Anybody that had lapband done?

I am still learning about all of this and would love to get some opinions from all of you that had it done. I am about to turn 20 and have always been overweight. I struggle with my weight constantly, losing 10 lbs here and gaining 20 back. It's been so hard the last couple of years. I am at the biggest I've ever been (265lbs)  I am just so uncomfortable in my own body and I feel like having this done would just give me that "push" to really get myself going. I have looked at many profiles on here and really have to say I am so inspired! It's great to relate to someone that has/ was in the same position as you. I thank you all for that! I have an appointment next friday to talk to my physician about it and to see what he thinks and if he can refer me. I have already contacted my insurance provider (Blue Cross Blue Shield) and they do cover the Lap Band surgery as long as I meet the criteria. I am hoping this doesn't take a year to set a date for surgery.. How long did it take most of you to actually get your date? I am just so excited for change and I know I am 100% ready! If you have any comments/ questions feel free to ask! I hope I can get some insight to all of this! Please let me know how your experience was with the Lap Band surgery!! 

I didn't have LapBand but we have lots of people on this board who have been very sucessful after their surgery who I'm sure will be of great help to you.  

As far as when you will get a surgery date, it all depends on insurance requirements, surgeon schedules, etc.  I had to wait 4 months to see my surgeon for the first time because one of the other surgeons was on medical leave but then after I had my first appt, I could have scheduled my surgery within 3 weeks (but I waited 4 months).  My insurance approved me after the first letter and I didn't have any requirements from them, even though I took it upon myself to visit the psychologist (best decision ever!).   So yeah, it just depends on, if any, hoops you need to jump through first.  

Best of luck to you!

~Emily~  

I had the lap band done. There was about a 3 month gap between the first time I met with my surgeon to my surgery date. I am really glad I got the lap band. It is a slower process than the other options, but I was most comfortable with it because it the least invasive and it was my first surgery (ever) so I was pretty concerned about that. I can't emphasize enough that it is a tool, and not a magic wand. I lost a bit of weight at first and then struggled with it over this summer. I was at a plateau for about 3 months before I really realized that it was still something that I had to work at. However, when you do try, it is awesome. I don't think I could never lose this kind of weight without my lap band. I would be happy to answer any questions you have about the lap band...I know it seems like a lot of people on this site have had RNY. make sure to talk to everyone and know your options. Ultimately, you and your doctor will decide what is best for you, of course.

Thanks so much for all the help guys! It truly means alot. I am so nervous about this and this also my first surgery but I know it will help for the better. The other thing I'm scared of is that I am going to get my hopes up and then something will go wrong and I won't be able to get the surgery done. I have so many emotions going on inside of me right now and it's so nice to talk to people that have been through it all. I think I'm really leaning towards the Lap Band just because it is minimally invasive and shorter recovery time. I'm really hoping that I don't regret this decision and I hope I can change from it and become alot healthier.

Hey girl! I am 24. I have the band and started at 304lbs and 16 months later I am at 198lbs (lost 105lbs so far). I feel FANTASTIC! Personally I think the band is GREAT for people our age. It can be adjusted forever and that's important for us... we need something that'll work long term.

I know you probably can't WAIT to be thin... I thought it would never come true... so I would see how RNY has an appeal... but the band goes at a nice steady rate and a healthy rate.

The difference? Here's what I always tell people (my RNY friends seem to agree with this). The band takes more self-control and patience. At first it's 80% effort, 20% surgery. As you get more fills, the surgery starts to work for you and it becomes 80% surgery, 20% effort.

With the RNY, at first it's 20% effort, 80% surgery. You zoom down fast toward goal but after the "honeymoon period" things slow down and eventually it flips... 20% surgery, 80% effort.

The band appealed to me because it's slow weight loss (which gives me time to adjust to all the craziness of getting more attention from men, my body image issues, my self-esteem, head hunger, life changes, etc) and the band is adjustable for life. So if you feel like you're getting off track.. go in for a fill. The RNY doesn't have that ability to 'retighten' as much without a revision.

Finally... not sure if you have kids, but if you ever want to have more or have some in general, the band is great. They can loosen it when you get pregnant so there are no malnutrition issues.

And if all else fails... 20 years down the road, you always have the option to do RNY if all else fails.

If you have any more questions after reading this book of a reply that I just wrote, lol, message me or email me at [email protected].

Good luck to you in whatever you choose! Congrats on making the choice to get your health back!

You're awesome Elena, but I gotta argue with you on at least one point you made on this though.
If you have RNY and want to get pregnant there are no issues. The baby takes what it needs and comes out healthy just like any other baby. You ought to take more vitamins etc but even non-wls people have to take prenatal vites. People make big mistakes (both lap band and rny) when they think they have to eat a whole lot to nourish a baby. That's the type of thing people end up going in for revisions because of.

Hey girl... I reread my post and it did sound like I was saying the RNY causes malnutrition for the baby. That wasn't what I meant so I'm sorry. :) I just meant you can get in anything you need to feed the baby by loosing the band. :) Thanks for pointing that out so no one gets the wrong idea!

elena is so funny :) i love her replies :) but shes right i havent been banded yet and i defiantly wish sometimes i was gettin RNY because its less effort intially HOWEVER i choose lapband becuase its more long term for me and its simpler i wasnt to thrilled with my insides being chopped and moved haha. and if all else fails later down the road i can get VSG or RNY.... i qualified for both but choose lapband. my appointment is oct the 19th. my first apt with the surgeon was july 16th soo it was only a few monhts HOWEVER some insurance companies require a butload of stuff mine did not with my history and such. feel free to assk me anything :) 

You guys are so great! Thank you so much for all of the insight it sure has helped! I think it really gave me that extra "push" to make up my mind so hopefully it will work out! I think you are so right about it being more long-term and I also wasn't too thrilled about the thought of being cut and having my stomach smaller but instead this seems like a good plan for me. It will give me more drive to actually put in effort and work for what I want. Congrats on the upcoming surgery Cristy! Let us know how it goes! I'm sure you will do great!! :) So did you guys talk to your doctor first about how you would have to qualify and what you would need to send to the insurance agency? Or did you just send it all then talk with your doctor? I'm still a little confused on the process.. so if anyone could explain to me what they did that would be awesome! I'm so new at this guys it's not even funny lol! I feel dumb for asking so many questions and I feel like I didn't do enough research. But thanks again guys it really means alot!! 

I would research bariatric clinics in your area and find one that'll work through the whole process with you. My clinic did all the tests and assessments and sent all the info into insurance. Really take time to research a clinic that knows what they are doing, knows the band well and also has good aftercare.