bmi 56 doctor says too...

I am currently enrolled in the "i can change program" with Health Alliance Ins.They require a min of 6 months of doctor supervision, health coach, 15 percent weight loss.  The surgeon, Max Hammer, spfld., il., and the ins co. say my bmi of 56 is too high for the lap band, the only surgery I can have is the Gastric Bypass.  I am really scared.  Does anyone know if the statistics of the survival rate?  I know one out of every 200 die were the statistics.  My husband passed away a couple of years ago and now it is me and my 17 year old daughter.  Therefore nothing can happen to me. I hope and pray!!!!  Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks and God Bless you all!!!

my bmi was 58.6 and I had gastric bypass (not open either).  I made it. :) 

while the lap band is a great surgery, odds have it that you won't lose as much with the band as you would with RNY.  I went in wanting the band until this was all really explained to me and that made my decision for me pretty much.  I at least wanted a fighting chance at losing the 201 lbs I needed to get off and the band had little chance (but did have a chance) of letting that happen.

I don't have statisical numbers for you though.  but good luck.

With a BMI over 50, please also research the duodenal switch (DS). Your surgeon likely doesn't do it, but switching surgeons is easier than getting a surgery that isn't right for you.

About statistics: 1 in 200 is practically meaningless. What you need to find out are the statistics of YOUR chosen surgeon. My surgeon has never lost a DS patient (I asked him during my consultation and did as much research on him as I could, including checking state legal records for any past or pending lawsuits), so I knew I was in good hands.

Where can I find this info on my surgeon?

Ask, and then research online like crazy, and try to talk to past patients of his/hers if you can (patients you find on your own, such as here on OH, NOT just patients s/he put you in touch with).

Please check out the VSG board also. You can get the sleeve and it is a lot safer procedure than the others. You need to check out all the procedures. Hang out on all thee boards and research all of them. Check out celticfairy on the VSG board.

Maria do not be forced to have a surgery you do not want.   My insurance denied me for lapband too because my BMI was over 50   67.4 to be exact and I finally one the appeal and got the lapband and now my BMI is under 50 and I am still losing.   If you need help to appeal it I will help anyway I can. 

Ditto to what blue skys said! Do not accept what they are willing to give you, check out all the surgeries, do your homework..ask questions on the boards and decide for yourself which surgery you can live with.

I'd like to also recommend that you investigate the duodenal switch.  It has the best chance of getting you (and me) out of the category of super- or  plain'ol morbid obesity in the long run.  But, I can't counter the fact that it is a more invasive and involved surgery that the Lap Band.