Hello All,

I am new to this banding community. I wish to say that this site has been most helpful to me in terms of feeling good about my decision to proceed with banding.

I will have my telephone consultation with both clinics (Yau and Cobourn/Mumford) next week and will have to make a final decision on which one to go with. I reside in Edmonton, Alberta.

I am hoping that those of you who have considered and completed the procedure with either Dr. Yau or Dr. Cobourn/Mumford can share with me how you come to your final decision on which physician to go with. I know that both clinics and physicians have excellent reputation and going with either would probably be fine but this knowledge does not help me to narrow down my decision.

Your feedback would be greatly appreciated.:help:

You know what - maybe this is naive, but I have a lot of faith in Dr. Yau and he told me that the older bands (Inamed) because they are rigid have been shown to have more slips etc. In addition, he siad that once I am on the table he will decide which band is best for ME. That is what I want - not what is best for others, but for me. I trust him to do the right thing. He is very honest and straightforward. Two traits that rate very high with me.

Susan

Gaffer...nope no links...the info I read wasn't online but rather hard copies of a few medical journals that I read; one in TLBC waiting room and two in my dermatologist's office.

This really isn't anything new...people in the field of bariatric surgery (specifically lapband) are well aware that some types of bands slip more than others. They are still way better than they were years ago though and likely will be even more improved years from now.

I also hold more stock in Health Canada than the US version of the FDA. Canada has ALWAYS been way more stringent in their health (& food, as well) guidelines than the US; sometimes this is to our great advantage; others to our detriment!

Ok now I am worried... I don't want my band to slip ... I guess I did not do enough research...

Ok now I am worried... I don't want my band to slip ... I guess I did not do enough research...

no no no....I didn't mean to worry you! But, absolutely, everyone who is banded should be aware that "slipping" is one of several complications with the band that MAY happen. You can't ignore it. But you also can't let that stop you. The incidences of slippage has been greatly reduced over the last few years due to different bands now being available and to the newer method of suturing the band to the stomach (ie. up around the ring...sorry...I don't know the medical mumbo jumbo!).

Your doctor (or the release you sign) should have gone over in great detail all the possible complications that can happen.

Don't worry...it is like when you take a prescription medication;.....all the possible complications/side-effects are discussed even if the chances of it happening are very slim.....

Best to be well informed, for sure.

Apparently the band only slips in 1 or 2 out of 1000 patients. At least that is the information I found when researching the band. Also the way in which sugeons perform the surgeries and attach the band these day has assited in keeping the slippage cases down. Dr. Cobourn can explain these facts and figures in the consult and if you question the brand of band or equipment I am sure he will be able to answer your questions on those as well. I'm sure all the other Dr.'s that perform the surgery in Toronto can as well.

Ok now I am worried... I don't want my band to slip ... I guess I did not do enough research...

Slipping is a problem that is in the back of all bandsters heads, but it is also a problem that is not as common as it once was.

If you are worried about Dr. Coburn and Inamed bands, I would not be. I was banded by Dr. C. They have been using the Inamed AP bands, which according to what I have read and what Dr.C has told me, are less prone to slipping.

I cant remember exactly, but when I asked Dr.C how many follow ups he has had to do as a result of slips it was very low, and lower than the stats that were reported by inamed in thier band booklet.

Andrew

Yes well I am having my surgery May 30th with Dr. Cobourn. He uses the Inamed brand. I thought I had done good research but I did not come across anything saying that it was known to slip more than other brands.

I have paid all my pre-op fees and booked my flight as well as arranged for someone to be with me there. So I will be out a fare bit if I were to change my mind at this point. So I would like to see the info on the Inamed brand, Can you tell me where I would find that?

I know that there are always what if's and could be's in life, that is why I/we check things out. I just never saw anything saying it was known to be a higher risk of slipping than other brands.

I was originally booked with Dr. Mumford and after having a telephone consult with Nisrine from TLBC I changed and had my surgery with them. I was able to have the surgery in a short time and loved the idea of being able to have a choice of all the bands that are approved by health canada. Dr.Yau choose the best band that was suited for me. Maybe you should call TLBC and talk with Nisrine.

Leslie I have done my reseach as well. I still research the band. I am not sure where these stats are on the Inamed bands slipping more than others. I have not seen them if they do exist.

