Medical Show

Iluvharleys · September 15, 2004

Did anyone see the Medical show on last night with the surgeons talking to the medical students from Washington? It was very interesting, and they showed an actual RYN surgery.

They didn't recommend the Lap Band at all, they said they had to remove 20-30 percent of Lap Bands. They recommend RYN.

After listening to this for a long time, I heard the reference to the first 100 patients that went through the Lap Band. They based all the information that they studied on that first 100. They also said people don't lose much weight with the Lap Band. I told my husband (who was now having doubts about my surgery) that this had to be an old study. At the very end, something was said about it being 2003. I know they have come along way since that first study. I just thought this was a very interesting show. After watching that show, you could never get me to do thr RYN! I just hope a lot of people that were watching that show didn't think that the studies shows the true facts of today's studies.

Betty

New Hope · September 15, 2004

It's a shame that people will make a decision based on unfactual shows like that. Aren't you glad you were smart enough to find the "Band"?

Iluvharleys · September 15, 2004

Yes, I am. Most of all I am glad I have this board with everyone's experience telling me the true facts. If I had just seen that show, I would probably never know the difference. After all, when you see some surgeons up in front of a group of medical students telling them the facts, you assume it is all true.

Betty

claraluz · September 15, 2004

Unfortunately, I expect many, many people will turn away from the band based on that show. And yes, they were citing an old study. It was the first study done with U.S. surgeons, meaning all the surgeons were very inexperienced. When I was considering the band, I read that study and that turned me away from the band. The study reported a 60% complication rate. I can't remember why I ever decided to reconsider the band. I think it was because I was so afraid of RNY and I was desperate, but in the meantime I wasted about a year when I could have already been banded. I have yet to see anything about the band in the mainstream media that is positive, unless you include Sharon Osbourne, but since she usually says she had gastric bypass it doesn't count.

Nancy

hagerteresa · September 15, 2004

I too think it is unfortunate that so many people either don't know about the band or get incorrect data from doctors who want to do the by-pass. I would love to go on some talk show when I get closer to goal and talk about what the band is all about. I truly am glad I have mine.

I wish it was cheaper and more accessible to everyone though. I understand it is surgery and should be taken with seriousness but when considering the alternatives of the by-pass or death by obesity, the band surgery seems pretty minor. I come from a long line of hefty people. I can go back 5 generations of pictures and I am the spitting image of my predesessors. All the women on my dads side of the family have had tragic early deaths too (not neccessarily from weight). Today most of my family remains heavy. My grandparents, aunts, uncles and parents are all or have been heavy. My dad was only really heavy during his youth, my mom has only been really heavy in her adult life but I sure wish there was a way for my family to all get banded. Dr. Lopez said it is only typically a 30 minute surgery and I think of the time it takes for cats and dogs to get spayed or nuetered (I think it is fairly comparable in time). I wish it was as simple and inexpensive as a dog spay... So many people could benefit from the band if it was just more accessible and cheaper (or at least covered by more insurance companies). I guess I got to keep dreaming... Teresa