Trying to decide what kind of surgery I should have.

[Lovely Lady 46]

I went to my last nutrition class. I was told by the staff that the Lap band surgery that I was thinking about having, has poor results and how Medicare doesn't like to cover for complications like port slips or erosion. So they said I should have the sleeve. Less follow up visits. the band is like a belt, hard to get it right. I tried to check with Medicare to check about the band, and got no where. I know I need to have weight loss surgery, but which surgery should I have?

[kltklass 144]

I have the sleeve and my best friend has the band. We both had our surgeries in August 2013. I wanted the permanent tool and didn't have the money to invest in the lap band fills (I went to Mexico). My friend has insurance that covered her surgery and her fills. We both love our choices. The thing to remember is that everyone is different and loses at different rates.

My suggestion is to research WLS and decide what is best for you. Also, look into the band conversion to sleeve forum, they may have suggestions.

Good luck on your journey.

[☠carolinagirl☠ 18,722]

I went to my last nutrition class. I was told by the staff that the Lap band surgery that I was thinking about having, has poor results and how Medicare doesn't like to cover for complications like port slips or erosion. So they said I should have the sleeve. Less follow up visits. the band is like a belt, hard to get it right. I tried to check with Medicare to check about the band, and got no where. I know I need to have weight loss surgery, but which surgery should I have?

well i cant speak on the insurance or why your dr's staff told you their reasons against the band....i say get the surgery that works best for you....any WLS is great and any WLS can and does have complications and any WLS will help a person get their life back via better health....and that is what WLS is about....

my dr wanted me to do the bypass due to my high BMI of 62....as you can tell, i had the lap band and plication and it works for me.i had to do something..i have went from size 30 to a 12/14 now in 20 months.......my dr also told me something i never forgot to this day and i have said for 2+ yrs since i have been on this forum and will continue to say it until elvis comes back......NO WLS will work unless the person changes what they eat and begins to exercise....its a life change....not a diet....not a easy fix....do the best you can with the dr's instructions for best results.......but in life, with everything, results vary per person (per their dr or whatever)......am rooting for you.

[Indigo1991 1,612]

Do your research, check the implications for each surgery (and the benefits) and then decide what fits best with your life.

As carolinagirl so rightly says, whatever you choose, you have to play your part in making the surgery work. I chose being sleeved because I wanted a permanent solution. I had lost the same 50lbs repeatedly over the years so knew the restriction would give me a longer term support. I didn't fancy RNY because of the re routing of my insides, malabsorption etc. But the sleeve is major surgery and it is not an easy road to travel. So make your choice wisely, wls is not the easy option many people imply...

But here I am 10 months out, fit and healthy, happy and living life to the full. Only difference is that I eat small portions and food no longer rules my life.

Good luck whatever you decide, you will get lots of help, support and advice on this forum from people who have been who you are today :-)

Edited February 26, 2014 by Indigo1991

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

Here is both sides of the coin. I had a lapband in 2007, I could never get the right restriction, too tight or too loose. I couldn't eat healthy foods, chicken, most vegetables, most fruit. If I tried I would vomit, I resorted to eating slider foods. Fast forward to 2012 had my revision to sleeve, FANTASTIC!! I never would have thought I would reach my goal weight UNDER 200 pounds! It has been amazing for me. Yes you have to work your WLS that you chose BUT the lapband besides being difficult to eat properly can cause many medical issues; erosion, gerd, vomiting, slipped bands and leaking ports. Don't waste your time with the band. For me I now have a $16000.00 band souvenir!!

[LindafromFlorida 1,542]

Lovely Lady, on 26 Feb 2014 - 07:24, said:

I went to my last nutrition class. I was told by the staff that the Lap band surgery that I was thinking about having, has poor results and how Medicare doesn't like to cover for complications like port slips or erosion. So they said I should have the sleeve. Less follow up visits. the band is like a belt, hard to get it right. I tried to check with Medicare to check about the band, and got no where. I know I need to have weight loss surgery, but which surgery should I have?

Our surgeon's office handled everything with Medicare and we never had to contact them (thank goodness! I think if you diligently study the posts here, you will decide what is best for you. Three months post op and we are loving our new life. Thanks to Bariatric Pal, every bit of knowledge is at your fingertips. We spent 10 years at seminars, until we found a fantastic surgeon at a seminar who discussed every surgery and convinced us the way to go. Best wishes!!!