally I would not allow him to remove a hemmorhoid off my dog. It's all about the money with him. Once one surgeon touches you due to liabilty it's hard to get someone else to take over your care. Check out his reviews on obesityhelp and feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I went almost a year without any care and was scheduled for major surgery because of this man. Stay away from him!!!

I don't know "the rules" as both are considered major surgery. I was 10 months out from my c-section with our first daughter when I was banded. I would have been banded sooner but my original surgeon and his office were idiots.

My original surgeon said 18 months. I lost 140lbs during that time so I knew it wouldn't be good to get pregnant at that time. I waited almost 4 years because of me going back to school and working and life in general (nothing to do with the band). Personally I would wait at least 1-2 years after you stabilize.

I've been banded for over 3 years. I got down to 160ish from 297. I quit working prior to getting preggo and ended up starting this pregnancy at 234. Well 24 weeks later I'm at 236 and having a heck of a time eating. Yes, I've only gained 2 pounds at 6 months gestation! Prior to getting preggo I also had my band completely unfilled while I was trying to figure out if I wanted to switch to GBS rather than to continue my bumpy road with the band, thus the pre-pregnancy weight gain. Now I have no interest in food. My OB is monitoring the grown of the baby and isn't yelling at me as long as she continues to grow correctly. I've had some nausea, dry hurling and occasional vomiting but nothing extreme just no interest in eating. Anyone else in this frustrating situation??

I am at a point where I honestly don't know what to do. I am so disapointed in the way I look. Everyone says I look great, but they are the people who don't see me naked. I hate looking at myself naked. I want to cry. I am 28 years old and feel from my breast to my knees I have the body of an 80+ year old. I have "bat wings" under my arms and my excess skin as been known to make "noises" when I move a certain way. I expected excess skin, but never like this. I have a baby that is almost 2 years old and I work 45+ hours per week and I'm starting back in college on Saturday (yeah Saturday is the only time I have to go to school!) I don't have time to take off for another elective surgery not to mention the $$ involved. :mad: I honestly don't know if I was happier with my body at 300lbs than I am now. Anyone else in the same boat?

I already posted this over in the food section and was told about unjury Flavorless. I'm having a real problem getting my Protein down (myocel) I am ready to throw up. I am pre-op with 2 weeks to go. I know that the Unjury website sells it, but does anyone know of any stores that carry it? I already looked at GNC and couldn't find it on their website. Thanks!

I hate my band. I wish I could pull the stupid thing out of my own body. My initial surgeon bailed on all his patients. My new surgeon is starting to do the same crap my old surgeon did before he bailed. After 3 years, the best advice I can give you is not to have the band. Once they put it in that's it.. unless YOU come up with the $$ to have it taken out and find a surgeon who will do so you are screwed. It's all about the $$$$$ to hell with patient care.

He's our new doctor. While he didn't do our orginal surgeries we have been pleased with him so far. He was very nice and understanding after everything we had been through with our previous crappy money hungry surgeon.

Personally I would have the Sleeve done. I'm not sure if there is a lot of insurances covering it at this time. There are a lot of doctors in the Lap Band business for the $$. My original surgeon was all about the $$. Best of luck to you.

He called me and I am giving him a chance to fix the problem now that I have personally talked to him.

Not that I would use a doctor that lied to me in the beginning, but apparently they offer financing now (according to the site). So what's the difference between an existing patient or former patient? Even if you don't get your $$ back (which is horrible), at least you didn't get started with a dishonest doctor. It happens. It happened to me and my husband and with Lap Band it's too important to have a TRUSTING relationship during aftercare. Best of luck to you!

It's been a long time since I've been back on the board. Dr. Powell is no longer practicing at SCOR. They have handed out his patients to the remaining doctors. From what I have been told, he is no longer in his same office. The last conversation I had with him was NOT a good one. I had another after this post and he lost me and my husband during that time. I work in the medical field. You can't base your practice on $$ and be successful for long. In the end that's all it was about was $$. I'm doing okay. My epigastric pain has returned. I have a new doctor that is supposed to scope me at the end of the month. The ladies at SCOR have been awesome. I'm just happy that my husband and I have a chance to have a doctor. We've been without medical care for about 5 months now. Anyone else getting a new doc?

I called another surgeon's office today to see about getting some aftercare for hubby and me. They want a $500 each to join their "program" and $1,000 each if they have to touch us surgically. I've come to the conclusion that the weight loss surgery gig is all about the $$. The profit from WLS is unbelievable. These surgeons are making a killing. I work for a doctor's office and I've told him we need to start doing fills. So if the fees hold true we still can't afford aftercare. I'm almost to the point I want this damn thing out of me. With no one helping me with aftercare the future is a scary thing. :paranoid

Thanks everyone. I have good news and bad news. The good news. I found a doctor to take me and hubby. The bad news. I had to use the "who you work for" thing to pull a few strings. If it wasn't for my doctor that I work for being buds with a Lap Band doc then I would be SOL. I live in Wylie now.

After being banded for almost 2 years I am now on my own. I've had a history of epigastric pain in the past. They have messed with my band (adding and removing saline) several times. I get to the same level of saline and have problems. I went today for a slight unfill and was told I had a questionable mass in my stomach by the nurse at the fill center. My husband was banded by the same surgeon 6 months after me. He has lost 20 pounds, has a larger band, and the surgeon refuses to authorize fills for him anymore. My husband is so down about still being 325. It's almost impossible to find another surgeon after one has touched you. I'm so down and disapointed. I feel that my surgeon and the fill center care more about $$$$$ than their patients. I feel so taken advantage of because I still have an obesity problem, it's like being an alcoholic you never get over it... I'm supposed to find out in a few days if I am still his patient. I feel like I am up against a wall. The fill center took my fill out, take it I feel better, but I gained 14lbs the last time this happened. I wish at times I could rip this stupid plastic out of my body. I'm scared at what damage it has caused my stomach. About the mass, my surgeon told me he didn't get a call (from the center) and he isn't concerned... hmmmmm I now know why my doctor that I work for (a digestive disease specialist) is so much against Lap Band. It's all about the $$$$. :cry It sucks that a medical doctor would take advantage of obese people. It's taken me two years to realize what my boss knew from the beginning. I would NEVER recommend this surgery to anyone. They know that losing weight is the most important thing to an obese person and they take advantage of them. My surgeon told me it was 6 pm and time for him to head to the house that his staff was on overtime and he couldn't do anything more for me. The bottom line, I start having complications with a questionable mass and he runs the other way. The surgery center (fill center) can't do anything even if they wanted to without him authorizing it. They are all connected. From the people who make the band, to the fill center to the surgeons.. they are get a slice of the pie and that's pretty much all they care about. His office even tried to get me to sign a release of full liability in order to get our medical records. I wonder what he is so worried about now.

Thanks everyone.. I am very lucky to work for the group I do. My doctor (boss) is going to order me a barium swallow in the next few days to see how that goes. He is a gastrointerologist, we do colonoscopies and endoscopies all the time. He has a friend who is a lap band surgeon and he is going to call in a favor. I'm sure I will have an endoscopy soon. I'll keep ya posted. I'm definately not going back to the money hungry jerk that banded me.

My guess would be that you are still hormonal from pregnancy and birth and your body is maintaining Fluid. I know your band can get tighter depending on what time of the month your cycle is on. I'd give it a little while longer and see if things get better. It took me a while after having a c-section to get "normal" again with the amount of Water weight I had. Congrats on the baby!! Hopefully I can have another one someday. :success1: