Newbie from Cincinnati considering surgery

[TravelGirl22 26]

Hi, everyone - I am seriously considering weight loss surgery and have been browsing through some of the posts here, so I thought I'd register and introduce myself. I will probably go with UC Weight Loss Center, which is near Cincinnati in West Chester, Ohio (Dr. Brad Watkins). Right now, though, I am trying to decide whether to go with the lap band or the plication.

My insurance will not cover any of the procedures, unfortunately, so I will have to pay for it myself, which means I won't be able to have the surgery till after I get my bonus at the end of the year. I know the plication is newer, and therefore riskier. But it seems less invasive than the lap band.

I'm 240 lbs, with a BMI of around 38-39 and am 58 years old.

Any thoughts or advice anyone can give me would be very helpful.

Thanks!

[dylanmiles23 2,198]

Hi and welcome. Some people on this site have both. I only have the band and love it. I am 1 year with it. My health has completely changed for the better and I am older than you. Why doesn't your insurance cover WLS? Do you have any health issues? I had quite a few and my lung doctor was the one who told me, you are having this surgery.

Well good luck with deciding. Does your medical center have support meetings? Mine does once a month and I just went Thursday and it was open forum and we all talked for 2 hours. About 15 new comers there, too.

[healthydnp 96]

Hi' date=' everyone - I am seriously considering weight loss surgery and have been browsing through some of the posts here, so I thought I'd register and introduce myself. I will probably go with UC Weight Loss Center, which is near Cincinnati in West Chester, Ohio (Dr. Brad Watkins). Right now, though, I am trying to decide whether to go with the lap band or the plication.

My insurance will not cover any of the procedures, unfortunately, so I will have to pay for it myself, which means I won't be able to have the surgery till after I get my bonus at the end of the year. I know the plication is newer, and therefore riskier. But it seems less invasive than the lap band.

I'm 240 lbs, with a BMI of around 38-39 and am 58 years old.

Any thoughts or advice anyone can give me would be very helpful.

Thanks![/quote']

Ginger

Welcome to the site. I have been on here before I was ever banded and it has been really helpful. I work in health care and have seen more problems with the plication vs the band. There is the increased risk of leakage, malnutrition, etc. But ultimately you need to do what is right for you. Everyone is different. Good luck no matter what you decide!

[KAATNS 1,473]

Hello and welcome! I also go to UC and used Dr. Watkins for my surgery. I have been very pleased with him and his staff. I was a self-pay patient as well and chose the band, but I understand they are now doing the sleeve for much less than what I paid for the band. Please feel free to message me if you have any questions. Best wishes on your journey!

[SolracSpree 133]

I have the LapBand with plication. Or did you mean you are choosing between the sleeve and the LapBand? Either way I love my Band w/ plication it keeps my hunger under control even without a fill.

[Lori45 70]

Hi ginger . I too was 240 pounds with BMI of 39-40. I chose the lapband and love it!!! Only little over 2 months postop and have already lost 43 pounds!!! In the one hundreds now. Was back to work in one week. No complications or problems. I eat around 600-800 calories a day and am very satisfied with only one fill so far. My insurance did pay due to sleep apnea, hypertension, and R/A. Which by the way my b/p is down to 117/70's, my R/A pain is much improved due to less weight on my joints. Whatever u decide , goodluck and u wil be starting an incredible journey into a healthier U!!! Lori

[TravelGirl22 26]

Thanks, everyone! Unfortunately, my employer has an exclusion with regards to any type of weight loss surgery, so even if had health issues (which I do - my cholesterol is too high, and I suffer from sleep apnea), they won't cover it.

I think I'm leaning toward the band - my cousin had it done (in NYC) and loves it and another friend had it done here at the West Chester hospital. So given the recommendations from them and from what I've read here, it sounds like everyone has been satisfied with the band.

By the way, sorry for the confusion with my name - it's Margie. My dog's name is Ginger and that's what I had originally for my user name. But then I thought that might be confusing so I changed it - but evidently too late for people to see!

I look forward to coming here and will keep you all posted. The center told me that if I want to schedule (and pay for) my surgery in January, that I could start the pre-op interviews, diet, etc. sometime in November, so that's probably what I'll do. And thanks, Steph, for letting me know that you also use Dr. Watkins - it's good to know that there are some local people here.

[TravelGirl22 26]

And yes, the center does offer monthly support sessions - at least, that is what their website says. Steph, have you been to any of them?

[KAATNS 1,473]

And yes, the center does offer monthly support sessions - at least, that is what their website says. Steph, have you been to any of them?

Yes, I went last month and will probably go again tomorrow evening. Great group of people last time, I really enjoyed it.

[Bandista 7,466]

Hi Margie -- I am pre-band also and in same weight range, BMI, etc. This site has been SO helpful for me to really understand what it's all about. I've been on here for a couple of months as I await dates for the various pre-surgical steps. That has been a slow process but in a way I think it's good as I've been able to learn a lot here. Good luck with your decision. I am choosing band because it's least invasive and reversible. Best wishes and say hi to Ginger. Love that Farside comic strip with "What Dogs Here" and blah, blah, Ginger.....do you know that one?

[GuyMontag 1,264]

I was banded by Doc Watkins and he is a great guy. The support groups are awesome as well. I had heard that they were doing some plications now but not sure if he recommends the plication with band or just band anymore but I've been pleased with my band. I'd definitely trust his judgement. Good luck!

[TravelGirl22 26]

Best wishes and say hi to Ginger. Love that Farside comic strip with "What Dogs Here" and blah, blah, Ginger.....do you know that one?

Thanks, Bandista! I vaguely remember the Farside strip you're talking about - I'll have to look it up.

[TravelGirl22 26]

I was banded by Doc Watkins and he is a great guy. The support groups are awesome as well. I had heard that they were doing some plications now but not sure if he recommends the plication with band or just band anymore but I've been pleased with my band. I'd definitely trust his judgement. Good luck!

Thanks, Guy! They didn't mention anything about doing the plication with the band - she just discussed the plication as a separate procedure. I think, though, that I'm going with the band - it does sound like it's the least invasive method.

[GuyMontag 1,264]

Thanks, Guy! They didn't mention anything about doing the plication with the band - she just discussed the plication as a separate procedure. I think, though, that I'm going with the band - it does sound like it's the least invasive method.

I think many places started out just doing plication but found better results with plication and the band. Not sure what Doc Watson prefers right now because I haven't checked in in quite awhile. Lol.

[SandyM 1,956]

My surgeon does both and recommends them together. I did have a choice and I opted for both. I've been banded since May 10th and have lost 38 lbs and have had no fills. So, I'm guessing my weight loss is from the plication diet and exercise. I still have the band as a backup is the way I look at it. It is still laproscopic plus I had hiatel hernia repair and no longer take prilosec. I do experience less restriction feeling that I hear talked about here, but as long as the weight comes off, I'm good, though weight loss is slower than I'd like.