Hi everyone, my name is Alicia. I am 37 years old and have about 230lbs to lose to meet my goal weight. I have 2 boys, 6 yr old and a 10 month old. I have been wanting a Bariatric surgery for a long time but insurance always denies it. The company I work for has decided to help me out with the financial part of it. I was told the best surgery form me would be the gastric bypass but that is COMPLETELY out of the question because of the cost. I am so afraid I will get the lapband and won't lose very much. I have diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, hypothyroidism, you name it. I hope I will hear back from people that will make me feel like this is still a good decision and not a waste of 14k.

Welcome. There are many people who have lost over 200 lbs. with the Band. It is very nice of your company to help with the cost. Most insurance companies pay if you have a lot of health issues. Go to the local hospital that has a free seminar. The hospital where I go, near Boston, they talked about all the options.

Good luck.

You will do fine if you listen to your surgeon, follow his plan and not sway from his plan. Good luck.

Best $14,000 I have ever spent! People think nothing of spending $30-40,000 on a car but have a harder time when it comes to paying for weightloss surgery. But that's just me......skinnier and driving around a 2001!

Best $14,000 I have ever spent! People think nothing of spending $30-40,000 on a car but have a harder time when it comes to paying for weightloss surgery. But that's just me......skinnier and driving around a 2001!

That's so funny, I've often thought of the same analogy. $10K-$14K to live longer, live with less pain, more activities and more self respect is such a bargain. I'd throw it all away again if I had to(but I don't). Crap, that's less than a good used car and it'll wear out in 5-7 years and you'll still put $thousands into it before you get rid of it.

tmf

I'm not talking about being concerned with the money part. I am concerned that they want me to have the gastric and I can only afford the lapband. I'm afraid I won't get lose enough. It's not about the money!

there are many people on here who have lost 200+ lbs! floridays is one who has inspired alot of people talk to her if you can!

You need to have the mindset that you are going to lose weight. Let me tell you, the lapband is still work for me and a lot of other bandsters that I know. So if you aren't willing to put in what it takes to make the most out of the band don't do it. Look at Mis73. She has been super successful and down like 200 pounds in a year. It can be done if you follow the rules. Now, with gastric, you will lose a lot more quickly in the beginning but my dr says the long term success rate is still higher with the band. I have heard a few too many stories of gastric bypass dumping and I love my chocolate too much to give that up! But everyone is different. All I can is that I LOVE my band.

You need to have the mindset that you are going to lose weight. Let me tell you, the lapband is still work for me and a lot of other bandsters that I know. So if you aren't willing to put in what it takes to make the most out of the band don't do it. Look at Mis73. She has been super successful and down like 200 pounds in a year. It can be done if you follow the rules. Now, with gastric, you will lose a lot more quickly in the beginning but my dr says the long term success rate is still higher with the band. I have heard a few too many stories of gastric bypass dumping and I love my chocolate too much to give that up! But everyone is different. All I can is that I LOVE my band.

yeah i couldnt live without being able to have a nibble of sugar every now and again and ive heard the same thing about gastric bypass and the success rate!

Hello Alicia. I understand just how difficult of a decision this is. It has taken me 2 long years of studying everything I could find and questioning doctors and patients before I made the decision to move forth with the lapband. For me, I chose the lapband because it is not cutting away part of my stomach. I chose the least risky surgery because things can and do go wrong. I just don't want the associated chronic diarrhea nor malnutrition that can happen with the bypass. Even with the bypass, there are cases where people don't keep the weight off. I know one person who I had no idea had the bypass years ago, and she is heavier than I am now. I think people can be successful with any of the WLS options. In fact, I don't think the success depends on which surgery you choose, but rather on how diligent you are in following the plan, creating new habits and a new lifestyle. I'll admit, I'm not yet a successful lapband patient, but I will be! My honest opinion is that it doesn't matter if we need to lose 100 pounds or 200 or 300, with enough diligence and determination, anyone can be successful.

I'm not talking about being concerned with the money part. I am concerned that they want me to have the gastric and I can only afford the lapband. I'm afraid I won't get lose enough. It's not about the money!

I went to my first seminar yesterday, and thats a good start if you haven't already, you loose weight faster on gastric, but at the end you catch up with the band.. I've heard of people loosing over 100 lbs with band, and more with a healthy lap band life style. I can't wait to get started. Good luck to you!

I went to a seminar yesterday as well. I am glad I did!