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from Aetna.com... Vertical Banded Gastroplasty (VBG) and Laparoscopic Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding (LASGB or Lap-Band): Aetna considers open or laparoscopic vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) or laparoscopic adjustable silicone gastric banding (LASGB, Lap-Band) medically necessary for members who meet the selection criteria for obesity surgery and who are at increased risk of adverse consequences of a RYGB due to the presence of any of the following comorbid medical conditions: 1. Hepatic cirrhosis with elevated liver function tests; or 2. Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis); or 3. Radiation enteritis; or 4. Demonstrated complications from extensive adhesions involving the intestines from prior major abdominal surgery, multiple minor surgeries, or major trauma; or 5. Poorly controlled systemic disease (American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) Class IV) (see Appendix). This is as of December 2004. If these conditions are NOT met, Aetna does not routinely cover the procedure. Go to www.aetna.com, then click on doctors on the left, then Medical Policy Bulletins, the look up Obesity surgery. Good luck.

Like it was already said, call your surgeon, you do not want to risk the complications. Good luck and keep us posted!

So sad. I know my eating habits did not allow my kids to always make the healthiest choices as easy as they should be. They are getting better though. The family needed major intervention. Sadly I have a feeling the boy will have complications as the family is not making follow up appointments.

I haven't had the brain freeze part - could it be more light headed or nausea? How fast did you eat? Did you eat the last two bites when you were already feeling a little full? If I eat too much or eat something for the first time, the symptoms are pretty similar. Light headed, nausea, stomach pain. And lots of burping and tummy gurgling! I haven't had Pasta yet so don't know if that could have done it. I can eat shredded cheese on other foods but can't eat string cheese. It didn't settle at all. If it is "just" too fast, too much or a new food - the discomfort will go away. Sometimes it takes me close to an hour tho. Try to relax, get a cold wash cloth, walk around. I even will take a few sips of cold Water. In my mind it might help loosen it up and pass thru the stomach. Use your best judgement. Seems late for a complication but ya never know. an afterthought... if you did eat too much, it may not all be fitting into your stomach and would be backed up into your esophagus. That could account for the chest pain. Be careful and don't wait too long to call your doctor if it doesn't go away. Hope you feel better soon!

Be patient. No one got this way overnight and it won't be fixed overnight. I was banded back in Aug of 08 and lost 40 pounds pretty quick (over a few months) but then hit a plateau for about 6 months and I am still struggling with this plateau. As the fills continued and my exercise ramped up to include some time on a stationary bike, I began to lose again. Right now I am down about 52 pounds and still working at it. Hang in there. ( I was stalled in the process early on by a post surgical infection which set me back a few months with the complications necessitating another surgery to reinsert the port which was removed due to the infection)

While everyone is a different, I would strongly suggest doing a bit more research before making such a drastic change to your body. You will still need to manage your weight and watch what you eat to be successful and healthy. I am also a "lightweight" (BMI was 33) and have fought being overweight my entire life - a lot of it is genetics. My immediate family is all morbidly obese & I could see the future ahead of me with increasing numbers in the "bad" lab categories. My final wake-up call was when my dad passed away from obesity-related complications last year. If you look at the stats and see that VSG is for you, then by all means, have the surgery. We will be here to support you. As far as your questions, I have put my answers below. However, I am only 3 weeks out so hopefully some long-timers can address them as well: Has anyone had a relatively low BMI (30-31) with only 50 lbs to lose and been successful? How fast did you lose the weight? I have lost 18 pounds in 3 weeks. First week was 10 and 8 in the following 2 weeks. Were all of the side effects after the surgery worth it? For me yes - this surgery is keeping me from following my genetic path of any early death or being around to see my kids have grandchildren. Is there anyone who has had it for a while and regrets it? Can't answer that one past the 3 weeks. But for me, no regrets. Is it possible that with a starting low BMI you can not lose enough weight because the VSG causes you to eat too little? I think everyone slows down as they get close to goal. I don't expect to lose 30+ pounds my first month or two. But, time will tell how I really do. I hope this helps. Let us know what you decide to do.

Good for you. Good answers from TAra and go walking. I told a few people. I got pushback from unexpected people. I'm keeping it on the down low. My mothers does not know. I told my brother an hour ago. I had sucessful surgery on Thursday, but got a cardiac complication. I am still in the hospital in the cardiac wing. Do not know when I will go home. WLS Surgeons cleared me. On Saturday for home.

