Just getting started..Questios - so many questions!!

Hey All - I am sure that I want to have surgery, but still not 100% sure if i want to go the lap band or gastric route.  I went to a seminar at the Bariatric Center in Groveport (Columbus), Ohio.  Dr. Custer did the seminar, but he seemed fairly new to the practice.   I'd be happy to hear any advice that anyone would like to share.  I'm honestly scared to death, but I think i'm even more scared not to do it! I am currently about 341 and 5'3, so i know i'll qualify, plus i hear that i have one of the "easier" insurances for approval (Aetna) - not sure how true that is. I'm both scared and excited to start this journey.  At age 38, I've got to start living my life more completely! Thanks a bunch for listening and sharing your advice!!

 

Gena

Welcome aboard Gena,      Only you can make the decision as to which surgery you end up having.  Either one will make a drastic change in your life.  I started out thinking that I wanted lap band, but after going to a seminar and realizing that I had to have fills (with a fee for each one); that I could still eat whatever I wanted, including too many sugars and fats, and not get sick; and that the weight loss was slower -- well, I decided to go with laproscopic RNY.  I used the months before my surgery as a time to get my act together, to start eating healthier, and to start getting used to moving around.  I was blessed with the fact that I did not have any complications or even small problems with my surgery -- in fact, I went home from surgery without any pain medication!      Good luck on your decision and I am sure that you will be happy with whatever you choose.  By the way. . . you might also want to check out the lap band group on this site.  I am sure that they will give you their perspective of things also.

hello, gena! welcome to the world of questions! i had my surgery at barix in groveport-dr stelmack, who is no longer there due to elderly family commitments in new jersey, did my surgery- i was thrilled with all of the care and highly recommend the facility. i chose to have my surgery open because i wanted him to be able to get in there and really see and feel things- he held my galll bladder to see if it needed to be removed, etc- i have a slightly visible scar now at 3 years out so maybe i wish taht i had had laproscopic but not really-i don't intend to be a bathing beauty! i never chose lapband due to the fills and the ability to eat just about anything after surgery- that was part of how i became obese in teh first place! i chose to have something more restrictive ie sugars and fats....RNY is still not the end all be all- there still are daily choices taht have to be made! i see taht you have been around obesity help awhile- hopefully you have been reading ppl's profiles and looking into teh various surgeries- whatever you decide; you will know that it is the right thing for yourself! i am 5'1" and stated at 232 so i can understand teh need to get er done! good luck to you and blessings on your decision- i would welcome further questions or discussion if you wish!!!!!

I had my lapband surgery done at Barix in Feb. 2006--They are great there, and take every precaution to ensure a safe and uneventful surgury--I chose lapband for one reason-Long term complications...I have always said, I don't want to die from being fat, but I don't want to die trying to get skinny, either...RNY is forever...Lapband can be reversed...My weight the morning of surgery was 333, and I'm 5'6"...Today 212

Hi! Welcome to the wonderful world of weight loss surgery!  Dr. Custer has a great reputation, but you should also check out some other options.  It is major surgery -- for me, it was important to be at a full service hospital (not just a bariatric clinic) if there were complications.  If anything goes wrong at Barix, they have to put you in an ambulance and transport you to a real hospital.   I went to seminars at OSU and Riverside and chose to have my surgery with Dr. Stephan Myers at Riverside (Fresh Start Bariatrics).  The program there is much more organized and designed to get the patient through all of the preliminary exams in a timely manner.  I would recommend that you go to one of their seminars.  They are held 3 Tuesdays per month in Columbus.  Just go to this link for more info: http://www.ohiohealth.com/landingbariatrics.cfm?id=2675 If you weren't 100% comfortable at Barix, you owe it to yourself to explore other options.  Good luck in your journey! Alex

Congrats to you.  I am also going to have surgery at Barix.  Dr. Vig is my doctor.  I also have Aetna and there are definite requirements that you have to fuflil.  I would double check on the Aetna website for what doctors are in network.   Only Dr. Vig and Mount Carmel program were the participating providers.  I started with Mount Carmel and decided to switch to Barix because I felt like I received much better service from them. I am just waiting for Dr. Vig to sign off on my paperwork and give me the surgery date.  So if you have any questions about Barix or Aetna approval process, just send me a personal message and we can chat.

BTW, how are you going to fulfil the 3 month or 6 month superivsed diet requirement?  I did the 3 month multi disciplinary program with Katie Bach at Barix.  She is a registered dietician and she has done this program for other Aetna folks.  The cost is only $200 and she will meet with you once a week to every other week.  She is wonderful!!! Ok, well if you have more questions, just let me know.

I had lap-band surgery just a little over a year.  I have absolutely no regrets.  I now weigh 155 pounds.  The weight is coming off a little slower now, but it is still coming off.  The fills are a not painful at all and since my insurance paid for my surgery they have also paid for all my fills.  My doctors office does hve to send a letter for pre-approval but so far they have always said yes.  Yes with the band you can still eat sugars but it is also not 100% that you will have dumping from sugar.  A lady I work with had by-pass a month after me and she can eat sweets with out a problem.  I think you have to research both and make a personal decision.  I have no regrets with my choice, but it was my choice.  Good luck and I advice you to talk with Dr.Curry he preforms both surgerys.  He also posts and answers questions on the lap-band board.  If you have specific questions I am sure he will answer them for you.  Best of luck on your journey. Jeannette P

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Highest/surgery/now/goal

Gena, Only you can make the decision as to which surgery is right for you.I went into my consultation thinking I was going to do the lap band but then changed my mind to  RNY. I am using Dr. Custer as well.You can check Dr. Custer's patients comments on this site under his name and also check through the medical boards. Have you been on the Barix Connections site? I was speaking with a person today who just had surgery last week by him and it is all posted there our comments. It seems many patients at Barix go to Dr. Vig.~but I do know that Dr. Custer has been at Barix for a few years but he is only a part-time surgeron there which is why his isn't scheduled as many as Dr.Vig.. I begin my PAT tomorrow.I know what you mean when you say scared! This journey is very scary but I believe in my heart that I am doing what is right for me.If you feel uncomfortable then listen to your heart and research some more.Question everything and everyone.Believe me I have tons of questions for them for tomorrow~LOL! Just know that I and everyone here will support you in what ever you chose to do.Please stay in touch I'd like to hear what you choose to do~ Amy

   I had RNY at the Barix. I went in thinking I would do the band but am so glad I changed. I like the faster weight loss and the biofeedback (ie- dumping ) that you get from bypass surgery.. I need it to keep me on track. You also do not produce the chemical  that makes you hungry after a rny.. sometimes I forget to eat!!! not so with the band.. plus as others have mentioned.. the fills.   so the RNY was the right choice for me.... also if you are diabetic..the RNY has a better sucess of getting you into remission.  I learned most of this from the Fresh Start seminar at Riverside I went to with my husband last spring.. not the Barix.  Good luck.. it is a journey worth finishing!! I feel so much better.. you will not regret it.  Peace pam

Hi Gena, You have started the journey. It is a big decision and you shoudl attend as many informational seminars as you can. I started my process with the Ohio State University program but changed over to the Fresh Start program at Riverside. I echo what Alex said in her reply to you. Check out Dr. Myers seminars. Good Luck to you.