To Band or not to Band?

Good Morning All,

My name is Jennifer from Albuquerque NM and I'm new here.  I have read a lot of post about revision surgery rates with lapband.  Currently my insurance only covers two procedures.  One is lap band (I would get the realize band) and one is gastric bypass.  My PCP was just sent the authorization form today for my surgery.  I don't want gastric bypass because of the bowel and gas problems associated with it.  It's not something I'm willing to live with.  I know the sleeve is another choice but don't have the 25k to pay for it.  Also the surgeon I'll be using will not give a band to anyone with a BMI greater than 50.  To get to that BMI I’ll have to lose another 50 pounds.  I'm just really considering not having surgery at all.  Any advice?

Ummm... I don't have any bowel/gas issues...?

So, what I'm getting at is your BMI is over 50?

Not everyones bowel and gas problems are as bad as some say with Gastric bypass.. And i'm pretty sure with any WLS you'll have some issues with it.. I'm getting the VSG in august. My only other option was RNY, cause i wont even consider the band. more problems then good come out of it, so it seems.

Ultimatley you have to make the decision, but i know if i had to choose between band or rny or no surgery, id get the rny.  Talk to your surgeon about what he/she thinks wuold be best for you.

I had to choose between bypass and band and for several reasons I ended up choosing the band. I also didn't have the option for VSG or DS my insurance would not cover it or if I suffered from any complications...

I have lost 90 plus pounds and I'm still losing.. best thing I ever did.. I could of waited another year or two and waited for VSG to be offered by my insurance but I couldn't be in that body 1 min longer.. sometimes you have to make a decision based on the options you have available to you.

Good Luck

You have a BMI of 58.5. A Band would be the worst form of WLS you could choose.

But the good news is---if your insurance carrier will approve you for the RNY, you can almost always force them to cover the DS or the Sleeve instead. (We have a pot of posters over on the DS board who've been there, done that, and are ready and willing to help you fight.)

The DS has the very BEST long-term, maintained weight loss, especially for those with a starting BMI greater than 50---and the Band has the very WORST. I truly believe if you'll visit the DS board, actually talk to some people who are living with the DS, you'll find that gas and bowel issues are really nothing to worry about.

Holy **** don't do it!  You have a BMI that is screaming for a Duodenal switch. You will need a metabolic component to your surgery in order to keep the weight from regaining. It is the best option for you BMI. 

Look here is me as a miserable fat ******* and here is me now.

My weight loss has actually been utterly effortless.  I flatly refuse to diet for the rest of my life FLATY!  I've done it since I was 9 years old and I'm done with having an estranged relationship with food. I read lots of other boards here and most are watching calories and trying to restrict their oral intake.  I on the other hand am forcing myself to eat the 3500 calories I need a day to keep up with my gym work and my hectic lifestyle. 

As for farting and ****ting...my God if I eat white flour foods then I **** through the eye of a needle, not at all if I eat wholemeal and grainery breads.  If I want raging diahorrea I'll eat jelly babies or any jelly type sweetie.  Other wise I eat some chocolate every day, have some potato depending on my workout (I'm trying to do body building again) and meat meat meat meat. 

I don't know anyone at all that is happy with their lap band long term.  My sister had one that almost killed her so I hate them.

I work at a hospital as a Nurse practitioner.  My college had surgery two months after I had the DS.  She had the RNY.  To date I'm down to a size 10 and my college despite adherence to the lifestyle is a size 16.  She cycles 10miles a day and eats lean everything and regrets she didn't fight for my surgery.  I work out three times a week and walk my dogs once a day.

BMI of 51


BMI of 22

 Damn, that after pic is so cute!


To the OP: advice- run away from the band.. if you want a purely restrictive surgery do the VSG, but if I were in your shoes I'd appeal till I was blue in the face for the DS! Fight the insurance with every bit you got to get it.. there are many folks on these boards that can offer advice on how to successfully appeal for the surgery that's BEST for you. 

SQUEEEE!

You're no slouch either!!!

I wants me---no, I NEEDS me some of those red Wellies! That is, if it EVER rains here again...

Pet yer doggies for me!

Honey everyone needs a pair of red wellies! 

p.s. I've never forgotten that if not for you I never would have heard of the DS.  The fact that I can fit wellies is down to you.  I OWE you red Wellies!!!!