Nooshie

your post really hit home. beautifully written. good luck to you on your journey. i'm only just hoping to begin.

Hi! I was snooping around the blogs and found your post. i went to a gastroenterologist today for some other issues and asked what he thought of the lapband. he told me that i should go for a bypass! this caught me offguard. he said that with the lapband someone like me (almost 50 and about 90 pounds overweight) would only lose about 20-30 pounds with a lapband but with bypass i'd lose more. I have been on this site and know that there are many, many success stories here, but still, it took me for a loop.

I had an appointment with the Gastroenterologist today (for other issues). A new doctor for me, so he doesn't know anything about me. When we were finished with the appointment, I asked what he thought about the lapband, because, I told him, I was considering it. (okay, so here I am all excited about being banded...seeing a doctor on 1/19..etc.) and the Gastrodoc says, "Why don't you get a bypass done? I haven't heard of a lot of success with the lapband...and I don't think you'd lose much weight...maybe 20-30 pounds. If I were you, I'd have a bypass. I have quite a few patients that have had great success with bypass surgery" (!!!) I mean, we were having an honest conversation, so it's not like I took his comment to be anything but that, but it made me start thinking...I mean, i haven't considered bypass surgery because it's so invasive. on the otherhand, I truly do have the metabolism of a tube of toothpaste...what if I have the lapband and I truly don't lose. You know what I'm mean? I guess I'll have to research, and discuss with the surgeon on monday during the initial consult. Oh, and I know the lapband is just a "tool" and it's up to me...but y'know, i've done lots of restrictive diets in the past...what makes this different (is it because the restriction is truly physical and not left up to willpower).

Hi Debbi, Thanks so much for responding. Keep me posted on how it goes with you. I don't see too many on here who are patients of Dr. Quilici. I've never met him...but will on Monday. I read the post from another member about the insurance and her husband getting laid off...but t'wasn't me.... Good luck to you! Nooshie

Hi Everyone. I'm in So Cal and just starting my journey. Went to see my PCP about med problems, (weight, arthritis in the knees, swelling in my feet) and I asked her about lapband surgery, which she said was a good option. I had gone to an informational seminar a few weeks prior. Anyways, I've got Aetna HMO which doesn't cover lap band, but my doctor said that she could write a letter to the insurance company for me. About a week later, I got a referral to go see Dr. Quilici in Burbank. My consult is on Monday, January 19. I really really want this to happen. I'm just in limbo right now because I'm not sure if my insurance will cover it (but I'm hoping they will because they did approve the consult). Have any of you had a similar situation with HMO? So I'm really happy to be here. I've learned so much just by reading your posts. I've struggled with my weight for my entire life. I need to deal with this once and for all. Nooshie