Pink Stella

I have BCBS NC and that code is covered. I know each insurance is different, but I was given a CPT code of 43659, which is also a covered procedure. I looked both of them up (https://catalog.ama-assn.org/Catalog/cpt/) - and the description for 43843 is "Gastric restrictive procedure, without gastric bypass, for morbid obesity; other than vertical-banded gastroplasty " and the description for 43659 is "Unlisted laparoscopy procedure, stomach." You might contact your HR department, too. Find out if the fed is self-insured. I work for a municipal government and we are self-insured. That means that the city itself determines what coverage is offered and BCBS administers the insurance. If you're willing to discuss it with your HR rep, they might be able to help you out. I'm not sure if any of this will help you at all. Good luck!

Right there with ya! I just found a doctor today that will do the VSG - he's 207 miles from home, but I just can't go for lap band or GBP - too risky for me. I've heard too many horror stories. And honestly, I keep looking for VSG horror stories and the worst thing I've found is someone who sprung a leak while eating KFC the day after surgery. Good luck to you!

I think you're probably right, but with any surgery, you have to learn to eat right and manage the head hunger or it can fail, whether or not you have malabsorption. My father had something like the duodenal switch and he's about 100 pounds overweight now because he never changed his eating habits - bread, cake, liquor...nothing's off limits and the portion sizes are out of control.

Funny you should say that. When I fist went to my PCP to talk about WLS in general, she didn't say anything about it at all. He nurse was very encouraging, but the doctor just said, "oh, you'll be needing a letter for your insurance then." And that was it. She is usually very, well, pushy about things, so I didn't even ask her if she had any opinion, figuring she'd never held back before, so if she had something to say, she'd have said it. Anyway, I think I'll be shopping for a new PCP!

I hadn't really thought about not needing so much after care. There are just so many stories out there about problems/issues with the band and bypass! Thanks, both of you for your input! And good luck, Carolyn!

Hi, everyone, I'm new here and I'm looking for help/advice. I've been research WLS for some time now and have been thinking the sleeve is right for me (the complicaitons of lap band and RNY scare me too much), but I didn't think my insurance would cover it, so I'd sort of given up on the idea. But I found out yesterday that they will cover it (with some hoops, of course), so now I am looking for more information. I'm in Southeastern NC, but the closest doc I can find is in Charlotte, 200 miles away. So if anyone know anyone any closer (I'd like to be a little closer for after care), I'd love to know about it. Also, is anyone out there 5 years or more post-op? If so, what has your experience been like? Any complications? Tips/advice?

Thanks everyone for sharing, these are great. Mine is in my signature.

What did you revise from and to? Should I be worried that there are so few long-term bandsters?

I'm am still in the process of deciding which procedure is right for me and I need help! Is there anyone out there who has had the band for 5 years or more? I am really interested in learning what the long-term effects and results are.

Jack - you are the only one I've found so far with 5 years on the band. Please tell me, after 5 years, what complications have you had? I keep finding people with 5 years or more post-bypass with horrible complications and lots of people who have had their bands removed.

I am very interested in the 5-year complications as well! This article gives me pause - http://www.paclap.com/news&resources/ourpublications/article/lapband.html Of course, I've been on the Thinner Times forum reading about long-term complications of GBP and those really scare me.

So my surgeon has advised bypass for me given the amount of weight I have to lose, and though I was really leaning toward the band, I have been researching GBP. Admittedly, the idea of losing a great amount of weight quickly is appealing, but the more I learn about the long-term complications, the more it scares me. I'm hearing about adhesions, bowel obstructions, gallbladder removal/gallstones, not to mention the countless vitamin and mineral deficience. Is anyone here 5 years or more out? Is so, what complicaitons have you experienced?

I agree with Luv - some might not want to offend. I see you're in the mountains; I'm in Wilmington.

People are funny, aren't they??!! I don't know why people think fat people never try to lose weight. My husband's great aunt, who turns 100 tomorrow, told me last time I saw her that I was too fat and that I'm too pretty to be this fat. What could I say, she's an old lady. I think the very old and the very young are the worst/best about saying just what's on their minds. Take this and learn from it...you might decide to be mindful of complimenting others when they do something (non weight related) that might otherwise go un-noticed.

I can see why that might be discouraging, but I think I'd prefer that to everyone being in my business all the time. I haven't had surgery yet (appointment with surgeon tomorrow!!), but I have only told my husband and one close friend. I've lost (and regained) a good amount of weight in the past and had been very open about it. This time, I'm just doing it for me and don't really want anyone else to know. I guess at some point I'm going to have to tell my boss, though I'd really rather not.