Dr. Leslie Parks dies from Lab Band Surgery Nov. 24, 2008

[spicegirl326]

This was my OB doctor who delivered my chidren. She was only 38 years old and had a set of twins that were turning two on Dec. 1st. She died Nov 24th, 2008 right before Thanksgiving due to Lab Band Surgery read on for details. So sad.

PARKS

By T.L. Hamilton

Updated: 12.04.08

THE WOODLANDS – Dr. Leslie Parks, a well-known obstetrician/gynecologist in

the community, died from an infection related to a gastric banding procedure,

according to a coroner’s report.

Parks, who worked at Woodlands OB Gyn Associates, was vacationing with her

family, including Parks’ 2-year-old twins Virginia and Lucas, in Telluride,

Colo., more than a week ago when she appeared to have altitude sickness along

with the rest of the family.

“But she seemed to be suffering more than the rest of us,” her husband

Scott Finley said Monday. “She’s a doctor, so the whole time she was trying

to diagnose herself, you know, ruling things out.”

She died sometime during the night of Nov. 24.

The coroner’s report revealed the mysterious death of a seemingly healthy

38-year-old woman.

Parks died of streptococcal sepsis, or blood poisoning, due to a “massive”

intra-abdominal infection, said Bob Dempsey, coroner for San Miguel County in

Colorado.

“The infection was due to complications of gastric banding,” he said.

“She had the surgery three weeks before she died, during he first week of

November.”

Gastric banding can bring dramatic weight loss for patients by placing a

restricting band around the stomach to create a small stomach pouch and

restricted opening through which passage of food will be slowed, according to

the National Institute of Health.

On Thursday, Finley declined comment for this story, saying it was too early

for him to discuss Parks’ cause of death.

Her father Hubbard Parks, an attorney in San Antonio, said it is “much too

early at this point” to discuss whether the family will seek legal action

against the surgeon, who he and Finley declined to name.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the procedure for use in June

2001.

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery notes that band

infection is a complication of gastric banding but says that the procedure “is

safe and has a low rate of life-threatening complications,” according to the

society’s website.

Researchers from the Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University in

Richmond, Va., found that six of 36 gastric banding patients studied in 2001

experienced complications, including infection, saline leakage, and band

slippage, according to the National Institute of Health.

The average death rate for invasive strep infections (infections where the

bacteria have entered a part of the body that is normally not exposed to

bacteria) is 8-10 percent for adults ages 18-64, according to the U.S. Centers

for Disease Control.

A memorial service for Dr. Parks on Wednesday afternoon went very well, Hubbard

Parks said.

“She was an amazing, lighthearted woman,” he said.

Woodlands OB Gyn Associates, closed for the day to go to the service.

An outpouring of condolences from the community illustrates how many lives

Parks’ death affected. More than 700 entries from friends, family and patients

have been recorded in her online guest book since it was made available Nov.

29.

“I will miss you a lot and I know that you are in heaven smiling down on us

all,” wrote Ann Foster, one of Dr. Parks’ patients. “My baby is only a

month old and he is doing good thanks to you.”

Another post shared the experience of meeting Parks at the birth of her

grandchild.

[tlag]

Oh my gosh, this is horrible. Very very sad. I feel very bad for the family.

[Carolyn2]

I am so sorry for anyone who knew Dr. Parks and my prayers go out to the family. When we hear of a person trying to improve

their life and health loosing their life.. it hits all of us deeply I am sure. So sorry.

This was my OB doctor who delivered my chidren. She was only 38 years old and had a set of twins that were turning two on Dec. 1st. She died Nov 24th, 2008 right before Thanksgiving due to Lab Band Surgery read on for details. So sad.

PARKS

By T.L. Hamilton

Updated: 12.04.08

THE WOODLANDS – Dr. Leslie Parks, a well-known obstetrician/gynecologist in

the community, died from an infection related to a gastric banding procedure,

according to a coroner’s report.

Parks, who worked at Woodlands OB Gyn Associates, was vacationing with her

family, including Parks’ 2-year-old twins Virginia and Lucas, in Telluride,

Colo., more than a week ago when she appeared to have altitude sickness along

with the rest of the family.

“But she seemed to be suffering more than the rest of us,” her husband

Scott Finley said Monday. “She’s a doctor, so the whole time she was trying

to diagnose herself, you know, ruling things out.”

She died sometime during the night of Nov. 24.

The coroner’s report revealed the mysterious death of a seemingly healthy

38-year-old woman.

Parks died of streptococcal sepsis, or blood poisoning, due to a “massive”

intra-abdominal infection, said Bob Dempsey, coroner for San Miguel County in

Colorado.

“The infection was due to complications of gastric banding,” he said.

“She had the surgery three weeks before she died, during he first week of

November.”

Gastric banding can bring dramatic weight loss for patients by placing a

restricting band around the stomach to create a small stomach pouch and

restricted opening through which passage of food will be slowed, according to

the National Institute of Health.

On Thursday, Finley declined comment for this story, saying it was too early

for him to discuss Parks’ cause of death.

Her father Hubbard Parks, an attorney in San Antonio, said it is “much too

early at this point” to discuss whether the family will seek legal action

against the surgeon, who he and Finley declined to name.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the procedure for use in June

2001.

The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery notes that band

infection is a complication of gastric banding but says that the procedure “is

safe and has a low rate of life-threatening complications,” according to the

society’s website.

Researchers from the Medical College of Virginia Commonwealth University in

Richmond, Va., found that six of 36 gastric banding patients studied in 2001

experienced complications, including infection, saline leakage, and band

slippage, according to the National Institute of Health.

The average death rate for invasive strep infections (infections where the

bacteria have entered a part of the body that is normally not exposed to

bacteria) is 8-10 percent for adults ages 18-64, according to the U.S. Centers

for Disease Control.

A memorial service for Dr. Parks on Wednesday afternoon went very well, Hubbard

Parks said.

“She was an amazing, lighthearted woman,” he said.

Woodlands OB Gyn Associates, closed for the day to go to the service.

An outpouring of condolences from the community illustrates how many lives

Parks’ death affected. More than 700 entries from friends, family and patients

have been recorded in her online guest book since it was made available Nov.

29.

“I will miss you a lot and I know that you are in heaven smiling down on us

all,” wrote Ann Foster, one of Dr. Parks’ patients. “My baby is only a

month old and he is doing good thanks to you.”

Another post shared the experience of meeting Parks at the birth of her

grandchild.

[Trav]

I hate articles like this, because the way they're worded, they make it seem like the band was at fault. It wasn't the band, it was the cleanliness of the facility. That's also why I refer anyone who asks me about my band to the OCC, because some caregivers in the US, simply don't care...from the orderlies all the way up to the doctors.

[Blazn]

Well said, Trav. People, please keep in mind there are risks for ALL surgeries. Do not let this incident change your mind about banding. Although this is very unfortunate, the band did not cause the death, the bacteria did. Please keep that in mind. And yes, you do need to carefully select your surgeon based on reputation and cleanliness. I am a nurse and must add that the OCC is one of the cleanest facilities I have ever been to so you can't go wrong there!

[JazzyJude]

Well said, Trav. People, please keep in mind there are risks for ALL surgeries. Do not let this incident change your mind about banding. Although this is very unfortunate, the band did not cause the death, the bacteria did. Please keep that in mind. And yes, you do need to carefully select your surgeon based on reputation and cleanliness. I am a nurse and must add that the OCC is one of the cleanest facilities I have ever been to so you can't go wrong there!

Excellent post Trav and Misty...it's true, do your research on everything, including the facility and know the staff. When I toured the clinic at OCC, I was most satisfied in viewing all the rooms to see it's cleanliness. After my surgery, after I used the loo, when walking down the hallways to walk off my gas bubbles, someone ALWAYS came after me to sanitize the room ~ even when I was roaming around at 2 am in the morning! Staff were always cleaning around and caring for you and THAT is what's important.

Although how unfortunate this happened, it is NOT the band's fault. Choose wisely where you go and at OCC, where could you go wrong?

Misty ~ YOU look FANTASTIC! Love your new avitar picture of you! YOU GO GIRL!

