llcarlos48

I just recently, within the last week, had my band removed and at the same time, had a gastric bypass done......The two doctors that I go to, and their practice is RANKED NUMBER ONE IN THE STATE, told me that only one or two IN TEN lose the desired weight after undergoing the lapband....I had it done a year ago and would never do it again....At the outset, and even months later, it is successful, but then there was a plateau where I slowly started to crave the foods that originally put it on....I read this a lot on here and it's true....I personally know of two women who had the 'band' done, lost about 70 percent of their weight goal, then put it ALLLLLLLLLLL back on within a year....And rem. that I WOULD ALWAYS EAT MY PROTEIN FIRST, and follow the rules, but the band lost it's effect, plus I had the maximum fill.....If, according to my Dr's, only one or two in ten reach their goal, and this is based on their own practice, plus being in touch with other Dr's and studying follow-ups all over, that' s good enough for me....Caution to you, and DO NOT, in desperation, reach out for something that will not be there in the long run....But, you could be one of the 10-20 percent that is succesful....BUT I WOULD NEVER TAKE THOSE ODDS!......My best, Carlos.....YES!!---My insurance paid for both, but they required that I wait 6 months to get each procedure and follow strict guidelines.....ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT "GOLD!"

I was banded 10 months ago, and flew to Detroit to have it done..Good surgeon and care..I went at 285 lbs. and got myself down to 230 in around seven months..Felt great!..While in Detroit, the Dr. discovered a hiatal hernia, the second largest he had ever seen, and repaired it before doing the banding, something he would normally never do, 2 surgeries at once, but since I flew there, he did it..My fill Dr. hee in Pittsburgh told me the same thing about 2 surgeries at once. I am at the max fill, and went the other day because my pouch had enlargened since my last visit.. This time it was more enlarged, double the size, and he removed ALL of the saline..He said that he hopes to have the stomach relax enough, settle down and become smaller, then see me in 4-5 weeks....If it hasn't, the BAND MUST COME OUT, he says..I am devastated..I must mention that during the past 6 weeks or so, between the fills and checkups, I put back 20 plus pounds..That tight feeling practically left, so, I ate more....He says this happens to maybe 3 of 100 patients, and that my chances are 40-60 that I will be able to be filled again.....CAN ANYONE "IDENTIFY AND/OR HELP ME HERE WITH SOME THOUGHTS, SUGGESTIONS???....Many thanks, Chuck

How did your insurance Co. determine your BMI??..They go by the Dr's word????..You are correct as to what I was thinking----Didn't want to wait the 6 months and go through all of the tests, plus costs of the test, and it was 8.000.00 cheaper there!!!!....My Dr. merely sent in my medical records confirming my co-morbities etc., they did my BMI there as I had to be over 30, NOT 35.....Incl. in cost of 11,700.00 were blood tests, x-rays or any other tests exams pre and post, 2 night's stay in a hotel, transportation to and from airport, one night stay in hosp. after surgery..So, that's it, but now I'm so worried about the pouch bigger..By the way, the Dr. who did my banding repaired the huge hiatal hernia first, the size of a softball he says, second biggest he's ever seen, and told me --"NO CHARGE FOR THAT!"....His name was Dr. Gazyreli(spelling??)....And believe it or not, you can CALL him at anytime and he will talk to you via his cell phone, even if in surgery, out to eat, at home, in office etc.---- ANYWHERE!!....WHERE did you ever hear of that??.....My best, Chuck....Go Steelers..Yep!!----I am a fan!!

My ins. would 'not' cover it since I was 33.5 body mass, and had to be 35....Was 'not' going to put on 20-30 pounds then have to wait 6 months also....In Detroit, you only have to be a '30' body mass index, plus have 3 co-morbities, which I do.. Additionally, I got scheduled for surgery in 3 weeks..Of course, had to pay cash..I know the surgeons in Pittsburgh are excellent as I go to one from U.P.M.C. for my fills, or now, for taking it alllllllll out!!

Dr. Garzyleri(spelling??) at Detroit Med. Center....Has an office in Troy....Think Harper Hospital was where I got it done....All sound familiar?....Chuck....Questions????....Just ask!!

