new ohio guy for lapband

Hey all, I'm not really new here. . I've been lurking this site for a couple of years, and researching weight loss surgery for about 5 years now.  I'm 25 years old and for the past 10 years have been 100+ pounds overweight.  I am now 6 foot 4 inches tall and weigh an outrageous 415 pounds. . . now married and with a baby on the way, due in December. . . I've decided to make the change that's best for not only me, but for my family.

I have my consultation appointment on Friday.  I chose Holzer Clinic in Gallipolis Ohio, as my friend just got approved and scheduled for surgery within 2 months and has the same insurance as me. 

I was wondering if anyone else here got theirs at Holzer here in Ohio. . . . if so what should I expect this first appointment. . . . ? 

Also I have blue cross blue shield federal basic.  .. I hear it's one of the easier companies to get approved through, needing only to have a bmi of 40+  . . . so I'm hoping for a quick approval.

Anyway, I'll keep you all posted with everything..and look forward to being on the boards and watching everyones progress.

-Bill

Billy -- Welcome! I hope your journey is smooth. Keep in touch. I had my surgery with Dr. Z. in Akron and had Aetna for insurance. I am sure you know from lurking that you need to understand the insurance's guidelines and follow their directions to get approved. -- Tom from Akron

Congrats on making the decision to have WLS, good luck with all the insurance stuff.  You might want to check out the "bmi over 50" forum also.  The people over there are great, and have a real understanding of everything you go thru

Welcome and congrats on your decision =)

Hi Bill,
Did you know that the average sustained percentage of loss with lap band is only 50% of your excess weight?  Knowing that, when you're a "documented success" with the band, you'll likely still be morbidly obese.  With as large as you are, I highly recommend looking at something with malabsorption, which would be the RNY or the Duodenal Switch.  The average RNY sustains around 70% ewl, while the DS boasts around 85-90% (and there are oodles here on the DS board that have lost 100%)

 That being said...I would like to chime in and say that I have lost 190 lbs in 2 1/2 years and am at my goal weight...BTW--this is the goal weight that my surgeon set for me when I was planning on having RNY...I reached this goal with the lapband, and NO side effects...a high bmi is not a sentence for only RNY or DS surgeries...many factors beside bmi must be taken into account before deciding on a WLS..family and personal medical history, adherance to future medical testing guidelines and vitamin therapy  included...I hate taking vitamins, and protein drinks, and didn't want to have blood testing done every couple of months...so for me the lapband was a no brainer....Best of Luck...

Congrats on being on the favorable part of outside of the norm.  Statistics don't lie, though,  and your t-shirt should read "results not typical".  I couldn't be happier for you, though.

Hi Bill!

I have a friend who had the band done at Holzer this past summer.  Her only words to me were "I wish I'd known about the DS before I got my band."  I had the DS in January and didn't tell anyone. She saw my post op diet and lifestyle and had no idea I'd ever had surgery.  She's lost about 25lbs but has at least 100lbs more to lose. She's struggling and I'm living with the guilt of not being open and honest with everyone about my surgery.  Needless to say, I learned my lesson and she's now considering revision.  I guess what I'm saying is...research your options.  I live close to you and traveled to Dayton to have surgery.  I initially signed on to have surgery at Bariatrix in Grove Port and inquired at Holzer too.  Read, research and ask those who've been where you are.

Best of luck to you on your journey.

Thanks for all your replies.  I haven't even heard of the DS, that's new to me!!!  Now I'm wondering if I've done enough research.  All that I know is everyone who I've talked to that's had the RNY has either loved it or hated it. . . so that's a toss up for me as it's a more permanent procedure.

There are a couple of really good web sites where you can learn about DS, http://www.dsfacts.com and http://www.duodenalswitch.com. And of course you can come and hang out on the DS forum here on OH, http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ds. You won't find many people who hate their DS. :)