New commercial!

[sherri scheffler 10]

Sad' date=' My moms doc is pushing her to get the band. I tried to talk her out of it but shes the type that when you push towards something she does the complete opposite![/quote']

The band gets severe corrosion in five yrs or less, my doc won't do lap band anymore

[Heather Meyer 103]

Thats insane..canada is still crazy though...insurance will cover the lap band in canada but they wont cover the gastric sleeve...its so stupid..at least in british columbia...i know other parts of canada cover the sleeve but dont insure for the band or bypass...

I have to go to Mexico just to get the sleeve cause its a 5 year waiting list just to get the sleeve in another province...

Gosh...you would think they would have removed it as a choice..considering allthe complications..but maybe they just cover there butt by saying "it reduces obesity costs overall"

[HatheryOnHerWay 603]

Thats insane..canada is still crazy though...insurance will cover the lap band in canada but they wont cover the gastric sleeve...its so stupid..at least in british columbia...i know other parts of canada cover the sleeve but dont insure for the band or bypass...

I have to go to Mexico just to get the sleeve cause its a 5 year waiting list just to get the sleeve in another province...

Gosh...you would think they would have removed it as a choice..considering allthe complications..but maybe they just cover there butt by saying "it reduces obesity costs overall"

At least your country gives health insurance to its people haha

[Nursebarbie 392]

Obamacare will be like that here. Most nurses and doctors I know hate it. Oh well I guess the people who voted for it will find out.

[No game 14,436]

Obamacare is nothing like Canadian health care

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, also referred to as Obamacare by his rivals and opponents, seems here to stay. Naturally, there has been lots of vigorous debate over whether this particular brand of health-care reform is right for America, but what I have found particularly perplexing is the recurring comparison of Obama’s plan with Canada’s current health-care policies. It has been fun at times to read about the chaos that would be sure to ensue should the U.S. adopt a Canadian model. For instance, there is much hand-wringing about death panels, wait lists, and crushing tax hikes. Conservatives in the U.S. have repeatedly trotted out Canadian native Shona Holmes who, in televised attack ads, shares her cautionary tale of being told to wait six months for treatment for a brain tumor she claims would have killed her. Rather than accept the cruel fate socialized health care had bestowed upon her, she travelled to the U.S. for surgery. (I should mention her sobering account is also apparently a fictional one, as Holmes’ “tumour” was actually a benign cyst and not life-threatening.) Still, it strikes right at the hearts of many Americans who are wary of implementing a Canadian-like health-care system in the US. They really needn’t worry, though, as the Affordable Care Act resembles Canadian health care about as much as Honey Boo Boo resembles Justin Bieber. For starters, it is often characterized as a total restructuring of U.S. health care in the direction of socialized medicine, but this is hardly the case. In reality, Obama’s plan comes down to much-needed insurance reform. Insurance companies will now have baseline standards they must offer in all their policies, for instance. There is also a mandate that everyone gets some type of health care coverage (their choice) or pay a tax penalty. In a nod to the ideals of a free-market system, there will be “health insurance exchanges,” which provide consumers with a transparent means of comparing the available insurance policies. How this keeps getting compared to Canada’s publicly funded, single-payer system is beyond me, as Americans will still be free to choose their insurance providers. This supposed freedom is a recurrent theme in U.S. health-care debates and is often a key criticism of Canadian health care. While the Canadian system is not without its flaws, I would argue there is also a certain amount of liberty in not having to worry about financial ruin from a serious accident or losing coverage after a devastating diagnosis. I can personally attest that the so-called “freedom” to choose one’s own health insurance isn’t all that meets the eye. When I lived in the States, I was “free” to choose whether to pay into coverage provided via my employer, and then given a short list of accepted doctors and hospitals (yes, one had to be careful not to get driven to the wrong ER in an emergency). Likewise, being free of insurance co-pays here in Canada did take some getting used to. I was living here two years before I stopped awkwardly pulling out my wallet at a doctor’s appointment. The ability to choose my own health-care provider seems much more “freeing” than choosing my own insurance provider from a list of companies out to maximize their profits. So, if you’re reading this America, don’t worry. Obamacare is still going to allow you the beloved national pastime of paying insurance companies too much money for sub-par care. Fear not, you’re not getting Canadian health care, though you should be so lucky.

