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What made you choose Lap Band?
Hello I am new to the site I am looking to have WLS. I went to an info session the surgeons said in my state Lap Band, VSG, and RNY are the main surgeries to consider.
What made you choose Lap Band, please share if you want. I am really just open minded to all three options and just looking for some feedback at this point.
How long was your hospital stay? Did you have a lot of follow ups? I know there are fills and different trials involved, but how many exactly?
One concern I have is if my insurance changes will any new insurance treat an adjustment like a pre-existing condition. I'm almost sure it would and I don't know if I could cover adjustments on my own (mostly because I don't know how much they cost) How much does it cost? Has anyone paid out of pocket for their Lap Band? I would love to read your stories, thanks
What made you choose Lap Band, please share if you want. I am really just open minded to all three options and just looking for some feedback at this point.
How long was your hospital stay? Did you have a lot of follow ups? I know there are fills and different trials involved, but how many exactly?
One concern I have is if my insurance changes will any new insurance treat an adjustment like a pre-existing condition. I'm almost sure it would and I don't know if I could cover adjustments on my own (mostly because I don't know how much they cost) How much does it cost? Has anyone paid out of pocket for their Lap Band? I would love to read your stories, thanks
Well there were several considerations. One, the only procedures really talked about back in 2003 were the Band and RNY. Second, my insurances (I had two at the time) would only cover those two.
But the major deal-breaker which still applies today is that I did not want my digestive tract rearranged (RNY and DS) or to have the majority of my stomach removed (sleeve.)
But the major deal-breaker which still applies today is that I did not want my digestive tract rearranged (RNY and DS) or to have the majority of my stomach removed (sleeve.)
Banded since 2003, maintaining my weight loss and still knowing I made the right choice for me. If you want information on what life is like for a band success, have questions or need help and suggestions on band life, feel free to message me. Otherwise, just read the Lapband Forum.
kathkeb
on 6/26/12 9:31 pm
on 6/26/12 9:31 pm
REALIZE Band on 06/05/09 with
I was self pay do, to some extent money was a consideration.
I had no co morbidities and felt as though I needed a boost to help me diet my way to a healthy weight.
I did not want anything removed from my body. I was more comfortable with having a band inside of me than I was with having parts removed.
I had an outpatient procedure at 7 am and was home at about noon. I slept that afternoon, did not need any pain meds besides extra strength Tylenol and was driving myself to the grocery store and library the next day.
I was 51 years old at the time of surgery and just entering menopause.
I had probably 8 appointments the first year for follow up and fills.
I lost all of my excess weight in 18 months and now see my surgeon every year .
I had no co morbidities and felt as though I needed a boost to help me diet my way to a healthy weight.
I did not want anything removed from my body. I was more comfortable with having a band inside of me than I was with having parts removed.
I had an outpatient procedure at 7 am and was home at about noon. I slept that afternoon, did not need any pain meds besides extra strength Tylenol and was driving myself to the grocery store and library the next day.
I was 51 years old at the time of surgery and just entering menopause.
I had probably 8 appointments the first year for follow up and fills.
I lost all of my excess weight in 18 months and now see my surgeon every year .
What we were told when I was banded in 2006 is not quite the same as we are told now. So the following are the reasons I would choose it NOW, not my thinking back then!
I did not want bits of me removing or rerouting.
I did not want any malaborption issues.
I did not need dramatically fast loss.
I was prepared to work hard.
I wanted something which could be reversed.
It is ŵorth noting that some of the above are controversial! For example, reversal is not as easy as it sounds and some people get permanent damage from the band. But any wls, in fact any surgery can have complications.
In 2006, I believed the likelihood was that I would have my band for life. I now accept this may not be the case although it is interesting to note that UK and Oz bandsters seem to do better than US ones!
However, if I lost my band tomorrow, I would not for one second regret having had it.
Kate
I did not want bits of me removing or rerouting.
I did not want any malaborption issues.
I did not need dramatically fast loss.
I was prepared to work hard.
I wanted something which could be reversed.
It is ŵorth noting that some of the above are controversial! For example, reversal is not as easy as it sounds and some people get permanent damage from the band. But any wls, in fact any surgery can have complications.
In 2006, I believed the likelihood was that I would have my band for life. I now accept this may not be the case although it is interesting to note that UK and Oz bandsters seem to do better than US ones!