[BandDiva]

I wonder who the person is who wrote the article? There is nothing on the website saying it was due to lapband. Where did this article come from?

http://www.leslieparks.com/

Found it, here it is.

http://www.hcnonline.com/articles/2008/12/...arks_update.txt

[SHANALEE]

This is so sad. My heart goes out to the family.

Shana-Lee

[CindyLou]

Being in healthcare, I know that NOTHING comes without risks. Sometimes the best hospitals with the best staff and the best techniques have infections. Infection rates are rarely zero and if we are the unlucky one to experience that 1/1000 then its doesn't seem fair, does it?

My heart goes out to her and her family.

[stormy]

Did you see this story. The woman says she went to OCC and immediatly had complications. Now why would you leave OCC if you had a problem. I hate when people do this.

www.keprtv.com/news/35190824.html.

[Christy26]

Did you see this story. The woman says she went to OCC and immediatly had complications. Now why would you leave OCC if you had a problem. I hate when people do this.

www.keprtv.com/news/35190824.html.

Thats interesting..... thanks for sharing. I think I have a little more to think about

[snowbird]

What I thought was interesting, and not immediately apparent from this second story, is that she never went back to OCC for followup care and didn't try to contact them for anything other than getting her money back. We don't know why her band slipped or if she followed post op instructions or not. It is, unfortunately, a classic news story with all the really pertinent facts missing.

[BandDiva]

What I thought was interesting, and not immediately apparent from this second story, is that she never went back to OCC for followup care and didn't try to contact them for anything other than getting her money back. We don't know why her band slipped or if she followed post op instructions or not. It is, unfortunately, a classic news story with all the really pertinent facts missing.

EXACTLY! This crap (sorry, but that is what it is) is ridiculous! I think it is disgusting how the news crew said things like, "make sure you pick a surgeon who has done a lot of procedures". I would like to compare those Dr.'s resume to Dr. Ortiz. I know that Dr. Ortiz trained 90% of the Doc's here in Texas (he told me himself), so just how many Dr's are ticked off because he is SO busy? I think this kind of news story is 100% wrong. They did not list all the facts! I guarantee you that if anyone at the OCC knew she was not feeling well the day after her surgery, they would have kept her. Funny thing is, they made no mention of when it slipped. Only implied that Dr. O put the band in the wrong place. Whatever! All these Dr's making these claims, in my opinion are trying to drum up business for them selves. Ofcourse there can be complications with surgery, and there are risks, but to imply that the OCC and Dr. Ortiz are endangering lives really pisses me off. I will spend the rest of my life referring people to the OCC. I could go on and on about America health care and how they screw people, but I will leave it at that!

All you newbies, don't let this garbage stir up fear! That is what this video is intended to do, do not live one more day longer than you have to being obese. The OCC is there to help you.

[joshua2010]

That was truly a sad story, she could have done more to help mothers deliver their babies. But the case happened sometime in 2008, I hope somebody can update what was the outcome of the investigation. In every surgery, complications are likely to happen but I am interested if the lap band is safe or not. Indianapolis Breast Augmentation

[ladyk09]

ohh why did I have to read this..I am in my late stage of research! This is sad

[EcMjawad1]

This is very sad...but as many have said there is risk with any surgery..I too am a healthcare clinical manager..and did my research for a year before having surgery performed for both my daughter and myself at the OCC..which is a top notch facility and on top of all latest information. The staff and doctors are always personally addressing concerns. My take on my surgery was "do I want to die from weight related issues? or take my chance and have surgery and live?" I am extremely thankful that I had the surgery as I near 50 and am feeling better than I have in years...take all surgery serious, yes..weigh the risks, the outcomes, your commitment to REALLY using the band as a tool, and the rewards..then choose...

[janellody]

Unfortunately there are risks with all surgeries. My sister-in-law just had a hysterectomy and died from complications. And that is a typical surgery that people get all the time. I read the article about the OCC and that just pisses me off because the OCC is one of the best places I have ever been to, and they are nothing like the article makes them sound. The doctors give out their cell phone numbers and encourage you to call with questions. I personally have emailed a few times post-op and they have gotten back to me pretty quickly.

ANY surgery can have complications, which can be scary, but the chances are it won't happen to you...