I have a question.....

Hi everyone.. i've had this site bookmarked for awhile now.. and have been toying with it for quite awhile. Anyways.. i'm about 320Lbs. and am just fed up with myself. I was wondering..... someone who has had lapband.. can ya tell me anything? I heard it was the less invasive method? Anyways... I'm an employee with Upper Chesapeake (home health care) and our insurance (alliance) covers gastric bybass... I guess lapband is under that? i hve no clue.... and what dr.s in the area are good? I'm in harford co. (bel air) thanks.

Hi Lisa Some insurances think lap-band is still experamental and they don't pay for it. Check with your insurance company to be sure they cover lap-band if that's what you want to have done. The lap-band has a higher failure rate than gastric-bypass which is the gold standard for gastric weight loss surgeries. Some insurance companies will cover the open RNY but not the laperscopic RNY. Good luck on your juorney. Karen Duncan

Hi Lisa, and welcome to obesity help...and boy can you get a lot of help and/or advice...anyway, congrats on making a decision to change your life. I do not have any words of wisdom regarding your insurance company, but I would offer that you talk with your doctor and/or a surgeon before you rule out gastric bypass as an option...or perhaps you have already met with them and that is why you are interested in lapbanding... I had gastric bypass....I am 16 months out, down 121 lbs, gearing up for a tummy tuck next monday and haven't had a single day of problem with my gastric bypass....check out my profile... Anyway, my point is don't limit yourself...btw, I was sure I wanted laproscopic bypass until I met with a few surgeons then I changed my mind and went open...and boy I didn't want to hear about open initially...but it all worked out well. Best wishes to you on your journey. RAE

Thanks.... I've not talked to anyone yet.. just kinda looking around and talking to people... I'm gonna make an appointment with Dr. Smoot out of havre de grace.. he's with Upper Chesapeake .. and i'm employed by them.. so.. i figured the connection might help. and I like the comments about him i've seen.

I would do your research. Some of the posts I've read where people give out statistics are just plain incorrect. There is a very good success rate for Lapband. Check out the lapband board here or Lapbandtalk.com to get some better insight. Good luck to you. Research for yourself please!