Ask Dr. Curry

Dr. Curry I continually dilate as I become more restricted - this has been a constant exercise each time I have been unfilled and refilled to deal with the dilation.  I switched surgeons recently b/c my first doc wanted to remove my band and revise to the sleeve. I went to see Dr. Fielding for a 2nd opinion and he saw my esophograms and agreed that I am dilated but felt my esophogas was within the realm of acceptable  - not terrible stretched out and certainly no need to remove band. In your opinion, is any level of esophogeal dilation acceptable?  Right now I have adequate  restriction, yet have been coughing a bit at night if I drink/eat too late - so I have been limiting my night consumption.  I would like to be a bit tighter - but the night cough is scaring me off for another fill. thanks Mike

Mike, It needs to be followed, if it's mild and doesn't progress then it doesn't have to come out. Trace W. Curry, M.D. http://www.TheBandDoctor.com 513.559.1222 / 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER:  Any information contained within is meant to be general medical advice only.  Please consult your surgeon on your specific problem!

Hi Dr. Curry- I had a lap-band installed on Aug 1.   I definitely have some restriction after my 3rd fill and am trying to figure out if I should postpone my next one. Do most of your patients eat until they are "full"?   Or do you recommend just eating til they aren't hungry anymore? I keep hearing to just eat a cup to a cup and a half of food,  but depending on the texture of the food,  that could be different amounts of calories.   Is the cup pureed?   If the surgery is restrictive,   I assummed  (perhaps incorrectly)  that I would not physically be able to eat a large amount of food.   That really hasn't been the case although I haven't wanted to pu**** Any words of wisdom? Thanks in advance-

Band patients could eat more than 1.5 cups of pureed food if possibly restricted.  1.5 cups should be the upper limits of what you can eat of solid protein.  I'd prefer around a cup.  As to eating vs. full or not hungry, I'd say whichever is less. Trace W. Curry, M.D. http://www.TheBandDoctor.com 513.559.1222 / 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER:  Any information contained within is meant to be general medical advice only.  Please consult your surgeon on your specific problem!

Attention everyone:  I am going to be out of town Wednesday (today) through Monday at a sleeve gastrectomy conference in New York.  I will not be able to answer any questions until I get back! Trace W. Curry, M.D. http://www.TheBandDoctor.com 513.559.1222 / 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER:  Any information contained within is meant to be general medical advice only.  Please consult your surgeon on your specific problem!

On October 24, 2007 at 3:59 PM Pacific Time, DrC wrote: Attention everyone:  I am going to be out of town Wednesday (today) through Monday at a sleeve gastrectomy conference in New York.  I will not be able to answer any questions until I get back! Can you tell us about the sleeve gasterctomy or visit the VSG for some Q&A. I had pretty much decided on the lapband until researching & lurking on LB & VSG boards - now I'm torn. It's seems to be a toss up between the two. Thank You

What do you want to know about it?  It's a good operation I think , has some pros and cons when compared to the Lap Band or Realize Band.  Speed of weight loss is a pro as it's much faster, no foreign body is a pro, the cons are mainly that the risk is a little bit higher and it has not been around for as long as the band so we don't know for sure what the 10 year results will be. The international consensus conference reaffirmed that most of the surgeons there thought that it was a valid operation and should be considered for coverage by insurers, however we haven't seen much improvement in the coverage front. We've done more sleeves than anyone in Cincy, so if you think you might want one come back in and we'll chat about it. Trace W. Curry, M.D. Lap Band and Realize Band surgeon Cincinnati, Ohio http://www.TheBandDoctor.com 513.559.1222 / 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER:  Any information contained within is meant to be general medical advice only.  Please consult your surgeon on your specific problem!

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Thanks for answering everyone's questions, you are VERY helpful!  My question is:  I'm a pre-op LapBand patient and I tested positive for H. Pylori but have no ulcer symptoms-only mild reflux.  My surgeon has me on Prev Pac for 2 weeks and my surgery is 4 weeks after that.  Do you foresee any problems in the future in scoping thru the band if I develop ulcer symptoms? Thanks!

Dr. Curry - how far out from surgery can band patients rest easy about blood clots (related to the surgery itself)?  In other words "if you haven't developed one ___ days/weeks from surgery, you probably won't."