Trying to decide - scared - meet with surgeon on Wed.

September 12, 2004

i need more information -- this is like a foreign language. I am considering lap band, but I am not sure my insurance will cover it. (They cover RNY) But, I wanted to choose LAP Band because of not having to re-route my entire insides; and it seems less frightening. But, I am not sure what all the "fill" terminology means? I need some education--any advice? Anyone who can quickly bring me up to speed on the process, length of time needed to be off work, cost of fills, etc. ???

La_madam · September 12, 2004

http://www.lap-band.com/about.html

Check out this site..it will tell you a little about the lap band and the fill procedure just click on Learn about Lap Band at the top of the page..as far as time off from work..well that varies..I took 2 weeks off not becasue I did not feel good but I run a restaraunt and I was not sure how I was going to be able to handle being around food so newly post op and only being on liquids. I felt great the day after surgery and actually went shopping in TJ 1 day post op. I expereinced a little gas and swelling discomfort for a week or so but that it normal post op. A fill is basically when they go in and adjust your band with saline to restrict the ammount of food you can eat. Every ones fill level is different, there is no set guide. Some will reach goal with no fills others with 1-2 fills and others may need 3-5 fills. I have had 2 fills so far and I am 5 months post op. I have lost 50 pounds and I am halfway to goal and do not plan on getting anotherfill anytime soon. this fill level is working great for me. . The band is the greatest thing I have ever done for myself. This site is so full of useful and helpful info. Everyone here is so supportive and knowledgeable. If you keep coming here, reading and posting you will sure to get all the answers you need! Good Luck to you with your decision..

New Hope · September 12, 2004

Beth, you really can't get any "quick" answers to everything about the Lapband. Please do your research. You can find tons of info. on old posts and other forums.

Each person is different as to how well they tolerate surgery and recovery time. A fill is the saline solution that the dr. puts in your band. The band creates a pouch above your normal stomach. The pouch holds a very small amount of food. This causes you to feel full faster and longer, so you eat less and lose weight.

The cost of surgery, hospitalization, and fills vary. It depends on if you have health insurance (and if so, what portion do they pay/you pay), or if you're a self-pay. Self-pay can be done in the U. S. or in Mexico.

Really, there is a lot to learn BEFORE you go any further with your decision. Good luck!

hagerteresa · September 13, 2004

Hi Beth,

There is a really good letter in the Insurance thread that Alex had written to her insurance company who also would cover the by-pass but not the band. She was able to eventually get them to cover the band. You should look for that letter in that threads archives.

There is also a book written by Jessie H. Ahroni, about the lapband. Called Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Banding.

I took a week off work after surgery. My surgery was in Mexico and has been very successful. Good luck on your research. Teresa

Alex: I think we should make a sticky note on one of the main threads called publications and news releases. That way people don't have to search all over the forum to find references to books or articles. What do you think?

September 13, 2004

All the replies to my message posting are unbelievable only a couple hours after I posted my question. You are all so wonderful to spend some time helping others after you have gone through your experiences. I can't thank you enough. I will continue to do my research as well and look for Alex's letter. It would be wonderful if that would work for my insurance as well!

Thanks so much to you all.....

sheeanisland · September 13, 2004

Good luck with your research. I just got the lap band less than a week ago. And so far its great! I am eating so much less. I would recommend if you insurance isnt going to cover it Dr. Rumbaut in monterrey mexico. He has done over 2,600 hundred bands and as you will see on this talk group he is very well known. He area isnt what you would picture for mexico it is amazing. I just wrote about my whole experience.... check it out!

southerntoon · September 13, 2004

Can highly recommend the book Teresa mentioned too - e version is very cheap on Amazon at the moment £5 (uksterling) - v comprehensive and good for familes too.