Why is your diet so strict that you can't have the things that most people can have on the post op diet, like ricotta cheese? is it because of the complication after surgery?

Yes, it actually can be very harmful to leave your band where it is. It can go from being a slip to a full blown complication requiring removal. You don't don't want to mess with that.

I was banded June 9. The best decision I ever made. I had one regret after the surgery because I had a few complications the week following the surgery but that was because I had an add on surgery with the lapband and it caused to much swelling. I have lost 87 pounds and feel so much better, I wish I would have done this earlier.

Me too! It was scheduled before I even thought of WLS. I breathed into a tube, was out within seconds, and then awake again before I knew it. No complications. I arrived at 9:00 am and left not more than 2 hours later. Good luck, I'm sure you'll be fine!

Hi, I am having my lapband removed, had lost 30 lbs but gained it back, The lapband really never worked, I lost most of the weight through starving my self and drinking shakes. I have done a lot of research and the mgb seems like the best approach since it is reversible, which is very important to me and has great results with the least complication rates. If you had the mini gastric bypass, what was your experience after surgery? got sick? recovery length? how long after the surgery where you able to go to work? how much can you consume (portion size) 3 month,6 month and 1-2 years post op.? Are there any foods you can't eat? Did you lose more weight then you intended or resulted in under weight? what is your height, start weigh and end weight? Your responses will be appreciated. Thanks

I feel the same way I am scheduled for July 10th! I am afraid of failing also....and the pain and the complications.....

My surgeon says my surgery went well with no complications. Once I woke up i was in a lot of pain in my abdomen. It feels like you are being stabbed over and over and in waves of pain. I do have gas but it's subsiding as I walk and pass gas. When I got back to my room the pain would not subside. My 1st nurse was rude and told me that I'm only allowed a certain amount of pain medication at a certain time as it was prescibed. I put up with pain until I got mad cause I felt like I was being tortured. She came at 430pm and gave me morphine. It did nothing I called for her 4 times after and she was ignoring me. I was in so much pain. My bf had left to walk our dog and I was alone so I text my sister because I couldn't even talk from the pain. I told her what was happening let's just say that lady rushed in my room and gave me propofol and I passed out with no pain finally. After that my nurse switched shifts and I have a great nurse who is giving me my nauseous and pain meds that work. Point of story: You should not be in pain at the hospital!!! Day 2 which is today took my drink test and I passed. I'm feeling so much better today. Only taking ice chips. Tried to sip a bit of soup yesterday and my tummy got tight. So for now only ice chips. Sent from my SM-G920T1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes, I took 3 weeks off in May 2007. I was paid for 2 weeks through STD. If your Doctor completes the paperwork, you should be fine. I took the time to get my eating and drinking regulated. if not, I would have surely had complications.

I guess my ultimate question is.....Were you not given any post-op diet instructions? Any literature at all regarding your after care and what is permissible to have during each of the post-op phases? If not call your surgeons office and ask for some, if so follow what they have given you. The dietary restrictions are not meant to be a punishment, they are there to protect you from hurting or damaging yourself or your band and to let it heal properly so that you can make the most of your new tool. By not following the rules you do put yourself at risk for complications.

The longer you participate on this forum, the more differences you will read with instructions given by surgeons to their patients...each doctor has their preferred protocol. My surgeon required a 2 week pre and post op diet, so I was on liquids for 4 weeks. And post op, I could not even have the fresh veggies! The low carb liquid diet is prescribed to shrink your liver, to allow the surgeon to have better access to place your band. Obese people tend to have more fat in their livers. So, I hope you are using the sugar free jello. You really should find a Protein drink that you like, because likely periodically post op you will return to drinking Protein Shakes after fills. I have to return to a liquid diet for 2 days after getting a fill, then 1 additional day on soft foods. I would continue to search and try several more brands until you find at least 1 that you do like...and be certain to read the nutritional values/ingredients label. You should look for shakes which have a minimum of 20gr protein per serving, and the best protein for bariatric patients is whey isolate protein. There has been some heated discussion on the forum about whey protein, but it is still considered to be the gold standard for bariatric nutritional needs. I use the Wheybolic Extreme (1.5 scoops) from GNC (chocolate and cookies 'n cream flavors). When mixed using 1% milk, I get 37 gr of protein per shake. You should also have been given a number of protein grams to have every day...try to meet that goal. BTW, the day before my surgery, when I could only have Clear Liquids, I had to host a luncheon (I had agreed to do that 6 months prior to having a surgery date) for my woman's club. While everyone was enjoying their chicken salad or quiche, I enjoyed sipping my iced water...you do what you have to do. My band surgery had been delayed for over a year due to unplanned medical complications, so when I finally received medical clearance, I ran with it before anything else could happen to delay it again! Best wishes as you continue on your journey...

