Please read and help me....

I've been trying to get this surgery for a year now...insurance was not going to pay so I hired an attorney to fight for me and have now exhausted all my appeals with my insurance. I've been trying to sell my 8 year business just so I can get the money to pay for it myself. I live in a home with two healthy weight children and a husband who are all active and have fun riding bikes and swimming without me because I dont feel well enough to participate. I have severe arthritis in my back and (luckily?) many of the health problems that make me qualify for surgery. My constant stressing and preoccupation with my health, I feel, weighs on my marriage because I am absolutely not the personality (or the person) I was when I got married and I am just no fun to live with. After I snapped at my daughter for something stupid, which I knew was just my being unhappy, I asked my husband for a separation until I could accept myself and my health and not ruin all the relationships in my home while I was trying to reach self-acceptance. After that, he said it had reached the point where we needed to figure out how to get the money for it, which we dont have in the first place. So I have a surgery date on June 9th for the lap RNY...we came up with $13,000 and my mom is loaning us the rest. Well, since I misunderstood the price Dr. C quoted me by $3000, I have to consider getting the lap band now (the amount of money I have) or cancelling. The most recent thing I've read about it is that it is a waste of money and most people regain their weight over time. I was looking for a physical alteration with the negative effects that RNY gives, not just to have a feeling of fullness. What should I do? I really was counting on the lap RNy for myself. I cant believe this! Thanks, FatGirl (sonotskinny)

Regarding the lap band, I am not worried that I won't lose weight with it. I'm worried that I won't be able to keep it off over the months and years following. No doubt, I see that people are losing because of it. I know I'll only get one shot and we won't be able to come up with this money again to have a revision or have the RNY later if one doesnt work for me. I'm so upset.

Several options 1. Go out of the country for the procedure 2. Finance the rest of it 3. Find a cheaper hospital....Dr. C does not set the price. I know that people have gone to Michigan. Good luck in your endeavor Sandy

Go to Dr. Joya in Mexico and have the lap RNY for $12,500 all inclusive with airfare, hotel & everything. Hospital is right near beach. He has a wonderful reputation on the boards. http://www.drjoya.com/ His website South of the Border website http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/south-of-the-border/posts.html Don't let anyone try to convince you that only American surgeons know how to do this procedure. I have a friend who went to Mexico & was so happy with her experience. She looks gorgeous now & she said they gave her the best care she has never received in the states. Darlene

I am soooo confused! In just two days, I'm supposed to be starting my liquid diet to prep for surgery. I expected to just sit back and calmly ride out the weight and now I'm having to research a new procedure even further? Or possibly consider going to Mexico? OMG!!! I even talked to Dr. C...who called me at home to talk to me about my options. He feels the band is a better choice for me, but I am so worried that this wont work for me and the much slower weight loss will not help me. Regular diets (without surgery) only give you 1-2 pounds/week if you follow the plan and I've screwed up so so many of those! How am I going to do this? I would love to hear from any band people. Please?

From what I have heard the band works just as good as the rny. Good luck with your choice Barb

I know of quite a few who have had DS in Mexico with Dr. Ungston and Brazil with Dr. Marchenisi for around 13-14 thousand dollars including airfare and lodging for two. They have reported that the hospitals are those for the rich and famous and they received better care than they did from any US hospital. They may also do RNY, too. If you aren't confident about the band, then don't do it out of desperation. It will still be there in a month or so after you've researched all options. The last thing you want to live with afterwards is regret.

SoNotSkinny: I'm a self-payer, too, so I feel your pain. I paid $13,900 for my lap band. I would very strongly encourage you to do further research to determine which procedure is best for you. There is a lot of misinformation out there about both RNY and lap band, so I would urge you to post in the lap band forum to get some facts and perspective from actual bandsters. Regarding the window of opportunity, I think you've gotten some bad info, as that's actually a benefit of being banded... because it is adjustable you can always have your fill level modified to continue wait loss beyond the initial 18 month "window of opportunity". This is a huge decision and investment, so make sure you get good information. In particular, since you're a "lightweight" like me, the lap band is a good choice, since there typically aren't as many urgent medical issues that make quick and immediate weight loss necessary. Of course, every person is different and has different goals, needs and ideas about WLS, but for me, the far better percentages the lap band has related to mortality and complications, as well as the fact that it is adjustable and reversible, and the fact that studies indicate long-term comparable weight loss between RNY vs. lap band made the decision an easy one for me. But only you can make the decision for you. Best of luck to you in your journey, Melissa 267/246/160 5'9"

Hi there: My surgery is scheduled for June 1 in Monterey Mexico with Dr. Roberto Rumbaut. He has done more than THREE THOUSAND LAP BAND PROCEDURES and is an expert in laproscopic procedures. He also does the Rny. Total cost including hotel for three nights is $10,600. He HIMSElf has the band as does his patient coordinator Cathy who has had it for six years and maintained a 91 lb weight loss. As I read it the stats indicate the weightloss after 2 or 3 years is the SAME whichever you have. Bypass patients lose faster at first, but it evens out. I really have an aversion to having my anatomy revised so was SO glad the lap band is available at a reasonable price with an EXPERT who has maintained 110lb weightloss himself with the band. It is not useless.... it is a tool and like any other WLS surgery, requires lifestyle changes. GOOD LUCK. Nancy J