Gastric Bypass vs Lap Band

I am about 130 pounds overweight and would like to do the Gastric Bypass Surgery but I don't really know which one would be best. I have actually never been to a doctor and I don't really know how to start. Of course, when I call the insurance company (BlueCross BlueShield of MS) it is not covered. The more I read the more complex it seems. Should I keep going or give up. I don't want to spend my days and nights hassling with the insurance company. I am 46 years old and have been overweight since age 30. I am 5'2 and weigh about 250 pounds. I have tried every diet and been on every diet pill (thru the internet) that you can do. I want this surgery but it seems out of my reach. Please give me some advice. Thanks so much, Sherri

I think that ultimately you just have to do your research and figure out which surgery is better for you personally. I am in a local support group, and the group has always just been made up of people having the RNY Gastric Bypass surgery. But the last meeting I went to back in September we had someone new join us who had done the Lap Band. She had not lost as much weight as those of us who had done the RNY and was having some trouble. The nutritionist mentioned that she had been told that the Lap Band worked best for people who had around 60 to 80 pounds to lose. If you needed to lose over 100 pounds you may have more success with the RNY gastric bypass. So, I don't know which is really better. I guess it depends on what your needs are and how much weight you need to lose. And that is just what I heard. I personally do not know alot about the lap band. As far as the surgery being worth the fight with the insurance companies and all the pre surgery testing you have to go through, it was for me. It gave me my life back and I would do it all over again in a heart beat. Good luck to you with whatever you decide. And if you have questions along the way, this is a great place for answers. Melissa Taylor Lap Rny 1/15/04 277/136 -141 pounds

Thank you so much Melissa, talks like that give me hope that I will be able to get this surgery if I have to pay for it myself ( hopefully they have monthly installments) Ha, I hope when I find a support group people like you will be in it. Sherri

Believe it or not, Forrest General Hospital here in Hattiesburg does have a company you can go through to set up a payment plan for this surgery. At least they did at one point. I am sure they still do. They don't advertise it or volunteer the information, you just have to ask about it. I am sure other hospitals do the same thing. May be worth checking into. I was very lucky. My insurance covered all but about 750.00 of my total bill. And, boy am I ever grateful. I can run and play with my children and do all sorts of other things I could not hold out to do before. It is an adjustment in your life in the beginning and a little bumpy getting used to the new way you have to eat, but it starts to come naturally eventually and it is all worth the outcome for sure. I was wearing 24-26 morning of surgery, and now I wear 6-8. So, a big difference. Besides the extra energy and everything, I also hope to avoid getting the family curse of diabetes in my mid 30's and high blood pressure in my 40's. So far, so good. I am 32 with excellent numbers. I hope to keep it that way. I hope you find a good surgeon and the finances you need to get this surgery if that is what you decide to do. And I hope you are lucky enough to have a really good support group to lean on because attending and sticking with a support group has a big impact on the long term success. Melissa

I chose the gastric bypass because with the lap band you have to go back into the hospital for revisions periodically, or sometimes the doctor can do them in his office. However it means that they have to keep doing procedures on you from time to time. I live overseas and could not have this kind of situation, plus multiple operations were not my cup of tea. The weight loss is less with the gastric banding, and for some, they do not lose any weight at all or regain what they lost. The gastric bypass is more risky however and requires that you remain on a diet for the rest of your life, you cannot eat sweets, and you have to take lots and lots of vitamins every day and follow the diet set out. It means that you can eat NOTHING at McDonalds, Sonic and other fast food places . You have to be prepared to give up a lot for this kind of surgery. Before any insurance will cover your surgery, you must have participated in a documented weightloss program, with medical supervision. You need to research this carefully. Oschners hospital in New Orleans has a self pay program. The hospital part is $21,000 and the clinic part is $4500. Cash up front before surgery. It is the cost of a reallllllly nice car! You need a physican who is committed to following you up with checkups. Shopping is another issue. You have to buy things without sugars and added fats which means that you need to take a lot of time to shop or you will be sick. Even juices which say that they are 100% pure have added sugars..... Research carefully, and read all the websites you can find. Go to the seminars that the clinics put on. They are free. Start a diet and exercise program and stick to it. THEN, make up your mind. Ask all of us on the board questions, we will tell you our experiences..... For me, this surgery has been a godsend! I feel much better, healthier, and happier, but it is a long long road to travel and not easy by any means, Surgery is not a magic fix for weigh loss, and maybe not for everyone! Good luck, we will be here for you and your questions in your journey! Cheryl

Hey, Sherri. First of all.... GO OKRA!!!!! I am a DSU Graduate. I am planning on having the LAP BAND after the first of the year. The reason I chose this option is due to 1) lowered amount of cutting on my body. 2) no cutting of the stomach wall. I'm scared of leakage of the acid. 3) I have a relative that had it done and her behavior didn't change and she is bigger now than ever. The differences I have learned about is that bypass has "dumping syndrome" and LAP does not. You do lose more, faster with bypass than with LAP. And yes you do have to go to your doctor to adjust the amount of saline in the ring of the band. However, I was told by a teacher that had it done and my doctor that it was a matter of injecting saline into the port underneath my skin. I don't call that multiple operations as in previous post, but I apperantly do not have the same info. Now, I got the most simplified info from literature from Dr. Byars in Oxford. It was broken down in easy to understand terms. All in all, go to websites and research. I went to an insurance website that did cover the WLS and it had pictures and explanations. It might have been AETNA. Will it be worth it? By reading on here.... I can't wait!!!! The people here are amazing. Now, financing. Dr. Byar's office with Baptist Hospital and Inamed (people who make the band) have come to the price of 14,500 for private pay patients. Inamed works with Regions Bank to finance. I could not go this route due to "dings" in my credit from previous marriage. My husband's insurance is covering it. The best advice is to read information and pray!!!!!! If you are looking for a doctor.... Mine is great and the hospital has good reports. I have read some negative things about UMC and their cleanliness and helpfullness. However, it is all your EDUCATED decision. READ and PRAY. Keep reading!!! Babette

Hey Sherri! Welcome to the family! We are so glad to have you here! Now, I had the gastric bypass and I am prejudgiced (sp) towards it. I have not been a fan of lap band because it seems to be a bit more trouble with alot less weight loss, but then I saw a presentation the group from Covington, LA put on describing the lap band and it changed my mind. Basically from what I have discovered, it works well IF you follow the rules! And if insurance is a problem, lap band is less expensive. However, there are ways around it. Vocational Rehab may fund your surgery or you may get a grant from the hospital (UMC is the one that I know for sure that does that, and if you use UMC, take someone very vocal to the hopsital with you!!!!) But this surgery is a decision you need to make for yourself. I can tell you alot of pros on the gastric bypass, but few on the lapband. There is a lap band forum and you can get info from those folks. Like most of us on this board (lapbanders and bypass), most folks will be slanted towards which ever surgery they had, so take it all with a grain of salt. Do your research and go with what you and your doc think will be best for you. Please keep us informed and come by and chat often! Smoochies Arlies