Be honest: Would you do it again? If you knew what you knew now?

 
Only when you start them, Brock.  You are the queen bee at starting surgery wars, always have been.

If someone about died from the band and mentions that no, they wouldn't have a band again you instantly run around pointing and screaming Drama Momma and then start 12 threads about all the drama on the boards.

Bleh...

LMAO!!!!!!!!!

No, I will be revising later this year to the sleeve, and the band will head to the band graveyard.
I can not make the payments required for fills, which was not an issue when I had the band to begin with, as I had insurance. Now I have a new job, and can't get insurance due to the pre-existing band. I will pay cash for the sleeve, and move on from there.

I have not had success with the band and am so discouraged.  I am interested in 1)can you not get insurance on "private pay" or "group policy"?  I will need to find private pay insurance by 4/1/11.  2)Why the sleeve?  I keep hearing people mention the sleeve but do not know why it is so popular following the band.  Help!  Would love to hear from you.

Private ins co policies do not cover WLS.  You really can't blame them, everyone that doesn't have WLS benefits on their ins plan would be running out to buy a private policy just long enough to get WLS.  Then they would dump the policy.  No ins co could afford that.

If you are interested in the sleeve check out the sleeve board.

Here is an overview of the major procedure types.

wasabubblebutt.blogspot.com/2010/03/which-surgery-type-is-ri ght-for-you.html 

We have private insurance.  It covered my banding. 

 
If you have a policy for several years it will often times pay for WLS, but to sign up with an ins policy for WLS does not work, nor should it.

Cigi I have had NO success with the band at all either. I certainly know how u feel.

Most bandsters that revise do revise to VSG, although some revise to RNY, and just a few revise to DS. I prefer VSG myself, but I think RNY, and DS are both great options as well!

So sorry to hear that u won't be able to get insurance to cover it. It is so sad that so many waste their chance to have have insurance to pay for WLS on the band...........only to have it not work and then have to pay out of pocket for a more effective WLS! :-( It deeply saddens me that there are so many health care facilities out there that are not being honest with patients about the band!

U deserve a real chance to have success with your WLS and I know u will have that with your VSG! Just so sorry it will cost u so much!!! :-(

I feel like the band has given me little to no restriction.
I had to have my gallbladder out.
I find my port spot is just, I don't know, uncomfortable under my skin.
PLUS
I have lost about 40 pounds from point of surgery

BUT

I had lost as much as 120 pounds from point of pre-surgery requirements.
I think everyday about how scared I was before surgery (my first ever)
I have am on no Type II Diabetes medication since the day of surgery.
I have am on no Depression medication since the day of surgery.
I have am on no High Blood Pressure medication since the day of surgery.
I have am on no High Cholesterol medication since the day of surgery.
I am on no medications daily period.
My migraines aren't as bad (related? mayhaps)
I learned how to treat my body right even if I slip back in old habits.
I learned to make exercise part of my daily routine.
I gained many friends on this board who even when I forget them they never forget me.


I WOULD DO IT ALL AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT!