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Yes, my esophagus is dilated. I have one final appointment with my surgeon on December 3rd before the actual surgery on December 7th. He would like me to do the gastric bypass instead of the sleeve due to my dilated esophagus and my minor case of gerd. My heart was set on the sleeve but I might have to go with the bypass. I will know for sure which surgery after my appointment on the 3rd.

Glad ur okay and hope ur better now and back to normal. HW 289 CW 230 bypass 11/22/16

wow, i am kinda surprised. my dr at the beginning wanted me to do the bypass (as my insurance does not cover the sleeve). i steadfast said no. to me, once they cut my stomach, there is no going back to what it was before. so i stood my ground. he advised me that this is merely a tool and not a save all. i chose to get the band as i am the most comfortable. my surgeon offered me the plication (at no charge) and it is a def good thing to me. its the sleeve w/o surgery. they just fold my stomach into itself and make it smaller. this decision is yours. if you dont want it, dont get it. the customer is always right and you are the customer. if you are uncomfortable with this guy, dont use him. you need to feel trust/confidence in the person who is performing major surgery on you. all the best on whatever you decide.

I personally feel that I have been wildly successful with the sleeve, as well as could be expected for a virgin sleever. I lost 100# in about 6.5 months. It has been slow going since then, but I am not really complaining - i think I will finish my first year having lost 120-125# out of my goal to lose 150#. I feel very successful because even at the weight i am now, I am quite happy and my life has been transformed beyond my wildest dreams! One of the things I recognized during my decade of "band failure" is that I needed more support, more information, more strategies for success. I guess I really understood this time that WLS is "just a tool". I knew it before, but I REALLY KNOW it now. I have the personality fault of having a hard time accepting "help" and nutritionalists had always been completely useless to me in the past, but I knew that I had to try again, and be open to it. So, what I did was find a surgical practice that believed so strongly in the sleeve, has a whole support structure set up, emphasized education and had mandatory follow up. I too roll my eyes at the NUTs who know less then I do, but at this practice I had a NUT to work with that was absolutely brilliant. Everytime I met with her, she made some small suggestion, or something to try that worked. She was also very supportive and had a great way of keeping me focused on the main things to stay successful. That whole practice has this structured, but easy to understand approach to supplements, food recommendations etc. The whole thing made a difference, but the NUT was my real hero post surgery. Because of her, I still eat most meals using appetizer utinsils, a little tea plate and my bowl only holds 4 oz filled to the rim. I can assure you, I would not have continued doing that after the early weeks had it not been her counsel. It is so easy for someone like me (a lifetime of bottomless pit stomach) to drift back to larger portions as it is my history, it is my nature. Side note: surgeon told my hubby that my stomach was very large compared to average patient. Portion control is my single biggest issue - my stomach has always been a bottomless pit. I never really got that "satisfied" feeling - hungry or stuffed were my two feelings. I am not a true binge eater, I don't finish off a half gallon of ice cream at a sitting or eat multiple meals or anything you like that you hear people talk about - more like I would eat like a "growing boy" when I am really a middle age lady...lol... have seconds and then be ready for dessert in an hour or two type of person. So, the band really didn't reduce my hunger, and I didn't have someone who would ask me the hard questions and give me the tough love. This time, I had that. My view, this procedure is about 1000 times better then the band. My view is also that I would not have been as successful without that monthly in person coaching from someone who really knew her stuff. So, everyone is different, and not everyone needs this - there are many paths to success. I guess there are many paths to NO success too. Anybody who thinks their weight loss and maintenance is guaranteed with the sleeve is fooling themselves. I would say the same about the RNY as I have known of people with complete regains after that procedure too. This whole deal still takes work, focus, committment and frankly some sacrifices. This probably doesn't help you any....lol. I am a huge sleeve advocate because so far my personal experience has been wonderful and so much easier to live with then the band. I think you are very very very smart to be questioning, doubting and probing for answers before you committ to the revision. Each successive WLS increases your risk of complications. It was a big lie that the band is "completely reversible" - it leaves damage and scarring that incrases odds of leaks and excess bleeding during your revision. It is my understanding those risks are even higher with the revision to the RNY - but these are all questions to ask your surgeon to be sure you really understand the risks and benefits of all procedures.

