Expert: John Pilcher, MD - 4/10/2008

Question
QUESTION: I am a 58 year old female. I am in generally good health except being 100 lbs overweight. I have Essential Thrombocythemia and I have been in remission for 12 years with the treatment of interferon a. My platelet count has been normal for 12 years.

I want desperately to have lap band surgery because of knee pain and stress bladder incontinence.

Could you please ask the doctor if I would be "excluded" from lapband because of ET. Are there additional risks because of this and how great are they.



I would appreciate any information more than I can tell you.

Many thanks,

Angela






ANSWER: Angela,
Personally, I would not exclude you from consideration for gastric banding from what you have described.  I would probably want to get the opinion of a hematologist, quite likely the one treating you already would be fully satisfactory.

Even so, it is a bit of a judgment call and you really need to be evaluated by the surgeon in your area who might perform the surgery for you.  To find a surgeon who practices at a Center of Excellence in your area, please go to our national society website at www.asmbs.org

Best of luck!
Dr JP

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: My attending hematologist does not like the idea. I don't think he knows anything about the surgery other than it is voluntary and that it is laproscopic.


Answer
Angela,
It's unfortunate if your hematologist is not "on board." I recommend you go ahead and meet a surgeon in your area.  As long as you and the surgeon agree that Band surgery is reasonable, together you can find a way to work with or work around a doctor who is unsupportive through lack of knowledge.

Dr JP