Written by a "crazy lady"

[4MEL21 77]

Obamacare is nothing like Canadian health care

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act' date=' also referred to as Obamacare by his rivals and opponents, seems here to stay. Naturally, there has been lots of vigorous debate over whether this particular brand of health-care reform is right for America, but what I have found particularly perplexing is the recurring comparison of Obama’s plan with Canada’s current health-care policies. It has been fun at times to read about the chaos that would be sure to ensue should the U.S. adopt a Canadian model. For instance, there is much hand-wringing about death panels, wait lists, and crushing tax hikes. Conservatives in the U.S. have repeatedly trotted out Canadian native Shona Holmes who, in televised attack ads, shares her cautionary tale of being told to wait six months for treatment for a brain tumor she claims would have killed her. Rather than accept the cruel fate socialized health care had bestowed upon her, she travelled to the U.S. for surgery. (I should mention her sobering account is also apparently a fictional one, as Holmes’ “tumour” was actually a benign cyst and not life-threatening.) Still, it strikes right at the hearts of many Americans who are wary of implementing a Canadian-like health-care system in the US. They really needn’t worry, though, as the Affordable Care Act resembles Canadian health care about as much as Honey Boo Boo resembles Justin Bieber. For starters, it is often characterized as a total restructuring of U.S. health care in the direction of socialized medicine, but this is hardly the case. In reality, Obama’s plan comes down to much-needed insurance reform. Insurance companies will now have baseline standards they must offer in all their policies, for instance. There is also a mandate that everyone gets some type of health care coverage (their choice) or pay a tax penalty. In a nod to the ideals of a free-market system, there will be “health insurance exchanges,” which provide consumers with a transparent means of comparing the available insurance policies. How this keeps getting compared to Canada’s publicly funded, single-payer system is beyond me, as Americans will still be free to choose their insurance providers. This supposed freedom is a recurrent theme in U.S. health-care debates and is often a key criticism of Canadian health care. While the Canadian system is not without its flaws, I would argue there is also a certain amount of liberty in not having to worry about financial ruin from a serious accident or losing coverage after a devastating diagnosis. I can personally attest that the so-called “freedom” to choose one’s own health insurance isn’t all that meets the eye. When I lived in the States, I was “free” to choose whether to pay into coverage provided via my employer, and then given a short list of accepted doctors and hospitals (yes, one had to be careful not to get driven to the wrong ER in an emergency). Likewise, being free of insurance co-pays here in Canada did take some getting used to. I was living here two years before I stopped awkwardly pulling out my wallet at a doctor’s appointment. The ability to choose my own health-care provider seems much more “freeing” than choosing my own insurance provider from a list of companies out to maximize their profits. So, if you’re reading this America, don’t worry. Obamacare is still going to allow you the beloved national pastime of paying insurance companies too much money for sub-par care. Fear not, you’re not getting Canadian health care, though you should be so lucky.

Written by a "crazy lady" <img src='http://www.bariatricpal.com/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/biggrin.png' class='bbc_emoticon' alt='' />[/quote']

Not crazy, informed and not falling for false political rhetoric. I appreciate that

[Nursebarbie 392]

Not a fan, sorry.

[BethinPA 305]

Obamacare will be like that here. Most nurses and doctors I know hate it. Oh well I guess the people who voted for it will find out.

I'm a nurse also, and most nurses and doctors that I know are for it.

[kw2walker 211]

So I'm looking at the tv this morning and I see a commercial for lap band surgery it's got a doctor on it touting all the bariatric surgeries he's done (bypass' date=' band,and sleeve)

He goes on to say that he recommends the band to most of his patients because its much safer than the SLEEVE ???

It then shows a study at the bottom that said banded patients have 64% FEWER complications after one year and 74% less in 30 days...

Interesting, very, very interesting...

[/quote']

I know of someone that has had the band for years and has no problems however, they have not lost a substantial amount either.

[Madam Reverie 2,958]

Maybe the below will provide a bit of clarity as to the 'nuts and bolts' of things. This first academic journal was published in May 2013. So, it doesn't get more 'up to date' with regards to evaluating the comparative effectiveness in the three biggest weight loss procedures. I have only reproduced the abstract, for copyright reasons and have quoted the source below. Besides, the abstract covers the salient information we require anyhow. The second section is all about the metrics, with a snapshot of all the procedures being evaluated in a tabulated form. The primary and secondary sources are also cited. Better to make decisions based on rigorous scientific research, than hearsay and charasmatic sales pitches, I feel... Hope it helps. Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the comparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy (SG), laparoscopic gastric bypass (RYGB), and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) procedures.