I am pretty new to this site. I have had a Lap band for almost 5 years now. I've put back almost all of the weight I lost with it the first year. I've been really considering getting revised to a sleeve, but I've read and read and read about all the possible complications. These stories terrify me. I'm 40 years old and have 4 kids. I have to be here for them. I cannot spend months of my life in a hospital or laying in bed struggling to recover from complications from surgery. I'm basically healthy. I don't want to trade good health for losing some weight. One of the things that worries me is the lack of long-term info available on life after being sleeved. Are there any sleevers that are more than 5, maybe even 10 years out from their surgery? I'm just so scared of the possible things that can and do go wrong that I don't know that I'm going to be able to go through with it. My insurance will cover it, so that is a good thing. I've already attended my surgeon's seminar. Does anyone have any advice for me?

Hi Banded 12 years ago UK and got to BMI <25. Had band removed as it failed mechanically. Regained weight. Waiting for a date for sleeve revision.

Hello everyone, well Monday March the 10th I got my approval from Tricare standard. My husband got his military retirement for putting in 20yrs with the Ky. National Guardsmen. Now my Dr. and Hospital are in Tricare network so that`s when you get Tricare Extra, which helps because I still will have to pay something but not as much. They told me approx 2400. If you can get a letter from your primary care Dr. before setting up a appointment with a surgeon then you will be one step ahead when you walk through that door. I had the Tricare Regional Office North, and they really help me along. This is what it saids Gastric Bypass (Surgery for morbid obesity) – Limited Benefit – Gastric bypass, gastric stapling, gastroplasty, and vertical banded gastroplasty may be covered when one of the following conditions are met (view Hospitalization Costs): The patient is 100 pounds over the ideal weight for height and bone structure and has an associated medical condition, such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome (and other severe respiratory diseases), hypothalamic disorders and severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints. The patient is 200 percent or more of the ideal weight for height and bone structure, regardless of associated medical conditions. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding is covered, effective February 1, 2007. The following are not covered:Biliopancreatic bypass (jejunoileal bypass, Scopinaro procedure) (CPT codes 43645, 43845, 43847 or 43633). Gastric bubble or balloon Gastric wrapping/open gastric banding (CPT code 43843) Unlisted CPT codes 43659 (laparoscopy procedure, stomach); 43999 (open procedure, stomach); and 49329 (laparoscopy procedure, abdomen, peritoneum and omentum). So I`m sure you will qualify with one of these. Try these sites also. https://www.hnfs.net/provider/home/ https://www.hnfs.net/bene/home/ Good Luck and let me know how you do....

HOPE THIS INFO HELPS FOR TRICARE INS! Go to the TRICARE website at www.tricare.osd.mil/ standardprovider to locate a provider in your area (South Region) TRICARE covers most inpatient and outpatient care that is medically necessary and considered proven. However, there are special rules or limits on certain types of care, while other types of care are not covered at all. This section provides details about services that TRICARE covers, limits and excludes. This is a guide to your TRICARE coverage - it isn't all-inclusive. Some services or treatments require prior authorization. Your coverage and out-of-pocket costs are dependent on your eligibility as a TRICARE beneficiary and may vary according to the program option you're using. Contact your regional contractor or TRICARE Area Office for more information. Gastric Bypass TRICARE covers gastric bypass, gastric stapling and gastroplasty to include vertical banded gastroplasty and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (Lap-Band surgery) is covered only when the beneficiary meets one of the following conditions: Is 100 pounds over ideal weight for height and bone structure and has one of these associated conditions: diabetes mellitus, hypertension, cholecystitis, narcolepsy, Pickwickian syndrome, hypothalamic disorders or severe arthritis of the weight-bearing joints Is 200 percent or more over ideal weight for height and bone structure Has had intestinal bypass or other surgery for obesity and because of complications, requires another surgery (takedown) TRICARE does not cover: Nonsurgical treatment of obesity, morbid obesity, dietary control or weight reduction Biliopancreatic bypass, gastric bubble or balloon for the treatment of morbid obesity Last Modified: March 24, 2008

I had been banded in 2009 as well. Had it out Jan.2017. Then had the bypass May 22, 2017. At this time I really feel no different. I am very glad I did the bypass. I have had no dumping and feel great. Weight is very slow coming off but I'm in for the long haul. SO glad the band is out! Sent from my SM-G950U using BariatricPal mobile app

So strange that you weren’t put out! I’ve had two endoscopies since gastric bypass and was put out the whole time. I can’t imagine being awake or even under twilight.

