Newbie

Good afternoon: This is my first post however I'm here daily reading all the topics and comments. I'm not sure what route to take? I'm being treated by Dr. Myers in Columbus and decided to have the gastric bypass but now I'm wondering if I should try the lap band procedure? I'm currently recording my Nut and will be seeing my Diet on 2/26/07. Is this normal for me to be having a change at heart on the right procedure? If so has anyone been in this crisis and how did you make your decision. I have read and researched so much I feel overwhelmed with info and cannot come to a common ground. In need of a friend

Hey Newbie! lol Congrats on making the decision to change you life. Now on to making the decision about surgery. It is a decision only you can make. I decided on Lap Band for me because I never thought I wanted RNY. It scared me. I used to watch too much day time tv. lol I liked the idea that there aren't as many major complications, mortality rate is way way lower, that I can still eat things I like, the recovery time was fast, it is adjustable, there isn't a time table to lose the weight. yada yada yada. I am not saying it isn't a good choice.. it just wasn't a good choice for ME. Although it is slower than RNY, I have lost 40lbs since December 1st. Let me know if you want more information! Good Luck Amanda

Thanks for responding and saving me to your friends I feel the same as you stated....I didn't put it on in a year so I don't want it to come off that fast. My current weight I weighed my self today is 305 and I would love to be 175 - 185 around the size 14. As we all know the true women is really a size 12 I'm a big boned woman and don't want to appear that I'm sick because the weight came off to soon. I was just under the impression that it could take 3-5yrs to loose weight if you do the lap-band? It killed me to think that I could never have coffee again or certain foods because the of g-byass however if it means that I will have a better bill of healt and longer life spand I'm willing to make the change.

Hello LaNiya.....I too am seeing Dr. Myers at Fresh Start. I started back in November. They are just submitting all my records to Aetna today (I hope). I hope to here something maybe next week or so. I know the insurance company wants you to jump thru all kind of hoops and give up your first born. You would think they would jump at the chance to approve you for surgery being it would cost them less in the long run but oh well.....you wonder who is running the place. I first chose the "Band" and later thought the Lap Roux-en-Y was better for me. I am carring alot of weight and I'll be 60 in a few months so I thought it would be better with the Gastric Bypass. No matter what "you" choose it's got to make you healthier both mentally and physically no matter witch way you go.....anyway, good luck! Dave

Thanks Dan: How long was the process once you started with the NUT. I have had the all day eval and next monday is my first appt with the NUT to go over my 5-week meals. Is it a 90 day process? I'm just being a bit apprehensive and am probley jumping the gun I just want to make sure I make my mind up on the procedure before it gets too late.

It all depends on which insurance company you have....Aetna requires at least 3 months of visits to your dietition. I've been trying to loose weight for years. I have no choice now but opt for the surgery. I know it will be ruff at first but if I don't have the surgery I'll make the health problems I have now worse. I'm looking to start a new life now. It's not up to anyone else but myself to make a "Fresh Start". Dave

Just a slight correction...Aetna requires 6 months if you see just a physician, or 3 months if you see a dieitian AND a physician AND provide documentation of exercise regimen. Dr. C Cincinnati, Ohio www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

Dr. C I have Anthem PPO as insurance. They turned me down at appeal because any kind of weight-loss surgery is an exclusion from my policy. Why Anthem encouraged me to appeal, I'll never know. My appeal included a letter from my family doctor stating she believes this is my only chance for life. When I spoke to a gentleman at Butler County Human Resourses (my husband is a county employee) he said he thought he made it clear to me that under no cir****tances would my insurance pay for something which is a written exclusion. Well, Anthem encouraged me to appeal and the let-down was tremendous. I am still not committed to any surgeon for the Lap-Band procedure. I had blood test Tuesday at my GP's office and will see her tomorrow as follow-up. Do you have a program for me? I am the one with $13,000 and no more.

Nancy, Insurance companies will tell you anything to appease you at the moment and give you false hope so you'll get off the phone. I sent you a PM. Dr. C Cincinnati, Ohio www.TheBandDoctor.com 877.442.BAND DISCLAIMER: I am not your surgeon, any comments made by me are not meant to be taken as medical advice, just general guidelines. Contact your surgeon about your specific problem!

I vacillated between gastric bypass and lap-band for a short while and decided on banding for saftey reasons. It just seemed less dangerous. Nancy