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Hi everyone, I'm new here and have a few questions. I have spent the past few months, almost a year on lapbandtalk.com forum because that was the surgery I wanted, and at the time the only one my Surgeon would perform on me. My surgeon was admit that because I have Crohns Disease the only true safe WLS surgery would be the band, or maybe an outside chance at the sleeve, but he felt best about band. Obviously at that appointment he gave me a list of stuff to get done before he would see me again, lose 18 lbs, see the food shrink, see the nutritionist, see the Diabeties dr, and all the normal WLS stuff. The Dr had told me it normally takes 6 moths to a year to complete the list, and get the ok from all the different doctors, Nutritionist and so on. I lost the 18 lbs in 10 days, and had all the doctors signed off on this within 3 weeks. When I went back to see my surgeon nobody at his office could believe I completed the check list that fast, and they put in my approval request for Band surgery. My insurance, which is good insurance, and the dr office says approves damn near everyone denied me, stating they needed more information. I gathered up all the info my surgeon told me to, it was resubmitted, and denied stating not medically necessary at this time. The surgeon then resubmitted the request, and it came back denied, Due to Crohns disease, and requested my surgeon call the med director at Blue Choice. Turns out the insurance company is worried about corrosion from the band, and with Crohns this could be really bad. My surgeons stance was that the band is really the safest way to go because if the crohns flares up they can drain the band, or even remove it if really needed. Long story longer, I got denied again, I called Blue choice Insurance myself, and asked to speak to the med director and was told they only talk to doctors, not policy holders. I have called Blue choice three and four times a week for months now, they still wont give in and let me speak to a med director. I would think as a paying policy holder I should be able to speak to the person who is making med decisions regarding my health, right? My surgeon keeps pushing too, without much luck. Last week my surgeon calls me and says come in tomorrow I need to talk to you. I go in to the office, and the girl behind the desk tells me, no charge for today, doctors orders, ok great, a free bee. Instead of taking me to a exam room they walk me to the surgeons office, and he says have a seat, at this point I'm thinking oh crap, he is gonna tell its all over and no surgery at all for me. I was amazed at what did actually say, and confused by it at the same time. The surgeon proceeds to tell me that if I agree to switch procedures he has been lead to believe that the insurance company will cover me for the sleeve. This really blows my mind! I have crohns, which is a mouth to anus disease, meaning it can show up anywhere between those two places. While my Crohns has been restricted to my Intestine, and has not been active, it is always a concern, which is why I can't have the full bypass. My Surgeon says we can most likely move forward very quickly avoiding the 6 moth wait for the sleeve due to the fact that I have been in a holding pattern for almost a year now. I want to get this done ASAP, but I also want to know what I'm walking into, so I'm going to continue to read every damn thread on this board that I can right up until surgery. I have spent the past six days reading online about the sleeve, and trying to research the sleeve with Crohns patients, but I can not find any info regarding the two of them together. Does anyone on this forum have crohns? If so how is the sleeve working for you? Has anyone heard of someone with crohns having the sleeve? Has anyone here had the band and switched to the sleeve? Would you get sleeved again if given the choice? Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

i told my brother, sister parents and 2 close friends (one had had bypass). no one else. i hear people talking about others at work (gosh-she has gained alot of weight), or other rude comments and i just didn't want to hear it if for some reason this did not work for me...gosh, this weight stuff is hard enough as it is without my entire office watching me i may one day decide to share my story because it could help others. people have noticed me eating less and my weight loss and i just say thank you. if they try to push it i tell them i am on my way somewhere or excuse myself. there are a few people in particular that try to get it out of me, one actually asked if i had bypass surgery. those types of people are not my real friends. they just want some juicy gossip to pass around. there are a few really wonderful people at the office that i may share with because i know how they are struggling and i want to help. i believe it is private info...if you want to tell the world, go for it!!! if you choose not to, that is okay too. when i hit goal i may call oprah and shout it from the mountian tops. i doubt anyone will mind i did not share with them first : )

I told everyone at first, now I wish I hadn't. I went 6 months last summer not loosing at all and everyone was asking why it wasn't working for me. It was really embarassing for people to think that I had weight loss surgery (and they all think bypass since it is the one in all the media) and I wasn't losing weight. They wanted to know what I was doing wrong and why others can lose 100 pounds in 6 months. I still hate explaining it especially since I am 15 months out and still only around 70 pounds down. I am still obese and people ask me if the surgery didn't work or what?? I should have kept my mouth closed.