However, if I lost my band tomorrow, I would not for one second regret having had it.
Kate
Highest ever 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too low - deliberately regained to 150.
Blip (regain of 27lbs) during 2010. Dealt with (after leak repair).
Nov. 2010 set new (more realistic!) comfort zone of 150-160
Dress US size 26 to 8/10 (5ft 4ins tall) 2.8cc in 4cc band.
A VERY HAPPY BANDSTER.
Adding as a separate post because on my ipad the OH text box size is limited! Irritating! Only happens on OH.
Forget exactly but I think had six fills and one unfill. All within the first 18 or so months. I had my op in the morning, went home in the afternoon, pain not too bad, never needed anything stronger than paracetamol.
I now have a six monthly visit to my doc and an annual barium swallow just to make sure all is well. Last fill about three years ago ( I think!).
Self pay patients do need to be aware of follow up costs. Fortunately the Brit National Health Service now looks after my care so I don't pay but at first every fill cost me!
Forget exactly but I think had six fills and one unfill. All within the first 18 or so months. I had my op in the morning, went home in the afternoon, pain not too bad, never needed anything stronger than paracetamol.
I now have a six monthly visit to my doc and an annual barium swallow just to make sure all is well. Last fill about three years ago ( I think!).
Self pay patients do need to be aware of follow up costs. Fortunately the Brit National Health Service now looks after my care so I don't pay but at first every fill cost me!
Highest ever 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too low - deliberately regained to 150.
Blip (regain of 27lbs) during 2010. Dealt with (after leak repair).
Nov. 2010 set new (more realistic!) comfort zone of 150-160
Dress US size 26 to 8/10 (5ft 4ins tall) 2.8cc in 4cc band.
A VERY HAPPY BANDSTER.
REALIZE Band on 05/28/10 with
Posting on iPad makes me crazy!
Empty 11cc band. Fill 8/10/10 3cc Fill 3/1/11 .5cc total unfill 6/12/12 slightly dilated esophagus, 7/17/12 UGI shows improved motility, no dilation. GES 2/21/13 normal, except for food backing up into esophagus, manometry 4/9/13 severe achalasia, motility 0% consult with Dr Pellegrini 5/30 to determine surgical plan
Yes, very easy. But they are addictive.
Highest ever 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too low - deliberately regained to 150.
Blip (regain of 27lbs) during 2010. Dealt with (after leak repair).
Nov. 2010 set new (more realistic!) comfort zone of 150-160
Dress US size 26 to 8/10 (5ft 4ins tall) 2.8cc in 4cc band.
A VERY HAPPY BANDSTER.
It's only on OH. I have no problem on any other site.
Highest ever 290, Banded - 248 Lowest 139 (too low - deliberately regained to 150.
Blip (regain of 27lbs) during 2010. Dealt with (after leak repair).
Nov. 2010 set new (more realistic!) comfort zone of 150-160
Dress US size 26 to 8/10 (5ft 4ins tall) 2.8cc in 4cc band.
A VERY HAPPY BANDSTER.
deactivated member
on 6/27/12 4:14 am
on 6/27/12 4:14 am
Yes you will hear good and bad stories but as some people have stated, there is good and bad with all surgeries, not just WL ones. On any surgery, you sign forms and are told of (possible outcomes that are bad). I did when I had my gallbladder out and my breasts reduced etc.... I suggest you and your surgeron (and family) decide what is right for you. Because you are the one who will be dealing with it.
People have their opinions and that is fine. We are adults and have the right to think/feel what we wish. But it doesnt mean that it willl happen to you. What if it doesnt? What if it does?
Read some of the blogs on here from people who have succeeded with the band. Read some of the posts from people who have had difficulties. But keep an open mind. Ask questions and do what is right in your heart. Do not be swayed. Again, this is not a quick decision or a get better fast type thing. You have to do what works FOR YOU.
I wish you all the luck on whatever you decide. Have a great day.
People have their opinions and that is fine. We are adults and have the right to think/feel what we wish. But it doesnt mean that it willl happen to you. What if it doesnt? What if it does?
Read some of the blogs on here from people who have succeeded with the band. Read some of the posts from people who have had difficulties. But keep an open mind. Ask questions and do what is right in your heart. Do not be swayed. Again, this is not a quick decision or a get better fast type thing. You have to do what works FOR YOU.
