I want lap band surgery.......will it ever happen?
Hey everyone, I have been researching the lap band for about a year now. I am only 5'5 and I weigh about 242lbs. I am currently suffering with asthma, arthritis, PCOS, metabolic syndrome, and there is a possibility that I have sleep apnea. I am completely disappointed in my weight because I am only 22 years old, and I am so unhealthy. I have been on this journey but it seems like it will never happen for me. Everytime I find a great surgeon, they will not take my insurance. It really sucks and I am not in a position to pay for it out of pocket. I just need some help. Can anyone tell me about a great doctor in the NYC area that will actually take Healthfirst/Medicaid?
****Being in love with yourself is the best thing that you could do for you.
Just curious but having had PCOS and a few other issues...surgeons I initially met with were reluctant to do the band on me. I had the RNY almost 3 years ago and I'm healthy, happy and free of PCOS.
All the best!
All the best!
201 pounds lost since surgery!! And I'm 2 1/2 inches taller too!!
And YES I still eat Carbs and Fats but I know what portion control is!!
Surgery Date: 6/5/07
I am happy for you and congrats on your success. I am very afraid of the RNY. My mom is concerned with the cutting and rerouting and she doesn't want me to die on the table. I also wanted something that is reversible. I am just afraid of the other choices and the lap band seems like it is the safest thing for me to do. I have thought about the VSG but my boyfriend and family shot that down within 3 seconds of hearing about the cutting and stapling. I hope that I could get surgery soon because my health isn't getting any better and I just want to live a healthy life. 
****Being in love with yourself is the best thing that you could do for you.
You may be afraid of the rerouting of the intestines for the RNY but do you know about all the complications of the lapband? I can't give you a percentage but there are a large amount of people that end up band erosion, band slippage, the bands flip and need to be taken out and put back in, you only lose about 50-60 % of your excess weight, many end up with reflux and if you have diabetes, it is not your best option for curing your diabetes.
RNY is a much better option. Diabetes almost always goes away, I took my last Glucophage the night before surgery and my HA1C is now 4.9. I had previous reflux surgery because my reflux was so bad but in order to have my RNY, I had to have that surgery reversed. I was told there was a good chance my reflux would come back, well it didn't. I am reflux free. I had terrible arthritis in my knees as well as torn cartilaige in both knees, they wanted to do partial replacements on both knees, well now I am pain free.
So, yes there is stapling and they do reroute your intestines but it is a good thing. It helps you lose more weight. Why would I want to reverse it, I would only gain my weight back.
As far as your insurance goes, call my surgeons office. I don't think he takes it but I think one of his associates takes medicaid. He is at Columbia Presbyterian. They are great and the Nutritionists are great. I will say that the Nutritionist doesn't take any insurance though.
RNY is a much better option. Diabetes almost always goes away, I took my last Glucophage the night before surgery and my HA1C is now 4.9. I had previous reflux surgery because my reflux was so bad but in order to have my RNY, I had to have that surgery reversed. I was told there was a good chance my reflux would come back, well it didn't. I am reflux free. I had terrible arthritis in my knees as well as torn cartilaige in both knees, they wanted to do partial replacements on both knees, well now I am pain free.
So, yes there is stapling and they do reroute your intestines but it is a good thing. It helps you lose more weight. Why would I want to reverse it, I would only gain my weight back.
As far as your insurance goes, call my surgeons office. I don't think he takes it but I think one of his associates takes medicaid. He is at Columbia Presbyterian. They are great and the Nutritionists are great. I will say that the Nutritionist doesn't take any insurance though.
Hey.. I understand we all value our families opinions, but this decision will affect the rest of your life. You need to have whatever surgery you think is best for you. If you think RNY is the best option than that's what you need to go with. My roommates were totally against me having RNY. I had surgery on 11/09/09 and to date I have lost 93 pounds, for the first time in 6 years the scale started with a number 1 instead of a 2....so its hard but it all worth it. good luck with your decision
My response may not be that different from the others. Essentially, if ANYONE shoots down a procedure within moments of hearing it, they obviously are not even interested in learning anything about it.
Leave your mother and boyfriend, boyfriend's family out of the decision making process. THIS IS YOUR DECISION. If you want the Band, then go for it. Make the decision yourself after thoroughly researching your options. You must do the research. A good surgeon will help you with answering your questions, but you won't know what questions to ask if you don't do the research. Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC requires their prospective patients to review the procedures online (they email them to you) prior to your first appointment with a surgeon.
I don't want to choose for your or anyone, but you should learn from others' experiences too. I have a wonderful friend who everyday hates her Band and wishes that she had the VSG. Some people learn the tricks of fooling the Band. If I had the Band, I'm sure I would be one of those too. I was over weight for a reason - because I sabbotaged myself over and over again. Can you relate? I think we all can.
That being said, DSers believe that VSG is not good enough for individuals over a BMI of 37. You will always find people who love the procedure they got and bash the others. Try to look past all of that. Get off the boards with all of our opinions and do the medical research required to help you make a decision for yourself. An informed decision and not one ruled by your emotions or the emotions of those around you.
My mother was against my surgery and even said that God was against it. However, she was there every step of the way supporting me emotionally even if she didn't approve. Now, she's my biggest supporter because she sees that my decision was the very best one for me and my family. I'm getting healthy and looking damned good! LOL! You will get here too. Just please do this for you.
As for your insurance - Medicaid? I didn't know that they pay for this. But regardless, start contacting all the surgeons you can find who accept it and then look into them to make the best decision from that list. I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Yatco from LHH - he's the best, seriously. But as for your insurance, you would have to call them.
Good luck and please keep me informed.
God bless you!
Leave your mother and boyfriend, boyfriend's family out of the decision making process. THIS IS YOUR DECISION. If you want the Band, then go for it. Make the decision yourself after thoroughly researching your options. You must do the research. A good surgeon will help you with answering your questions, but you won't know what questions to ask if you don't do the research. Lenox Hill Hospital in NYC requires their prospective patients to review the procedures online (they email them to you) prior to your first appointment with a surgeon.
I don't want to choose for your or anyone, but you should learn from others' experiences too. I have a wonderful friend who everyday hates her Band and wishes that she had the VSG. Some people learn the tricks of fooling the Band. If I had the Band, I'm sure I would be one of those too. I was over weight for a reason - because I sabbotaged myself over and over again. Can you relate? I think we all can.
That being said, DSers believe that VSG is not good enough for individuals over a BMI of 37. You will always find people who love the procedure they got and bash the others. Try to look past all of that. Get off the boards with all of our opinions and do the medical research required to help you make a decision for yourself. An informed decision and not one ruled by your emotions or the emotions of those around you.
My mother was against my surgery and even said that God was against it. However, she was there every step of the way supporting me emotionally even if she didn't approve. Now, she's my biggest supporter because she sees that my decision was the very best one for me and my family. I'm getting healthy and looking damned good! LOL! You will get here too. Just please do this for you.
As for your insurance - Medicaid? I didn't know that they pay for this. But regardless, start contacting all the surgeons you can find who accept it and then look into them to make the best decision from that list. I cannot speak highly enough of Dr. Yatco from LHH - he's the best, seriously. But as for your insurance, you would have to call them.
Good luck and please keep me informed.
God bless you!
~Ruthie
(deactivated member)
on 2/21/14 3:07 am - United Kingdom
on 2/21/14 3:07 am - United Kingdom
Please refer to my website I am an adult nurse practitioner who counsel adults who want to lose weight and make healthy lifestyle changes.
wwwinvest4wellness.com 7185518440 [email protected]
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