Not Recommended to have Lap Band???!!!

loozerkbo · January 15, 2007

Hi, I am new to here, banded with the VG band on 11/14/06. I just read your post about Dr. Ortiz telling you your BMI was too high. That is just crazy!!!!:update: I weighed 489 when i first went to the doctors office for the band. My PCP doctor was so happy to hear i wanted to have this done, he reccommended me immediately to my lapband doctor and had me go make an appt. the next day before i could change my mind. My lap band doctor put me on Optifast for two weeks before surgery and I took off 28 pounds in that two weeks. They make you do optifast only two weeks pre-op so that your Liver shrinks and is not in the way for the band to be put in. I believe that this band saved my life. I am loosing great, had my first fill 2cc's and so far in 2 months (i go again this month on the 18th) i lost over 50 pounds. I would have never done that in 6 months no less if i did not have the band. I think that your BMI should definitly not be such a factor if it is so high. I believe I would have died soon had i continued not to have any help in my weight loss. I love Dr. Rhenke and Dr. Grosbard in Florida. On November 14th, 2006 they not only gave me a band, they gave me a new life and a new birthday! Please get another doctor, and keep up your Quest. A high BMI is no way to die. Good luck to you and feel free to write me with anything, problems, questions, anything if you just need to talk!! Good luck! Take care!!!!

luv2bingo07 · January 16, 2007

Hi loozerkbo,

Thanks so much for your awesome story! Also, for the encouraging words about being too heavy for lap band surgery. I kinda figured that was bunk! I have been told that Dr. Ortiz is very experienced with higher BMI's and I have no problem in having to lose some pounds and shrinking my liver prior for surgery. Hey, at least I will know what to look forward to.

I will keep in touch and you take care and keep up the good work! You are doing great!

Peace,

Judy

labandster · January 16, 2007

I can only tell you my circumstances. I weighed 375 (5'6") and was 52 years old when I had my consult appointment in January 2006. My surgery was March 6th and after the two weeks of liquids I went into surgery at 358. I had suffered a stroke 18 months prior to my surgery. I had sleep apnea , asthma, high blood pressure. The only concern the surgeon had was taking me off the coumadin for surgery. SO he sent me to a cardiologist for his recommendation and he said I needed the surgery. I did have a few problems in the hospital and had to stay three days. (pneumonia). But I have not had any other problems since the hospital visit. I condsider this as saving my life. One of the women in my surgeons office told me when I sent in my paperwork - that my BMI was too high for the lapband. However, I made the appt with the surgeon and he had no problems with my BMI. So 10 months later I have lost 85 lbs that I would not have lost without this surgery. If I erode later, so be it. I can't worry about that.

Keep searching for a good surgeon - it is worth it.

j_war06 · January 16, 2007

PLEASE tell me this is bunk!

Judy

I havent heard anyone else use that word that wasnt from my town! And yes, that sounds rather bunk to me also, my doctor has had patients well over 350lbs.

BabyGotBack · January 16, 2007

Hi all,
I just got off the phone with Dr. Romero, who is a doctor/surgeon with Dr. Huacuz and must be desperate for patients because he was offering me a great deal if I decided to have surgery with them.

Well, that got blown out of the Water when he asked my weight. I said around 390. He said I should definitely not have the LBS because my BMI was too high and I was high risk for within a couple years would have erosion and have to have it removed and between that time be in need of frequent fills. :omg:

PLEASE tell me this is bunk! PLEEEEEAASSSEEE! I was planning to go to Dr. Ortiz, but now I don't know what to do! :cry

I think I saw someone on here that had surgery with Dr. Ortiz and they weighed over 400 lbs.

He suggested a Duodenal Switch...ewww!

Judy

Dr. Romero was the Dr. who said he wouldn't do it, not Dr. Ortiz. I personally spoke to Dr. Ortiz's patiend coordinator and was told yes they do higher bmi patients, you just need to do pre op diet.

KittyBoozie · January 16, 2007

Intresting....well alittle off the subject but last week I went to see my primary doctor about trying to get him to refer me to a lap band surgeon (Healthnet HMO). When I talked with my primary doc's ignorant nurse she told me no, you dont quality. "That's not a good idea for you, he wont refer you" the nurse said. I was crushed and scared to ask my doctor for approval, but I did. But my doctor refered me to a nutritionist which is the first step of approval. Don't ever give up!

Kitty

buffy5220 · January 16, 2007

I haven't read one bad thing about Dr. Ortiz, and I have been reading these boards for months now. I just read an article about a brother and sister in California that the doctor banded them both, because he wanted them to lose 150 before he would do bypass surgery on them. They were both close to 600 lbs. Yea that other do is nuts. Go with Dr. Ortiz.