Help me please!!!

OK so I finished my six months of supervised weight loss and am ready to send in the papers to the insurance...when I went into the clinic today to give them the papers they informed me that the surgeon I have (the only  bariatric surgeon in Muncie) as of two weeks ago has stopped doing RNY...which is the one I wanted. He now only does lapband..which I dont have to much knowledge on...so can anyone tell me the pros and cons of the Lap Band and any experiences that anyone has with this surgery...like what happens before  during  and after ???:) I need some OH family support here!!! Thanks for the words of wisdom in advance! Lisa K

JMO I know you wanna stay closer to home probally but if you don't want a band dont get it. My surgeon told me that IF insurance would even cover a band that they don't cover the fills most the time (which is what helps you lose the weight).  If I were you I would try and look for a new surgeon.

Wow-that sucks!  The only thing I know about lap band is that the amount of weight lost tends to be about 25% less than that with RNY and their is a greater likelihood of regaining the weight / easier to regain the weight. Have you thought about going to St. Vincent Carmel Hospital?  They have GREAT surgeons and since you are so early in the process for insurance approval it shouldn't add much time to getting the surgery.

So can anyone tell me the pros and cons of the Lap Band and any experiences that anyone has with this surgery...like what happens before during and after ???:) A good place to start to read pre, post, pros and cons is the Lapband forum here on OH.com. Read going back to several several different dates. There is a wealth of information there. There are also some great old timers that have wonderful advice and insight. There are also several other websites to check out too. Lapbanders.com, lapbandtalk.com, bandwagon.com and several different yahoo banding forums. From personal experience I can tell you that the band can work, however it is a maintaince effort. In other words, unlike the RNY where you have the surgery and are on go to loose weight, the band takes fills. Most times it takes 2, 3, or more fills (depending on the size of your band) till you reach a volume of "fill" that allows you to loose constistent weight and curbs your satiation feelings. You are therefore more responsible for your actions (IE: getting fills, changing to better eating habits, some type of exercise routine) then you are with the RNY. You ultimately become responsible for what you put in your mouth and paying attention to how your body and the band responds to it to avoid complication issues such as: slippage, esphogeal dilation, getting food stuck (aka slimming), and other minor annoyances. However, you can loose the same volume (and sometimes at the same rate - I did) of weight loss as someone that had the bypass. I lost 167+ lbs within 14 months. I had only 3 fills totalling 2.3cc's in a 4cc capacity band(there is also a 10 cc band, your surgeon should discuss with you prior to surgery what band size he plans on using for you). I just radically changed my lifestyle to get a good benefit from having the surgery. Banding also gives you the option of personal weight loss/adjustments depending of other sicknesses that may arise in the future and/or pregnancies. When I found out I was pregnant I had my band slightly "unfilled" to assure weight gain for the baby's benefit. However, anytime after the birth I can get a "fill" and be back to resuming weight loss to my desired weight. If I ever become sick, say from the flu for example, it just takes a few seconds to "unfill" me to assure no slippage problems or dehydration problems, untill I am better in health and then it's "fill" me back up again. Sherri and I have had many conversations at various get togethers that other then the maintience aspect and the difference in surgery procedures - post op there are most times not a whole lot of differences between being banded and being bypassed. Such as, I get a "dumping" feeling from to much sugar and/or grease. It's not that common of a reaction for either types of surgeries. The overal difference is the committement level - banding being more hands on ie: maintence objective (IMO). Hopefully other banded Hoosiers will post their personal opinions. You are also more then welcomed to personally email me with any questions you have... [email protected]. Don't forget to check out the banding forum here on OH. Also check with your surgeons office and ask to meet/get in touch with some of the post op (various levels out) banders to ask them questions is a good idea. Good Luck! Jodi

Hey Lisa, I first looked at having my surgery in Muncie too, but decided I wanted to go to a center of excellence, so switched to St. Vincent Carmel.  It is a little bit of a pain to go up there (about an hour from me) but not too big of a deal.  I'm driving up there after work today to attend support group.  I think it would be further away for you being in New Castle, but not by too much maybe, depending on what route you take.  If I were in your shoes, honestly, I'd end up getting a new surgeon before I'd switch surgery types, but if you're truly interested in the band, then check the band board here.  I'm sure they can give you lots of info, and as long as you follow the dr's rules, I'm sure you would do well.  I would say that I don't think that particular dr. has been doing WLS very long, but I might be mistaken in that.  Something you should find out / look into though. good luck!! Kim

Lisa The same thing happened to me.  I am in Albany. I was going with Sprunger and called their to ask a question once and was informed then that he wasnt going to do the RNY's anymore.  I switched surgeons because I didnt want the lap band.  I switched to Dr. Gupta at St. V's in Carmel. There are several docs at St. V's and you shouldnt have to start over, I didnt.  They even let me get my psych eval with Dr. Lucas here in Muncie. That is who Muncie Bariatric Center uses just make sure you get the criteria from the bariatric center that they want the psych to cover.  If you want phone #'s send me a private message and I will help you out as much as possible. I know it is discouraging, but it is just going to take a little more time.  Yes, you will have to attend another info session at St. V's, you probably will anywhere you go.  I went on 8/2 to my info session and I am waiting on them to submit their paperwork to my insurance to add themselves as a surgeon.  Waiting on a call to schedule the surgery. I have since heard some things from co-workers about infection rates and such in Muncie, so I am kind of glad this happened to me.  Send me a message if you need any more info.  Good luck! Jenny

Docs (even surgeons) are YOUR employees.  You hire and fire them.   Find a surgeon that will do what YOU want.  Jenny just went through the same thing - Indy is not that much farther than Muncie.  It's just an extra 8-10 minutes.  Not a lot of extra time or expense if you get what you want from the whole thing. Hang in there!

What a blow.  Believe me I know how it feels to get news like that.  I choose to believe there's a reason for it and that all things happen in God's perfect timing.  That may not be what you are wanting to hear so I'll share a story that may help... I have been battling the insurance companies for nearly 4 yrs.  It got to the point where my husband and I just decided we would investigate the lapband surgery and simply pay for it without going through the whole insurance game. At that time, the company my husband works for was bought out.  The new company had different insurance.  I called the new insurance and they told me that they actually endorse weight loss surgery!  I was flabbergasted!  My husband told me not to get my hopes up again until we knew for sure.

Our insurance provider (Cigna) assigned me a case worker and she has walked me through the whole process.  She told me that they would only cover the surgery at a center of excellence and referred me to Carmel Surgical Specialists.  This was in February.  The only time my schedule allowed for a meeting with Dr. Diaz was in March. When I met with Dr. Diaz he told me to reconsider the lapband because the typical weight loss wouldn't be enough to provide the health benefits I'm seeking.  I told him I would be happy to do the by-pass instead. I haven't had one glitch since.  I believe there's a reason I'm having it in Carmel.  Maybe there's a reason for you to seek another facility as well. I hope this at least gives you some peace about your situation.  I know it's frustrating. I will pray for you and hope a resolution comes swiftly. Blessings, Jacqui