Question:
Has anyone been to Dr. Marcel Molina of Houston Texas?

It is my understanding that Dr. Molina of Houston Texas is the only doctor that performs this operation, "gastric segmentation". Has anyone been to him. Tell my your experiences with him or how your surgery went. I am especially interested in those that had the surgery more that 3 years ago!    — Cathy M. (posted on September 2, 1999)

September 5, 1999
I have talked to several people who have used Molina and his own version of WLS. Every person I have talked to had to have subsequent surgery's to repair damage. I have never talked to a successful Molina patient. I consulted with him and decided to go with Dr. Harberg in Houston. I was a cash pay and Molina was cheaper, but you get what you pay for. I am glad I went with another surgeon.Good Luck!!
   — Donna D.

August 27, 2000
Hi, I work with someone who lost over 100 pounds and went to Dr. Molina. She says everything is wonderful, but I think she has an ulcer. Send me your email address and I will try to get more info if you need it, thanks! [email protected]
   — Tina C.

October 1, 2000
I work with a woman that loves Dr. Molina. She went from over 300 lbs down to what looks like 130. She didn't want any problems like malnutrition and wanted a procedure that could be undone easily (laproscoptically)if ever necessary. She is a walking ad for him!
   — Cyndi G.

August 1, 2006
To: [email protected] From: mrenee07 <[email protected]> Date: Tue Aug 1, 2006 9:26 am Subject: POOR RESULTS and Subsequent REVISION SURGERY I personally do not think this is a good surgery. I realize that each case is different, so, in fairness, I will say perhaps I am the only one who did not find success with this procedure. However, I have read comments from a number of other unsatisfied patients. I had this surgery with Dr. Oria two years ago. I lost 20 lbs and no more. Like many of us (self-pay and overweight), I wanted something inexpensive and immediate. The problem, in my opinion is, while this procedure is certainly less invasive; it cannot be adjusted (without another surgery). Thus, if one does not have enough restriction, you are out of luck. Of course, one can always have another surgery to correct the problem, but then how much less invasive to your body are you really being at that point? I want to say that both Dr. Oria and his staff are extremely nice, professional and generally kind people. However, this doesn't amount to considerable and lasting weight loss. I can't help but feel that I wasted my hard earned money. I have been self-pay for two WLS now and quite frankly, that sucks. I was compliant with Dr. Oria's band, however, the restriction decreased within months after I had the surgery. I was so upset and again felt like a failure. I mean, how can you have a WLS and still be fat. Honestly, I was devastated. Not to mention, I felt like a fool for not doing better research. Ultimately, I am not saying that you shouldn't have this procedure with Dr. Oria. Each of us must make our own decisions regarding such a personal matter. However, inform yourself. Do research on people who have had the "Molina band" or the non- adjustable band who had to have a second surgery called a "revision" in order to actually lose a substantial amount of weight. There are a lot of revision patients out there. I truly hate that I had to be one. Yet, remaining severely obese was not an option for me. So, I gave in and had a gastric bypass (RNY). Note: I weighed 260+ when I had Dr. Oria's procedure in 2004. I lost 20 lbs in three months and began to gain thereafter. I was 257 in 7/06. I was 245 the day of surgery with Dr. V. Wongsa and one week later I weigh 236. 240 was the lowest I ever got with Oria's band. I feel great--also the incisions (done laproscopically) are so much cleaner and smaller than the horrible scar that resulted from Oria's modified-open procedure. Moral of my story: DO YOUR HOMEWORK; DO NOT BE SWAYED BY HOW NICE PEOPLE ARE--IT IS THE WEIGHT LOSS THAT IS IMPORTANT! I am truly sorry if this offends anyone (Dr. Oria and staff included), but I felt it necessary to alert others to the potential outcome of a Molina/Oria/Non-adjustable band procedure (FYI: Dr. Molina is deceased, however the procedure is still sometimes called a Molina band). Good luck on your journey and please feel free to email me with any questions- ([email protected]) -Renee
   — Renee147

September 5, 2008
I had the gastric segmentation on July 25, 1995. I lost 40-50 lbs. total from the surgery. Now, 23 years later, I am seeking treatment after many, many years of complications, from a new bariatric surgeon. I went yesterday for my consultation and was advised by a very reputable dr here in San Antonio that they have done thousands of repairs on the Molina Band patients. I was always worried because I thought I was eating wrong, eating too much, etc. I found out that almost everyone that had this surgery was just like me. My stepmom and both of her sisters had this surgery with Dr. Molina. Two of them have lost all of their weight and kept it off for over 25 years. The other sister and me did not. My new surgeon explained that it depends on where the band was placed. Apparently, Dr. Molina did not watch where he was placing the band, rather felt around in there and "guestamated" where to put it. Patients that have the band higher up on their stomach apparently have more problems. The dr. told me that he has gone in and the scarring has been so bad that it looks like " a bomb went off" in there. I have years and years of regurgetation of all my food and sometimes DAYS without keeping anything, even liquid down, now. It's horrible. I know there are more people out there going through what I am going through and I feel sad that I had this surgery with the expectation of changing my life for the better and I have had to live through so much misery because of that decision ....oh, and I am still fat. LOL. It's terrible.
   — shannonlmitchell

