What is VGB? Having band and imbrication next week!

I am new and have surgery scheduled next week (if the dr has the availability, otherwise it will be in a few weeks).  I am having the new Imbrication surgery with a lapband and am wondering if this is similar to VBG?

I had to do it this way to get insurance to cover it.  He does the Imbrication for free because it is new and only a few surgeons perform it.  He says often patients don't ever have to get a fill because the Imbrication is enough.  But you can get a fill once your weight-loss slows. 

This is a horrible idea. The stomach folding concept is pure fantasy, and it's long term affect is unknown. Have you researched all your options. Do you know about the vsg and ds surgeries?

www.dsfacts.com

 DPW, I am scheduled for the same dual procedure next week.  Did you have it?  How are you doing?  Did you find any more information about long term results and risks with imbrication?

Yes! I did have it, and you are the only other person I know that has had this dual procedure.  It would have been so nice to talk to someone who knew what I was going through!

OK, so I had the surgery on May 31st.  My dr said I wouldn't need to spend the night unless I was nauseated....and I was throwing up as soon as I came out of surgery, so I spent the night.  I felt REALLY miserable for a few days.  My stomach was really swollen and so drinking anything was really hard and scary.  When I did the barium swallow the next day, the PA was surprised it wasn't going down fast...and she thought it was because of all the swelling.  It is because of all the swelling that you have to do Clear Liquids for 2 weeks post op, 2 weeks of full liquids and 2 weeks of soft foods.  I stuck mostly to that diet, especially those first few weeks.  After that I felt better when I ate something more solid...so I did a little here and there.  I lost 20 pounds right off the bat, but then I did not lose any weight for 3 weeks...it was then that I realized this was not a miracle fix...I needed to do my part.  Since then I have lost 10 more pounds by eating about  1000 calories a day and I work out every morning AND night! I don't plan on getting a fill.  I hope that the imbrication alone will be enough. 

Just know that it takes a few weeks to feel like "normal".  The band makes it so you have to eat small bites very slowly...I have forgotten this a few times and it takes a few minutes for the food to get down and it can be pretty uncomfortable...even if you don't have it filled at all.

I am so glad I did it, but I am even more glad that first month is over! :)  That first night in the hospital I couldn't believe I had done it, and wanted more than anything to "un" do it!  Don't worry, it gets better.  Let me know if you have any questions.  You may have a totally different experience that I did! BTW, who is your dr?

Duh...I just looked and saw you have Dr. Cottam, too.  He is a great surgeon! My sister had the sleeve and after 1 year has lost 115 pounds and is a size 4/6!   Good luck!!

-Deanna

 Thank u for posting about your LapBand with imbrication. I am scheduled for the same thing on Sept 12. I am really nervous bc I just wanted the LapBand and the Dr, told me that he recommended the imbrication too, but that it is fairly new. Are u still doing well?

Yes, still doing well! I have better weeks than others in regards to weight loss, but any week with weight loss is great! I feel back to normal, and eating normally, just smaller portions. Just remember this is a tool, not a cure-all. I still work out a lot and am very careful about what I eat. Good luck in your surgery! Just remember the first month is awful and you will regret it, but once you feel better and the weight comes off you will be so glad you did it!

Hello dpw...I see you had dr. cottam as your surgeon.  I'm thinking of using him for my VSG.  I feel he is an excellent surgeon. I don't live in Utah, and will be traveling to see him.  What was the process your Insurance Co. put you through to get approval.  You said you had to get Lap Band in order to get the coverage and Cottam was doing the Imbrication for free.  What was your cost for that procedure. I didn't get a quote for a Lap band... and did for fee include any after care program?
I appreciate your reply.
cookielu46

I loved Dr. Cottam! Good choice.  My insurance made me do a 6 month diet with my family dr (I did WW online), and I had to at least maintain my weight, couldn't gain.  I had to visit my family dr 3 times during the 6 months, and I could ONLY talk about weight loss.  My BMI had to be 40 (it was 40.3) at the start.  The insurance only had the band and the bypass approved, so those were the only surgeries I could choose.  My sister had had the gastric sleeve done, and that is what I wanted, but could not pay for it on my own (it was $17,000), so Dr. Cottam gave me the option of doing the imbrication and having the band put on so the insurance would pay for it.  The imbrication is fairly new and he needed more patients to do it, so he was doing it for free.  After I did all of that, the insurance paid for all but my 1500.00 deductible.  I also had to pay a 325.00 program fee that the insurance did not cover.  I believe it pays for your appointments after surgery, but I only needed to meet with him 1 week after surgery to check my incisions.  I haven't been back since.  I have not needed a fill since I have consistently lost weight without it.  There is little to no after-care, but his office has a lot to offer, I just live 45 minutes away and haven't needed to go back.  Good luck with the insurance.  You are in good hands with dr. Cottam

Hi, thanks for responding to me.  I got the information paperwork in the mail yesterday from Kim at Dr. Cottams office.  I looked it over and it was pretty much what she talked about on the phone with me.  Unfortunately, I have come to the decision that I just can't afford having this surgery  anywhere in the U.S. I just can't afford it. Medicare won't pay.  I can't get in big debt at my age. Social Secuity just does not pay enough to cover a $17,000 plus loan to go to Utah.... and Arizona is asking  $24,000 for the VSG sleeve.  Nobody here in AZ. does imbrication that I could find. Nonetheless,it would cost too much for me, so  after much research with patients that have used Medical Toursim...I'm going to Mexico.  Dr. Joya is my choice in Puerto Vallarta.  Excellent surgeon, puts you up in the beachfront  KRYSTAL hotel  for three days in Puerta Vallarta... and I'll ber getting my procedure done in the AMERIMED hospital, brand new state of the art, look it up and see how nice. I'll spend 2 night in hospital, three in the hotel, where an associate physican will come every day to check on me.  How about that ....A HOUSE CALL!!  Anyone out there that is is the same financial boat as me, checkout Medical Toursim as an alternative. See thinjourney on you tube and faithkp, both used Dr. Joya and were very pleased with their experiences. HOLA everyone.