Changed My Mind

[leighx 12]

Hey everyone! I'm Leigh Ann and am new around here. I originally chose to do the gastric sleeve surgery but have since changed my mind. I am really nervous that my insurance won't allow me to change to the band. They are telling me I need a second psychological and nutritional evaluation. They are going to try and pry my brain to see why I changed my mind. What do I say? How do I tell them that I like that the lap band isnt permanent and less drastic? I understand that all of the surgeries are a big deal but the lapband in my mind is just a bit less threatening and risky. I am so nervous and on the fence about everything. I dont know what to say or do once I get back to the psychiatrist (that I have to pay out of pocket for again btw). Any suggestions? Help!

[bornready 42]

Just say what you just said! As long as you are having surgery for health reasons and you should be ok. Don't tell them you changed your mind to please someone else and that you made this decision alone.

[TKW 501]

I was going to say the same thing. Your scared and uncomfortable with the sleeve and want the band. I would think your phych would understand that.

[SashaWLS 412]

I wanted the sleeve because I have absolutely no intention of having this reversed... I want this to be permanent... But after doing a lot of research and not rushing into surgery, the decision came down to a numbers game...

-- The mortality rate for the sleeve is 1/200... In the band it's 1/2000.

-- 1% of the people who get the sleeve have a leak, and if they do, they're in AGONY in and out of the hospital for possibly 5-6 months at a time

-- 1/3 of the people who get bypass or sleeve gain it back with no other option afterwards than to get the band (i.e. carny wilson)

IMHO, the sleeve is a fabulous option when it works. But the risk that it could turn out to be a total disaster is way way way too high for me AS A FIRST ATTEMPT. Later, if the band doesn't work for some reason, it might be a good alternative as the next option. But why start with something that's more invasive than you may need?

[NWgirl 574]

Your statistics are erroneously incorrect but your point is well wriiten in regards to someone starting out less invasive. It's really based more on the patients needs' date=' as most of us know with the several options out there, it depends on the goals, age, health, etc. I've never considered the band due to the numerous issues, problems and especially that many bariatric surgeons are now trying to step away entirely from the crap-band. With all the lawsuits for failed bands that are exploding the courts, there's a reason for it.

Back on track to the original poster, it amazes me how insurance can be so willy-nilly on bariatric procedures. Good for you that you changed your mind, but I being the curious cat I am, wonder if the underwriters are considering the band a bad choice perhaps? It has a poor track record and with all the readjustments and sometimes complete re-do, with many chosing the sleeve after failed banding, makes one think that perhaps underwriters are seeing the RED ...who knows, privy intel I'm sure.[/quote']

The first stat in regards to mortality rate is absolutely correct, please look up the stats charts comparing surgeries.

I am unsure of the other two as I never considered the sleeve.

I know the second problem is true but no idea on the percentage.

[Ric 89]

You have done your research! My decision for band was easy! The Bariatric surgeon in the town I live in does only Lapband and since I have no family here as my children are all grown up and I am divorced I found no other choice to go to Phoenix or San Diego. Good luck with you journey as I am very happy (for the last year) with mine!

[bluetigereyes 95]

OK, I will tell you my story....Both my parents had gastric bypass when it was still experimental, about 30 years ago. Things were great with them (although they have both gained part of their weight back). Recently my dad had to have surgery for colon cancer. Due to the way his gastric bypass was done, they needed to reverse the previous bypass and do a gastric sleeve. He had that surgery on May 17th of this year. He was in the hospital for a week, and came home, looking and feeling pretty good. Within 2 days of him being home, he lost energy, became white as a sheet, and was not himself. He only wanted to sleep and take his pain pills. I finally convinced my mom to take him to the ER after he had been home a week. Well, his sleeve had SEVERAL leaks and he had a septic infection. He was in ICU for 9 days, and so far has been in the hospital for over 3 weeks. He has had over 15 surgeries in that time, and still scheduled for at least 3 more, and will be in the hospital another 2-3 weeks. His bill is OVER $1,000,000 right now and the end is not in sight yet.

