Can someone answer these questions please

How many people die from WLS? Is there a place I can go and read the percentages? I am trying to get all this info ready so I can take it to my family so they will approve. I am wanting to know if i should have the surgery what kind of problems could happen to me. My doctor has told me that right now I am as healthy as I can be right now. But if I don't lose weight now in 5 to 10 years things will get bad for me. So he says if I want to live a long and healthy life I need to change things now. But when I ask him what can I do to lose weight he looks me in my eyes and says "Stop eating" So that is why I started looking on-line for my options again. About 4 years ago I thought about this ( WLS ) but I worked at Wal-Mart and they had a written exclusion in there policy. So now I work at the casino and I am hoping That WLS is covered I have United Health Care Choice Plus. I am 32 5'3 and 280 with a BMI o****( I know yikes ) I don't smoke and I don't drink but when I start moving ( walking fast, running, playing with my daughter, or any other moderate-intensity physical activity ) I do get out of breath. And every once in awhile my knees hurt but I think its because I stand on my feet in shoes with some type of heal for 10 hours a day. I work at the casino as a blackjack dealer and I work for one and a half hours then I get a 30 min break. So I am not sure what the main factor is with my knees hurting of if it is everything all I know is they might hurt 1 or 2 times a month and always after I get off work. So I guess I should say my Comorbidities are over 100lbs overweight, Shortness of breath, & Depression BUT!!!!nothing has been diagnosed. Ok I know I am rambling here and I am sorry I just feel like a little lost puppy when it comes to all of this. What do you do? Where do you start? HELP!!!!!

I can't help a ton, but I believe the general statistic for death is 1 out of 200.... however, it depends per surgeon too.... you might go to a surgeon who has had 1 death out of 1000.... if you pick a skilled surgeon, and put your trust in their hands.... it's left up to God at that point.... This is more a question you want to discuss with a surgeon... Do you work for Harrahs? United health care is excellent insurance, and I heard a while back that Harrahs was now covering WLS. If your employer doesnt have an exclusion, then everything should be very smooth and easy with UHC.

Hi there, I was the same as you....5'4 294 lbs BMI 50 ish. I looked into the lap band and talked to Dr De Barros and he told me no one has ever died under his hand. He had only one major complication and they removed the lap band and the person is fine. They are really wonderful there-see my earlier post. email me anytime at [email protected]

I am not sure where I heard this... I think from a online report. Dr. De Barros had a patient die from a post-op leak. I have a link somewhere of where you can find stats on the surgery, I have to look for it again.

pls do look for it Nicole. I am quite curious. He told me no one ever died from the lap band surgery he performs, he did say that he has a lot of patients that he has to try to fix that get their lap bands in Mexico and he deals with alot of complications. I wonder if that is what its about

I am almost certain it was from RNY/bypass procedure... not LapBand. Leaks sometimes happen because during bypass the intestines are re-routed. Where in LapBand, the intestine isn't touched.

Hi, i am quite certain you are mistaken about which Dr. lost a patient when it was the "WISH CENTER" I think you are thinking of Dr Servino. I do know that most local surgeons ahave had patients die, just a fact of any surgical procedure. I have first hand knowledge of Dr. DeBarros, as I researched his every move before my surgery with him (12/15/05) I had a consult with another surgeon that said the band would not work for me..... that was 13 months and 112 lbs ago. Do your research and follow your gut. I have all the confidence in my surgeon, my hubby was banded 4 months after me and I have sent many friends to him because I trust him. Be that trusting and you will do fine. If you hve any doubts you can call Dr Debarros and ask him. If you have any further doubts about getting a lap-band email me and I will be more than happy to help in any way I can. Good Luck alll...... Jen

Billie Jean, I would highly recommend that you attend a seminar sponsored by your choice of surgeon. You will not find a better seminar than the one that Scottsdale Bariatric presents. It is on Sunday 12-3-06. Here is the website to take a look: http://www.scottsdalebariatric.com/2003/seminars/ I do not know of what is available in Tucson but Dr Robin Blackstone is a TOP surgeon in this field. We have a lot of Tucson folks who come up to her for the surgery and follow up program. Bring your family along to the seminar. I took mine and all of their questions, as well as mine, were answered. Best of luck, PS: find a PCP who is sympathetic to your weight issues and is willing to write you a letter of medical necessity

Do not be discouraged about not having alot of co-morbidities and insurance. I too am healthy except for being overweight. I have horrible low back problems and asthma, thats it and I was approved by the insurance company. As for approval from your family... education was my strongest thing when it came to telling people in my famly. Once they understood everything, they were constantly asking great questions to me! I was worried that I wasn't going to get approved thru my insurance, but I guess my history of obesity and attempts at weight loss really help me. Have you called your insurance company and asked them what they require for WLS? That would be the first thing to do. Also attend seminars... I know majority of the surgeons are here in Phoenix, get to know each one. Each one is unique and different on their pre-op and post-op approach and find the one that is best for you. I went with Dr. Blackstone due to location, pre-op and post-op education and the program. Good Luck to you!

Thank you all for the replies. It does mean a lot to me. Thanks Billie Jean