Hello all and HELP!!! Geezzz I can't belive whay I did. I got all the forms fiiled out ready to submit this week to the Surgery Ctr. and I was surfing sites for the Band. I thought I should check the Center I was planning on, to see what their site looks like ect...To my surprize there is another type of "Banding" which it looks like thats the only one the Center does. Its called "Vertical Banded Gastroplasty" Geez...It involves stapling before a band is put on! That is NOT what I had in mind. Does anyone out there know of this or has it done to you? Gads, I thought banding was banding. Thanks to all...

Gael:omg:

My surgeon does that type of banding as well. From what Ive read, its a malabsorbative (sp?) procedure. Kind of like a combination of RNY and Banding. Your body will not be getting enough nutrients from food and will need supplements, etc. Do a google search on it, I'm sure you'll find out a lot more.

Yikes! Talk to the center, don't get what you don't want!! Seriously

So - no big deal. If it's not what you want just tell them nevermind and begin your search for a LB provider. :couch2:

Ask them specifically if they do lapband (adjustable gastric banding). If they don't they will probably give you the name of another surgeon who does.

Hi all...thanks for the replies to my "I screwed up". I do know of 2 other places I can have the band done. I will be going to a seminar on the 11th. I just thought it was kinda misrepresented, like yes we do the band, but not saying they do a different type of banding, and I filled put a "book" full of forms for them. Oh well, live and learn. I will still go forward! Gael

WLS is a very personal decision. Do what is right for you, please don't let anyone push you into something, this is a LIFETIME committment.

Best of luck to ya!

Gael,

Lapband is a trademark name used by it's maker -- INAMED. Officially, "lapband" as we refer to it here is called the Adjustable Gastric Band (CPT Code 43770). To learn more about the different types of weight loss surgeries to include vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) visit: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ and explore the "Surgery Type Forum."

And . . . hold onto the "book of forms." You may need them to complete your next book . . .

My doctor talked a little bit about this surgery in the seminar and stated that he probably wouldn't recommend it to anybody because the chances of patient's gaining the weight back is higher and it just doesn't work as well. If I were you I would find another place that does the procedure you want. It's totally worth it! Good Luck!

Thanks for the reply. I checked another Doc's web site and she does the "Normal" Band. So I will be going to that seminar tomorrow nite. Also our insurance will be changing. I could of gotten this all started months ago and had the band already. Now I'm feeling scared that the new Ins. may be difficult to deal with. I'm really bummed I drug my feet getting started. In fact I'm cryin like a baby right now....I feel stupid. Theres a rumor we may get Pacific care, and from what I just read on the Ins. board here, they require a 6 mo. Medically supervised diet before approval..eeks!!! Thanks for letting me vent..

I had Vertical Banded Gastroplasy in May, 2005. I have lost over 150 pounds. It is NOT Malabsorptive. It is like the lap-band that you all have only you cannot adjust the band. You have permanent restriction. You do absorb all of the calories and vitamins. I do not have to worry about absorbing enough vitamins, etc. I just take a multi-vitamin and a calcium pill. I have had to be very dedicated to my diet and exercise. I do absorb all my calories! Whoever posted that this was malabsorbitvie is mis-informed.

Thanks,

Dee

My doctor talked a little bit about this surgery in the seminar and stated that he probably wouldn't recommend it to anybody because the chances of patient's gaining the weight back is higher and it just doesn't work as well. If I were you I would find another place that does the procedure you want. It's totally worth it! Good Luck!

This is NOT true. I had this surgery. I had this surgery 16 MONTHS ago and have worked very hard to lose over 150 pounds. And it IS malabsorptive! I do absorb calories and luckily Vitamins. I have worked extremely hard to diet and exercise. I keep myself to under a 1000 calories a day and exercise like crazy! Since my band is Permanent, I can not play the games that Adjustable Lap Band people play, where they do not get fills and eat and eat! I always have restriction. Even though, I could eat a ton of ice cream, soda, etc. I just choose to not do that. I have to discipline myself.

Dee

Dee, you have worked pretty hard to keep the weight going down and staying off. But other people may not have that type of discipline and need something that does a little more work for you. All I was saying is that my doctor at the bariatric center said that this surgery is not highly recommended anymore because of it's high risk of gaining the weight back....

Quilter~

When will your insurance be changing? With the surgery center I used I was able to make an appointment for my first consult right after the seminar and they got all of my payment information. Although I was a cash pay patient, was a medical biller for a bariatric surgeon for approx two years before the job I have now. And once you are approved for the surgery, if you have the surg before your cancel date then you will be covered and there should be no problems, even if your insurance cancels the next day. Although you may have a hard time with the new insurance paying for fills, which alot of insurances wont pay for much anyways. Don't worry about dragging your feet, everything will happen in due time and you will just be that much more prepared. My surgery happened so fast that I am still kinda in shock. I had the seminar on a Wednesday, consult, dietician, psych and labs on Friday and surgery on Monday. Good luck chicka!!

My surgery happened so fast that I am still kinda in shock. I had the seminar on a Wednesday, consult, dietician, psych and labs on Friday and surgery on Monday. Good luck chicka!!

Whoa, Shauna, I'm reeling from how quickly you got your lapband. I'm considering cash pay as well, but your story just kinda freaked me out. I knew cash pays could go faster than insurance-bill, but I was thinking, I'll get all the preliminary paperwork done and maybe even get to pick my date. Yours sounds like a story of, "Don't let that cash pay get away." LOL. Now, I'm a little scared . . . hyperventilating a little bit even.

Whoa, Shauna, I'm reeling from how quickly you got your lapband. I'm considering cash pay as well, but your story just kinda freaked me out. I knew cash pays could go faster than insurance-bill, but I was thinking, I'll get all the preliminary paperwork done and maybe even get to pick my date. Yours sounds like a story of, "Don't let that cash pay get away." LOL. Now, I'm a little scared . . . hyperventilating a little bit even.

I think it all depends on the patient and how quick they want to move. I went to the seminar on 7/11, had my psych eval 7/18, my initial consult with the doctor 7/25, and surgery on 8/14. When my surgeon approved me for surgery he asked, "How does two weeks from now sound, or do you want to wait longer."