Anita, Sorry to hear that things have been put on hold as far as your sleeve but, I'm glad your doctor is on top of it and let you know about the issues with your stomach. Sounds like you're in a good frame of mind and that's the best thing to keep you motivated and healthy. Good luck with your future revision. You don't say when the band came out but, I do hope you're feeling better now :cheers2:

I have been reading other people's blogs and am happy for every single one of you who have posted pictures of you rafting, hiking or cycling yourselves to a new you. I'm also incredibly jealous because that will never be me. The spirit is more than willing, but the body just isn't able. For sure I'm going to be able to do more things than I have been able in years but my success will be more moderate: I will be able to walk to the store two days in a row. I will be able to walk two days in a row. :biggrin: What I find frustrating is the people at the clinic don't seem to get it. I appear to be a misfit among the misfits of society. I keep being assured that my life will change so much, which I don't doubt, but I wonder if they have any clue of what my life is like? Will the band magically let me hold a pencil long enough to write a letter? Will I be able to play my violin or harp again? The psych lady I met yesterday was all impressed how I seemed to know my body much better than the average person and that learning the rules of the band would be a breeze for me. The truth is that for years, one small lapse in thought and I've popped something in my mouth that will lead to hours of gut wrenching pain or my eyes swelling shut. Push myself too hard and I'm bedridden for days. She seemed really nice and wanting to help while we chatted for our 35 minute hour, but she specialises in anorexia, bulemia and overeating... I wonder if she knows much about people who've grown old before their time. Then again, it was the first session... I'm hoping that a few more sessions will get us all on the same page. I'm really looking forward to working with the chiropractor they have on staff. Ontario's major failing in health care is that if it can't find something specifically wrong, it won't fix it or expend the energy to see what can be done for you. When one of the foremost rhumatologists in Toronto tells you "wow, your life must suck, but there's nothing I can do about it" you tend to lose heart. I've not been able to afford private physiotherapy, massage therapy or the chiropractic care I probably could use, so I've gone without. I didn't want to risk getting addicted to a therapy I couldn't do long term. How dumb is that? So apparently for the next year or so I'm being offered unlimited access to this guy. After me, they may want to revise that policy. Usually I'm not so much of a whiner... I promise I'll be more upbeat next time. In the meantime, keep posting the canoeing pictures. Even though I can't do it myself, that doesn't mean I don't like seeing others have fun.:sad:

I am happy so far with the sleeve and I am only a month out. I originally was going for the lapband, but, at orientation they touched base on the sleeve and that peeked my interest! I researched it and decided it was right for me! I felt the gastric bypass was too extreme and I already have issues were I lack vit D, Iron etc., so I didnt think that was good for me. But with the band, way too much maintenance and my friend keeps puking with the band. So, the fact that I never got sick with the sleeve makes it the best choice for me and the fact that I dont have any hunger and my friend with the band is always starving! So, I wish I could eat alittle more, but, ,I am happy with my sleeve!

I've had 4 friends who have had gastric bypass surgery. While all are losing weight they've all had some form of malabsorbtion issues post-op and have to take alot of liquid Vitamins and stuff. One also has problems where she will just suddenly throw up for no reason. They were all laid up for almost a month after surgery and 3 required open not laproscopic due to their size. I took a serious look at gastric bypass but in the end the mortality rate scared me. Also another thing I did was find a message board for gastric bypass. I was looking around one day and found a Memoriam page after having made some posts there. It was a list of all the people who had died who had posted there. There were alot of names on that list. I looked up their posts and saw the hope and comments like "I can't wait for my surgery and my new life!"..... then a few days later there would be an admin message "this person passed due to xxxxx" after surgery. There is no comparing the two procedures. I've had some people say "well bypass is reversable". No it's not. They can hook the plumbing back up but it is NEVER the same imo. With the lapband it's completely reversible and they're not rearranging anything. It's a much much much safer procedure. I'm on day 6 post-op and feel great. By comparison if I was post-op for bypass I'd just be getting out of the hospital today and would have 4-5 weeks of hometime before going back to work (what they told me). Instead I'll be back to work on Monday. Like I said no comparison. Just follow the doctors directions, get on your feet and walk as soon as after surgery as possible to prevent DVT and drink plenty of fluids as tolerated. If you do what they tell you to you'll be find and the risk of the unknown will be greatly reduced. Yes it's an elective surgery but I view it as medically necessary. Cormorbid conditions WILL kill you eventually. This surgery can stop those conditions in their tracks and set you on the right course for your life. ErikMesa :regular_smile:

