Has anyone been banded at the Cleveland Clinic? I am thinking being banded at the one in Weston, Florida. Would appreciate any input.

Thanks, Brenda in West Palm Beach

Has anyone been banded at the Cleveland Clinic? I am thinking being banded at the one in Weston, Florida. Would appreciate any input.

Thanks, Brenda in West Palm Beach

Brenda I will (hope) to be banded in Punta Groda, FL What stage are you at? I have seen the cardiologist and Monday (8-8-06 I will be having the psychologial evaluation.

I went to an orientation yesterday. But the doctor told me I need to lose too much to get the band. He would only consider the bypass for me. I was very disappointed. I have been checking into the band for several months but due to my husband becoming ill I put it on hold in March and just now started again. Not sure what I am going to do now, either try other doctors or consider the bypass. How did the psychologial evaluation go for you?

Brenda--

I just responded on another thread....maybe you should seek another opinion if you want the band!!! I am 5'10" started on March 20th at 335lbs and now down to 260lbs --- 75lbs in 4 1/2mos! The band is a tool...but bypass is totally re-routing! And the doc makes a lot more money....I'm not saying that's why!!

Hope this helps!!

God BLess,

Melody

Banded 3/20/06 -75lbs :Banane27:

I was banded in Brooklyn four years ago, but moved to Florida 3 years ago. I have been going to the Cleveland Clinic in Weston for my post-op care since January of 2004.

The doctors there seem competent, though I thought the doctors in Brooklyn were better. The facility is nice.

The reason that I think that Lap-Band is not being recommended for you is that it is not the best tool of the tools available. I have not done any research lately, but when researching before my Lap-Band surgery, I read that the average bypass weight-loss is 85% of the weight required to get from original weight to chart weight based on age, height and bone structure, while the average long-term weight-loss for Lap-Band patients is just 25% of the weight required to get from original weight to chart weight.

I don't know your numbers, but let's talk about a hypothetical person who is 350 at 5'6". Lets say her chart weight should be 140.

Bypass average final and long term weight would be 172.

Lap-Band average final and long term weight would be 297.

297 would still leave that person at risk for many medical conditions.

I know I am going to get chewed out for this seemingly negative post, but those were the numbers 4.5 years ago when I researched my Lap-Band. If anyone has more recent research numbers, not anecdotal numbers, please feel free to post them and refute my old (and I hope outdated) info.

Here's what I was told when trying to decide on the Cleveland Clinic. I was told that the Cleveland Clinic is world renowned for hospital can't go wrong. I was banded at the Clinic in Cleveland but I'm sure the standards and procedure should be the same, and the staff should be the best in thier fields in your area.

Hope that helped.