Background: Citing limitations of published studies, payers have been reluctant to provide routine coverage for SG for the treatment of morbid obesity.

Methods: Using data from an externally audited, statewide clinical registry, we matched 2949 SG patients with equal numbers of RYGB and LAGB patients on 23 baseline characteristics. Outcomes assessed included complications occurring within 30 days, and weight loss, quality of life, and comorbidity remission at 1, 2, and 3 years after bariatric surgery.

Results: Matching resulted in cohorts of SG, RYGB, and LAGB patients that were well balanced on baseline characteristics. Overall complication rates among patients undergoing SG (6.3%) were significantly lower than for RYGB (10.0%, P < 0.0001) but higher than for LAGB (2.4%, P < 0.0001). Serious complication rates were similar for SG (2.4%) and RYGB (2.5%, P = 0.736) but higher than for LAGB (1.0%, P < 0.0001). Excess body weight loss at 1 year was 13% lower for SG (60%) than for RYGB (69%, P < 0.0001), but was 77% higher for SG than for LAGB (34%, P < 0.0001). SG was similarly closer to RYGB than LAGB with regard to remission of obesity-related comorbidities.

Conclusions: With better weight loss than LAGB and lower complication rates than RYGB, SG is a reasonable choice for the treatment of morbid obesity and should be covered by both public and private payers. SOURCE: Carlin A, Zeni T, Birkmeyer N, et al. The comparative effectiveness of sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass, and adjustable gastric banding procedures for the treatment of morbid obesity. Annals Of Surgery [serial online]. May 2013;257(5):791-797. Available from: MEDLINE with Full Text, Ipswich, MA.

September 2012: Morbidity and mortality associated with LRYGB, LSG, and LAGB from the ACS-BSCN dataset LRYGB LSG LAGB 30-d mortality (%) 0.14 0.11 0.05 1-y mortality (%) 0.34 0.21 0.08 30-d morbidity (%) 5.91 5.61 1.44 30-d readmission (%) 6.47 5.40 1.71 30-d reoperation/intervention(%) 5.02 2.97 0.92 SOURCE: Data from Hutter MM, Schirmer BD, Jones DB, et al. First report from the American College of Surgeons Bariatric Surgery Center Network: laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy has morbidity and effectiveness positioned between the band and the bypass. Ann Surg 2011;254(3):410–20 [discussion: 420–2], in: Timothy D. J, Matthew M. H. Morbidity and Effectiveness of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy, Adjustable Gastric Band, and Gastric Bypass for Morbid Obesity. Advances In Surgery [serial online]. n.d.;46(Advances in Surgery):255-268. Available from: ScienceDirect, Ipswich, MA

[No game 14,436]

I'm a nurse also' date=' and most nurses and doctors that I know are for it.[/quote']

Yes, my husband is an ER PA. He and his coworkers welcome the healthcare act.

[Nursebarbie 392]

Whoa! I don't know anyone around here that do. The idea is good but the actual mechanics of it are seriously flawed. That's the part I have a problem with. It will bankrupt this country worse than it already is. 20% of the population pay the majority of taxes. Of course those who benefit from free services vote for obama. I am also a certified trauma and ER nurse. Now working as a ER case manager and really have gotten to understand how insurance and benefits work. Having the title of "insurance" isn't the same thing as being fully covered when you have an emergency. The coverage will be extremely limited and god forbid you need extended care or extra services it will not be covered or your share of costs will make it cost prohibitive. Many of my patients are in the same boat. A lot of my md friends are going private practice in fear of obamacare. Get paid 10 cents on the dollar like medicare but do 500% more work? Forget it. As a nurse I am concerned about uninsured people but this is not the answer. It needs a lot of tweaking and input. Obamacare will be bare bones coverage with very limited benefits. Basically you will be underinsured. People will find out. Let's talk in a few years when hospitals keep closing because they can't afford to operate under 10 cents per dollar pay scale. 10 hospitals in my area have closed past 10 years and I live in one of the richest counties in southern california. Sad. We needed those.

[Nursebarbie 392]

And fyi. Those of us who pay for our insurance through our employers will have a 400% rate hike next 5 years. We already had the first 100% increase last year. Google blue cross blue shield california increased premiums. The medical groups have to recover their costs somehow and we will be the ones paying for it. And no, obamacare won't cover wls. Read the bill.

[Kristina J. 581]

My LapBand slipped and it's all Obama's fault!!!!

[No game 14,436]

My LapBand slipped and it's all Obama's fault!!!!

Haha!