  The cross section for low mass dissociation at LHC energies is estimated in a
partly data driven approach. The result is compared to the Monte Carlo estimate
from the QGSJET-II-03 model used by the TOTEM experiment in the determination
of $\sigma_{tot}$ via the luminosity-independent method. Significant
differences are found and possible consequences are explored and discussed.

High Energy Physics - Phenomenology;High Energy Physics - Experiment