Wanted to have the Lap Band but Ins. Co. approved RNY

Hi everyone,

I am a new to OH... I wanted to have the Lap Band Surgery but my Ins. Co. only approved the RNY.   I am 5'2'' and 251 lbs.  and 33 years old.  I have been overweight since about age 14.   I have two boys a 5 year old and 8 year old.   I can't afford to pay for the lap band on my own so I guess my only option is to do the RNY or not do the surgery and go back to trying to lose weight through diet programs.  I am so scared of this surgery and I was hoping some of you could calm my fears.    I think the thing that scares me the most is that it is permanent.  I mean if something gets screwed up during surgery I am stuck like that forever.   At least the Lap Band can be taken out.  Does anyone know what long term effects there could be?  Does this surgery shorten your life in anyway?  I know the weight I am right now will shorten my life too!   Does anyone regret having the surgery done?  I just feel like this is such a life changing decision and I want to make sure I am making the right choice.  I know I am ultimately the one who needs to decide if this is right for me and know one can make the decision for me.  But I would like to hear from people who have had the surgery to find out what there life is like now and if they had the chance to do it over again would they?  Can you really never drink while you eat?  What about diet soda, can you eventually tolerate it or is it just something I will have to live without?  Or what about taking a big drink of water when you are really thirsty,  Can you really only take little tiny sips, does it improve over time?  I feel like I am just coming up with excuses not to do the surgery, and then I tell myself this is so stupid I really need to do this surgery to be hear for my husband and children.  I am just so confused right now.  My surgeon will be Dr. Quilici,  can anyone tell me anything about him, any problems that they had with him or his office? 

 Sorry for the long post but if anyone can help I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

~Jodie

Jodie,

Dr. Q is an excellent surgeon. I had RNY a little over 2 years ago and I am so happy that I did. It changed my life in a positive way. I have lost 170 lbs. Honestly, everyone is different about what they can and can't eat or drink. You have no way of knowing for sure until you are there. Most people I know can eat or drink whatever they want as far out as I am . I personally still hav trouble with plain cold water. I add crystal light to it and it's fine. I can't eat raw broccoli it causes me pain. Meat is at times difficult and too much sugar, fat or grease isn't too great either.  (for me anyway).  I do have an occassional diet soda ( i find bottles best for the carbonation)

Knowing what I know now, I would choose Lap Band, but I am not sorry I had RNY and would do it again if it was the option available to me. It truly is a personal choice for you. If you would like to talk. Email me and we can exchange numbers.

Good luck on your decison.

Lisa

Lisa,

Wow congrats of your weight loss!  It's nice to hear from someone who had their surgery with Dr. Q. !  I guess I really have alot to think about.  I want to do the surgery, but I am so scared.  I think the lap band is not as scary because it can come out.  But RNY is just scary to me that they are actually changing your insides.  You truley feel that Dr. Q did a good job?  You did not have any complications with the surgery?  I have only met Dr. Q once and it was a very short meeting and I did not get a good feel for him.   Now you said you would choose the lap band knowing what you know now.  Is that because of the difficulties with the foods you talked about or is there other reasons too?  Thanks for your help!

~Jodie

Jodie,

If you want a band I suggest that you contact the surgeons office to see what the reason was for he band.  I would check to see with your insurance company to see if the band is a covered benefit. In this process you need to be an advocate for yourself.  Have you contacted the surgeons office to see if they submitted for a bypass instead of a band.  You have so many questions did your surgeon not put you through any education yet.  

As for my surgery I would do it again in a heart beat.  I have lost 181 lbs  become very physically fit. Running marathons and distance cycling.  I have gotten rid of type II diabetes, sleep apnea, and hypertension.  I really feel that you need to talk to dr qulici for many of the other questions.  Soda well  I will more than likely get a response going.  My feeling is NO NO NO.  You reall do not need the carbonation as it can cause distension in you your pouch and cause gas. It will not permanently stretch it.  The other thing what is in soda is bad for your bones.  Soda, will cause your body to leach out minerals from your bones.  You can clean battery terminals with it so why put it in my body. 

THat is all I have I hope that I was able to enlighten you wth my view somewhat.

Liz 

Liz,

Thank you for your reply and congrats to you on your weight loss.  I was giving a book from the Dr.  that talked about the different types of surgeries.  I have not been to the support group yet though.   But I did not really look too much at the RNY because that just seemed too scary for me.  I did contact my surgeon's office to day about the approval to find out if they did submit the lap band for approval.  Unfortunatley I had to leave a message for the ins. girl and she did not get back to me yet.  You are right about the soda.  But it is an addiction.  I am trying to cut down i only have one a day now.  

Thanks for your help!

~Jodie

Jodie,

I know about soda being an additction.  I was a six pack of 20 oz diet pepsi's a day.  I drank more than I drank water.  I also drank whatever I got from the gas station you know the 44 oz ones then the 6 pack.  I went off cold turkey.

Where do you live in terms of a support group.

Have a great day

LIz

Hi Liz,

I live in Santa Clarita, not far from you.  I see your in Palmdale!

~Jodie

Hi Jodie

Well as Liz said - alot of your questions should definitely be addressed with your Dr.  It is a decision you must make after doing your research.

I originally wanted to have the band but once I went to the first orientation and heard about both procedures I opted for RNY as it would give me the best results.  This is definitely a lifestyle change and not something to be taken lightly.  It is not a quick fix but a tool to be used to assist with weight loss.

I have been very lucky and had no problems what so ever.  I pretty much eat what I want - though always healthy choices.  I agree also with Liz about NO SODA - actually no one should drink soda as it is so bad for the body....especially if it is in aluminum cans..... the acid in the soda is deadly .  I have no trouble not drinking with meals - my biggest challenge still is eating slow enough....

I guess I just want to say do your research and make sure you are ready.  I wish you the best of luck as you begin your journey. 

Thanks for your reply.  I will talk to my Dr. more.  I have only met him once and it was very brief and I was nervous and forgot to ask all the questions I wanted to.  I guess I need to write down all my concerns and talk to him about them.  Congrats to you on your weight loss. 

~Jodie

Lap band surgery can have complications too. Although the initial surgery is easier, lab bands can leak or slip. Scar tissue may form to cause issues too. Many who had lap bands failed to reach wt goals, and ended up with a revision to RNY. My insurance compay offers both. But speaking to the head nurse at my local docs office, most patients that have initial consults on lap band surgery, end up making a decision for RNY. RNY has a higher success rate at longer and more permanent wt loss. DAVE