Question:
Who ever is post-op can you tell me how you like the lap- band

If you do can you tell me why? If you don't can you tell me your reasons for not liking the lap-band. Does anyone know if you don't like the lap-band if you could then have the open rny. Only if insurance will cover.    — doogslove (posted on January 10, 2005)

January 9, 2005
I have had the lap-band since May 2003 and I love it. I have lost about 130 pounds with it (planning to get a tummy tuck soon so we'll see how much more I lose after that). I have never regretted getting the band. Losing the weight has been fairly easy and I eat pretty much whatever I want; simply in smaller portions (although I would admit I probably would lose more if I did make more drastic diet changes, I am at peace with where I'm at right now). If you change your mind after getting the band, I am not sure if the insurance will pick up the tab for an RNY; it probably depends on the insurance company. If you want to get some advice from others who have the lapband I recommend checking out the website http://www.lapbandtalk.com Good luck :)
   — K M.

January 10, 2005
It's a huge mistake to choose any weight-loss surgery based on the assumption that you can always have another later if this one isn't to your liking. Insurance companies vary greatly on revisions--some don't cover them at all, some cover them under certain conditions--but none will pay if you decide you simply "don't like" the Lap-Band or any other surgery. Revisions also are more technically difficult and dangerous, and far fewer surgeons perform them. To get an idea of what happens with insurance when people are trying to revise a surgery, check out these Yahoo groups: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/WLSrevisionsupport http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/OSSG-Revision http://groups.yahoo.com/group/DS_Revision The only sensible approach is to choose the surgery that has the best chance of working for you--to choose as if this is your only shot, because it is indeed likely to be.
   — Kay B.

January 10, 2005
I love mine very very much. :) All my reasons for choosing the LapBand are on my profile .. feel free to check it out! I also said early on that I "could always get RNY" later, but I honestly forgot all about it until I read it in your question. Hee. I don't know if it's that easy or not. There is also an excellent LapBand message board here; go to the Main Entrance, choose LapBand Forum, then Message Board. There's lots of success stories there, and lots of "the good/the bad/the ugly" daily ups and downs type info. Good luck!
   — Jeanie

January 10, 2005
love my band--no regrets. yes, if necessary you can go from band to bypass.....but remember, there is no going back from bypass--bypass is forever. the band is adjustable and nothing internal gets rearranged--for me that was priceless. why go for the more invasive, risky, and irreversable surgery when you have other options? good luck!
   — jessicamegan

January 10, 2005
I had the lap band surgery on March 29, 2004 and so far I have lost 100+ pounds. And went from taking 18 different medications to now taking 7. If I can help any more e mail me at [email protected]
   — Donald W. K.

January 10, 2005
If I wanted to have a lap band then the insurance I have would not cover the procedure....that is why I went with RNY. When I did my original research I thought it was the way to go....no messing with internal plumbing and that appealled to me. Then I found out in my consultation that my insurance would not cover lap band and that would be out of pocket. Needless to say I don't have $50K just hanging around my neck to pay Dr, hospital, etc. I had an open RNY and well I am doing fine...alot better than I thought I would do with the rearrange plumbing. Check with your insurance to see if they will help with the costs before you decide unless of course you can afford to pay the costs then I would go for it! We all have different situations for what we do right?
   — dcox94