Ins Approved RNY-Regrets not Lapband?

I replied to you earlier- and I was astounded at the negative comments and emails I received back. Please keep in mind that the information that I shared was from my Surgeons Office and my insurance company. As everyone was so quick to point out- I was wrong in many comments that I made. Again remember please - this was the information that I received from my Surgeon. I was told that in my case- I would only loose 50% of the weight on the lap band that I needed to loose- On the RNY I would loose 85% of the weight I needed to loose- these figures where from there tracking of their patients through there office- sorry I did not make that clearer. As far as seeing the doctor I was in reference to one time per year to the Surgeon- my LOCAL physician can run all my blood tests needed- sorry I was not clearer on that subject. As far as the length of the time that the Lap Band has been used in the USA- it came over from Europe I believe- My Surgeons office had been doing the procedure for only 4 years of tracking- sorry I was not clearer on that- but that is the fact- In Minnesota my Surgeon states it has 0nly been done for four years. Insurance companies- mine BCBS of MN sent me a packet of statistics to go over and review in reference to problems they have documented with the Lap Band- and they still feel it is still experimental in Minnesota because it has only been approved by the insurance companies here for 4 years. That is all the info and tracking they have on it - with the rate of reverse to RNY- that is what I based my info off- In my area- not yours- not your insurance company- not your surgeons office. Every area may be different. and tracking of dietary habits by the doctors office is for my area- but beneficial info all the same. Because with the lap band you have no restrictions on what you eat- only the amount- SOME people go back to the High CARB lifestyle and do not loose the weight- As with the RNY- ALOT of the people cannot tolerate the sugar- and will dump- or if you eat to much you will purge- Therefore you learn not to eat the refined sugars or to overeat- there are paybacks- that some people and personalities need some form of recourse to keep them on the right path to productive WLS- Again if people have alot of weight to loose- of course they will loose more with the band then I would- individual people will loose across the board differently- the more you need to loose the better your chance of loosing on the band- I need about 100 pounds- and being told I would only losse 50%- without actually dieting and alot of exercise- versus- loosing 80-85% with RNY-which would bring me closer to my goal- as I am doing this for medical conditions that need rectified sooner. So I perosnally chose the RNY- for those reasons- with my information from My area Surgeon-my insurance company. I understand that this is a public forum- and I really thought it was devised to put all information out there that could be useful to another person going through WLS- I did not feel it should be a bashing ball. I mean I sent for two cans of protien powder that was suppose to be great- wasted 43.00 dollars and I hate it- am I angry no- It was one other person personal opinion for her she loved it- PERSONAL OPINIONS ARE JUST THAT- EVERYONE IS ENTITLED TO ONE- LEE

I'm still trying to decide between lap-band and rny, and I came across this thread. I just wanted to let you know that the 50% statistics are pretty much what I heard as well. I was also told about possible erosion and the other problems associated with Lap-band. The 50% info came from the American Medical Association, as far as I know. http://jama.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/292/14/1724?etoc There might be other studies that show higher numbers??? Like I said, I'm still trying to decide. Lap-band definitely has a lot of benefits over rny as well. I keep changing my mind. My point is that you should do some research using actual medical publications, because, while I'm still new to OH, I've found that people tend to be very defensive about whichever procedure they chose. I'd go to google to search (don't use regular google, go to google scholar...scholar.google.com for actual medical documentation) Anyway, I found a really comprehensive study for Lap-band. http://www.drrossfox.com/obesity101/pdf/OS2003V13N2LapPopulation.pdf It came out in 2003, so it's already a few years old, but it's really a well-conducted study. (kinda hard to read though since it's written mostly for doctors.) This study actually showed an average of 57% of excess weight lost after 72 months(6 years) (still showed 50% for the first year) 57% after 6yrs is higher than most reports...which is good news. And the conclusion was the lap-band was a very effective method. Of course, everyone wants to lose 100%...and I think it IS possible. It's just not the average. At this point in my life, I'd be happy if I could lose ANY

The thing about statistics is, that they can kind of show what anyone wants them to show. 50% of people succeed is better sounding than 50% of people fail, right? (That's in relation to nothing, I made it up). As far as 50% access weight lost in the first year or whatever, I've spoken to many people who've gotten to goal, which in a study would bring up the average, but I've also spoken to people who've had their bands removed for whatever reason, or one person I know who was diagnosed with cushings and has a pituitary tumor and hasn't lost anything (and she's compliant! 1000 daily and exersize!)... and that of course brings down the the average... (and I think that statistic is from the FDA trials way back when anyway). I do agree that people get VERY defensive about the procedure they chose. I think that it has to do with making a very important life changing decision and wanting to feel like you made the right one, lol. There are a number of procedures out there, and I think that it is important for EVERYONE to remember, that not all procedures are right for all people... and not all people are right for all procedures. I love my band, lots of people love their RNY, or their DS, or whatever else I've missed, lol.

I wanted to get a lap band. Less invasive, less expensive, adjustable, reversible. One major issue I had was allergic to plastics/silicone. Can't have implants either with any PS I might have to have. Had to have a plastic screw taken out of my foot 6 months after surgery. Surgeon said, No one has ever had to have this done. 6 month recovery for a 6 week recovery period. 3 days after screw taken out, my cast fell off from the swelling in my foot finally going down. I love all my surgeons and doctors. Do they ever over or under state something?? Sure, they are just human beings. They have opinions. They get comfortable with one procedure or another. Just do a lot of research and think outside the box. Worst case scenarios, best case scenarios. Can you live with either?? Then make your decision. I'll have RNY. It'll help with sugar/carb addictions (hopefully). It will result in the weight loss I need to bring several co morbids a little bit more under control. I'm not (knock on wood) allergic to metal as I give myself 2 shots a day. Does it mean I don't worry about the titanium staples. No I still worry. I'm just putting my faith in God and my surgeon. Sure can't go on the way I am right now. By the way, malabsorption is already a problem I have with vitamins, B12, iron. So I'll still be taking the same supplements I take now and occassionally have a B12 shot like I do now. Everyone is very individual. Their mind and body will make the decision clear for them when the time comes. My $.02 worth.

Hi Lee, I notice you mentioned BCBS of MN. that is the same insurance I have. Interestingly enough they didn't send me any of the information you mentioned. I was banded on May 5th. 06. BCBS of MN. covered my lap band 90%. They did call me after a month to see how I was doing though. I have had no problems with my band since my March 24th consultation I've lost 47 pounds. I'm happy with those numbers. I must say that I am very fortunate in that my surgeon also has a nutritionist and an exercise guy on staff to answer questions at almost any time. When I first met my surgeon I think he told me that the expected percentage of weight loss for lapband was 65% where as RNY is about 70 - 75%. That was good enough for me! Toni