I wish you all the luck on whatever you decide. Have a great day.
1. I take a least first/keep my options open approach: all WLS have a fairly high risk of regain later on, so I wanted to be sure that I had additional options open to me later. If I started with an RNY, I felt I would have fewer revision options open to me later should they be needed.
2. I was only 32 and had not yet had children, so I wanted to avoid malabsorbtive surgeries.
3. I was self-pay.
2. I was only 32 and had not yet had children, so I wanted to avoid malabsorbtive surgeries.
3. I was self-pay.
Banded 03/22/06, 63% EWL! 276/261/184/220/155 (highest/surgery/lowest/Current/Goal). Revising to VSG soon. Mom to two of the cutest boys on earth.
REALIZE Band on 05/28/10 with
I chose banding because:
Malabsorption was not an option for me. I have a family full of alcoholics and am a social drinker, did not want to risk tipping the odds...
My brother was banded a year before me and has done well, losing all his excess weight.
Even 2 years ago, VSG wasn't as mainstream. Many, many more surgeons have started doing them.
VSG still isn't covered by Medicare. I've been covered by Medicare since 2008, since I am disabled by spinal stenosis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and a knee that needs replaced.
Malabsorption was not an option for me. I have a family full of alcoholics and am a social drinker, did not want to risk tipping the odds...
My brother was banded a year before me and has done well, losing all his excess weight.
Even 2 years ago, VSG wasn't as mainstream. Many, many more surgeons have started doing them.
VSG still isn't covered by Medicare. I've been covered by Medicare since 2008, since I am disabled by spinal stenosis, sacroiliac joint dysfunction and a knee that needs replaced.
Empty 11cc band. Fill 8/10/10 3cc Fill 3/1/11 .5cc total unfill 6/12/12 slightly dilated esophagus, 7/17/12 UGI shows improved motility, no dilation. GES 2/21/13 normal, except for food backing up into esophagus, manometry 4/9/13 severe achalasia, motility 0% consult with Dr Pellegrini 5/30 to determine surgical plan
I chose RNY, but my doctor wanted to start doing lapbands, so he convinced me that bands were 'safer' and 'less invasive.' He told me that since I "only" had about 100 pounds to lose, the band would be a better option.
It wasn't.
It caused permanent, painful damage and my experience was hell on earth. That was over 9 years ago and I still have lingering ill effects from it.
The problem is that the lapband is on the top portion of the stomach and is in close proximity to the diaphragm. The (Phrenic) Vagus nerve system runs from the base of the skull down into the stomach.
See where the diaphragm is in a human body?
The band causes referred left shoulder pain in a LOT of people. It might be a dull ache or it might be debilitatingly painful. It might start right away or it might come on suddenly years after surgery. The only thing that's certain is that it IS becoming well known as one of the complications of banding.
It doesn't happen to everyone... but it happens with enough frequency to be notable. And, I know it sounds like not that big of a deal in the abstract, but if you go through it, it definitely becomes a problem.
It wasn't.
It caused permanent, painful damage and my experience was hell on earth. That was over 9 years ago and I still have lingering ill effects from it.
The problem is that the lapband is on the top portion of the stomach and is in close proximity to the diaphragm. The (Phrenic) Vagus nerve system runs from the base of the skull down into the stomach.
See where the diaphragm is in a human body?
The band causes referred left shoulder pain in a LOT of people. It might be a dull ache or it might be debilitatingly painful. It might start right away or it might come on suddenly years after surgery. The only thing that's certain is that it IS becoming well known as one of the complications of banding.
It doesn't happen to everyone... but it happens with enough frequency to be notable. And, I know it sounds like not that big of a deal in the abstract, but if you go through it, it definitely becomes a problem.
I chose the band because I couldn't get comfortable with the replumbing required for RNY. At the first orientation 3= yrs ago the sleeve wasn't getting the visibility it is today and insurance wasn't as open to that process as most are today.
I had surgery Dec. 2011 and almost changed to the sleeve but decided to stick with my first choice and not second guess myself. I think I would go with the sleeve but I've had a great experience (thus far) with the (Realize) band.
Unless I had a failure, I think it's hard to say I would or would not do it again because my journey hasn't ended yet...or at the very least I think I need a few more years.
I had surgery Dec. 2011 and almost changed to the sleeve but decided to stick with my first choice and not second guess myself. I think I would go with the sleeve but I've had a great experience (thus far) with the (Realize) band.
