I just found out that my surgeon has only done 22 gastric bandings because insurance has only recently started to pay for them. Should I be concerned? His training has been solely in laproscopic surgeries and they have not had to remove any bands or had any problems with banded patients so far.

does he offer a support group or something, where you could speak to other people that he's banded? Maybe that would help...

My doc only does lap-bands, so he's done alot....but, I didn't have to choose a surgeon based on insurance. Mine has a lovely restriction, so I'm paying out of pocket.

I read a story on here a few days ago about a lady who went to a surgeon who hadn't done many, but she is completely happy with her band. No problems at all.

Doctor Malley in Kansas has just celebrated his 1000th Lap Band,

Very exciting!

Dr Rod in Juarez, Mexico and he's done over 5000. But they have been doing them longer in Mexico.

Dont worry! I had a doc who did maybe aroudn 10-15 before me and im doing wonderful! He was a very kind and understanding man who has put together a wonderful program of support for ppl who have had the surgery or are looking into it. These docs know the human body... youll be fine! Go get ur band and start ur life over again!

~~jessica

There are support groups that meet once a month but they are mostly gastric by-pass patients. They offer good support after surgery. You go to the nutritionist and see the doctor on a regular basis. I could have gone to the city of Pittsburgh hospitals where I'm sure they do more bandings but chose a local hospital instead. It's closer and easier for me. I have difficulty driving longer distances. The surgeons in this practice seem competent and require a lot of pre-surgery testing. So I feel comfortable with them.

Every surgeon at some point has done only 22.........

Everyone has a different take on this, and every doctor has to start somewhere. However, I have read that complication rates go down significantly once a doctor has had more experience.

You want your band to last a lifetime if possible . . . can you find a more experienced surgeon to do it? Experience is important when it comes to surgery.

If you stick with this surgeon, perhaps you should ask a lot of questions during consult . . . such as what methodology would be used in the suturing procedure to secure the band to the stomach as to prevent slippage in the future. Also, how are those 20 something other patients doing so far, and how far out are they from surgery?

To be free is totally right. All the surgeons at some point had their very first lapband surgery and have learned from there. My surgeon has been doing bariatric surgeries for approximately 16 years with the last 6 years to include lapband. I prefer to have a well experienced surgeon but as my surgeon has trained others to do the lapband surgery he has gone to assist the other surgeons in their first few surgeries. So I would trust someone with 22 surgeries under their belt.

While my surgeon has done MANY, any surgeon that is realize or AP (lap band brands) certified, has to go through lots of training.