Afterward, meaning after you have healed, for the most part, unless you are eating you will not have any different feelings, nor abilities than you have now. The ability to do more things will increase as your weight decreases. Your port and tubing do not just flop around freely inside you. They stitch the port, tightly into muscle, which holds it securely, and the tube simply runs from it, to the band,and you do not have sensation of it being there at all. I am quite close to my goal weight and I must still push firmly to feel my port. I ride motorcycles with my husband, as well as 4 wheelers, ride horses, haul firewood, jump on a trampoline, swim, wrestle with my grandbabies on the floor, use a variety of exercise equipment (not nearly as much as I should tho!)....heck the list could go on forever! I do a lot of these things thanks to the band, I was too heavy to do them before. The problem with stats when it comes to this surgery is the fact that they are operating on some seriously obese people. I am talking Super obesity, of over 500 pounds at times, and when you begin looking at that type of weight the health issues are monumental, and death is more common due to blood clots following surgery as they are not often mobile....but once the surgery is done, it is reported as a surgical statistic. This was a simple surgery for me, and I was very close to your weight. I was up and walking within hours, and back to my normal life in a week. We were remodeling a home with my Daughter at the time, and I was back to weilding a paintbrush and making Home Depot runs within that week. I am able to eat all foods. There are a few I opt not to eat....but that is a personal choice. I eat much much less than I did before, I am now in control of the food as opposed to the food being in control of me. I chose banding over bypass for several reasons. #1 being I am a cancer survivor and if I ever need to increase nutritional intake I can. #2. I had serious fears of my insides being cut and rerouted and removed. #3. I do not do well with deprivation. Being told I could NOT eat sweets was a deal breaker! I wanted to have a piece of birthday cake with my grandkids on their special days. So banding was the ideal choice for me, I eat that small piece of cake and am good, no longer wanting to eat the entire cake!!! The choice was an easy one for me. I do understand it is a very personal choice for everyone. I hope you do take into consideration the risks associated with obesity as compared to the risks associated with lap band surgery. At the risk of sounding like a mastercard commercial, getting your life back is priceless......being able to run, and sit in any chair, climb any ladder, fit on all amusement park rides----and not stand out in the crowd because of my size----those and a host of other reasons make me happy every day I chose to override my fears and be banded. I hope you come to peace with a decision soon. Did your wife go to the seminar with you? They can be super informative! Kat

When they exclude WLS they usually spell it out saying that any type of WLS is not covered. What you quoted is usally for things like Weight Watchers, LA Weight Loss, etc.. If you can't find anything that specifically mentions WLS (mentioned as adjustable gastric banding and gastric bypass) then they probably have special qualifications. They won't list everything that they cover, but they will list what they don't. Call them and ask. Ask for it to be broken down and emailed to you. I emailed my insurance company, and they sent me a complete list of requirements for surgery. Good luck to you.

i had this surgery and highly recommend it.. Gastric Plication (Stomach Folding) Gastric Plication is a relatively new procedure that is quickly becoming one of the most popular options in weight loss surgery. It consists in reducing stomach volume by folding the grater curvature of the stomach to its inside part, Forming a tube form or “sleeve type” of pouch, similar to a gastric sleeve surgery, but without THE stomach cutting or stapling required in other surgeries. The pouch is formed by hand stitching and confection. Advantages Reduced Surgical risks compared to a gastric sleeve surgery. There is no foreign body inserted, so there is no foreign body failure. There is no counter indication and a good option for women who would like to get pregnant. It’s a lower cost surgery as it doesn’t require lap band or lap band staple costs. Recuperation time is also quicker than with bypass or gastric sleeve surgeries.

Hello my name is Lorrie and have just found out about the gastric sleeve Fri. by my Dr. so reading all I can about it before going to 1st meeting. My sister had a gastric bypass many years ago and after watching what she went through I never wanted any thing to do with weight loss surgery. I now am at a point in my life that I want be healthier to enjoy life!

Sue, excellent idea! I've heard a lot of people do that. I went to visit a friend of mine who just had a gastric bypass, and she swears by it. Thanks ... any suggestions on which is the best? I like the Lifesaver popsicles. They don't taste like lifesavers, but they're really yummy. I go through about 4 boxes a week.:frown: Enjoy!

