Hello Everyone!

I saw the surgeon who removed my gallbladder, three years ago, today. He has since become a friend of the family and has helped us in so many ways. He is now performing lap band. Here is what I found out today:

*The Ministry of Health has a Dr. who was trained in Germany and has performed over 5000 lapbands in the Kingdom (over 200 on the Royal Family), touring the kingdom training the surgeons at the Government hospitals.

*Lapband has been in KSA for 10 years

*Swedish band

*My doc has only done three

*Not sure if my doc will do mine or if the more experienced one will but they will both be present...one will assist the other.

I completey trust my dr. and the training doctor as SURGEONS. However, I feel that they do not know much about after being banded. My doc told me that only 20% of my aftercare were with him and that the rest would be with a dietician. He told me to see the dietician for a month and then report back to him for the surgury. I told him that the dieatician there is not trained in bariatrics nor the band. She really can't help me. That I have been dieting on and off for over 15 years. He understood but I guess it is just procedure to say that so he is skipping that step with me. He did not require a pre-op diet and doesn't believe my liver is too big. They keep you in the hospital for 3 days but he said I could probably go home sooner (His only American patient and only patient who researches this stuff). Strange thing he saifd they do not do adjustments for 6 months!!! I said please...if I get hungry in 6 weeks I'm coming in! He smiled and said ok.

I have decided that I will have the surgury done at the government hospital for free but will more than likely swicth over to one of the private hospitals in the area who have better aftercare. I believe the Government hospitals had the right intentions, by offering the lapband to patients who can not afford to go to private hospitals, but I think they have along way to go. They must go beyound training the surgeons on the procedure...these are not even bariatric surgeons. They are general surgeons.

Ok. I'm holding my baby now so I gotta run. Just would appreciate you guys sharing your thoughts. I do not offend easily so please give me all things to consider...the good...the bad...the ugly

Thanks

no comments?

It's great that you know the surgeon personally, as it is easier to communicate with each other! That is a big help.

With the band, as I'm sure you've read before, AFTERCARE is extremely important. Make sure that you can get your fills/unfills at appropriate levels and times. Usually, you are a direct guage in telling your doctor what it feels like eating/drinking. The doctor can give you imput and suggestions, but ultimately it should be your decision (my opinion).

It can be really frustrating to go through the procedure and still feel extremely hungry as if "nothing has been done." Most people need constant support the first few years.

Good luck, Shawn

Well, it's not the ideal situation, but then again, how many of us have the ideal situation? I guess my advice would depend on a few things:

1. how are the other three banded patients doing? Would it be possible for you to speak with any of them?

2. Are you going to be in Saudi Arabia for a while, or are you there for a certain period of time? (I can't tell if you're a local or a military kid, or what your situation is)

3. How healthy/unhealthy are you? Do you have comorbidities? In other words, how risky is this surgery for you?

4. Are you absolutely positive that BOTH surgeons will be in the room during the procedure? You are perfectly within your rights to ask that, and to ask specifically for one of them to take the lead.

5. I'm not familiar with the laws in SA - what is your recourse if there are complications? Especially since he's "learning" on you.

This is a toughie. On the one hand, it's a really big thing that you know the guy and feel comfortable with him. But on the other hand, he doesn't have a lot of experience and doesn't seem to know a lot (or be very interested in) the aftercare aspect.

I guess my one piece of advice would be not to let your familiarity with the guy be reason not to do your due diligence as far as research. He may be the nicest guy on the planet, but that doesn't make him a good bariatric surgeon.

Just make sure you are protecting yourself and that you know that the Doc has only your best interests in mind.

Your Health is above all the most improtant.

Take care - nancy

Have you made a decision? Great that you know him so you can go in after 6 weeks -- I think most bandsters need to get a fill *long* before 6 months! After 4 weeks banded, it was like I had no band at all -- I was hungry and having trouble controlling my intake just like before.

Good luck Kabeerah!

Yes, I have decided to do this. I have read of other people being their docs first band patients. And from what I am reading about some of the more experienced bandster docs it still seems like their after care is also based on the patients knowledge.

If there is a problem with the aftercare I will go to one of the specialist hospitals here that actually have baratric clinics. This is a general government hospital and a general surgeon.

As far as the 6 month fills. I can see why after reading some of the post here about learning how to eat properly. English is the main language for the internet and with out the internet I doubt many of us would get all the infro we have to make this a smooth jouney. The people here that get banded, probably don't have the resouces we have, not to mention eating is a huge thing here and it will take these people at least 6 months with no fills to get a hang of the idea of changing their eating habits. My doc said that the band will not work if they keep eating the foods they eat, so I guess he wants to give them 6 months to get use to it so that they will not ruin their band.

However, I will get my fill when I think I need it.

whats the cost?

Excellent Kabeerah! It sounds like you've done your work, and I think that's a big part of it. And yes, I'm soooo glad you will be able to get good after care, that's the biggest thing I worry about when people travel to get their band, whether they will be able to get good after care. So many times I've seen folks get their band somewhere else but forget, or don't know, to find a local support doc.

Maybe you will be able to head up a local in-person support group for other folks in your area?

Any way, I would have replied earlier, but I was out of town for a while, and this fell off my radar, as it were. Congrats on you decision! I know as hard as this has been for me, it's been one of the best decisions of my life.

Nykee, if done at the Government hospital it will not cost me anything. If I go to the private hospital for aftercare, I do not know how much they will charge for fills, but I do not think it will be that much...I'm sure less...much less than $100.00

VinesQueen, my doctor is saying that he hopes I can help him with the establishment of the wls clinic. A support group would be nice but I can't see it working in this country.

Why don't you think it will work? I'm facinated to understand why.

I would go for helping establish the clinic. For one thing it would really be good on the old resume. One of the things to keep in mind is that while a group mght not work, the work you would do with one-on-one would be so important, not only for the people you help, but for you.

Congratulations to you! How exciting to be one of the first ones who can help establish this doctor!

VQ I don't think a support group would work because it may be considered shameful here. I think the doc should have pre-op classes because I am almost sure that post op many will not follow up properly.

Kelly, it is exciting and I think i will start another thread asking for advise about this.