I had my surgery with Dr. Cobourn and I asked him a bunch of questions on the band and slipping and odds of this happening.

I would suggest that you call the office and talk to Dr. Cobourn again if you are this concerned.

Frankly I hate this thread. I really dislike when people ask which clinic should I go to without looking into it themselves first and without specific questions about the clinics. It seems everyone feels the need to pit one clinic against the next and tries to make one clinic look worse than another. Especially when things are said without the physical evidence of proof and stats.

The truth is the Toronto clinics are both very good clinics with great Dr.'s who take what they do and all their patients very seriously. They both have very good track records and patients who can varify this. There are many people on the Canadian thread that were treated by either of these clinics and have great and maybe some not so great things to say about them.

I know that there are always what if's and could be's in life, that is why I/we check things out. I just never saw anything saying it was known to be a higher risk of slipping than other brands.

I would not change at this point. This is the first that I have heard after my own research that there were any concerns with the Inamed bands. I have one, and I am not really worried.

As for the AP band there was a thread about them a while back. http://www.lapbandtalk.com/ap-bandits-t24564.html?t=24564

If you are really concerned I would suggest you call the clinic and talk to Dr.C about it.

I would really like to see the article that Yoda read that started this whole thing.

Andrew

Leslielee - please don't get all anxious about this. there are many of Dr. C. patients on this site that have/are successful and have not had any complications. I am sure you will be one of those.

Susan

I was originally booked with Dr. Mumford and after having a telephone consult with Nisrine from TLBC I changed and had my surgery with them. I was able to have the surgery in a short time and loved the idea of being able to have a choice of all the bands that are approved by health canada. Dr.Yau choose the best band that was suited for me. Maybe you should call TLBC and talk with Nisrine.

I dont think that there is enough difference between the 2 TO clinics to justify cancelling one and losing deposits etc and likely getting a later surgery date.

Andrew

Leslielee,

Andrew is right. Both clinics are excellent and there probably is not enough difference for you to justify cancelling your appointment in favour of another clinic. From the threads, it seems that Dr. Cobourn has used the Inamed band successfully in many lapbanders. Of course, ultimately, you have to go where you are most comfortable.

Dame J,

This thread was started by me to find out how people make their final decisions regarding who to go with. Their feedback has been very, very helpful in allowing potential lapbanders like myself to consider the various aspects of the two clinics that might help one to narrow down his/her decision. Afterall, we can only go to ONE physician even if both are good.

The thread is absolutely NOT intended to pit one clinic against the other. Rather it is intended for potential lapbanders to consider factors that might be important and of which they might not have considered before.

By the way, your assumption is wrong and I have looked into both clinics. Otherwise, I would not have been able to share the information that they provided.

Getting feedback from those who have gone through the decision making and banding process is smart and prudent and should be encouraged, not discouraged - especially for a significant, life/body altering, and costly procedure such as this. Ultimately, people can take the information, consider them, and make their own final decision.

Cat

Leslie I have done my reseach as well. I still research the band. I am not sure where these stats are on the Inamed bands slipping more than others. I have not seen them if they do exist.

I had my surgery with Dr. Cobourn and I asked him a bunch of questions on the band and slipping and odds of this happening.

I would suggest that you call the office and talk to Dr. Cobourn again if you are this concerned.

Frankly I hate this thread. I really dislike when people ask which clinic should I go to without looking into it themselves first and without specific questions about the clinics. It seems everyone feels the need to pit one clinic against the next and tries to make one clinic look worse than another. Especially when things are said without the physical evidence of proof and stats.

The truth is the Toronto clinics are both very good clinics with great Dr.'s who take what they do and all their patients very seriously. They both have very good track records and patients who can varify this. There are many people on the Canadian thread that were treated by either of these clinics and have great and maybe some not so great things to say about them.

I had Dr. Cobourn and was banded one year ago as of April 18th. I have had outstanding service by him and the whole team at the Surgical Weight Loss Clinic. I also have friends who are clients of Dr. Yau at the Toronto Lap Band Centre and they are also pleased with their service. Let's remember that we are discussing doctors and clinics reputations here and need to be respectful of the impact of what we say on them and their prospective and present patients. Most of us are biased towards the doctors we have chosen and I believe both clinics offer excellent service! There is room enough for both clinics and others also.

Donna

Banded by Dr. Cobourn April 18th/06

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