Interested in Lap Band surgery, lots of questions.

My younger sister had a stomach bypass about 18 years ago and it ruined her health (scar tissue kept closing off her opening, she had numberous surgeries, got addicted to pain killers, etc.). I know if I talk about having WLS my family will freak so I'm not talking about it to anyone. I did finally tell my husband I was thinking about it and at first he was against it ("just don't eat and you will loose weight") but I told him I refuse to do another diet. I loose a few pounds and then gain it back along with another 10 pounds. I've dieted my way up to 285 pounds. I'm starting to have some health problems like stiff joints, asthma, reflux disease, high blood pressure. I also worry about sitting on certain chairs or fitting into seats. I'm sick of it. I'm ready to do something permanent. I know that I will have to diet and exercise to loose this weight after the surgery but maybe I'll feel more like it if I know it's going to work. My insurance (PEHP) will definately NOT pay for this surgery so I will have to pay myself. Is anyone else a self-pay? I've heard it's about $15,000 for the Lap Band and that the stomach bypass is about $30,000. I'm afraid of the more invasive bypass so am opting for the lap band, besides it's cheaper. My husband said that we could figure out a way to pay for it. If I have the Lap Band how long can I expect to be off from work? It would be hard to take anymore than about a week off. I don't want my co-workers to know or my kids. In a way I feel like a no-willpower jerk opting for the easy way out. I don't want to be a bad example for my kids but since I already am one by being so overweight....know what I mean? TIA for any help with these questions. VS

From my price quote on open Rny or Laps, the Lap is way more expensive then the open Rny. Other then that, I personally feel the lap is the best way to go. You have a quicker recovery time although a lap does take longer and you will be under anathesia longer too. There is a place here in Utah call Rockey Mountain Associated Physicians. They have class at St. Marks Hospital every Tues and Wed evening at 7 pm plus one in the morning one day a week. It's called Surgical Solutions and they will go over all the pros and cons and prices of each surgery. Thier number is 268-3800. Good luck. Feel free to email if you have any other questions.

Hello Valerie: If I am understanding your question correctly, you are asking about laproscopic banding or as they call it, the lap-band. This is where they put a band around the top part of your stomach making a smaller stomach but still allowing food to pass through the rest of your stomach. But by banding it, the food stays in the smaller pouch longer and keeps you full longer. Then there is the RNY surgery which is done both laproscopic or open. This is on of the gastric by-pass surgeries. As Tamara mentioned, The Rocky Mountain Phy. at St Mark's hospital here in Salt Lake is the place to go to learn about the RNY surgery. They do this both open and lap. I went to their class and learned a lot about it. They have came a long way with by-pass surgery in the past 18 years when your sister had it done. So I think it is worth at least attending the little class and learning about it. They do not offer the lap-band surgery here. I know that the Payson hospital offers that surgery by either Dr. Cannon or the other guy. Just call the hospital there and they will direct you so you can check out all your options before making a decision. Getting the most information you can and checking out all your options is the best way to go. Best of luck to you.