Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone here has used a surgeon who a little light on banding experience? My surgeon had done 40 bands at the time of consult, and by the time my surgery rolls around, he will have done about 80-100. I'm specifically interested in if you've used a surgeon who was low on banding experience, are you happy with your band? He is very experienced with laproscopic surgery in general though and has been a surgeon for 24 years.

I was the second band my surgeon had done. The first was a couple of hours before me. Yes! I am very happy with my band & my surgeon!

All band surgeons had a first patient. They have to start somewhere. I would take into account his extensive surgery experience. I imagine he's done more complex stuff than the band.

I am not only my surgeons first band, the first in Montana to have performed in Great Falls. Dr. H has a great reputation for orthoscopic (sp) and I went off my comfort level with him and his tolerance for all of my questions. The first appt was 2 hrs. and he was not in a hurry to get rid of me. since, Banded May 02,05 things are great! he does 5 bands per week in addition to his practice. For fills, yep, first fill, he is great. hits all the time had 4 fills to date and no pain, fills good restriction. his bedside manner is great. with the talk of erosion on this site, I was concerned that it may become an issue and we talked about it and decided to calm my nerves we would do a EGD. yesterday did that and today appt. everything great!

so long story, but, go with your feelings. remember, this is a life change and you need someone you can talk to and feel comfortable with. all surgeons must be good orthoscopic surgeons to do the band, the office staff manner and the dr manner are the deciding factor that you must feel comfortable with for a long time.

also like that dr. doesnt charge for every little thing, answers phone calls and weekly weigh ins free with brief 5 min consult if not happy with scale results.

Good luck

I just found out that I am approved and will be having surgery next month. My surgeon is quite new to lap band too- In fact, it is new to the state of Vermont! I am one of 4 patients who will be banded with the folks from Inamed there to watch.

I am not worried though- My surgeon has done 40 other lap bands at his former hospital and the folks from Inamed are very very experienced lap band surgeons.

My surgeon was a very experienced trauma surgeon and he had done many, many RNY's. He explained it like this: In comparison to most surgeries, putting a band on is like clipping a toenail. I was his 15th band and my experience has been great.

I was my surgeon's first band too. I got two surgeons for the price of one though, because he had a proctor assisting.

I was my surgeon's first band too. I got two surgeons for the price of one though, because he had a proctor assisting.

I had exactly the same situation. I went with my surgeon because he is an EXTEMELY experienced and RESPECTED surgeon. My GP advised against another experienced band surgeon because of his reputation as a surgeon in general.

I feel like my doctor and I are both on this journey. I have no regrets.

Yep ditto, I was my doctor's first and he had a proctor. But he has been a surgeon for a while and had done lots of gastric bypasses which is much more complicated than the lapband.