new insurance covers treatment!!

I initially began thinking about the band, then started to waffle towards RNY, and now am back to the band.  Either surgery would be great, there are so many wonderful surgeons in this area to choose from.  I went back to my original decision to go with the band for a variety of reasons, a few of which are: I want to have kids in a couple years, so I'm worried about malabsorption. I just don't like the idea of having my stomach cut in half. Shorter recovery time, and less expensive. My insurance only covers up to $20,000 which is fine for lap band, but I think RNY can cost in the neighborhood of $30-40K. I just don't have the funds to make up the difference.

I have a friend who had RNY in 2004, and she looks great but she still suffers from intestinal problems, terrible gas and is in the hospital a lot. I know other people do not have the same issues, but we are both young (low 30s) and she says if she could do it over again she'd get the band.

I'm not trying to convince you of the band, because like I say, it's totally personal and both surgeries work wonders, just in slightly different ways.  As you do your research, it will probably become clear to you which way to go.  With RNY you can do the procedure and walk away and live your life for the most part. The band requires a pretty rigorous aftercare program and you have to be stricter with yourself and your diet.

Since you are in Puyallup and you have Blue Cross, check into Doctors Oh and Srikanth. They operate out of St. Francis down in Federal Way. Both are wonderful, highly experienced surgeons, they perform all varieties of surgeries, and their pre-op and aftercare programs are excellent. If you go to one of their free seminars, they will talk about all of the different types of procedures, and that might help you make up your mind.

Good luck, and just remember, the biggest decision is having the surgery at all.. now you can work out the details.