It feels like forever since I've been on here to give an update! Last time I posted, I had just gotten my date for the port revision surgery and was about to be heading off for vacation. First of all let me just say vacation was AWESOME. Leaving Massachusetts and heading to Florida for a week was a much needed break! Little things throughout that week helped me to realize that my body is changing for the better, and at 70lbs lost so far the difference is noticeable, even though I don't always perceive it to be. For instance, the last time I was on an airplane was in Feb. 2006, and I remember it being so cramped and uncomfortable and barely being able to get the seatbelt buckled if I managed to buckle it at all. This time, I didn't feel like I was invading the seat next to me, and not only does the seatbelt buckle, but there's a good five or six inches of extra belt leftover after I tighten it. Such a good feeling!:blushing: Later that week came the amusement park rides...I haven't been to an amusement park in probably at least 4 years for fear of not being able to fit on the rides and having to be asked to get off. I've never actually been asked to get off a ride, but the anxiety of thinking that it was a possibility was more than enough to keep me away for all those years! I guess I figured stop going before that happens, because I cannot even fathom how humiliated I would feel if that happened to me in front of everyone waiting in line. So, even though I knew that this time I shouldn't worry I still kind of did...but happily discovered that my fear no longer seemed to be warranted! Needless to say I had a fantastic time and went on just about every ride in the park.:biggrin2: Came home from vacation on May 11th, and then had my follow up surgery to correct my flipped port a few days later, on the 14th. I met with my surgeon the day before and discussed the procedure and I asked the questions I had. I finally remembered to ask what size band I have, and it's a 10cc band. I asked about what the chances were that my port would flip again later down the road, and he said not likely but not impossible. He did say that of the patients he has had to do the revision surgery on, none have had any further complications...hope I continue that tradition! The day of surgery went very well, and was definitely much easier than the initial surgery. I got to the hospital around 1:30pm, and the procedure was scheduled for 3:30pm, although I think they actually got started a little closer to 3:00. I was out of the hospital around 5pm, stopped at the pharmacy to get my Rx filled on the way home, and asleep on the couch due to the Percocet by 6pm. The procedure itself was much easier, and I only had to have local anesthesia with sedation instead of general. Which I was thrilled about because I hated the horrendous sore throat I had before with general. I was sore afterwards, but not nearly as bad as last time since there was just the one incision and it was just below the surface. I'm barely a week postop now, and feel 99% back to normal...just a little soreness if I try to do too much with my ab muscles, and my incision is nearly healed. My surgeon did my first fill while doing the surgery, and I think he put in about 1cc. I notice a little bit of difference as far as restriction, but not much, definitely not as much as I was hoping for. Perhaps next week at my follow up appointment he will do a second fill. We'll see! How is everyone else doing?

yes they can come back - I've had two. But they tend to be an early complication - after the first 3 or 4 months, you'll probably be in the clear.

I just got my date: December 1. I'm 61, and very excited about this new "tool" I will have in my life-long weight struggle. But I'm also fearful of the surgery, complications, and my reliance on food for comfort. I think I'll struggle with the "head hunger" part of it. But i am excited!

Thanks for all the replies. Your words are helpful and kind. I know that if getting the lapband, its not a quick fix. And that's something I want. I don't wanna do something drastic and quick and it ends up hurting me in the long run. I can give up foods....its like I've not tried it already lol.... I guess my biggest fear is going in and getting the band in place. Never did well with anesthesia and it seems like with the last 4 surgeries I've had, there has always been complications and my stays would be longer in the hospital. Maybe I should just shake the feeling off. That's my biggest fear.... The only fear I have right now after I get banded and if I get banded is my body not accepting the new change and rejecting the band.