I was banded when I was 35 and it did nothing for me to improve my fertility or to lose weight. 10 years have passed and I did finally have a baby through IVF and carried full term with gestational diabetes and borderline high blood pressure. My son is now 3 and I am now 45 and were we're not able to go for a second due to my weight which up until 2 months ago hovered at 257 for an entire decade. I would not waste any time with the band, really. Go straight to sleeve or even bypass if that is your preference. The weight loss will help you get pregnant.

Not if the procedure is done laproscopically. It sounds to me like her surgery was the old style where they "open you up" They don't usually do bypass that way any more, nor "lap band" (the name comes from that ... the lap refers to the surgery type, laproscopic) They make a few (1-6)incisions, insert instruments/camera through those incisions, do the surgery, remove camera and instruments, and close up the incisions. Recovery is much faster; many lap band patients go home the same day or day after.

My mom had gastric bypass a few years ago and when she came home she had medical plastic bags that collected fluids from her open surgery scars. I am considering getting a lap band and was wondering if these bags/ pouches were attached after surgery? Thanks

Did you notice that there are a total of 5 contestants that have had "lapband, vertical band or bypass (1) failures"? Good grief - that doesn't put things in a pretty positive light :thumbup: I guess it goes to show people - it really isn't the easy way out - you still have to work hard at losing the weight - it doesn't just fall off of you.

I was in your shoes 4 months ago when I started this WLS process. I went to a WLS seminar to kick the whole thing off, and I was 95% certain I wanted the Lapband. I didn't find this forum until after I had the surgery, so I will tell you how I made my decision. At the seminar, the doctor covered the risks of each. I immediately decided against the gastric bypass, because in didn't want the malabsorption issues. For the sleeve, the risks were all up front. Right after surgery, there was a risk of leaks. Risk of strictures. For the lap band, the risks were for the lifetime of the device. There was eroding and slipping. The surgeon also addressed the fact that because a lap band is a foreign object, they expect to replace it in your lifetime - just like you would a breast implant. That was the first thing that made me think about the sleeve. I liked the idea of the risks being over at some point and feeling normal again. It seemed like the lap band was not going to work that way. Also didn't like the idea of having to go to the dr. every time to have them adjust the band. Also some insurance carriers cover the band and don't cover the adjustments. The next part of my journey was my pre-op diet. My surgeon made it very clear that she would never push a patient one way or the other. Also they do both major brands of bands, and don't push one over the other. But she also wasn't more pro-sleeve, so I thought at the time. Really what she was doing was giving me the information to find my tool, and to really believe in my decision. I have since found that she would much rather do the sleeve. In that meeting with her, she went over what the averages were in losing excess weight. She said with lap band, they considered it successful if you lost 50% Of your excess weight. With the sleeve, officially it was successful if you lost 60% of your excess weight, but recent studies indicated that weight loss with the sleeve was more along the lines of gastric bypass - 80% of your excess weight. After I met with my surgeon, I had to watch these interactive weight loss videos on the Internet. One for both procedures. The only new thing I learned was that people have less discomfort with the sleeve after surgery, than any other weight loss surgery. I spent a little more time on the Internet seeking info, before I made my mind up to get the sleeve. All that info just supported what I already knew. I wanted to have a WLS surgery and move on with life. The sleeve was def the best option for me to do that!

The following bariatric surgical procedures are considered medically necessary for Members who meet the associated criteria: Gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y; gastrojejunal anastomosis) Vertical banded gastroplasty (gastric banding; gastric stapling) Biliopancreatic bypass (Scopinaro procedure) Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch Gastric sleeve procedure (also known as laparoscopic vertical gastrectomy or laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy) when done alone and not a part of the full operation to complete a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPDDS or DS) Medical Necessity Criteria The Member must meet the criteria of either A or B: Class II obesity (BMI 35-39.9 kg/m2) in a person who has attained an adult level of physical development and maturation, in the presence of one or more of the following comorbidities: Type 2 diabetes Cardiovascular disease (e.g., stroke, myocardial infarction, stable or unstable angina pectoris or coronary artery bypass) Life-threatening cardiopulmonary problems (e.g., severe sleep apnea, Pickwickian syndrome, obesity-related cardiomyopathy) [*]Class III obesity (BMI equal to or greater than 40 kg/m2) in a person who has attained an adult level of physical development and maturation. New CPT CODE: 43775 - Laparoscopy, surgical, gastric restrictive procedure; longitudinal gastrectomy (ie, sleeve gastrectomy)