Hello :frown:

I just had my 1st consult yesterday. Im still trying to decide on which OP to get. Im leaning towards the Lap-band since it seems to be a less risky surgery with the same results as the bypass. Im sure I will have lots of questions but just wanted to say hello.

:thumbup:

Thanks

Mark

Hi Mark and welcome

The band has been working very well for me. Keep doing your research and you will figure out what is best for you.

There is a ton of information here at LBT .... keep reading.

I guess the one big question I have is how often do you need the band filled? It's $200 a fill for me according to my Dr.

It depends ....... everyone is different and every Dr. is different. As you can see on the bottom of my post, they put in a fill during surgery and I had 2 good sized fills after that. I am still very tight after my last fill in September. If your doc is one of those who believe in only putting in .5cc at each fill, you are looking at many fills and s/he is looking at many $$$.

That's what I figured.

Does it hurt when getting fills?

Also, if I may ask, why did you pick the band over the other options?

It doesn't hurt at all for my fills.....just a needle stick like getting a shot.

I chose the band because it is adjustable, it can be removed if something goes wrong, there isn't the malabsorbtion like bypass because everything is still going through the entire digestive system, fewer complications like dumping syndrome, I know several people (friends/family) who have had bypass and the band. I'm sure I could add more to the list.......

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it.

radink, my sister had the Bypass surgery. She lost a lot of weight fast but it left her with a lot of sagging skin and unfortunately, her insurance refuses to approve the surgery to have the excess removed. Due to other complications/issues, she was nearly 450 lbs when she had the surgery and now down to about 250 but I would say a good 35 is skin. If you choose GBP, make sure your insurance company will approve the surgery for the tummy tuck and removal of the excess skin. You lose much slower with the band but I believe that gives your skin more time to shrink naturally (not to say there won't be some excess).

Do your homework and realize that each surgery comes with risks not just at the point of surgery but afterwards also. I have a LAP-BAND® and loved it. My surgery was a breeze than at 9 months post-op I spent a month in and out of the hospital with tubing twisted in my intestines. Then came surgery for tubing stuck to scar tissue. Now 6 months later I am dealing with another blockage and esophagal erosion.

I did my homework, ignored all the horror stories posted because I never believed it could happen to me. I searched for the best doctor and hospital around. I self paid and now insurance has not covered any of my complications from the band. (3 hospital stays) I not only loss my quality of life but im cleaning out our life savings trying to fix problems from my band.

I would take back all the pounds I lost to have my health back.

Do your homework and realize that each surgery comes with risks not just at the point of surgery but afterwards also. I have a LAP-BAND®® and loved it. My surgery was a breeze than at 9 months post-op I spent a month in and out of the hospital with tubing twisted in my intestines. Then came surgery for tubing stuck to scar tissue. Now 6 months later I am dealing with another blockage and esophagal erosion.

I did my homework, ignored all the horror stories posted because I never believed it could happen to me. I searched for the best doctor and hospital around. I self paid and now insurance has not covered any of my complications from the band. (3 hospital stays) I not only loss my quality of life but im cleaning out our life savings trying to fix problems from my band.

I would take back all the pounds I lost to have my health back.

That is terrible. :smile: I've been doing research and that is why I am here and still do not have any affirmative plans to get banded. Still doing research and trying to lose on my own. I am finding that the more Protein you get, the fuller you feel and that helps a lot but still have to eat some food and not just all Protein shakes. This gives me more determination to work harder at losing it without surgery.

You need to really consider your options. I am 35 years old and have 2 young children. I can't even go outside to play with them because I am in so much pain. I also am now on Blood Pressure medicine for the first time in my life. I never had a problem with my pressure until getting banded. Read some of the stories under the complications section. I know some people have great success but the rate of failure is tremendous. This was a fact I was very nieve about because I wanted to lose weight so bad. I wish I could go back. I was so much healthier at 265 pounds. Whatever your decision just know that therisks are there. Only you can decide if it is worth it.

Welcome!

I haven't been banded yet, but I will start my pre-op diet tomorrow. I hope you find this message board informative and welcoming!

I just had my consultation yesterday as well! I am pretty decided in favor of the band (gastric bypass is not something I would consider) and am currently waiting to find out the insurance situation. I had previously believed that if insurance refused to cover it I would self-pay (with financing) but reading ForMyBoys' horror stories about complications not being covered, I will definitely reconsider the self-pay option!

As far choosing which surgery to have, just be aware that the different surgeries are meant for different people with different eating issues. It's not so much a matter of choosing the one you prefer as it is choosing the one that is right for YOU. The Band is good for one group of people, the bypass is good for another.

I would not consider the Bypass to be "radical" in any way. It has been performed successfully worldwide for nearly half a century, and with the advent of laproscopic technology in the last decade it has become safer and more effective than ever.

So IF your surgeon has suggested the Bypass for you, then consider it. It might be what YOU need to be successful.