i see a lot of people talk about doing research before getting banded and i wondered what exactly that entails for everyone. i assume each individual has certain things on their "list" that are more important than others...

what are some key questions to get answered when picking out your doc?

#1 Has he ever killed a patient!

- If the answer is not 0, RUN!!!

#2 How many lapband surgeries has he performed?

- If the answer is 0, RUN!!!

#3 Make sure his office is close. You will be visiting a lot over the next year.

These are the 3 main things I considered when choosing a Surgeon. I went with the first one I looked up because he fit all of the above criteria.

thanks bt! is there a way to find out information about how my lap bands theyve done or what the mortality rate is on the internet? or is that face-to-face information gathering?

thanks bt! is there a way to find out information about how my lap bands theyve done or what the mortality rate is on the internet? or is that face-to-face information gathering?

I will try and find the number again. I believe it was 1 in 2,600 for the lapband and 1 in 200 for bypass.

I will try and find the number again. I believe it was 1 in 2,600 for the lapband and 1 in 200 for bypass.

oh, ive seen that number...i meant finding a particular surgeon's mortality rate.

oh, ive seen that number...i meant finding a particular surgeon's mortality rate.

I'd call his/her office and ask how many people they have killed.

I asked, "how many lapband surgeries have you performed and have you lost a patient?"

I can't remember the number of surgeries but the answer to the second part was none. I said I'd probably be his first and we laughed a little.

I also checked with the state medical board to see if he had been sued for any malpractice or had any dings whatsoever in his file. (as well as the anesthesiologist)

On the band itself I found articles in the American Journal for Medicine and read those.

I also viewed the surgery itself on youtube and watched a couple of videos of people showing their before during and after process.

I also looked for studies done independently of a band maker and reviewed the stats.

Sorry I didn't keep all of that stuff or book mark it but 95% of it I found thru various google searches.

I didn't even think about the anesthesiologist. Looks like I have a little more research.

Thanks!!

oooh, thanks for all that info!

bt, where are you in the process?

What is your preop and post op program?

What kind of nutritional counseling will I get?

What kind of psychological counseling will I get?

What types of pre-op testing do you require (gastro, sleep, cardiac, blood, etc.)

How closely will you work with my PCP?

Do you offer support groups?

Can I talk with some former patients?

How much, on average, do your patients lose (percentage wise- 80% of the weight they need to lose? 50%? etc.)

What is your fill policy (how often, how much at one time, etc.)

How accessible will you be to me pre and post op-ie: Will I be working one on one with you, with a nurse in your office, or someone else. (to me the answer didn't really matter, but I wanted to know what to expect.)

What are some common complications you have seen in your patients?

I have some more jotted down, but the above are off the top of my head.

Good luck!

kagead

I did not do as much research as some people do.

I have several friends and family members who have had by-pass and lapband. I had conversations with them. I did a little research online about how the band worked.

As far as the surgeon, price was a big part because I do not have health insurance and I did not want to jump through all the hoops insurance companies make you jump through.

The surgeon I chose has done many many laproscopic surgeries over the years and many many lapband surgeries. He also did not require all the testing and did not require a visit with a shrink.

I am the type of person that does enough research to be informed and don't go overboard.

I had already made up my mind that I wanted to be banded before I went for a consult. If I did not like the Dr. at the consult or he did not want to do the surgery on me, I planned to go someplace else. I liked him at the consult. Basically I said, "I'm fat and I need the band." He agreed and we talked about the things we both thought were important. I told him I am the type of person who makes up mind about something and then I do it. He said he was that way too. I asked what his schedule was like and how soon could we do it. He said do Atkins for 2 weeks and then we will do the surgery.

In my case I did not have to research it to death.

Everything went well and here I am today .... down 60 lbs. !