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Started process for Lap Band but want to switch to VSG

kamrie37

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kamrie37    134

kamrie37
Posted

I have already started (and am almost finished with) the process for the Lap Band approval. I am having second thoughts and want to switch to VSG. I called 1 800 Lapband to get the lapband process started so I know they will not change my surgery type. Has anyone started an approval process for one type of surgery and switched to another? I am hoping that the tests that I have done will switch over to VSG and I won't have to go thru them again. I have Aetna PPO insurance. Also I live in So Cal (Lake Elsinore). Anyone have a doctor they recommend? And is everyone happy with VSG vs. Lap Band?

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Guest Rosalind   

Guest Rosalind
Posted

I changed my mind from lap band to VSG. If you didn't receive an approval letter yet you should be fine.

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kamrie37    134

kamrie37
Posted

thank you.. i need to find a dr for the sleeve now. I guess I should call the Lap Band place and tell them to hold the process.

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kellyw74    258

kellyw74
Posted

I orignially wanted to have the band, but my surgeon said "NO WAY"" he hates the band and will not do them. too many complications and needs for revisions.

He told me about VSG and told me to research it. I did for a few months and I am so happy I chose to have this procedure.

I love my sleeve!!

Kelly :)

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Janae    12

Janae
Posted

I had an approval letter from Aetna PPO for a lap band surgery and decided to change doctors. The new doc mistakenly submitted for a lap band when I really had decided to go with the sleeve (thank goodnes!) It only took a phone call and 2 days to have it switched to sleeve approval. I doubt you will have a problem. Good luck!

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kamrie37    134

kamrie37
Posted

Thank you all soooo much!

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Sara Kelly Keenan LC    350

Sara Kelly Keenan LC
Posted

Switch!!! I've had the band since 2003. Lost all the weight and regained it, which seems to be a common tale. Now here I am researching VSG. Save your money and skip the band.

I have already started (and am almost finished with) the process for the Lap Band approval. I am having second thoughts and want to switch to VSG. I called 1 800 Lapband to get the lapband process started so I know they will not change my surgery type. Has anyone started an approval process for one type of surgery and switched to another? I am hoping that the tests that I have done will switch over to VSG and I won't have to go thru them again. I have Aetna PPO insurance. Also I live in So Cal (Lake Elsinore). Anyone have a doctor they recommend? And is everyone happy with VSG vs. Lap Band?

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RickM    1,753

RickM
Posted

Aetna approved my sleeve fairly quickly - they seem to treat the sleeve the same as the other WLS and dont seem to put any special conditions on it like some companies do.

I'm in SoCal too but went to San Francisco for my sleeve for a variety of reasons, primarily that we already had a working relationship with Dr Rabkin up there thru my wife's DS. He is certainly one to recommend, though you may not want to travel to have the job done.

Good luck with your future sleeve,

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LilMissDiva Irene    3,282

LilMissDiva Irene
Posted

Here is my response to those thinking about Band Vs. Sleeve:

This is me at my highest weight of 330 Lbs before any surgeries:

gallery_37_486_2048.jpg

This is me 2.5 YEARS after my Lap Band Surgery:

gallery_38_380_16916.jpg

This is me a few weeks ago now, 10.5 MONTHS post op revision to VSG:

gallery_0_1024_173184.jpggallery_0_1013_1678.jpg

Now ultimately the decision is all yours. I'm just sharing how I've done and having been on both sides of the fence.

Good luck with whatever you decide!!

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Rainydayz    27

Rainydayz
Posted

I think Irene's post says it all. I too started out with the LapBand process and switched to sleeve the last month. No problem. All the tests were good for either procedure. The psychologist report said just bariatric surgery so it was no problem to submit it for the sleeve. I too have Aetna. No problems. Good luck!

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Ducker    59

Ducker
Posted

I also was considering LapBand at first, but being so research-conscious I gathered all the information I could about both procedures. The results were very clear. Sleeve patients were happier, more successful in weight loss, and experienced fewer complications. Period. There was no other choice to be made. Although I have not yet had surgery (scheduled 9/28) I can already tell you how at ease and secure I feel in my decision. Good luck in finding the same resolution and sense of peace, no matter which you choose.

Also, since you are in California, you may want to consider my doctor, David Oliak. He is in Brea and he is wonderful so far, as is all his staff. I have the utmost confidence in them all.

Good luck!

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heartonmysleevey    133

heartonmysleevey
Posted

Best of luck on your journey with whom ever you choose.

I am hoping that I will be able to go to Dr. Brian B. Quebbemann, MD, FACS

Here is a link the website.

http://thenewprogram.com/default

Keep us all posted :)

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Go To Topic Listing PRE-Operation Weight Loss Surgery Q&A

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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.
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • 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
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    • KimBaxleyWilson

      KimBaxleyWilson

      Three months and four days ago... I was in Costa Rica having a life changing surgery! Yesterday we had a followup visit with Dr. Esmeral via video chat and this morning my middle number changed.  I'm down 47lbs and two pants sizes. I can wear a Large tshirt for the first time in like... 14 years! Woot!! Everything is going great. I have zero regrets. I went down to the riverwalk with a friend and walked 2 miles on Monday without even getting fatigued. And no more snoring or chugging pickle juice for crazy leg cramps! I need to go to the gym more... I'm making new shirts next week so that will motivate me. LOL But I'm also just not as TIRED all the time! I have a LONG way to go...but seeing the progress on the scales and in the mirror is a huge motivator!! Thank you all for cheering me on and supporting me!!
      · 0 replies
      1. This update has no replies.
    • bellaamey

      bellaamey

      https://alluniqueguide.com/java-burn-coffee-reviews/
      · 0 replies
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