Biggest Fear? Death & Other Questions

Tiffyrae · January 10, 2008

Hi all!

I'm a mom of 3 and weigh 251 pounds (5'7"). I keep telling myself I don't need surgery, but I never do it on my own.

I know LapBand is safer than gastric, but how much safer? I'm terrified of dying. What's the mortality rate? I heard gastric was 1/100 deaths. That's TOO high!

I work from home as a writer, so this isn't going to be a problem and I *think* insurance will cover it. My problem is just never being full. I eat large portions and STILL feel hungry.

Also, I hope to find a doctor in Arlington, Texas (or Ft. Worth even) so if anyone knows of a recommendation, I'd appreciate it.

I'm nervous. No health issues YET, aside from having gallbladder removed in 1997, but no diabetic or blood pressure complications or anything.

I haven't even told my family I'm considering this.

Tiffany

reif78 · January 10, 2008

i was in the same boat as you with all the same concerns as well. the thing with lap banding is that it has low death risks im not sure of the numbers. It is reversible if wanted or needed. compared to gastric bypass very hard to reverse. and the weight loss is almost the same as gastric bypass but it tends to be slower so your skin has time to reform to the body as with the bypass you lose weight faster and your skin dont have time to reform to your new body. surgery is done within 2 hours. i know i went in at 930 am and was out at 1130 am. pain is not as bad as the bypass my friend had the bypass and the pain she said sucked big time. when i had my band put in this past december when i left the hospital the next day i went shopping lol. I have lost 32 pounds already and i love it. i dont regret nothing. i would do it all over again if need be. youll love it. good luck in your journey!!

rlirette · January 10, 2008

I will be banded tomorrow the 11th and I am sooo excited about doing this. Looks like you have done some research which is great and this is a great place to get the truth not just what the doctor thinks you want to hear. Insurance will probably only pay for this is if it is medically necessary and with no health issues it may not be. Although, tomorrow the health issues could be there. I am perfectly healthy right now too at 260 and 5'3". I am using True Results here in Houston and I know they have offices in your area. You can go to Lap Band Surgery (Gastric Banding) | True Results and see their locations, attend a free seminar and the diagnostic evaluation is free right now. I wish you the best and hope to hear more from you on this site.

kiah12 · January 10, 2008

HI Tiffy. I was just banded on the 4th of this month. Congratulations on just considering the band. I, too was afraid of death but Im still here! The mortality rate is less than one percent.I believe its 1/1000, not 1/100. But your best bet is to go to an information seminar. They can answer all of the questions you have and help you make an informed decision as to what your next step should be. Good luck on your journey no matter where it takes you.

destined2befree · January 10, 2008

I was banded on january 7, 2008 and I am liek you not any health issues.....yet. I have prediabetes and back and knee pain. I am 5'8 and weighed 256 at surgery. I had no problems with insurance because I believe they feel it is cheaper to pay for this now then for my care when I do become a diabetic or worse. I feel incredible and not hungry at all. other than some mild discomfort at the port site, I would do it again in a heartbeat. I was home on tuesday and can go back to work now if I needed to. i am going ot take a couple of more days to fully recover and heal properly. but do your research and you will see it is safe and effective wls. good luck

shortgal · January 10, 2008

I would recommend you call your ins company and find out if weigh loss surgery is covered and what the requirements are. It's just an informational phone call.

Some ins. companies require a six month supervised diet, some have certain BMI restrictions etc.

CandiOPanda · January 10, 2008

Hi all!
I'm a mom of 3 and weigh 251 pounds (5'7"). I keep telling myself I don't need surgery, but I never do it on my own.

I know LapBand is safer than gastric, but how much safer? I'm terrified of dying. What's the mortality rate? I heard gastric was 1/100 deaths. That's TOO high!

I work from home as a writer, so this isn't going to be a problem and I *think* insurance will cover it. My problem is just never being full. I eat large portions and STILL feel hungry.

Also, I hope to find a doctor in Arlington, Texas (or Ft. Worth even) so if anyone knows of a recommendation, I'd appreciate it.

I'm nervous. No health issues YET, aside from having gallbladder removed in 1997, but no diabetic or blood pressure complications or anything.

I haven't even told my family I'm considering this.

Tiffany

I have a few things floating around because they inundate you with info packets before and after surgery. I believe death rate with the lap band is less than .5%

My advice, if you don't think you can do it on your own (even though with the band you are still very much doing it on your own) then you should definitely go with the band. I'm 26 years old and I have HBP, type II diabetes, high cholesterol, depression, anxiety, sleep apnea and suffered a pulmonary embolism in 2004. They say the PE wasn't triggered by the weight but it didn't help at all.

Also keep in mind, considering it doesn't mean it has to happen. I was considering and considering for YEARS. The most important thing is that you are aware you're weight is a problem area and you are looking for solutions to live a healthier life.:clap2:

Best of Luck!

Candi O.