jkend50035

Thank you all for writing. I've asked my family to comment on all the replies and generally give me their honest opinions of what I should do. I should add that presently my surgeon is reviewing my file to see if I am a candidate for the sleeve. As I have said, he is most concerned about the great deal of reflux I have had in the history of my band over the years. I appreciate you all taking the time to reply. --Jim K

My internist is strongly pushing the sleeve and I presently have a lapband in since 2008. But I am going no where, weightwise. I need to lose 100lbs still. My surgeon is concerned about putting in the sleeve for me because I have had a history of reflux with my band, and he says it would be worse with the sleeve. My family does not want me to have the surgery because I am over 60 years old. What should I do? Thanks! --Jim K

Thanks for replying. Your help is greatly appreciated. I plan on calling my doctor about this tomorrow. --Jim K

These replies to my post have been extremely helpful. Thank you so much. I have copied your answers and will be using them when I discuss this new operation with my doctor. I am a little concerned, though, that both of you had BCBS and one was covered and the other wasn't. So I guess it will come down to my individual policy--and mine seems to cover absolutely nothing, so I am a bit worried there. I plan on calling my lapband doctor tomorrow, whom I like a great deal, and ask him these questions. Thanks again for responding. I will keep you all informed of my progress. --Jim K

Hi--I am brand new here and I apologize for being ignorant about the sleeve. I have been banded since 2008 with not much success. I saw my internist today and he said most people only lose on the average of 50lbs on the lapband, whereas the sleeve the average weight loss is 120lbs. He said it is also done laprscopically, like the lapband. So he highly recommends that I do it, because I am going no where on my band and my dieting is not working, and I need to lose over 100lbs, then I will be at my ideal body weight. He says that all the recent medical journals are now recommending the sleeve. My questions: 1. Is all this true? 2. Are there more than 1 type of sleeve operations? 3. Is it difficult to transition from the lapband to the sleeve? 4. Does Insurance cover it? (I have Blue Cross) 5. Are there other important questions that I am not asking? Thank you in advance for any info you can share, My name is Jim K

Hi--I am brand new here and I apologize for being ignorant about the sleeve. I have been banded since 2008 with not much success. I saw my internist today and he said most people only lose on the average of 50lbs on the lapband, whereas the sleeve the average weight loss is 120lbs. He said it is also done laprscopically, like the lapband. So he highly recommends that I do it, because I am going no where on my band and my dieting is not working, and I need to lose over 100lbs, then I will be at my ideal body weight. He says that all the recent medical journals are now recommending the sleeve. My questions: 1. Is all this true? 2. Are there more than 1 type of sleeve operations? 3. Is it difficult to transition from the lapband to the sleeve? 4. Does Insurance cover it? (I have Blue Cross) 5. Are there other important questions that I am not asking? Thank you in advance for any info you can share, My name is Jim K

Anyone know?

I think you have a very nice, caring and loving husband. As far as keeping this secret private, I do agree that there will be saboteurs that will NOT want you to lose weight (because they are overweight and are jealous) or who knows why. But I have found the vast majority of people you will come across will be overwhelmingly positive and supportive, just like your husband, and the group you eat lunch with. My feeling is, "the truth will set you free!!" Good luck whatever you decide!