Question:
Anyone here have the adjustable band, How did you do ?

I was wondering about the adjustable band. I have considered the other options for surgery, but I don't necessarily feel very comfortable with them. I was wondering if anyone on here had this surgery, and would like some advice/opinions/any information other than what i found in the database. Thank you    — Michelle H. (posted on February 20, 2002)

February 20, 2002
If you haven't checked out [email protected], check it out...everybody on that site "loves their band!" I did a lot of research on the LAP-BAND and here's what I found out: 1) You will probably have to go to Mexico or Europe to get it done, as very few US docs are doing it/feel comfortable doing it; 2) Ins coverage is almost impossible to obtain as most US cos. still consider it experimental (thanks, FDA!); 3) You will have to go in for tightning every now and then, which consists of injecting a saline sollution in a little port; 4) There is no malapsorbtion with this procedure - only restriciton...what else? I would have liked to get it done, but I feel pretty comfortable with my choice of the "gold standard" RNY, but I sure wish you a lot of luck...the band may soon become the WLS of choice.
   — rebeccamayhew

March 25, 2002
I had the Lapband placed on July 27, 2001 and to date (3-25-02) I have lost 54 #. I could not be more thrilled with my success. My family doctor is so convinced that this works, he has asked me to contact another of his patients. I am currently helping this patient write a request letter to Medicaid. I had my surgery in Tijuana, Mexico done by the incredible Dr. Pedro Kuri, my parents paid the $7,500 and they truly believe that it was money well spent. Virginia
   — Virginia J.

March 25, 2002
Hello, I just went to an info session last week for this same thing. You can get it done in the US. I see that you are from MI. The doctor I went to see is located in Milwaukee. They will also help you with insurance approvals and the like. I am hoping and praying that my insurance approves it (fingers crossed) and I can get the band placed this summer. The doctor's name is Thomas Chua. You can lok him up and get his number from this site. Just look under WI docs. He's also listed if you go to http://www.thebandsters.com. Good luck!
   — Toni C.

April 18, 2002
Lap Banding was FDA approved last summer. I know of one Dr in Fort Worth Texas who has done it (Adam Smith-he is on this site). There is also one in Lubbock & Baytown (near Houson). The surgeon I am going to see Dr Stephen Hamn has done an open gastric band. I want to try to talk him into doing the Lap version of it. Wish me luck!
   — torisa K.

November 15, 2002
Just had the Adjustable Gastric Band placed Laparascopically on November 8, 2002. Everything went well. No pain post op. Just muscle soreness and gas post op. Post op diet: two weeks of liquids, two weeks of mush, then can start adding other foods. Very happy so far. Returned to work on November 15th.
   — MsPatooti

December 14, 2002
I have had my lapband for almost 3 years now and I easily maintain my weight between 135-140. I love my band!
   — judycay

July 7, 2003
My mom just had the Lap Band on June 25th, and she's already lost 25 pounds. Very few to no insurance companies are covering it though, and she had to self pay. It's much cheaper than the others if you're self paying, and runs anywhere from $9,000 to $15,000, depending on yor post-op care and all that, as opposed to $20,000 and up with some of the other procedures. I'm not sure how successful it is compared o the others, but I'll find out soon as my mom progresses and I'll keep it posted. I REALLY want (and really need... BMI 48.9 and I'm 18) this surgery myself, but I haven't decided which procedure I want. Money is my problem... I have Blue Shield HMO and they're assholes and won't pay for anything, so I'll have to self-pay as well. But so far, the Lap Band seems to be doing great for my mom.
   — Stephanie Ansley

February 2, 2005
hello, it is 02-02-05 i had the lapband surgery on 01-28-05 and i am already down 10 pounds. i have bcbs hmo and had no problem getting approved 100%. surgery went well, there is swelling but i'm not in too much pain. i haven't even taken the pain medication. i have 2 friends who have also had the lapband and both lost approx 70lbs in 5 months. so it definitly can work for u. i can't wait till i'm 5 months post op :)
   — marianna G.