Hi!

I was thinking back tonight about my first visit with my surgeon. I'm not banded yet and am awaiting a surgery date. During the visit he told me he's done 40 bands (by the time I get mine that number will have most likely doubled because he's doing about 4 or 5 per week). He said that of those 40 people, three people have had their bands removed. Two because of acid reflux and one because of a hole that occurred either during or after surgery. This hole was located just above the stomach somewhere. The surgeon gave some explanation about "shearing" away part of some membrane to get behind the stomach or something, and maybe because this person had already suffered from acid reflux, his membrane was thinner or worn away. But that was just his theory. I remember reading an article about a councilwoman who died getting the LAP Band due to surgical error which was a stomach perforation. Should I be worried??? I know the hospital I'm going to has an excellent reputation. I guess his complication (removal) rate is about 8%. This seems high, huh? He's attended during surgery by two more experienced surgeons. Should I switch to one of them, or am I just being over-cautious?

I dont think you're being overcautious. I dont think I'd go with a surgeon who's only done 40 bands, attended by more experienced ones or not.

And the reputation of the hospital itself is quite a different thing from this surgeon's own reputation.

I wouldnt want to scream, DONT DO IT, by any means, but I do think it warrants some consideration and if you can easily switch to one of the other surgeon's I'd do it in a heartbeat just for peace of mind.