Stalls happens to nearly everyone. Personally I suspect that the people who do not hit stalls also find valuable antiques at garage sales, win free cruises and never get traffic tickets. I stalled from week 3-7 (but did not know because I did not weigh myself except at the doctor), then I suspect I stalled multiple times after that too. I still made it to where I needed to be. Bariatric teams usually stress the importance of hydration over food at this point post surgery. There is usually more concern from the complications of dehydration vs low calorie intake - we are trying to use the excess stored fat after all. Ask your team if it is okay to only eat the amount you are comfortable with and at the frequency that works for you. The extended eating time frame is usually for when we start solids. Most of the time If we hold up our end of the bargain (mentally), our bodies will do the same. It will all come together eventually and life after WLS will not always feel like a chore. Good Luck!

Home tomorrow morning they say. A couple minor complications, otherwise in good shape with a hiatal hernia fix up, to. If this is the worst I feel, I,m doing great. Missing my Dad.

Kfree I am so sorry for your loss and it is a good reminder... Ok, it's well known I had multiple procedures at once. I don't take that lightly however. I wasn't sure how to reply because I want to be supportive,I had multiple procedures,but there is something uncomfortable for me in your description. I have no idea if my comments are on target but it is what I would mention to a friend to encourage her to seek more information. Let me start by saying none of the USA surgeons I consulted would do a 10hour surgery due to the risk of general anesthesia. My surgery was 9hours and was done with a twilight sedation combined with an epidural. The surgeon and his anesthesiologist specializes in this situation and had done hundreds of similar jumbo procedures before me. I was healthier and fitter than many. He has never lost anyone, never had someone go into ICU, but I still recognised it was a big deal to do so much at once. I had no lipo and I am concerned with how much you describe. I have talked to several people who had lots of lipo and it is very painful and does not always deliver results. Have you seen before and afters of patients who are similar to you that had all that lipo? I know very little about lipo but I thought the garments are key to lipo results so it worried me that he is doing so much but you expect to wear the garments only 2-4 weeks. I was required to wear garments for 6 weeks and then voluntarily wore stage 2 ones another 6-8 weeks on my tummy for my own comfort. Do you have realistic expectations of results-that comes from looking at similar people. Why not wait until you are at goal? You were sleeved less than a year ago. I am unclear if you plan to try to get to goal between now and Aug 20th but now is the time to be building up strength, having lots of Protein, preventing anemia etc. It really isn't the time to try to crash diet lose weight. Now I did lose a few pre op because I was a bundle of nerves....but I was getting lots of protein, wholesome foods and exercise. How many consults did you have? I had several and was shocked by the range of opinions and recommendations....very educational. Does your surgeon have great reviews on real self.com? I had a breast lift and augmentation. I was lucky that he was able to do it without the T scar...just the lollipop. 8 months out and breast scar is invisible. For me I wanted to see tons of breast pix for fear of looking artificial. I am pleased with my results. On the pain topic...I experienced very little. I had strong meds the first 3 days while I was in the clinic and after that Tylenol. However,ladies who had lipo hurt more. The recovery was long slow and difficult because of the severe restrictions on activity. I found that harder than expected. So I apologize if I offended and it could be that my concerns are way off base. All I know is what I learned going through my journey and the year I spent researching, doing consults and most insightful was the time on social media with fellow patients of my surgeon Dr Sauceda. I followed stories of perfect outcomes and a few complications. It's why I was hardcore about following Dr orders.....I wanted to do way more activity but that is strongly correlated with certain complications so I went stir crazy instead.

I met with my surgeon yesterday to discuss band removal/revision. He recommended a sleeve because there are fewer complications and it is a simpler surgery. He also said that if it is done correctly, the weight loss is close to the bypass. Because I have worked hard the last 3 years to lose 80 lbs and get down to 230, he said I can reasonably expect to get to 175, more if I exercise and work hard. Next I have to go for an EGD test to assess the condition of my stomach and esophagus. I'll be swallowing a tiny camera! Luckily, there will be some sedation. They don't submit paperwork to insurance until after the test. My band can be unfilled at that point. I really like this surgeon. He removed my daughter's gall bladder 2 years ago and I researched him thoroughly. I'm starting to get excited, even though he expects surgery to be 6 weeks away. This week I need to ask my GP and therapist for letters saying I'm a good candidate for surgery and can be expected to follow my post-op diet and be successful. I'll keep you all posted! Sent from my SM-N920P using the BariatricPal App