Posted some information that I rec'd from my dr's office staff regarding his statistics, and somethings have been bothering me regarding the explainations.

1. Said that he has had 1 erosion in 2000. Caused by the person self-accessing their port.

2. Said that slips are caused by non-compliance with bandster rules and should not be "held-against" the doctor. She would not give me a number on slips.

So my question to you guys/gals is this: Does this sound right to you?

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Poodles, I would go to another of his seminar and ask him directly...when I went he seemed very open about everything that the crowd ask him. I would tell him exactly what you were told him and tell him of your concerns. You have to feel comfortable with the situation.

Hi all I'm new to this group. My doc blamed me for a slippage. I was banded in 7/2004 and didn't have my first fill until 3/05 and then had some fill removed 6/05 and have lost 100lb since initial banding. I have had 4-5 real cases of vomiting and not pbing since band placed. My MD immediately blamed me and stated I would need a DS. I have been a RN for 15 years and looking back no x-ray or UGI was done until last month. Not even suggested. Since my vomiting happened so intermittently. Best of luck to you. I'm going for a second opinion. There are no absolutes in medicine and to blame you is wrong.

Just a late addition- I read some studies that showed a dramatic reduction in slippage from 2 things:

1) Slippage rates fell from about 8-10% to about 2% by using the 'pars flaccida' technique when placing the band. This is where the band is situated on the stomach itself. I guess when they started doing banding they were putting it in one place and trial and error lead to an improved placement. I think there are several studies that confirm this.

2) I saw a very small study that showed a 0% rate of slippage using the SAGB instead of the inamed band. I can't remember the time frame though, but I don't think it was long. My surgeon suggested that the SAGB had been improved and now, because it was softer and wider was proving to be superior. It is also supposed to have reduced levels of food intolerance. Of course it is not yet approved here in the USA.

That said, I would get a number for his rates of slippage. If it is higher than about 2%, he has a problem that he oculd be addressing. It is suspicious. And, there must be lots of other docs around that will do your surgery if needed...even with the awful insurance! :-)