Terrified

Hi. I just joined today because I found out yesterday that as of last week (!!) my insurance no longer covers lap-band surgery. I had been researching the lap-band for over a year and a half and I felt it was the best surgery for me, and I was halfway through the process and all psyched to get the surgery until yesterday. Now my only options are to pay for it out of pocket (which will never happen unless I win the lottery), get gastric bypass, or die young, fat, and alone. I chose gastric bypass, but I am scared to death now. It just seems so drastic and severe. Plus, one of my biggest concerns is that because of the rapid weight loss, I'm going to have huge, saggy bags of skin hanging off everywhere, and my insurance will NEVER cover getting those removed, so I'll finally be thin, but my body will look deformed and gross because of the loose skin. I'm also worried about the increased risk of complications, dumping, being tired and barely able to move for weeks after surgery, drinking too much alcohol and having a toxic reaction, and about a million other things. Every time I think about it I start crying. I was so excited before yesterday because I felt I had finally found my answer. Now I feel as though I'm being pushed into something I'm not sure I want, but without it I will be even worse off. If any of you out there felt this way prior to surgery and figured out how to get over it, I would appreciate your advice. Thanks.

Hello Tanya, I don't know if I can help you, but I'm going to try. On April 30, 2003, I heard about this new Doctor moving from New Orleans to Georgetown, KY. The program on TV stated that he performs the RNY Gastric By-pass and the Lap Band. I went to the seminar with the Lap Band in mine for myself. After listening to the presentation and talking with the Doctor. I realized that the best surgery for me was the RNY gastric-bypass. I had never even considered this surgery before (it had such a bad reputation). Then I found out that this surgeron does all his surgeries laprascopic. Which means a quicker recovery time and is alot safer. On July 16, 2003, Dr. Derek Weiss (formerly of Louisville) and Dr. John Oldham performed a laprascopic RNY gastric by on me. I have several problems with previous surgeries and was teriffied of going through another surgery. The surgery was flawless and the Doctors are out of this world! Oh My Gosh and I forgot, hotter than a $2.00 pistol.....lol It has been 10 weeks since my surgery and I have lost 63 lbs. Both of these doctors are in the operating room with you , so in case of problems you have two surgerons instead of one. Dr. Weiss by-passes more of your small intestines than other Doctors in Kentucky. As of this date, Dr. Weiss has not losted any patients, which is a plus in my book. I know you wanted the Lap Band, but if you are an emotional eater and cheat alot on diets, then the RNY is your better bet. I dump and do just about everything that you've read about, but in the end I know I will be better off with this surgery and I will never be able to regain my weight. I hope this helps, sorry I was so long, but I felt that I needed to give you some hope. Pray about it and let God be your guide, when God closes a door, he opens a window... Teresa Gash

I'm sure you have researched the Lab Band very well, so you will also research the Roux pretty good too. Read everything you can on it, find out as much information you can on the doctors you are considering BEFORE choosing a program. I did every search you could think of to find my doctor because no one knew anything about how well he did bariatric surgeries. Everything I found made me so much more confident in him, his team and the hospital. I think that the most important thing to making you know you made the right choice is knowledge. I'm not far enough out to know about lots of sagging skin, but I also know my insurance is not going to pay for it. I figure just having lost the weight will make me a very happy camper and I can wear tight jeans. Heck, I've worn a girdle all my life, but with the surgery I may be able to fit into a smaller one

Regarding worry over the sagging skin: Look at it this way....the most important reason for this surgery, other than the need to be "thin" and fit in with society, is truly BETTER HEALTH. THAT is the best reason for this surgery. Don't do it if you "just want to be thin." I am doing this to be HEALTHY, to be more mobile and be physically able to do more, as well as to have a baby. So, I'd rather be healthy with saggy skin than fat and UNhealthy. Plus, you dont' know...perhaps your insurance will change....or you'll change jobs....there are many factors to consider. i wouldn't let something like sagging skin keep me from a surgery that could improve the length and quality of my life. BUT, that's just ME. YOU have to decide what is best for you. My insurance also wouldn't cover lap band, but I knew that I needed to lose weight badly and the RNY was a better choice for me anyway. Talk about it with your loved ones and research research research. Knowledge is the BEST defense against fear. Take care, Kathryn