Ins Approved RNY-Regrets not Lapband?

My insurance company approved my rny today and all along I had been researching Lapband because I thought I would have to selfpay and that was all I could afford. Now I am not sure what I want. Any Rny patients wish they had gone Lapband or Lapbands that wish they had gone RNY? Kim M.

So far I am well pleased with my 80 lb loss with the Lapband in 8 1/2 months.... Bettye

Good for you. I hope to be as fortunate. I was banded April 5th so am still on full liquids.

i am glad i had Rny. i've heard of too many people who have revisions from the lap to rny. you can still drink in all of the calories with the lapband.. thought with all of the wls there is a way around them.

I don't regret my lap band at all. I went through a rough patch, but found out later it was my gall bladder and nothing to do with my band. I've lost 75 lbs in a year and as long as I follow the lap band rules everything goes well. Yes, ANYONE can find a way to sabotage ANY WLS. But that's a personal decision within you. I had WLS to make myself healthier. The lap band has helped me learn to make better decisions. I don't ALWAYS do that. I am still able to eat cakes and candies, but that's A-O.K. with me. As long as I don't eat the whole bag of candies or the whole cake. All in moderation. If you're really, really interested in lap band versus RNY.......pursue it. Appeal. There are lots of people here who can help you with appeal letters and fight the insurance. I didn't have any trouble getting approved, but I've been told that unless there's a specific exclusion, most insurance companies will approve the lap band if they approve an RNY. Again, if you really want the lap band, go to the lap band forum and ask how to fight the insurance. Many have and many have won. As far as the revision subject....SOME individuals do get revised from lap band to DS or RNY. The ones I've seen get revised are individuals who have had complications from lap band such as repeated slipped bands, erosion or severe reflux. The statistics of revision are low, but they do happen. I have though of it, in the event that I would have the severe reflux or the erosion I probably would revise to DS because I DO NOT want to regain my weight back. I think that's the beauty of the band. It is reversible and you do have choices. Once you go RNY, your choices are somewhat limited. That's not to say it's impossible, just more dangerous or difficult. Make your decision on what type of WLS you feel is right for you and what you can live with post-operatively. Don't base it solely on what your insurance company has approved, initially. If you want RNY, fine, half your battle is done. If you want lap band, appeal to your insurance. Now that there's more statistical information on the band instead of the initial FDA trials, it should be easier. Good Luck, Dawn

Dawn, I agree with you. I am also banded and not posting this reply to endorse the band over any other wls, but just as the one poster may have heard of several conversions from band to bypass,there are also several cases I have heard about bypassers who have had revision to add the band to cope with the weight gain they have experienced after initalweight loss with bypass. In fac, I hear some docs are placing a band at the same time they do bypass to deal with possible weight gain that can occur after a period of time following bypass surgery. The moral of these stories is just as Dawn said, if a person is determined NOT of follow the eating rules specific to thier wls, then failure is not far behind. Good luck to ALL of us who have had wls of any kind.

I have lost 105 pounds in 6 months with the lap band. I couldn't be happier with my decision. Kim 294/189/160

Hi, I was banded 2/05 and am down 70 lbs. My insurance co. made me go to a doc 3 1/2 hours away for the band OR I could stay close to home and have RNY. I chose the inconvenience of taking a day away from town to get my fills , etc...At one point I was tempted to do RNY because of being close to home , but then I thought of all the people I know with RNY , for some it has been great and others it has been an utter disaster and misery.I didn't want to take the chance. I would appeal to the ins. co. check out BandsterInsurance at yahoo under groups/ health and wellness. Good luck Donna Q.

I would not be happy with RNY. I love my band and it has been better than I could ever imagine! ~Alyssa -140 pounds, 11 months post-op 352/212/150

So what did you end up with? I checked your profile but it isn't clear. Whichever one, I wish you the best of luck! j