For a Newbee, all this erosion talk is scarey ... Especially since I chose to be banded in Mexico. Yes, It was a choice.

I saw on the threads about the different techniques.. I don't understand a lot of this medical stuff, but thanks to Penni, Susan and some others, I pulled my surgery report out and my surgeon, Dr. Rumbaut did use the pars flaccida technique.

I am so relieved....:puke: I know this isn't a reprieve and anything could happen, but at least the preferred technique was used.

Me, too. Dr Kuri used pars flaccida on me, as well. The erosion stuff gets to me, too, especially being banded in MX. You can tell me all day long how low my chances are of eroding, and I'll still wonder! Here are the things I have in my favor...I was banded about a year after these girls who recently eroded. I was banded by Kuri, not Ortiz or Lopez. I have had no port problems. I have had no band problems.

None of this is a guarantee, I know. It's just as silly for me to let these things make me feel better as it is to let the erosion stories make me worry.

So I'm always back to square one. Be aware, be educated, be proactive regarding my band health. Concern myself with weight loss...not what MIGHT happen. I know, I know. It's still hard!!!

Someone recently started a thread in which they asked if would we have our bands proactively removed because of the erosion fears that have spread like wildfire. That thread settled it for me. I am not going to live in fear over the chances of something going wrong in my life. From erosion to being in a horrible car wreck and being paralysed from the neck down the rest of my life, there is an un-numberable amount of things out there for us to fear. And if we let them, they will imobilize us.

I am thrilled to have my band and I am coming to understand that what I choose to accomplish with the band is up to me. It is not designed to make me lose weight. It is not an overnight miracle cure. It is not going to prevent me from failing. It is however wonderfully designed to keep me from eating myself to death. 307 pounds and on the verge of diabetes IS achieved by someone who can't control themselves. That was me.

Fear of PBs, erosion, slippage, etc.. those to me are all things which motivate me to make the best of this while I have it. Just like we should all make the best of the time we have with our loved ones, for who knows how long we will really have them. I plan to eat like I'm supposed to, excercise 30 mins a day, and drink a minimum of 64 oz of Water a day. I might slip, that's where you all come in.. ready to kick my arse and get me back on track. *grins*

Some may say, "But I got the band so I didn't have to do anything". Well, folks.. the only option I know of for that is the bypass which leaves people looking and feeling like crap. And even they don't lose it all or keep it all off. So, no thanks. I want to lose weight so I look and feel healthy. I want a long life to spend with my family and I want to live out my dreams.. not sit in my house embarassed to go out, avoiding most activities with my family because I physically can't.

I personally am going to give thanks every day for this opportunity while I have it. And I'm going to do all I can to help my band help me. I am not going to fear losing it. I am not going to fear infections or erosions. That might happen, I'll deal with that if and when I have to.

You know what I fear more than erosions? Diabetes. High blood pressure. Hip replacements. Heart disease. And having to look at myself in the mirror everyday as I try to fix myself up a bit and hear those words in my head, "Why do you bother? You're still fat and ugly."

And having to look at myself in the mirror everyday as I try to fix myself up a bit and hear those words in my head, "Why do you bother? You're still fat and ugly."

Egads, that's worse than fearing erosion. I hate feeling like that...I can't stop the "tape" in my head sometimes, especially when what I see confirms what I feel. Fat and Ugly. Maybe it's time I waxed my eyebrows. That always makes me feel Neat and Clean, rather than fat and gross. Geez, I can't wait till I get to a weight when I don't feel so gross anymore. 10 more pounds? 20 more pounds? What's it gonna take? I just cringed when I read those words. I can so relate.

I was banded by Dr. Sanchez in Mexico and I feel pretty secure. No problems 3 months out, we'll see at 2 years. Erosion is a 1-3% percent chance for ANYONE. It is just statistically a chance. The scary thing is when poeple banded by ONE particular doctor seem to skew the statistics. Then you need to worry.

Sus - couldn't agree with you more. I'm plan on making the best of the time I have with my band. I don't anticipate having the band there forever - although it would be groovy if it was. I plan on making a "habit" out of chewing and taking smaller bites. If I really chew and take small bites, it takes me about 30 minutes to eat a small plate of food - and then I've taken as long to eat as everyone around me and I feel like I've been eating alot even though I haven't. If I can turn this into a "habit", I feel like that will be key to lifelong success. I can't tell you how many times I have wolfed down plates of food and hardly noticed that I'd eaten. I hope I have enough time with the band to make this chewing thing habit. That is my goal for the band. I don't fear erosion or other side effects. I just hope to have the time to turn my new eating policies into habits. I thought your comments were great. Doc - you'll do great - don't worry about erosion and focus on learning new habits that this wonderful tool is allowing you to learn. Sus - as usual, you were eloquent and thoughtful on your post. You should never think of yourself as fat and ugly - you're an awesome person and make lotsa people very happy just by being you!

Hey Doc, I've talked to Dr. Rumbault on the phone, but we've never met. However, if I ever had to go back to Mexico, he's the ONLY surgeon I'd even think about considering because he's got a stellar reputation. I have never seen a negative word printed about him or the facility he practices out of. I hope that makes you feel good :puke:

Is any surgeon NOT using the pars flaccida technique these days?