July 2, 2009
I had the Molina banding done in 1987 as did my mother and Aunt. ALL THREE of us have had it undone. My mother and Aunt had to have theirs redone, due to their stomaching enclosing around the band itself. I personally had my reversed. Best thing i ever did. I had dropped 100 pounds. I went on to have four children while having the band. Everything seem to be going ok. Until my last child. I just could not lose the weight period. I ended up gain ALL of my weight back. Suffered from acid reflux so bad I thought I was going to die, it hurt that bad. After having xrays done it showed that the band opening at the bottom was closing up. Hence WHY i had not been able to eat without pain. I thought i was having other stomach issues. I got to the point where all i could was drink liquid. FORGET taking ANY kind of vitamins. IN Aug of 2008 i had the banding removed. After surgery i had tomato soup with a grilled cheese sandwich. I CRIED!!! I had not been able to eat either of those for more than 18 years. If i knew then what i know now i would have NEVER gotten the Molina banding done period. I followed his guide lines for the 22 years i had the banding... i wasted more money, time and energy.
   — Ladilabare

August 1, 2009
I had the Gore-tex lap band surgery - Dr. Marcel Molina, Houston, TX, in 2001. Lost 60 lbs in about a year and a half. However, I throw up my food almost every meal because I get so hungry and overeat. After 8 years, I have gained back up to only a 46 lbs. weight loss. My stomach has increased in size, and especially just after I eat. the "pouch" protrudes a little and is uncomfortable after I eat. I have developed anemia because of poor nutrition. I am tired of throwing up every day and want to have the band removed. What doctor will remove these things? I live in Mississippi, so would prefer Mississippi doctor if possible.
   — BPoole

August 8, 2009
I had the Molina band placed on in 1986, I do not have insurance and can't have it reversed and a safer band placed on or I would I have acid reflux so bad I live on antacids and and after 23 years still throw up I don't regret having a band I do however regret having a non adjustable one Angela Allen Cleveland, Texas
   — anallen

August 4, 2013
In 1996, I saw this quack of a doctor! I was 17 years old at the time. I wanted what every teenage girl wanted, to be accepted by the people she is around. This man had a horrible God complex and his nurse was a nightmare! I lost roughly 80lbs in 8 months. Then it all came back and then some! I read one post on here in the forum with this lady (she is lucky that she is a success of this) stated that those of us who had regain and complications were just lazy and didn't follow the dietary plan. I did! I followed that thing as my life depended on it. I went years with suffering of severe nausea, vomiting, vomiting blood, horrible abdominal pain, severe malnourishment, you name it, I had it. This past winter, it got worse, far worse. My husband had to take me to the ER. I was given nausea meds and sent home. I called my regular doctor and she was out but I saw a doctor in the practice. He wasn't sure what was going on so he sent me out for a abdominal CT. I did that test immediately after I left his office. The CT showed nothing but the Radiologist noted that I had a small hyatal hernia. The doctor assumed I had a bad case of gastritis. He called me in a prescription for antinausea medication and told me to follow up with my regular doctor when she returned. I tried to eat something mild and bland. I took my medicine and within a few minutes, I was doubled over, in pain and throwing up everything I just ate and took. This went on for the majority of the day. My husband had enough and took me back to the ER. I got a new doctor, I had never seen him before. We explained what I had been through over the past few days and told him I had the CT done. He started an IV to get me some fluids and medications since I couldn't keep anything down. He looked over the images from the CT and the notes. He came back with the news that would save my life. Based on my labs, I was severely malnourished to the point where my body was on the verge of shutting down. The doctor said that what they thought was a hernia was in fact, the banding bulging and badly. He told me I needed to see my regular doctor and have her refer me out to a surgeon, that banding needed to come out and fast. I followed up with my doctor and she sent me to see the man who helped save me. I went and saw the surgeon and he said that I would not be the first "Molina Band" that he had to repair. He said that he thought he would need to do a gastrectomy with a reconstruction, but said he would do his best to see if he could just remove the banding. He didn't tell me that the likelihood of that happening was slim, but would try. We set my surgery for 2 weeks later. I went into the hospital and didn't know which way this would go. I woke up with the gastrectomy and reconstruction. I ended up with a bypass. He said that the band was wrapped around me 4 times and in the wrong place! Dr. Molina had put this band on my esophogus and partly on my stomach! He wasn't able to just remove the band because it had grown into the tissue. He had to cut that section of my stomach out (where the band was). I felt so bad. I felt violated! I felt like I wanted to scream and cry when I found out how bad it was. I was a child when I had this done! How could someone think he was God and mutilate my body in such a way!? Sadly, I know I'm not the only person who has gone through this either. I hate to say this, but thank the Lord he is no longer hurting people. I honestly think that he was so popular in the Houston area that he got big headed and became neglectful with his patients. I remember the morning of the banding surgery with Molina, I had a panic attack. I kept telling them no, I changed my mind and didn't want to do the surgery anymore! He simply ordered a medication to calm me down and made me drowsy. My voice was NOT heard. It saddens me that not only I went through this, but that he hurt so many others. I for one can say, I did what I was suppose to do! I did work out and bust my rear to lose the weight. Please, those of you who have gone through this, this isn't your fault! You didn't do anything wrong! You were violated in the most foul way possible by a doctor! I pray for those who were mutilated by this man! You all are in my thoughts. If anyone is considering any type of banding, DON'T DO IT! It's not worth it! It was never meant to be a permanent procedure!
   — kcdrymalla

May 29, 2014
Yes I was dr molina patient. I had surgery in 1987. I lost weight but regained. Thought I had stretched stomach. Would throw-up but thought band was working. Just over eat or to heavy etc ... Then in Sept 2013 started bleeding internal. Very weak went to ER my band was eating my stomach. Luckily I had a doctor recognize what it was. He had reconstructed several of Molina's patients. I had emergency surgery. I now have a reverse gastric sleeve. That was in Sept 2013. I can't tell when I have eaten enough. No full feeling. My back and stomach belly hurts bad. Don't know if this is right. Wish my old banding was still good. I was losing weight again with no pain.
   — Dfwlady

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