Hi Nicole!!....You sound like me....Lol!....Being 64, with 4 comorbities, I had absolutely "no choice!"....I like you, could eat allllllllllllll day long and more....And it's proven that 92 percent of diets fail(I've been through 15 of them...LOL!!)....Be not afraid!!!!....I had mine on Feb. 27, and have lost 35 pounds....I can look at pizza, donuts, cakes etc. and never want to touch them....This has been a real education and change for me....I only had discomfort and some pain for 2 days coupled with some gastric disress, hiccups and really only slimed one trime....Your band will tell you when you ate enough....Just follow the post-op instructions and you'll be fine....As far as the negative post here, I DO NOT believe that the lapband will be banned in 3-5 years----------NEVER!!!!....Maybe something new might come along!....Who knows????...But with the pharma. bucks floating around, the success stories etc----NEVER!!......In very small percentages, lapband is not good for people....What surgery is 100 percent????----NONE????....For me there was no other decision but to have it....My best, Chuck....And true!!!!---PUT THAT NEGATIVE POST ELSEWHERE!!!!

I knew I had sleep apnea before I got the surgery, as I took the overnight test....I also had 3 other co-morbities....Perhaps you have 2 or more other co-morbities, and the Dr. will just take your oxygen in the hospital....Dr's are different, so just go along!!.....My best, Chuck:thumbs_up:

Hello!!..I'm Chuck, a newbie sort of too..Why did your ins. co. refuse??..Most require a minimum of 35 as a BMI, plus a couple of co-morbities..I am in Pa., and here you have to go through 6 months of testings, workshops, exercise recommendations, meal planning etc. before the surgery....And they expect you to lose some weight too..Additionally, you must get all that other stuff--letters from Dr. etc...My body mass was 33.8, and I had "4" comorbities, but if I went through the program, it would have sent my BMI even lower....I had no choice, as 92 percent of diets fail....I researched and found a 'reputable' online site that schedules you for surgery out of state and quickly--usually around 2-3 weeks, and you don't need all the stuff you do with insurance companies....I flew to Detroit on Feb. 26, and had the surgery the 27th....The total cost, with flight, was around 12,800....The Dr. was fabulous, and found the largest hiatal hernia he had ever seen, the size of a football, repaired it, and never charged me for that....I have lost 30 pounds, and feeling better each day, with NO HUNGER PAINS!!....I eat just to eat!!!!....And finally----YES!!----Your Dr. can certainly appeal the decision of the insurance company, but I don't know the criteria you company requires....I got mine out of state because they only require a 30 PERCENT body mass index with "2" co-morbities....Questions????....Just ask!!....My best, Chuck....In the hospitals around here, the cost is around 22,000 without the hernia repair!!!!

Good day all. Newbie here. Had the lap-band done in Detriot around 5 weeks ago. Had to go there since around here I was close, but enough in the BMI and they expect you to lose in the 6 month program. Have 4 co-morbities. Dr. discovered a hiatal hernia near the size of a football, said it was the 'largest' he'd ever seen. An hour procedure turned into 5 and a half hours. Said he would 'never' do two at a time because of the size of the hernia. But since I was far away he did. Also said I had a bigger chance of slippage and another compl. or two. I went locally to my fill Dr. on Thursday and he agreed on the size, plus what other Dr. said. Anyone had this problem??. I'm sooooooooo nevous, but the Dr. near me said all looks good when doing the first fill,4cc, but time will tell. Secondly, after the fill, I was directed to stay on clears for 2 days, then pureed for 7 days. Why?. And, I WAS HUNGRIER!..Still am 3 days later. Suggestions?. Today was the'topper!' I weigh myself but once a week, then the day after to check. Overnight I gained almost 5 pounds and really didn't overdo it on pureed!..?????????..Go back to liquids??..Lastly, the good part. The Dr. did that hiat. hernia for nothing. What a guy.. Eh?.I was totally shocked to see the 8 laproscopic pics. after the surgery showing the size and parts of the surgery..Take care and I'm glad to be here. My best, Chuck