LAN2k

Thanks Elisabeth, yes I searched this thread out because I want to hear it from people who have the experience. As the reality of being banded draws nearer I continue to lose sleep at the thought of actually going through with it. And I keep researching. I learned about the Sleeve Gastrectomy and it just seemed logically sensible and safer. I don't get the jitters when I envision myself having that procedure done on me..but I literally wake up at night with thoughts of the things that can and do go wrong with the Band.

If you don't have a slip or an erosion, you have to start a "paper" trail of problems. I was told that the acid regurg. and inability to sleep lying down would require about 9 months of MD documented visits before insurance would "consider" paying for the band to be removed and revising to another surgery. This is horrible...I can't believe to what extent some of you have had to go to and through to finally get to a place where you can lose weight with securtiy. I'm literally choked up here. I am in LI, NY so far I've been told "no" to the Sleeve by the doctor(who considers the Sleeve "experimental" and doesn't do it), who would do the Lap Band surgery on me, (if I am approved...(35BMI with co morbidity factors...)Ins.- Medicare). His secretary told me that medicare will not approve the Sleeve. I do want weight loss surgery scared as I am because I have been around the try-to-lose-weight block so many times that I finally am willing to sacrifice part of my anatomy! I need help. I am feeling pressured due to insurance "approval" issues to take what I can get, either Lap Band or Gastric Bypass. I am not in a position to self-pay nor take out a loan. I am so frustrated. The more I read about being "banded" the more I want to get the sleeve...the more desperate I am becoming. Thanks all for such sincere posts, my heart goes out to you with wishes for victory in the restoration of your bodies to their perfect weight with incredible health and longevity.

That is what I thought, thanks. In the meanwhile I'm doing my best to check around...If I make any headway I'll be sure to post it here.

The end of this month! That's encouraging!! When you say you don't want to deal with problems from the surgery...,which surgery are you referring to Lap or Sleeve?

I too was hoping that my insurance would approve the Sleeve surgery. I just sent an email to a Doctor in NYC, Mt. Sinai expressing my desire for the Gastric Sleeve after weeks of research on wt. loss surgeries. Sadly (Medicare) does not approve because it's still considered "experimental". He told me that the HMO Oxford-Medicare?? usually will approve however. I don't think I'll be able to qualify for that at least not in 2009 :rolleyes2: Maybe this info can help you though...I hope so. In the meanwhile I have been a spectator on this forum ever since I became convicted that the Sleeve would be the way to go for me. I am so anxious because I may be forced to go for the Lap Band since I can not afford to "self-pay". The thought of a lap band affixed to my stomach right below my esophagus together with a "port" sometimes terrifies me. It just seems so unnatural and risky. I had so much hope when I came here and read the uplifting posts about the sleeve. I'm really sad to the point of crying myself to sleep now since I may be compelled to settle for the band. Thanks to all of you for being so genuine and helpful to one another. This is amazing.