Interesting US Bariatric Surgery Statistics

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I find it interesting that when the sleeve increased to 51% in 2014 that revisions also increased to 11%.

I think the reason for this is the band, to be honest. from talking to my surgeon, the month before my surgery, he took out 17 bands and put in only one. Each of those removals would count as a revision I think.

I think a revision is when you take out a band and convert to sleeve (or rny, or other). I don't think simply taking out a band would be a revision. I could be wrong but that would be how I read it.

[Flygirl123 150]

I find it interesting that when the sleeve increased to 51% in 2014 that revisions also increased to 11%.

I think the reason for this is the band, to be honest. from talking to my surgeon, the month before my surgery, he took out 17 bands and put in only one. Each of those removals would count as a revision I think.

That makes sense. I was wondering if it was because the sleeve revisions increased.

[Melinda Irons 2]

Where will we find the weight loss stats for these surgerys. I think they are just as important as the surgery stats.

[Alex Brecher 10,494]

Where will we find the weight loss stats for these surgerys. I think they are just as important as the surgery stats.

Agreed! It's difficult to get this info.

[Jennifer Hathaway 12]

I need to update my info here. But I just had my band removed and revised to sleeve June 25th. I see more and more band removals and less bands being placed. I hope they remove bands from the market completely.

So far my sleeve is everything my band was supposed to be. And so much happier.

Edited July 11, 2015 by Jennifer Hathaway

[Annek2014 58]

Fantastic information!

I never dreamed of having Gastric Bypass Surgery. In my mind I always felt it was out of reach to me. But for the last three years I have worked for a large Midwest hospital system which has a wonderful Weight-loss Surgery Program. I jumped at the opportunity to have my surgery this past December. I have wonderful support from my family, physicians and co-workers.

[spaugh33 5]

I had the sleeve done 6/29/15... I also work at a bariatric sugary center and know the majority of the hold up is the insurance. Not many want to cover and the ones that do ask for a lot of information and clearances.

[BariatricBarb 84]

I had the sleeve done 6/29/15... I also work at a bariatric sugary center and know the majority of the hold up is the insurance. Not many want to cover and the ones that do ask for a lot of information and clearances.

I feel fortunate. I have Kaiser ins. In California and the entire length from my docs referral to my surgery was about 3 1/2 months. No co-pay, all meds covered. And since they already had my medical records from within kaiser, I didn't have to jump through hoops. I only needed to attend the pre-op classes, stay on the pre-op diet, and be cleared by psych. , I'm now a little over a month post op and feel great.

[The Candidate 3,215]

@@BariatricBarb I too have Kaiser and live in CA, and I totally agree that they have an excellent streamlined process.

But it's a very different approval process for the San Diego area. For one, I had to do 6 months of classes, instead of the 3 months you have in your neck of the woods. Plus there were other seminars and hoops I had to jump that most others in CA Kaiser don't . As such it took nearly a year for me and my classmates to get through our process. Even after I finished classes on 05/14, my surgery still isn't scheduled until 07/29.

I have to admit it was tough learning early on, how much longer I had to wait with Kaiser just because of the county I happen to live in. That's why I am hopeful that one day the approval process will be standardized across the country, not only for Kaiser, but all insurance companies.

I had to dig deep to retain my resolve throughout, but I did it, and I couldn't be happier or more proud of myself! ????

[spaugh33 5]

All insurances are different. There are even some Blue Cross Blue Shields insurance that are different... some are 3 month and some are 6 month medically supervised weight loss. And each doctor does ask for difference clearances depending on your health and history. Like if u are a smoker or ever were, the doctor could and should ask for pulmonary clearance... or if u have sleep apnea, pulmonary. Some patients have to go to endocrinology for hormone issues...

[OKCPirate 5,323]

@Alex Brecher - There may be a greater use of sleeves than the statistics show because people like me are willing to pony up the money and get it done in Mexico.

Edited July 19, 2015 by OKCPirate

[BariatricBarb 84]

@@BariatricBarb I too have Kaiser and live in CA, and I totally agree that they have an excellent streamlined process.

But it's a very different approval process for the San Diego area. For one, I had to do 6 months of classes, instead of the 3 months you have in your neck of the woods. Plus there were other seminars and hoops I had to jump that most others in CA Kaiser don't . As such it took nearly a year for me and my classmates to get through our process. Even after I finished classes on 05/14, my surgery still isn't scheduled until 07/29.

I have to admit it was tough learning early on, how much longer I had to wait with Kaiser just because of the county I happen to live in. That's why I am hopeful that one day the approval process will be standardized across the country, not only for Kaiser, but all insurance companies.

I had to dig deep to retain my resolve throughout, but I did it, and I couldn't be happier or more proud of myself! ????

@@The Candidate - I really hope you get your date soon. Perhaps mine went a little faster because my Kaiser has a designated Bariatric surgery department where everything is done on one place. Whatever the case, best of luck, and very soon you will know for sure that it's the best decision you ever made.

[The Candidate 3,215]

Thank you and you might be right about the dedicated bariatric center. Kaiser does contract out here in San Diego. That's something I never considered. ????

And I did get my date, 07/29. Almost there! Couldn't be happier!

[BariatricBarb 84]

Thank you and you might be right about the dedicated bariatric center. Kaiser does contract out here in San Diego. That's something I never considered.

And I did get my date, 07/29. Almost there! Couldn't be happier!

Congratulations! Today I am 6 weeks out and am at a 36 pound loss. You are on your way!

[The Candidate 3,215]

@@BariatricBarb Thanks!

Hey good for you! Glad your surgery went well, and congrats on the weight loss too! That's impressive! Hope I do half that well! ????

Just got back from filling my post op prescriptions so things are starting to get real. Next Wednesday!