Jade, There is no easy solution. It's a misperception to believe wls does the job for you. No matter what surgery you get, you will have to abide by the rules 100% to reap the benefits. Revisions are great when you are suffering true complications and one surgery is not working out for you. But I know my doc wouldn't qualify someone who just doesn't want to put the work in. They'll predict it'll be the same scenario under another procedure which requires just as much diligence and compliance. Getting wls and getting results takes dedication and work. The difference between pre and post op is that these procedures can help you with things like hunger management, portion control which in the long run will be critical for maintenance. Also, counting calories and understanding how much you are putting into your body allows you to get an understanding of what it means to be on target or to overindulge. It took me years of counting to finally get to a place that I can estimate with accuracy and no longer count. But the reality is, if I consume more than my allotment, I will stall or gain. Weight loss has a very simple formula that cannot by bypassed- weight loss= calories consumed - calories burned. You either workout or you limit intake. No wls changes that.

Hi Jamie Is your appointment so that you can discuss getting the sleeve rather than the Bypass? If so, I know you'll love your sleeve. I was a little apprehensive when getting mine since I'd already gone through WLS before with my band. I was worried it wouldn't work for me like my band didn't work for me. So far it has proven me sooo wrong! I love my sleeve!!!!

I am planning on having the gastric bypass. Going for my upper gi next Friday and I will schedule for surgery!!!!

Hello everyone! A little over two years ago a friend and I struggled to work out everyday. We pushed through and did it though. We were very diligent on what we ate and how much. However with fail we never lost the weight. We both struggled with weight all of our lives. One day I causally mentioned WLS to her. I told her it was something I was going to look into. Well soon after that I had some medical issues and I felt I could get the weight off myself so I didn't follow through with meeting with a surgeon. My friend did though and started her journey to a happier healthier life. Insurance approved her with a bmi over 40. She had comorbidities but didn't list them(I think). Well today she looks absolutely amazing. I am so proud of her. So with that said here I am. I have had chronic problems with gastric ulcers, gerd and joint problems. I met with my surgeon this past November. I did everything. Sleep study, psych, bloodwork, cardiologist, NUT. EVERYTHING! whew. Well my paperwork was turned into Tricare and they denied it. They said I didn't have any of the listed comorbidities. My bmi is 38.7. I have PCOS, endometriosis, arthritis, gastric ulcers, gerd and severe back pain. I have been seeing a orthopedic for years now for my back pain. So my coordinator filed a appeal but I told her regardless I was going to pay for it. My surgery is scheduled for February 25th!! I can't wait. I am hoping Tricare changes their minds but if not so help me I will have this done. I am ready to change my life for the best!

Hi all I had a gastric bypass on 28th January 2012 I've lost 65lbs so far but feel totally miserable. Getting fed up of not being able to eat much expect crackerbreads without feeling sick . Feeling very low when I see everyone being able to go out for meals with there partners and enjoying life when I'm stuck in this life now I don't regret the surgery because the weight loss is fantastic, just feels that my life has come to a halt

I had Gastric bypass on March 9, 2006. Looking to get more inspiration for reaching goal.

Hey guys zoe here. I've just turned 21 an I'm from Mansfield, notts which is in the uk. I'm new to this rny talk but finding it really interesting. So I had my pre op on 20/8/13 and had my bypass on 25/8/13, I was discharged on 27/8/13, I was so glad because my 21st birthday was on the 29/8/13 lol I had my surgery at royal derby hospital which is in derby. The op went well. I did have some trouble the first night though because my pulse was between 130+160 instead of the normal rate so I had an emergency ECG, blood tests, urine tests. They all came back fine. The only thing that would bring my pulse down was my CPAP. I have obstructive sleep apnea. I was diagnosed with in in feb 2013, but they think I've had it years. My weight at my first seminar in sept 2012, I was 352lbs, pre op I was 326lbs and my last weigh in was Wednesday and I was. 302lbs, so I may pop on the scales later and check to see if I'm below 300lbs I'm still on the liquid diet, in that for 2weeks so that ends Sunday, then blended food for 1week then soft textured foods for another 1week then normal foods. I can start the gym after 6 weeks so I can't wait for that I've gone from a size 26 to a 22/24 so far. I've been to the shops with sales on a found a couple if items that's are size 16/18 to get into next, overall I would like to be a 10/12. All in all I'm getting on great I have Facebook if anybody would like to add me on there it's : zoe4queencity2921@live.com, just type that in the search bar and it will come up or just reply trough thread or send me a private message

Gastric bypass for me will be 6/16. I can't wait. You are both an encouragement. Thanks.

