my insurance pays for lapband, vertical banded gastroplasty or by pass
i am 49, weight about 290 and about 5'3
so my insurances only covers the following, lapband, bypass or the vertical banded gastroplasty, i have been researching for awhile, and was thinking the sleeve was the best fit for me so now i have to re think things.
my mom just had her lapband the middle of december 2010 as of her first visit she lost almost 50 pounds by the end of jan. 2011 that was including the weight she lost on her pre op diet..so she is doing good....she did not research any of this at all before having it done, lapband was suggested to her and that is what she did... she is shorter than i am and much heavier than i am.
so i am a bit confused between the sleeve and the vertical banded...they seem so much close.
i really dont like the idea of my insides re routed, and having malabsorption of vitamins and minerals for the rest of my life, nor do i like the idea of having to go for fills as i will be an hour away from dr for the monthly fills, and the surgerys is about 2 hours away from home, but they have an office closer to home for fills and such..
so that is why i was thinking the sleeve.
any help would be great.
my drs. appt is on the 8th its my first inital for the dr, but i have all my paperwork already in to the insurance company...I have Tri-Care Prime down here in sunny floirda
thanks so much
so my insurances only covers the following, lapband, bypass or the vertical banded gastroplasty, i have been researching for awhile, and was thinking the sleeve was the best fit for me so now i have to re think things.
my mom just had her lapband the middle of december 2010 as of her first visit she lost almost 50 pounds by the end of jan. 2011 that was including the weight she lost on her pre op diet..so she is doing good....she did not research any of this at all before having it done, lapband was suggested to her and that is what she did... she is shorter than i am and much heavier than i am.
so i am a bit confused between the sleeve and the vertical banded...they seem so much close.
i really dont like the idea of my insides re routed, and having malabsorption of vitamins and minerals for the rest of my life, nor do i like the idea of having to go for fills as i will be an hour away from dr for the monthly fills, and the surgerys is about 2 hours away from home, but they have an office closer to home for fills and such..
so that is why i was thinking the sleeve.
any help would be great.
my drs. appt is on the 8th its my first inital for the dr, but i have all my paperwork already in to the insurance company...I have Tri-Care Prime down here in sunny floirda
thanks so much
I had a RNY, just for any bias. And I'm a research nerd, so here's fair warning!
What surgery you chose should be determined by several things:
1) doctor's advice based on his/her knowledge of you--not your mom--including medical and behavioral issues.
2) which surgery will be most supportive of your success--look at statistics about how much weight is lost on average, how long on average it takes, and any regain statistics. Remembering all the while that statistics are only about groups, not individuals so it is likely you will know exceptions (or could be one yourself).
3) how does the surgery "work"--there is more to gastric bypass than just malabsorption and restriction. It also affects digestive hormones including leptin and grehlin which impact the ability to feel satisfied and how your body processes insulin (why it is more often recommended for treating type 2 diabetes).
4) how will the "tool" work with your personal habits, attitudes towards food, level of compliance, etc.
5) weigh effectiveness against inconvenience. Taking vitamin supplements is not the burden many people assume it will be as now there are so many options--chewy bites, beverage crystals, etc. But if you know you will not take them, some of which you should also be taking with lap-band, you need to rethink your committment to your health.
6) what support systems will you put in place to succeed and does that differ based on the surgery? Are you more likely to have support from your mother if you have the band? Are you more likely to attend a support group if you have a by-pass or sleeve?
7) how long have you been overweight, how overweight, and your age? These factors affect weight loss, especially in women, so if you have only been obese a few years, perhaps since a pregnancy, you have a different battle than if you've been obese since childhood and are middleaged.
8) again, discussions with your surgeon.
Good luck
What surgery you chose should be determined by several things:
1) doctor's advice based on his/her knowledge of you--not your mom--including medical and behavioral issues.
2) which surgery will be most supportive of your success--look at statistics about how much weight is lost on average, how long on average it takes, and any regain statistics. Remembering all the while that statistics are only about groups, not individuals so it is likely you will know exceptions (or could be one yourself).
3) how does the surgery "work"--there is more to gastric bypass than just malabsorption and restriction. It also affects digestive hormones including leptin and grehlin which impact the ability to feel satisfied and how your body processes insulin (why it is more often recommended for treating type 2 diabetes).
4) how will the "tool" work with your personal habits, attitudes towards food, level of compliance, etc.
5) weigh effectiveness against inconvenience. Taking vitamin supplements is not the burden many people assume it will be as now there are so many options--chewy bites, beverage crystals, etc. But if you know you will not take them, some of which you should also be taking with lap-band, you need to rethink your committment to your health.
6) what support systems will you put in place to succeed and does that differ based on the surgery? Are you more likely to have support from your mother if you have the band? Are you more likely to attend a support group if you have a by-pass or sleeve?
7) how long have you been overweight, how overweight, and your age? These factors affect weight loss, especially in women, so if you have only been obese a few years, perhaps since a pregnancy, you have a different battle than if you've been obese since childhood and are middleaged.
8) again, discussions with your surgeon.
Good luck
This is so well written. I almost wish I could "steal" it and post it a few posts above. Very informative. Be sure to discuss your particular medical history such as colitis, IBS, ulcers, etc with your doctor. Also consider what long term medications you are on. If you have a chronic medical problem that requires long term medication this is something to also discuss. It is a personal choice and takes time to decide what is best for you. Whatever path you choose I wish you luck and success!
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