Surgeon talked more about lap band!

[Beach Lover 1,084]

Thank you for the replies and helpful information.

I'm feeling everyone here, and disapprove of the lap band. It's just hard for me because there's not a whole lot of WL surgeons in my area.

Even if you have to travel to a surgeon I would suggest you do it if this surgeon has not done a lot of sleeves. It just occurred to me why would he suggest a cheaper procedure if he is really good at the sleeve and as a doctor has to know the tragedies that have occurred from the lapband. I just want to throw that out there. Best of luck to you!

[bigbeauty78 27]

Hey y'all. I contacted another surgeons office today in Tallahassee. You won't believe what the insurance coordinator told me. She claims their office has never had a successful insurance claim paid with the patient having a bmi of 35 with co-morbs. Only claims paid are bmi of 40+. I have state BCBS. She blowing smoke up my a** or what??

[Nursebarbie 392]

Secret info.

Some vendors PAY for referrals and if docs order their equipment or products.

Just saying. Not ethical but it does happen a lot.

[jensjoy28 351]

Ugh, I would definitely do some more research and talk to other doctors. Know you said you aren't in an area with lots of bariatric surgeons, but IMO, I'd travel in order to go with a highly experienced doctor who it doesn't feel like is "in Allergan's pocket." I am sure there are good doctors who still legitimately feel the Lap-Band is in patients' best interest, but I think there are a lot of them that just haven't stayed current and/or are letting personal or financial bias shade their counsel to patients.

My surgeon actually is a trainer for Allergan's Lap-Band (although probably not for much longer)...but I didn't know that until he had finished his overview and pros/cons of each of three options, and he never tried to steer me in a specific direction. Later in our conversation he even said "I can really only recommend the Lap-Band with serious reservations"

Sorry I can't speak to the insurance side of things, I opted to be a cash pay to avoid that exact rigmarole.

[NoOrganicForMe 40]

Thank you for the replies and helpful information.

I'm feeling everyone here' date=' and disapprove of the lap band. It's just hard for me because there's not a whole lot of WL surgeons in my area. [/quote']

I went through the same thing with my surgeon, he kept insisting I get RNY, and that sleeve doesn't have same weightloss data. I refused him during each visit and went home in tears. Stuck to my guns and although my weightloss may not be as quick as RNY, I am very happy with my sleeve. Stick to your guns.

[Ginagirl 21]

You have to look at the outlined criteria in your policy. Have your doctors office explain it or the insurance. It depends on the policy