I have heard of a technique were the top pouch of the stomach is pulled over the band and sutured to the bottom section. I am being told this decreases the risk of slippage. Does anyone know anything about this technique?

Thanks,

D

Hey DBanner...Yes I heard of this technique too. My doctor did this to me. It does reduce the risk of slippage. But, I believe that I read somewhere that there's a little bit more of a risk of erosion by doing this technique.

Dr. addressed this in a seminar I went to . They bring the stomach over the band and suture it in place. He then has found that if you put an extra stich in where the band snaps together it helps prevent erosion. He has had good success with this. Dr. Bhesania is from Mich. He is a Proctor for Inamend and helps teach others.

That's the way mine was "installed". I was under the impression it's pretty much the way it's done these days. Also, on the larger bands, a little fluid is put in during surgery, whereas before, the bands were left completely empty. I always surprise my doctor when he gets ready to tell me a new development with the band, because I've usually already heard about it here. I have the smaller band, which was still stitched into place.

This should be the standard technique these days. It is suppose to 'help' reduce slippage, but is not guaranteed to do so. It can also come apart, especially if the new bandster begins eating solids too soon and over stresses it during the healing phase. Also, repititive vomiting/pbing can still cause slippage. I think the first 6 weeks is definitely a critical time in banding as to whether the scar tissue forms snugly around the band itself, then, of course, following the bandster rules for eating is imperative for not doing damage after the healing phase.