I got the sleeve for the same reasons as others -- I didn't want all the issues with the bypass (malabsorption, deficiencies, etc.) and I wanted to be able to eat a fairly normal diet afterwards -- and that's what I got!

They are correct in that the bypass is more popular, that is because they have been doing it for many years in the US and have only started doing and advertising the sleeve here. Personally, I never liked the idea of the bypass, I didn't want to have a little 'pouch' and bypass my natural stomach. I also didn't want dumping syndrome (not that it can't happen with the sleeve, just that is much less likely). I wanted to be able to eat sweets, without having issues with the dumping. I also was concerned about having problems with absorbing vitamins/minerals, etc. Although, that wasn't the ultimate thing because I did consider the DS which is even more problematic in that area, but when I found they could do the sleeve without the DS, I knew it was for me. You will find many people who have had the bypass who are very happy with their decision and who have lost a lot of weight.

Hi there! My sister, her husband, and her daughter have all had bypass. My husband has had the sleeve. Of these four, the three with bypass have all had some form of complication or other (iron deficiency anemia, bleeding ulcers, and Vitamin deficiency)--and my husband has had no problems at all. I know the bypass has been the surgery of choice for years, but I really didn't even consider surgery prior to learning about the sleeve.... I wanted to keep the top and bottom of the stomach intact--less chance of acid issues, ulcers, etc.--and all I really needed is volume restriction. As others have said, the decision of whether or not to have surgery and which type is a very personal one. Do what's best for you.. Best wishes! Meg

I know many people have had their lives saved by the RNY, so I don't mean to talk it down at all. I just couldn't do it... and here is my partial list: - I was a revision from the band, and the complications revising to the rny were much riskier - I had a pouch when i was banded and it SUCKED. I have no idea if the pouch for the RNY behaves the same way, but I suspect it does. I don't want to vomit up food for unpredictable reasons. I spent 10 years in that hell and decided I just couldn't do it. - Mentally, I could get used to the idea that my stomach was too big and just needed to be reduced but i could never get comfortable with the RNY procedure - gave me the heebie geebies. Irrational, yes, but it was a key factor. -20 years ago the woman who was our daycare provider had the RNY. In those days they were done open, so recovery was a big huge deal. I know it isn't the same now, but i can't quite shake the memories of how ill she was and how long it took her to recover (she looked awesome though, lost all of her excess weight!) - I was convinced by the studies available that my chances of success are nearly as good with the sleeve compared to the RNY, but my risks were considerably lower. That just made sense to me. One piece of advice is to consider a surgeon who has a thriving "sleeve" practice. I did that and feel that their after care and all that was spot on for a sleever.

Thanks all! Like I said, I'm sure these have been answered a zillion times, but I couldn't find the info condensed anywhere, so I really appreciate you taking the time to offer info and advice -- Debbie, re the question about insurance: I'm in Arizona. The Marketplace has about five companies (maybe 6-7?) and as with all states, they each offer Bronze, Silver, Gold and some offer Platinum plans. Of course, the lower-level plans have high deductibles generally and usually higher out-of-pocket maximums - but they are cheaper per month on premiums and great to have in case of serious illness/surgery. That said, I don't know whether they all cover WLS or not, but I went to an insurance broker (free to the consumer; they're paid by the insurance companies that they sell policies for...), explained what I was looking for (a policy that covered WLS, had a reasonable monthly premium, and the lowest out-of-pocket maximum I could afford. Yada yada yada - he did some searching and we found a BCBS plan that will keep my out-of-pocket max to $3000/year. Premium is about $550/month -- but -- by not having hubby include me on his employer plan (which specifically excludes WLS), we save about $200/month on that, so the net cost to us is about $350/month. I am going with a Center of Excellence, for either the sleeve or bypass -- not sure yet. There have been many years when the extra $350/month would not have been do-able financially, but fortunately, we're at a place right now where it is. I feel like the brass ring is within reach and just want to get it all finalized -- the insurance, the surgery to-do's, the surgery itself...

