1. Provide the title of your story or series and the names of the journalists involved.
"Banding America's Tummy: Targeting Teens for Gastric Bands," By Debra Sherman, with additional reporting by Ellen Freilich
2. List date(s) this work was published or aired.
26-Jul-10
3. Provide a brief synopsis of the story or stories, including any significant findings.
The story examines unethical practices of using the gastric band on obese teens (for whom the device is not approved) and how some doctors have glossed over complications with the device amid a lack of long-term data. The story also shines light on the relationships between the device manufacturers, doctors/researchers and those charged with overseeing medical standards. It highlights the fact that the FDA was unaware of ethical issues surrounding the NYU surgeon who submitted to FDA clinical results using Allergan's Lap-Band.
4. Explain types of documents, data or Internet resources used. Were FOI or public records act requests required? How did this affect the work?
I used court documents and transcripts, New York State Health Department documents and reports, and many reports and journal articles on various clinical trials. FOI requests were not required.
5. Explain types of human sources used.
I interviewed many doctors and researchers, as well as regulators and patients. The most challenging source was Dr. Pal, the whistleblower, who was very reluctant to talk because her lawsuit was in
6. Results (if any).
The whistleblower eventually spoke to me.
7. Follow-up (if any). Have you run a correction or clarification on the report or has anyone come forward to challenge its accuracy? If so, please explain.
No
8. Advice to other journalists planning a similar story or project.
Get time and take your time to wade through as much information as possible before writing.