Is Anyone Happy?

 Hi, actually what you really need to think about is, "can I stick to a diet for the rest of my life'. Because that is what is required of you when you get the band.

It's actually not so much about losing the weight, I'm sure you've done that before, but it's about being able to keep the weight off once you've lost it.

So, with that in mind you should read all the different boards including the revisions board and see how many ex-bandster are getting or have gotten revisions. 

The people to ask about their band experience  are the ones that have had the band more then 1-2 years. People like Bette, she is very successful, but so many more are posting somewhere else because they regained, or had physical or mechanical problems with their bands.

Please research very carefully, it's really so important, after all this is supposed to be for the rest of your life.

Good Luck

You may have some assumptions in here about how well others are doing that may not be accurate today.  "Success" is NOT static operation.

The college analogy is false because in college, you need to depend on your OWN skills.  With the band, you have ot depend on how well something else will work.  A better analogy would be dedicing to start dating Charlie Sheen, even though so many of his ex-girlfriends have told you he's an asshole...and going in CONVINCED that YOU will make the difference.

And failing.

Because with Charlie--and the band--that seems to be the predictable result.

Naomi!  Six years...and almost 70 adjustments?  Fills?  So, on average, you go in almost monthly for a band adjustment?  You didn't tell THAT part of your story again.

70 X 150.00 for a self paying person sounds like a lot of money Sue.

I think $150 is the price in Tijuana.  Locally, it was closer to $1000 back when I needed band adjustments.  Well, that's what they billed the insurance.  I paid about $300, I think...but that was YEARS ago.

Being self pay having any WLS is a monetary risk, but being self pay and having band surgery IMO is a risk not worth taking.

Found this on Ask.com

Cost of Lap Band Fills

The cost of lap band fills depends on many factors: the surgeon, the facility, if the fill is done under an x-ray fluoroscope, if you are going to the doctor who performed the surgery or another provider, and insurance coverage.

An average fill cost is $100, when you go to the surgeon who performed your surgery. Many surgeons will include your first fill in the cost of surgery or provide the first year of fills at no additional cost when you have them perform the lap band surgery. If the fill is done under an X-ray fluoroscope there is usually an additional cost of $100 - $200.

For those that think they can get to restriction within the first year of free fills.....Better think again.

JUST ASK NAOMI.



JUST ASK NAOMI.



JUST ASK NAOMI.

Finding a Lap Band Fill Provider

If your surgery was performed out of country or you want to switch doctors, you should be aware that it may be difficult to find a doctor who will take you on as a patient. Many doctors choose not to assume responsibility for a surgery they did not perform. Also, you will most likely pay more for your fills from another provider than if you went to the doctor who performed the surgery.

For patients who had Lap Band Surgery outside of the United States, it is also a matter of the doctor not knowing whether or not the surgery was performed to the standards set in the US for patient safety   The doctor can be in trouble with the licensing board if you have a gastric band that is not approved for use in the United States. If you choose to have your surgery in Mexico or another country, make sure you work out fill arrangements before you have the surgery, unless you will be traveling back to the same bariatric surgeon for your adjustments and exams.

If you find a doctor to accept you as a fill patient, it is common for them to charge you an initial consultation fee and a one-time program fee in addition to the cost of the fill. The first appointment and fill with a doctor could cost about $1000, and then about $100 to $300 a fill on subsequent visits. Another option is going to a lap band fill center such as Fill Centers, USA.

Insurance Coverage for Lap Band Fills

Some insurance companies may not cover fills even if they covered the surgery, but some insurance companies and medicare will cover fills as long as they are billed correctly. You may still be responsible for your portion of the co-pay amount.

She stated previously that she paid $250 for her adjustments.  I never know what to believe when she posts though. It seems to change a great deal!

 I'm 4-1/2 years out, and still happily maintaining in my goal range (even completely unfilled for the past 3 months).  I haven't been posting much lately, because the weather is just too nice to sit around playing on my computer.  But I like to pop in now and then to reassure bandster hopefuls that yes, you can lose *all* your excess weight, and keep it off with the band.  Not everyone does, but you certainly *can*.  

I just said goodbye to some out of town guest who were visiting this past weekend.  While they were here, they were complimenting me on keeping my weight off, and comparing my experience to five others in our circle who were inspired by my success to lose weight.  Without exception they all have regained all or most of their lost weight, and continue to struggle.  My weight remains stable.  

I do not "diet all the time".  But I do diet some of the time.  As a matter of fact, after taking a Mother's Day weekend break, I'm back to low-carbing and will be heading out the door for a 4-mile power-walk in a few minutes.  If I've put on a few pounds because of excess eating and drinking over the past few days, I know they will drop off again soon.  That's been the pattern of my life for the past four years.  So, while I do still "diet", it's not all the time, and to me, this gives me the ability to live  a *normal* life, yet still remain in control of my weight.  

I don't know how much the band is actually aiding me at this point because I'm completely unfilled, but I do know that it has re-trained me to understand what is an appropriate-sized portion of food, and that it's OK to either leave food on my plate, or package it up to eat at a later time.  

Tami

Thanks so much. Thats the way I want to be. I just need some help(the band) with WL not something controlling.  I have kids I want to be active with. ;-)
Thanks,
Joanna