Unless I had a failure, I think it's hard to say I would or would not do it again because my journey hasn't ended yet...or at the very least I think I need a few more years.
I fell for the "least invasive" B.S. Turns out..........it was anything but. I also fell for that "full sooner, full longer" "green zone" crap. Live and learn.
~ Did you have a lot of follow ups?~
Did I?
Oh hell yes!~I know there are fills and different trials involved, but how many exactly?~
That will vary greatly. No one knows. Some just need a few, while other (like me) can get 19 and never get restriction. About 20% bandsters never get restriction. Bet your Dr. "forgot" to tell you that part!
~One concern I have is if my insurance changes will any new insurance treat an adjustment like a pre-existing condition. I'm almost sure it would and I don't know if I could cover adjustments on my own (mostly because I don't know how much they cost)~
You can lose bariatric coverage at any time. Your insrucance cane decide to eliminate any bariatric services to keep the cost down. It has happened to many. Now if it's a DS, VSG or RNY'er that's usually no big deal since they seldom need follow up services, but with the frequency of fills and COMPLICATIONS with the band.........it can be financially devasting for a bandster!
~Has anyone paid out of pocket for their Lap Band? I would love to read your stories, thanks ~
I paid about $15,000 for mine. I still have no insurance and now need to have mine removed and revise to an effective WLS. There is no telling how much this band will end up costing me. One of the WLS'ers here got her band paid through insurance and then lost her insurance. With all her complciations, her band now has her $90,000 in debt. Do your research!!!
I chose it because I did not want to re-route my plumbing. I felt like it was safer and less invasive. I also felt more comfortable with the idea that if I were to have complications, the band could be removed. I had no co-morbidities other than sleep apnea. I just was not comfortable with RNY.
I have had complications. Gallbladder surgery, port replacement surgery (leak in port), and in 2 weeks I am having another operation to repair a hiatal hernia and reposition my band. My journey has NOT been what I thought it would be.
If I had to make the decision today, I would choose VSG. A lot more information is out about the band now. Then again, the VSG is in the stage that the band was when I got it. Who knows what will start popping up 4... 5 years from now.
Just know that surgery is invasive. No matter what you choose. You have to decide what fits YOUR life and YOUR situation. Read read read, research research research. I cannot stress that enough.
Good luck with your decision.
FYI, I lost 100 pounds fairly quickly before I had issues with the leak. I gained about 54 pounds back. I am now heading back down and have lost re-lost 23 pounds in the last 3 months. My band works when I work with it. So I am happy right now. I have not always been in a happy place with this band.
I have had complications. Gallbladder surgery, port replacement surgery (leak in port), and in 2 weeks I am having another operation to repair a hiatal hernia and reposition my band. My journey has NOT been what I thought it would be.
If I had to make the decision today, I would choose VSG. A lot more information is out about the band now. Then again, the VSG is in the stage that the band was when I got it. Who knows what will start popping up 4... 5 years from now.
Just know that surgery is invasive. No matter what you choose. You have to decide what fits YOUR life and YOUR situation. Read read read, research research research. I cannot stress that enough.
Good luck with your decision.
FYI, I lost 100 pounds fairly quickly before I had issues with the leak. I gained about 54 pounds back. I am now heading back down and have lost re-lost 23 pounds in the last 3 months. My band works when I work with it. So I am happy right now. I have not always been in a happy place with this band.
01|17|08 lap band 08|12|08 gallbladder 01|17|11 port replacement
07|09|12 hiatal hernia repair & band repositioning
The VSG is in no way in the same stage as the band, it is by no means a NEW surgery. The VSG has been preformed for YEARS for both stomach cancer and ulcers AND as the first stage of the DS for higher BMI patients. If you are looking for statistics as a stand alone wls then you are limited, but if you look at the overall health statics for people having partial gastrectomies you can find information going back to the 40's and 50's.
Courtney - Lap band to VSG revision
Interesting that you said price because that is a factor for me, because I have a cap on what my insurance will cover and it is the cheapest surgery so yeah I'm going to look favorably at that. Also it seems Lap Band is easier to recover from, but it seems long term there is potentially more cost and more dr. visits. I think for me it's easier to plan things in the short term and short term it looks good, but long term issues I would have to deal with also. That is why I am researching this way. To hear the stories.
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