Hi everyone! I am a 40 (well, a week from tomorrow I will be) year old female who has been over 200 lbs for the last 15 years currently 219-230 was my high). I can't stick with a diet, the hunger takes over (ravenous), and I am just too tired all the time to exercise. I also have PCOS and a family history of heart disease and diabetes. Oh yeah, and I am only 5 ft 1!! I have never been able to conceive and actually had a doctor tell me 5 years ago "if you just lose weight you should be able to get pregnant". Gee thanks lady.... Anyways, I finally decided that at 40 it was time to make a change. I called my insurance for help and the ONLY thing they cover at 90% is weight loss surgery! Really?? So, i have begun my journey of research... At first i thought the lapband was the way to go. I have a few friends who have done it and one is a year in and says it is the best thing she ever did. The other had hers done in April.. But oh man, have I read alot of stories of trouble with that thing. It kinda freaks me out... So then I was weighing towards the sleeve, but the staples are kinda scarey and the fact it is major surgery, which I have only had stitches on my foot one time.. THen I saw a youtube video showing the plication surgery and I said YES!!! THAT IS WHAT I WANT!!!! hah!! Doubt it is covered by insurance yet based on what I read and I am not going to go out of pocket when i can get it done with insurance.. So, does anyone have any idea or experience with having this done with insurance? If you have a "band gone wrong" experience does insurance pay to fix it with plication? Wonder if I should hold out until insurance does approve it. I will keep researching but any feedback would be appreciated.. Thank you!!!

I was banded in 2001. Started having problems a few years ago. My insurance paid for a new port in august of last year after that I could not that's a good sale. I've always had problems with getting fills due to a flipped port. I researched sleeve gastrectomy as bypass was not an option. However I did not like it for me. After a few more months of research I found a plaication. My doctor was able to get it covered under insurance because I also rebanded at the same time. Normally plication is not covered as it is considered experimental. I've lost about 44 pounds in less than 4 months and am very happy with my results. My band is completely empty and I plan on never filling it. Good luck to you.

Sorry about some of the mistakes. I'm using voice software instead of typing.