The Lap-Band procedure

[DreamingBeauty]

I really discourage these surgeries, especially the Lap-Band. All this does is make it physically uncomfortable and impossible to consume large amounts of food at a given time, at least with gastric bypass you are also blocking food absorption. You could do the exact same thing-take in less food and make better diet choices-on your own without assuming the risks of surgery and its complications. Every time you go under anesthesia, you are signing off that you understand DEATH is a risk of the procedure. If I am signing off on DEATH, there had better be a good reason for it and it better be to treat something I have exhausted all of my other options for. You are also now more susceptible to nausea and vomiting and damaging your esophagus over time as a result. Abdominal surgeries also increase your chances of adhesions and hernias through the abdominal wall. Also, remember that IF you get a weight loss surgery approved by your insurance, it is the ONLY one that will ever be approved for life. So if you get a Lap-Band and it fails, your insurance will not pay for another Lap-Band or a gastric bypass in the future, this will be out of pocket. Be patient and try to lose weight on your own before going to one of these procedures, they are NOT the easy way out everybody seems to believe.

[QueenOfDa702]

Just thought I'd update...he is back on solid foods and is tolerating all types of food. He hasn't encountered anything that he isn't able to get down. All of the incisions have fully healed, he is doing abolsutely fabulous! He gets his first fill on Tuesday, but 4oz (what he is supposed to be eating 3x a day) seems to be filling him up pretty good so I'm not sure they will put any fluid in.

He will weigh for the 2nd time on tue, but his clothes are fitting him different already.

Everything has been perfect so far! I'll keep you all update.

[hell_lo_kitty]

^^^ Congrats!!! And please tell him I said so.

I still want to get the lap-band done, but I did some research and found out that my husband's employer (with whom we're insured with) doesn't offer it as a procedure.

So, I'm trying to figure out a way to pay out of pocket for the procedure.


Please keep the updates coming!!!!!!!

[QueenOfDa702]

Originally Posted by hell_lo_kitty

^^^ Congrats!!! And please tell him I said so. I still want to get the lap-band done, but I did some research and found out that my husband's employer (with whom we're insured with) doesn't offer it as a procedure. So, I'm trying to figure out a way to pay out of pocket for the procedure. Please keep the updates coming!!!!!!!

unfortunately we had to pay out of pocket too. We had a bank account set up just for that, it took us a little over a year to save up the 17k. If you end up paying cash, just make sure the doctor provide free after care. Everything for him is free for 1yr and resonably priced after that.

I'm not sure where you are located, but he went to dr. Atkinson in las Vegas. I recommend him, we did years of research and were willing to go out of state if we had to, but found a great dr right here in Vegas. I've met people in his office that have drove in from as far away as Texas.

Don't hesitate to PM me if you have any questions (that's goes for everyone).

Good luck! It was the best $$ ever spent! Just make sure it's the right decision for YOU.

BTW: it's not really an easy way out, it's just an extra tool to help you lose and then maintain your weight. You still have to work out and be conscious of what you are eating. The big thing about it is that you do t feel hungry after eating the smaller portion. Sure, you could eat a smaller portion on your own, but the feeling of being hungry is a diet killer for most people.

What right for one person might not be right for someone else, but my SO & I were 110% sure this procedure was right for him, the positives far outweighed the negatives. Sure, any surgery is risky, but for a man that has 2 parents with diabetes and has been overweight all of his life, has been on all the diets in the world...this procedure was much safer than having an extra 200+ lbs on him for the rest of his life.

[SunnyFreckles]

Hi dear.

I wanted to apologize for not reading your entire thread before I posted earlier...I hope that I didn't upset you at all!

I am very happy to know that he is doing well and that life is moving in a positive direction! All you can do is provide love and support...and I KNOW that you are doing just that!

[QueenOfDa702]

Originally Posted by SunnyFreckles

Hi dear. I wanted to apologize for not reading your entire thread before I posted earlier...I hope that I didn't upset you at all! I am very happy to know that he is doing well and that life is moving in a positive direction! All you can do is provide love and support...and I KNOW that you are doing just that!

oh no! Not at all, I know everyone has different views on elective surgeries. I just wanted to make it clear that he did exhaust all options and that he doesn't view this as an easy way out. Its just an extra tool to make things easier and when he reaches his goal it will be easier to maintain. It's not a miracle cure for obesity at all, but I do understand a lot of people who get the procedure feel as though it's an easy way out and unfortunately those are the people that fail and end up not losing any weight or end up gaining the weight back. Those are the people who "cheat" the band and don't follow the "rules."

All is good, Sunny! :-D

[QueenOfDa702]

UPDATE: He is down 39lbs. He had his first fill Thursday (didnt feel like he needed it before then), he is now up to 6cc in a 14cc band. He is due back to the doctor in 4 weeks.

[Sternchen]

Glad to hear he is doing well, Valeen!!!