Lap Band? Rny?

Thanks, Guys. The words of encouragement are...well... encouraging!    I felt fine with my choice, was wondering if there was something I missed. I mainly chose the lap band because of the lower complication/mortality rate perioperatively, but also because I'm a binger. Seems I'm hearing that RNY is a little more effective initially as well as harder to 'eat around'? Can anyone explain why would RNY be less expensive? From my lay perspective,  looks like more work for the surgeon?

I should have been clearer.  My doc charges about 14k for banding and 17k for RNY.  But my insurance covered the RNY (well, less about 2k in deductables), but wouldn't cover the band.  I had been working for two years with a prior insurance trying to get approved, ended up switching jobs and starting all over in the process.  I was beginning to feel like my life was on hold waiting for this surgery (for example, career moves I thought would be easier if I was a normal weight).  So I told my doc either way, I was having surgery by the middle of 2007, RNY if the insurance covered it, lap band self-pay if they wouldn't.  The insurance approved the claim a week after he sent the paperwork, and I was on the table the week after that. Obviously broad statements can be nit-picked, but I think you've accurately summed up the differences.  For me (30 years old, no comorbidities), the greater risk of the surgery was tough even though I thought it would be more effective, given that the medical necessity wasn't urgent.  I don't second-guess that now, I just work what I have.  Good luck doing the same.

Gotcha. Funny how the insurer covers the MORE expensive procedure! Oh well, at least they did cover it. Congrats on your success thus far!

Well, that's insurance company  "reasoning" for you. I believe, when it comes to RNY vs Lap-Band coverage, insurance companies go for the procedure with the longest track-record, and most documented results.  Since RNY is the most common procedure in the US, some IC's OK it, while rejecting other procedures as "experimental", or other such nonsense. Never mind that the Lap-Band is the more common procedure in Europe and Australia.  The IC's you're dealing with are here in the US, so RNY gets the nod more often than L-B.