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considering lapband surgery

mamamckinzie

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mamamckinzie    92

mamamckinzie
Posted

Hi Everyone!

I am almost 50 years old and I am considering LapBand. I went and had a consultation and they are check my insurance. My BMI is 31 so my chances are low. I have fought my weight for most of my adult life and part of my childhood. I did well from 7th grade to 12th grade. Not skinny but healthy. I did well in my late 20's but then in my 30's it has been a steady climb. I have tried all kinds of diets and I am looking for a better tool than counting points or drinking shakes for over a year etc etc. I weigh 198 pounds and I should weigh around 140lbs. What has your overall experience been with the band? Glad you did it? Would you do it again?

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Rachel412    116

Rachel412
Posted

My experience is good and I'm glad I have it, but I think you're going to have a very hard time getting approved for surgery with such a low BMI.

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mamamckinzie    92

mamamckinzie
Posted

I know..I do have high blood pressure and a family history of diabetes & stroke and heart issues so they were going to try that approach

My experience is good and I'm glad I have it, but I think you're going to have a very hard time getting approved for surgery with such a low BMI.

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broomt    1

broomt
Posted

FDA changed the guidlines to BMI 30 and above. Just know that you will be self pay, I don't think any insurance will pay for it. I have a BMI of 31 and I am scheduled for surgery June 30

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Cocoabean    430

Cocoabean
Posted (edited)

I've not heard of anyone in the US getting insurance to cover at less than a BMI of 35. Your policy should state what it requires, or give them a call.

I'd do it again in a heartbeat. With FDA approval down to a BMI of 30 now, insurance companies MIGHT follow suit. But it seems they are not wanting to cover people now who clearly meet their policies, so I don't know.

Keep us posted! I wish you all the best.

Edited by Cocoabean

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Spartan    4

Spartan
Posted

I would agree with CocoaBean.....

Just because the FDA lowered the BMI threshhold does NOT mean that the insurances companies will follow. And, it is unlikely they will, because the overall success rate of the Lap band is generally quite low, and the complication rate is rising......the Lap band is not the "darling" of the WLS industry that it was a few years ago.

S.

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Go To Topic Listing LAP-BAND Surgery Forums

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    • LeighaTR

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      I am new here today... and only two weeks out from my sleeve surgery on the 23rd. I am amazed I have kept my calories down to 467 today so far... that leaves me almost 750 left for dinner and maybe a snack. This is going to be tough for two weeks... but I have to believe I can do it!
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    • Doughgurl

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      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

        LeighaTR

        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

        Now I have a whole new big, bigger, biggest, best days ever. I am out there with those skinny people doing stuff i could never have dreamt of. Food is now an after thought. It doesn't consume my day. I still enjoy the good home cooked food but I eat smaller portions. I leave food on my plate when I am full. I can no longer hear my mother's voice saying eat it all up, ther are starving children in Africa who would want that!

        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

    • CaseyP1011

      CaseyP1011

      Officially here for a long time, not just a good time💪
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.

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