Question:
Can I switch they type of surgery I am being approved for, for a different one?

I haven't been approved yet, but I will hear this week if I am. If I do get approved, it would be for a Proximal RnY. Lately, I have been nervous about the cutting and re routing. I suppose it has to do with the recent deaths. So I have researched the Lap Band since it has been recently approved by the FDA. My surgeon was one of the surgeons who has done many of these for the FDA testing. I am becoming more and more interested in getting the Lap Band over the RnY. My question is, If I get approved for the RnY, can I ask them for a Lap Band instead, without having to go through Re-Approval? Will the waiting game start all over? I would hate to have to wait another 3 months for approval, just to be denied for some reason, then I am out for either surgery type. Another question is, if I cannot ask for a different surgery, and have to have a RnY, how can I get over these jitters? I know I need this surgery. But I don't want to be so scared of the surgery type, that I chicken out altogether! Thanks in advance for all helpful answers. :)    — [Anonymous] (posted on June 24, 2001)


June 24, 2001
In surgery, most deaths are caused by 1. blood clots 2. pneumonia/breathing complications. These are equally dangerous no matter what surgery you chose. Every surgery has it's risks. And though you have seen recent deaths you have also seen many more who are successful. Most insurances will not pay for the lap band as they still consider it "not proven" successful, as a matter of fact many will only approve the RNY as it has the highest success rate and long term effect. If you want to change your procedure your dr would have to resubmit for the other procedure.
   — [Anonymous]




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