Find a different surgeon after lapband gone bad possible?

I haven't posted in here for a LONG time, but I'm at a point where I don't know where to turn.  I had my 4cc band put in 8/04.  Did great for the first 18 months, then in 2/06 ended up in hospital for a week due to my stomach comin up under band and covering the opening to my stomach, nothing would go in or out.  Had surgery to fix that, and ever since then, I've gained and gained.  I'm about 50 lbs less than I was when I had my surgery in 04, instead of the 107 down I was in 06.  I'm thankful to be down what I am, but I'm scared it's all going to come back.  My surgeon said under flouro I have restriction (don't feel a thing) and gets mad and says "it's pouch management" and leaves me sitting there wondering what to do...  that was the last time I went in over a year ago.  I've talked to my family doc, who is also the go to man for the baraitric team at my usual hospital (didn't have mine done there - and their surgeon wont' touch anyone else's "work")-he said there's a high amount of people who have the band that within 2-5 years afterwards gain back over 50% of their loss and leaves it at that.  I watch WHAT I eat, it's the AMOUNT I can eat that seems to be doing me in.  Does anyone know of a surgeon that will even look at helping someone with a defunct band issue?  I'm not going back where I had it done to be told the same thing again .. why waste the $?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

Tory
287/167/224

I think Paul (Hartzz) can attest that Dr. Henry Buchwald is your man!
He is at the UofM Fairview. Here is the link for the contact information.
http://www.surg.umn.edu/surgery/Divisions/General/Bariatric/ contact_bariatric.html

Please keep posting here and let us know what you find out.

I have to agree with Amy!  Dr Buchwald is where you need to be.  I had a permanent version of the band (the VBG) AND had it revised.  Dr Buchwald is a master at WLS and has been doing them for DECADES and has a 0% mortality rate.  Because of scar tissue issues, he was unable to do a complete DS for me, but he's knows all the ins and outs and knows what he can and can't do for you.  He's an experienced revision doc, and will no doubt completely understand what has/is happening with your innards!  And he'll be straight up with you, and he's a sweet man.

I agree with the others...talk to Paul. He had Dr. Buchwald and is doing awesome now!!

Hugs, connie d

 

Thank you guys so much for the info.  I checked out his info on the website, seems like he really knows his stuff!!

Anyone know how I can contact Paul?  Like I said, it's been YEARS since I've been on this site, and I'm pretty green at how to get around here...

I think it may be time to make a phone call to this doc...

Thanks so much!!  It actually gives me a glimmer of hope!!! 

Tory

I'm here.

Your surgeon's comments to you about pouch management is not addressing your problems.  It is obvious that you are having issues beyond what any "management" can handle.  Go see Dr. B at Fairview as Amy suggested.  He will listen to EVERYTHING you have to say, and he will know what to do.

The restriction you were TOLD that you have under Floro is the same thing I was told.  I went to McDonalds after my last "adjustment" and ate a whole big mac and large fries, 3 hours after they told me that I was as tight as they could make me.  I needed to prove it to myself.

I then went to see Dr. B.  They also looked at me under Floro but used HD Barium (High Density) not the LD that my previous surgeon used.

It told the story.  I was not tight at all.

They then tightened me up in July and I've been losing ever since.

So the bottom line is after a surgeon gets upset at what YOU are doing, then it's time to find one who will help you, not blame you.

Paul

Thank you so much for searching me out!

That's interesting, when they had the issue I had in '06, they used the HD barium to find the problem, and that was the last time they did (before they did the corrective surgery).  That's interesting...

I've been the same way since "the fix in '06" - when I did beg for them to give me a .1 fill and they gave in, I could still go eat a whole pizza if I decided to and not feel any restriction.

Thank you for the "enlightenment" into what happened to you... how did you go about getting ahold of Dr B's office to make an appt?  Just call and say "look, I have this thing and it's not working.  Any ideas??"  I have to admit, I'm scared to even talk to another doctor about this band I have - it seems to always lead to more hurt, which, with my weight gain post surgery, is the last thing I need..

Thanks again!! 
Tory

 

Just call his office and set an appointment to see him.  You might want to look into seeing if your insurance will cover him and/or his network, but they pretty much accept everything.  You can just say you would like to set up a consultation with Dr. B and tell them you are a post-op patient, otherwise they'll make you go to an orientation b-4 they schedule.

His handle is hartzz. You can do a  member search then pm him. Good luck.

Hey Hon!  You have gotten a lot of good advice.  I just wanted to say that I am sorry you had to go thru all of this and I pray that you can get help and what you need quick!!!
Keep us posted, please!
HUGS