Considering LapBand....Please help? Thank you!

[KGOM 0]

Hi everyone,

My name is Kelly and I'm from Levittown, PA. I'm considering LapBand (and also considering the Gastric Sleeve), and wanted to get your thoughts. If you all have time to let me know what you think of your experience, I would GREATLY appreciate it. I do have a few specific questions:

1. General cost? I know it'll vary, but I have no idea what to expect
   
2. How soon after the surgery can I go back to work?
   
3. I know the portions will be small, but I see on some of the boards that people can't eat certain foods - why? I thought you just eat less of what you normally do?
   
4. Anyone have a recommendation for a Dr. in the Levittown/Langhorne, PA area that they really liked?
   

Thank you all for your time!

Kelly

[verasalibashi 4]

Well if the doctor thinks you need it and if u have sleep apnea and acid reflex the insurance usually covers it

[marnimae 7]

This is from my experience only, I can't say for others. I live in MA, where the hospitals and programs are kind of strict. It was a year before I was considered and approved. I had group meetings/Behav. Modification, one on one therapy, and 7 phone appts with a program set up by my insurance co. before they would approve me, on top of meeting with physical appts, bloodwork, surgeon, nutrition (which nutrition beside my group therapy was the best thing). Some people cannot tolerate different things after surgery. Your stomach is the size of a egg, I am not allowed red meat or shellfish for six months, but I hear others have it and tolerate it. I myself have chicken but I need it in a sauce, it has to be moist or I don't bother, I get hiccups. You learn to eat slowly, and if need be sit down at the table with a timer to slow yourself down, you use smaller plates and bowls, and you learn to drink and eat seperately. It is kind of mandatory, no straws for drinking. Some people become lactose intolerant after surgery, I was warned about this, but so far so good. Needless to say it is time consuming, and work, and not easy. It is not easy, so please don't think it. I am on my two month anniversary for being banded today, and had my second fill yesterday. You need patience, I am going through this now learning patience. I am waiting for the restriction feeling (feeling full), I am still not there yet. As for cost it varies,I had insurance. I had 40+ appt for the year and the average appt copay was $20 to 25 dollars for nutrition and group, $40 for surgeon, and my copay was $150 for surgery. It adds up, but so doesn't the weight if you don't take action the way I look at it . Lane bryant is too expensive for my blood, (clothes) so I invested in myself for once, because I am worth it. If out of pocket it would be like buying a new car, a really nice one.

[jenn9585 39]

well there are a lot of medical reasons why your insurance could/would cover it if you have insurance and if you do call them and find out... if not I can not help with the price I do know a lot of drs have payment plans though....How soon after the surgery can I go back to work? once again it varies and depends on what kind of work you do but most people within a few days to a week...I know the portions will be small, but I see on some of the boards that people can't eat certain foods - why? I thought you just eat less of what you normally do? you def eat less then normal but a lot of foods like Pasta and bread swell when they get wet and since you have a band around your stomach its much smaller then it is now so it wont go down and a lot of meats are dry and you cant chew them enough to have them go down but once again it varies for everyone... there are people who can eat bread and pizza and pasta and have no issues with it at all they just don't eat as much as you would be eating now... with lap band people typically eat about a cup of food maybe a little more but its def a lifestyle change! Lap band was the best decision I ever made and for the most part im extremely happy with it! Do your research though! and most surgeons require you to attend a seminar and in the seminar you will learn more about the band and sleeve! Hope this helps!

[lisacaron 5,075]

Hi Kelly,

The cost can vary between doctors and programs so look up a few in your area, you can even use this site to do that for the lap band or at lapband.com. and ask them what their rates are for an out of pocket surgery.

If you have insurance, you could give them a call and ask them what the criteria would be for them to cover the cost of your surgery.

The reason my husband and I chose the lap band over gastric sleeve or bypass is because it does not alter your biology. Everything stays where it is. Nothing is cut out, something extra is put in, and it can be used flexibly as needed. Different people require different amounts of restriction or Fluid in their band, what works for me does not necessarily work for my husband or my neighbor. I like that about the band it's tailored to me and for me.

I have a family member who had the gastric sleeve, and while he continues to eat things he always ate before and did lose weight, over time he has stretched that sleeve a bit. That happens over time naturally and weight loss stops and even some gain is expected. If habits don't change, weight re-gain is

guaranteed. There are people I have read on this blog who have had the sleeve and the bypass only to come back and have the band added to that because of re-gain.

With any of the surgeries there are dietary changes and restrictions. You eventually can have all your favorite foods, and yes you will have less of them, but you also will have to change your eating habits and the choices of foods you make regardless of what surgery you opt for. Some are even more restrictive of certain foods, such as fatty foods and sugary foods.

Definitely do your research, and check in with a few doctors and groups that do different types of surgery and see how they and their patients feel about it. Most surgeons have support groups that are free to attend and you will get a lot of information there that should help guide your decision.

Best of luck to you!

Lisa Caron

[catfish87 3,471]

Hi everyone,

My name is Kelly and I'm from Levittown, PA. I'm considering LapBand (and also considering the Gastric Sleeve), and wanted to get your thoughts. If you all have time to let me know what you think of your experience, I would GREATLY appreciate it. I do have a few specific questions:

1. General cost? I know it'll vary, but I have no idea what to expect
   
   
2. How soon after the surgery can I go back to work?
   
   
3. I know the portions will be small, but I see on some of the boards that people can't eat certain foods - why? I thought you just eat less of what you normally do?
   
   
4. Anyone have a recommendation for a Dr. in the Levittown/Langhorne, PA area that they really liked?
   

Thank you all for your time!

Kelly

I've had mine for almost four years and here's my answers to your questions.

1. the installation surgery, including all the preop testing, etc bill was about $20,000. I paid about $1000 out of pocket for copay, pshyc visit, etc. Since surgery, I've probably had 20 office visits in four years....my portion appx $50 each...some are more, some less. Depending on what's done. EVERY person will probably have a different answer, depending on insurance.

2. I went back to work two weeks post op, to a "light duty" position. I work in an industrial setting, so your experience will vary depending on your physical demands.

3. I COULD eat most any type food now. I avoid my problem foods which are very few. I also choose to avoid some others as they are just not worth trying for me...no benefit to eating bread, Pasta, "slab" red meat such as steaks. I CAN eat just about anything, just smaller amounts.

4. As far as a doctor recommendation, MY OPINION, just choose one with lots of procedures under his belt. Also, DO NOT CONSIDER a doctor who will not use fluoroscopy...at least most of the time. Its that important. It allows them to SEE your band, and not have to guess whats going on.

As a side note, I suggest folks who are even thinking about sleeve to consider finding a doctor who does band over plication. It looks VERY promising.

Best of luck in your journey, whatever you decide.