I tried and tried and Everytime I tried the latest diet I lost then regained ...The lapband was a nightmare as well...my friends who had the sleeve or bypass years ago are all doing well.

what are you afraid of? The procedure? I don't know if this will help you, but I have never had any kind of anything done to me. No broken bones no surgeries. In fact the only time I have been in the hospital is One over night stay for the birth of my son and to visit other people LOL I am so convinced this is soooo safe that I am not scared in the least. My Dr told me the worst thing that he has happen is three of people had infection around the port area and they just go in and move it to a different location. For me the positive far out way the negative. Ultimately you have to do what is best for you. I would not even consider bypass the risk were to high for me but many people have had it done...it's not for me though. This on the other hand I can do. My biggest worry is, if I will be in alot of pain after wards. Do more research, talk to more people, people who have had it done, talk to your doctors. I did so much research and have read through these forums and my PCP Dr, one of her nurses had bypass I talked to her about it even though it was bypass. I hope this helps. I haven't been approved yet so my help and advise can only so far.

Wishing you every successlll I had a friend you regained afer bypass. She refused to change he relationship with food. It is hard to do, but not impossible. Good Luck and Happy New Year!

My sleeve was done by Dr. William Johnson (http://www.atlantabariatriccenter.com/meet-the-atlanta-bariatric-team/meet-the-surgeons) at Johns Creek Emory Hospital. My experience with him and that practice was great. My neighbor and her daughter had bypass surgery done by Dr. Hart at the same practice. Good luck with your sleeve experience. I had mine done back in November and it has truly been a life-changing experience.

So I have been told that I have to have surgery prior to getting another surgery. I have never considered WLS in the past because I have always been able to keep my weight down with diet and exercise.....until I had a colon resection that I have yet to heal from. The last year has been a painful reminder that I am getting older and unable to recover like I used to. Because of my colon resection, I am unable to get the bypass surgery so my only option is the sleeve. I hope that it will be enough of a tool to help me lose this weight so I can get my second surgery done and on with my life. I have a four month wait period because my insurance still says that this is an elective regardless of the fact that my doctors (I have seen 4 different doctors and have been told the same thing) say that it is medically necessary. Next week I go in for my psych examine and to finally see my nutritionist, as well as have a ton of blood work done, a chest x-ray and something to do with my heart. I have tried to look at this as a plus, as it will help me lose some weight that I have been unable to lose as I have grown older. But at the same time, it is an extreme response to a problem that was created by another problem. I am not given any other options so I have no choice but to accept the diagnosis and move on. If anybody has any insight, I would appreciate it.

Welcome. I know there are other folks on here from Israel. You posted to the Gastric Bypass forum. Have you already decided on the bypass? I was recently sleeved after a very long time preparing. I was completely against any kind of surgery until my Dr. convinced me to just check it out and learn more. I found that the little knowledge I had was very outdated. I, too was very obese but until the past few years hasn't had any major health issues. Then, I started to fall apart. Today, I couldn't be happier with my recovery and more hopeful about my future. Best of luck with your journey. BariatricPal is an invaluable resource.

Congrats and good luck on starting your journey! I was just banded yesterday. May I ask why you've considered Lapband when your husband has been successful with gastric bypass?

My insurance is through UHC. I don't have a specific Dr for the procedure yet. I have chosen to be banded over gastric bypass for a lot of reasons. It being less invasive, having a shorter recovery time, being adjustable and even reversible being at the top of the list. Sarah

I am new to the forum and haven't done this type of thing before so I hope I am doing it right! Not banded yet but finishing up preop requirements for insurance and should be scheduled end of April. I would love more info on life after banding, the good and the bad. I have read alot about people fighting hunger in the first couple months and even gaining weight! Is this going to be enough? I am not considering bypass because it is to radical for me. New gastric sleeve procedure sounds like the best way to go but my ins won't cover. I would love to hear from some of you who are postop and have any helpful hints! Good luck to everyone out there fighting this battle to improve health and happiness!