I DO NOT recommend the sleeve! This has been a horrible experience for my family and my dad almost died several times.

I am SO glad that I have my band. Yes, the weight loss is slower, but the complications are no where near what my poor father has been going through. I have had my band since 12/22/11, and so far lost 50 lbs, I would not trade my slower weight loss for the complications that my dad is going through EVER!

please make an informed decision. I wish my dad would not have gotten the sleeve and they did the band instead for him, he would have avoided all of these complications!!!!

[bluetigereyes 95]

This thread could easily turn into yet another all too typical bariatric forum argument thread of band vs sleeve, bottom line is those results of your dad are not typical, albeit that's a terrible outcome and I express my condolences for your family. There are equal and quantitatively excessive stories for bandings gone bad, but it's not so cut and dry and as JUST being the procedure chosen, so much as it is other particulars, surgeons qualifications (did he know what he was doing? doesn't sound like it), surgical support staff and the list goes on and on for all bariatric procedures, from patient following orders to bad surgeons.

Bottom-line is whatever works for a patient and they're comfortable with is what they should choose, these forums, related threads are not and should not be what makes or breaks a patients decision. Rather, these forums are mere tools to guide us to ask more questions from qualified surgeons, conduct further research before choosing a surgeon let alone procedure, etc, etc.

Bravo, while I do agree that the decision is totally and completely up to the person having the surgery, it is also beneficial to know the stories of others that have had the same and/or similar procedures. I personally have the band, and LOVE it. However, when choosing a doctor, some are totally against the band and will do and say whatever they want to sway the person to the way they prefer to do the surgery. I was just putting out my family's experience with the sleeve. This is just to give one more informed 'possibility of complication' and to know it truly does happen, and can be deadly.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Actually it's not correct, but not the "uh huh - uh uh" type so believe what you will . Just an example of some older statistics from 2009 with a study of 2,570 GS patients Mortality - 0.17%. We can all use Google and unfortunately these days it's considered the GOLDEN answer as "oh yeah it is too accurate cuz I googled it mentality". One can google (what is the gastric sleeve mortality rate) and find several sites, one states 1 in 400 MR, others state 1 - 800 MR...uh oh...keep looking others even creep up higher towards the band MR...lol. Bottom-line what one has to really do for accuracy is retrieve good accurate data. Not easy to come by but publically available if you know where to look

Hate to burst your bubble, but the 1 in 2000 mortality rate for the Lap-Band IS correct. It's easily verified. I should know, I went out and verified it after I was told this number at the seminar when I was still considering Lap-Band.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

I've never considered the band due to the numerous issues, problems and especially that many bariatric surgeons are now trying to step away entirely from the crap-band. With all the lawsuits for failed bands that are exploding the courts, there's a reason for it.

If you've never considered the band then why are you on a forum specifically for people that have or are considering the Lap-Band?

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Really? You have nearly 900 posts and questioned the above ? There is a reason and it's very clear that you're the type that no answer is good enough, so it's not worth the effort .

It's a fair and simple enough question. The fact you are deflecting onto me for asking it shouts volumes about you, however.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

And I hope you realize this forum is specifically for people who are considering or have the Lap-Band. There are other forums specifically for other bariatric procedures such as Sleeve and Gastric bypass.

I do not go trolling on their boards, I would hope they wouldn't troll here either.

Btw, do not private message me again. I am not your friend and have no use for trolls.

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

Then please be so kind as to not my waste my time by harassing me continuously. It might also be in your best interest to find the forum specific to the procedure you're getting, the Sleeve.

[brittaney 5]

Both of you have real issues

[DELETE THIS ACCOUNT! 12,703]

YOU asked me the question, hence HARRASING anyone! Do the forum a favor and quit trolling this poor ladies thread and quit bugging me and for the last time I do not answer to you, you don't run anything on this forum, just another member and I'll be a member of any forum I like. Got it? Ok good, now quit pestering me with your babble.

I asked a simple, polite question. If you don't have the band and aren't considering it, what brings you to this forum? You are the one that went defensive emo terrorist and hijacked the thread and continues to do so.

Grow up.