Who's had gastric bypass ??

[anne31 0]

I've just heard that my insurance may not cover lapband surgery. I would love to hear from some of you who have had gastric bypass. I'm actually pretty terrified of the thought of having it done. I'd love to hear your stories.

Anne

[RestlessMonkey 7]

Although as you know this site is geared mostly towards "bandsters" if you go to FORUMS and scroll WAY WAY down there is a forum for "other weight loss surgeries" and you may find some info there. Good luck!

When I thought my ins wouldn't pay for the band, only bypass, I decided to figure out a way to self pay the band.

[anne31 0]

Thanks for the help ! I'd love to hear how your experience being banded was and how much did it cost if you don't mind me asking ?

[RestlessMonkey 7]

I ended up NOT having to pay (insurance did cover it, they had just started LOL) BUt it was going to cost me 15k locally. There's a surgeon in Denver who is highly regarded on this board and who does it for just under 10K i believe...:tongue2:

Bypass scares me to death. I am a nursing student, DH is an RN, we went to the seminar and my surgeon fairly presented many surgeries (he does bypass and the band) and STILL bypass scared me! I don't want my innards rerouted, the thought of my stomach snipped, sewn shut, then left inside me to still produce acid etc but not "work"...heebie jeebie time! LOL Plus DH worked in a GI lab and saw an awful lot of bypass patients. Initially he assumed they all had a couple of really cruddy surgeons but he came to understand that stomach issues are kind of the nature of bypass...(kind of like we get gerd if we're too tight)

Both surgeries have pros and cons and I DO understand bypass patients feel it's right for them (and I certainly don't presume to know better! RNY Bypass can be a life saver for many people!) I just would've never ever EVER gotten it.

I love my band. I didn't have to pay, but I can tell you if I had, it would've been well worth 15k I haven't lost a TON yet but I have hope and I know it will actually happen. That's worth the price of a small car, to be free of food woes the rest of my days! :cursing:

You'll find a way to do whichever is right for you, be it bypass (seductive with that rapid weight loss!) or the band (it's reversible, adjustable)...

[anne31 0]

Oh wow, thanks for all the info. That's great that you are happy with your band. I wish you all the success and happiness that comes with it. I am really excited to start the program at Kaiser. Right now alls I can do is pray that they will cover the lapband. I'll know more at my first appt on the 22nd. I totally agree with you about gastric bypass. I don't want to have that done but I'd like to learn allot more about it before I make my final decision, if it comes to that. I'm 320 lbs. I have three children under the age of 10 and there is so much I want to do with them that I just can't do because I'm to heavy and insecure. It breaks my heart. I've tried everything and I have lost weight but only to put it back on. I feel like this is my only hope, so I do understand how it is worth every penny. Its really nice to hear success stories and to be able to make friends on this website. Thank you for your support and keep in touch. I'll let you know how things go at my first appt. :tongue2:

[Nanook 2]

Ann,

Go to Thinner Times - Gastric bypass, Lap Band, and other weight loss surgery if you want to speak with more people about the RNY. My daughter had it last May and after a few bumps in the road has been doing very well and has lost over 130 lbs so far. There are a lot of nice people there that will answer your questions and helped me a lot when I needed assist. Take care Nancy.:tongue2: