How experienced should your doctor be?

travelchicky · March 13, 2007

My doctor has done a little over 300 surgeries and I am wondering if that is enough experience or should I try someone else. Thanks for the help!

faithmd · March 13, 2007

Hiya travelchicky, I had this same question, so I called Allergan (the people who make the band in the US) and asked that (and some other things). I know many people here are going to answer and say that 5000 is better than 500, etc... Which is probably true to a point (though sometimes I think if that's all they do all day it becomes so automatic I wonder if they really pay close attention to each and every procedure like they did when they were pretty new at it...) but back to the subject at hand:

Here's what the band guru at Allergan told me about band surgeons (the one I'm going to go with has only done about 100 bands, but over 2000 laparascopic procedures). He told me that after surgeons have done 100 bands they are considered an "expert" by Allergan and then can begin proctering (teaching) other surgeons to place the Lap Band.

Long story short, I think 300 Lap Bands is plenty of experience.

The other option my insurance comany would pay for is the hospital where I am and those surgeons have not even placed a single band yet. That is too inexperienced for me... :faint: