Hi everyone!! I am brand spanking new to the forums. I have recently decided to have WLS- specifically the LB just because I don't want to have part of my stomach removed that just sound so scary and totally permanent! I am attending my first seminar on Tuesday the 24th. Can anyone think of specific questions that I should ask during the seminar? What is the initial consult like? This is all new to me and I'm just curious what all will go down.

Thanks!!

That is awesome that he is now your biggest supporter! I think the key to any type of WL is having support!

My fiance was reluctant also but mostly because I have heart problems. He is on board now. He just had to get used to it. He is my biggest supporter now. Good luck to you!

Your surgeon should require a stress test and other tests to ensure that the surgery will go well. WLS is considered to be an elective surgery... no reputable surgeon will risk a patient's well being when doing elective surgery. Your surgeon should suggest the safest surgery, and what needs to be done pre op to ensure a successful outcome--during surgery, recovery and afterwards. All surgery has risks, but risks can be mitigated.

Yes I have all of that done. A representative from Saint Judes will be there as well to monitor me during surgery on Thursday .

Because of internal defibbrilator.

The Icy One:

My hubs just doesn't think that I am over weight. He asked if I really thought I needed it. I politely reminded him that I have tried just about every weight loss option out there, told him that I literally hate the way I look and pointed out that that was why he hasn't seen me naked in a while. It's not him totally me. I think once he knows I'm serious about it he will show a little more support. Hell the man supports me with any endeavor that I set out on. I really think he is just worried about the money aspect of it all.

I feel you. I just get stabby when I read posts where I perceive husbands/wives/partners are trying to control medical decisions being made by their other half. I get my back up really fast when I think something like that is going on and I tend to spring to the defense of the injured party.

The money aspect is a big issue. Even with our medical insurance and we have good insurance, we had to lay out a couple of grand, out of pocket, when it was all said and done. We don't have co-pays or any of that racket but we do pay a percentage on the back end, just like any insurance and when the dust cleared and everything was paid by our insurance, it was our turn to pay our share. Between True Results, my surgeon, the surgical center, the anesthesiologist... Still it was worth it. And, my husband is a good negotiator and he was able to call and talk a few of the bigger bills down a few clams so we ended paying out less out of pocket than we otherwise would have. Also, when the bigger bills rolled in, we called and asked for a little time to pull the money together, which they were happy to do.

We aren't wealthy people. Financially responsible but not wealthy. My surgery and the bills that came with it were a big concern for us and it took some wrangling and number crunching and making calls and negotiating to make it happen and make it work. But, my husband knew how huge this was for me, he knew that this would help me regain my life, my health and he was determined to help me make it happen and he has worked just as hard in his way as I have, in mine, to bring it all about and I am so grateful to him, every day.

Bear in mind, being compliant is only part of the equation.

Ask yourself if you can avoid vomiting for as long as you have your band. Stomach viruses, food poisoning and gall stones (very common with weight loss) all cause vomiting that may or may not respond to anti-nausea medications.

Ask your surgeon for his/her re operation rate for slips, erosion and misplacement. Misplacement is about a 3% occurance. Add this to the .5% peri operative complication rate and it's about 3x the complication rate of VSG.

Are you prepared to remove your band in 3-5 years with the prospect of having to pay out of pocket for revision to sleeve or RNY? Many ins policies will cover only one wls per lifetime. There's a higher rate of complication with revision surgery due to scar tissue. Some, like myself cannot revise due to the damage. A virgin stomach has a much better outcome. Since most revisions from band are to VSG, why not consider it as a first option. Less (nearly 0) long term complications and better results without the extensive aftercare.

I wish you a trouble free wls journey whatever you decide. Best of luck to you!

Bear in mind, being compliant is only part of the equation.

Ask yourself if you can avoid vomiting for as long as you have your band. Stomach viruses, food poisoning and gall stones (very common with weight loss) all cause vomiting that may or may not respond to anti-nausea medications.

Ask your surgeon for his/her re operation rate for slips, erosion and misplacement. Misplacement is about a 3% occurance. Add this to the .5% peri operative complication rate and it's about 3x the complication rate of VSG.

Are you prepared to remove your band in 3-5 years with the prospect of having to pay out of pocket for revision to sleeve or RNY? Many ins policies will cover only one wls per lifetime. There's a higher rate of complication with revision surgery due to scar tissue. Some, like myself cannot revise due to the damage. A virgin stomach has a much better outcome. Since most revisions from band are to VSG, why not consider it as a first option. Less (nearly 0) long term complications and better results without the extensive aftercare.

I wish you a trouble free wls journey whatever you decide. Best of luck to you!

Oddly enough this is exactly what my surgeon told me today. Which got me worried about complications down the road. So I decided to have the VSG instead. I'll have to do some more research but I really think this is the best thing for me. I'm just waiting to hear from the insurance advocate to see what the damage will be. Prayers for the out of pocket expense not to be crazy high!!

Glad to hear!! I had lap band because my insurance at the time covered it or RNY. I didn't need or want malabsorption, so my choice seemed easy at the time. Trouble started a little more than a year out and went downhill from there. I was under the care of my bariatric surgeon until the office neglected to notice I had 0% function of my esophagus. My gastroenterologist referred me to a leading esophageal specialist who had my band out in a week. It had been placed on my esophagus above the gastoesophageal junction...I was one of the 3%. I also have a cardiac arrythmia from vagus nerve damage and now take meds for that, in addition to all the meds I was taking pre band and I cannot revise.

Edited June 24, 201412 yr by Bandarella

Vicious Vixen, Uh oh ! Here comes the Tough Love Train ! It's very sweet that your hubby does'nt think that you're " that big," , but im 5'3, WAS 225 lbs, and that was considered " morbidly obese ." I say this with respect, but your profile shows you at 5'4 and 260 lbs. .......................um, theres' s a reason the word MORBID is in there, its because that kind of weight is DEADLY. You can either pay for the problem now while you're young, or wait until your body falls apart bit by bit, and then really pay for it ! If our Insurance had'nt paid for my band, I would of financed it some other way, or with Care Credit, etc. No matter what you choose, I will still be rooting for you ! Good luck !