Gastric band patients 'at risk'

Basically a crap article advertising for local fat person surgery surgeons instead of going abroad.

Still the complications of this malpractice, i.e., bariatric surgery, happen locally or abroad.

"Jilly said: 'I started feeling unwell. I couldn't swallow or eat any liquids at all, over the weekend I got worse to such an extent I couldn't swallow my own saliva. I was starting to panic.

'We managed to get his assistant and she said to go on their website and download some information on how to take the solution out of the gastric band. Print it off and take it to my doctor.' ...

Twenty-one surgeons answered our questions, who, it is estimated, carry out 60% of procedures in the UK.

All said that In 2007 they had treated patients who had their surgery abroad.

And over half said they had seen patients who had suffered 'long term damage' because of a 'lack of after care'. (sic)

Alberic Fiennes, BOSS secretary, said most of the treatment which is essential for the band to work happens in the two years after the operation.

He said: 'The problem is the safety of gastric banding rests entirely on patients having immediate access every day of the year to informed medical care, somebody who is able, competent and understands their need for immediate adjustments for gastric bands.'"

So after the surgery you need daily access to your medical provider for your own safety.

But this ain't the half of it.

Much more care is needed. With specialists. For the rest of your life. Like this:

"Step 10: Post-Surgical Care

Weight-loss surgery requires a lifetime commitment. Following your surgery, you will continue to see members of the Center for Surgical Weight Loss team for virtually the rest of your life.

The follow-up protocol for each procedure is as follows:
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

* 1 week post-op: meet with physician assistant or nurse practitioner
* 2 weeks post-op: meet with dietitian
* 3 weeks post-op: meet with physician assistant or nurse practitioner
* 4 weeks post-op: meet with dietitian
* 6 weeks post-op: meet with surgeon
* 3 months post-op: meet with physician assistant or nurse practitioner; meet with dietitian
* 6 months post-op: meet with surgeon; meet with physician assistant or nurse practitioner; meet with dietitian
* 12 months post-op: meet with surgeon; meet with physician assistant or nurse practitioner; meet with dietitian
* 18 months post-op: meet with surgeon; meet with physician assistant or nurse practitioner; meet with dietitian
* Yearly: meet with physician assistant or nurse practitioner; meet with dietitian
* As needed: meet with psychologist

Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band

* 1 week post-op: meet with surgeon
* 2 weeks post-op: meet with dietitian; continue to meet one to two weeks after each fill (the procedure used to control weight-loss) until weight loss plateaus.
* 6 weeks post-op: meet with physician assistant or nurse practitioner; continue to meet every six to eight weeks thereafter until weight loss plateaus.
* 6 months post-op: meet with surgeon
* As needed: meet with psychologist"

Not worth it.

Unless you are the one committing the malpractice.

Then you make out like the bandit you are.