Lap VS gastric

[cyndiwilson]

this is how I feel all the time -- I am a very outgoing person I love life Ilove my family - I researched gastric bypass surgery for a long time and have been denied 3 times for the surgery. I am 5'4 and weigh 268lbs. more than my husband.... I would get a denial and do a program for about 4 weeks so I could get a history of a diet going for the insrance and yes my insurance will pay for it but gee how much do you have topay out of your frickin pocket before they give???? So I have been quiet about it for a couple of years and am currently doing weight watchers with a friend - she is losing I am floating back and forth with about 5lbs. going on 10 weeks .... I am busy ---I have kids I have a FT job (like nobody has that) and I am full of excuses of why I can't eat right ---but my weight over the last 8 years the birth of my last child has crept up from 230 to 268 never higher never lower/ the 230 was losing 20lbs. while I was pregnant with that 3rd child so when I started back with eating out and so on I gained that back and 18 more----so I am not a yo-yo dieter --I just give up----I want this surgery my husband has already said we can afford it and maybe this is the way to go ??? I have read alot about the lap band VS gastric and the nourishment issue and the sagging skin( goodness that i ask the insurance for anything else(and I have great insurance))that does bother me - I want to grow with my husband (annoy him a little longer LOL) watch my kids grow and see the other things that happen life without having to worry about health problems that the gastric can bring on...I have high blood pressure now .... with the lap band yo still recieve the nourishment/protien by eating - I have a friend that goes back and forth from normal food to a liquid diet due to she can't handle the solid food sometimes - she looks great but doesn't look too happy.... I have recieved info from Dr. Ortiz I willbe buying the book soon to read - I figure after the kids are back in school and just before the holidays kick into full swing would be a great time for the surgery I am looking for a October date ----I would love to stay in contact with anyone that reads and I wil be posting more -- Ilove reading what everyone has to say - very helpful- and caring --- Ilove having the nurses in here that are just thrilled they have had the surgery and how clean the facility is ---that eases my mind about going into Mexico for surgery - for I will be possibly traveling myself - the hubby will stay home watch kids HAH! and working --- I will post again soon maybe with a picture too.... LOL I don't think I hae noticed any pictures posted ??? or maybe I am not looking in the right place-------Good night

[Friend]

this is how I feel all the time -- I am a very outgoing person I love life Ilove my family - I researched gastric bypass surgery for a long time and have been denied 3 times for the surgery. I am 5'4 and weigh 268lbs. more than my husband.... I would get a denial and do a program for about 4 weeks so I could get a history of a diet going for the insrance and yes my insurance will pay for it but gee how much do you have topay out of your frickin pocket before they give???? So I have been quiet about it for a couple of years and am currently doing weight watchers with a friend - she is losing I am floating back and forth with about 5lbs. going on 10 weeks .... I am busy ---I have kids I have a FT job (like nobody has that) and I am full of excuses of why I can't eat right ---but my weight over the last 8 years the birth of my last child has crept up from 230 to 268 never higher never lower/ the 230 was losing 20lbs. while I was pregnant with that 3rd child so when I started back with eating out and so on I gained that back and 18 more----so I am not a yo-yo dieter --I just give up----I want this surgery my husband has already said we can afford it and maybe this is the way to go ??? I have read alot about the lap band VS gastric and the nourishment issue and the sagging skin( goodness that i ask the insurance for anything else(and I have great insurance))that does bother me - I want to grow with my husband (annoy him a little longer LOL) watch my kids grow and see the other things that happen life without having to worry about health problems that the gastric can bring on...I have high blood pressure now .... with the lap band yo still recieve the nourishment/protien by eating - I have a friend that goes back and forth from normal food to a liquid diet due to she can't handle the solid food sometimes - she looks great but doesn't look too happy.... I have recieved info from Dr. Ortiz I willbe buying the book soon to read - I figure after the kids are back in school and just before the holidays kick into full swing would be a great time for the surgery I am looking for a October date ----I would love to stay in contact with anyone that reads and I wil be posting more -- Ilove reading what everyone has to say - very helpful- and caring --- Ilove having the nurses in here that are just thrilled they have had the surgery and how clean the facility is ---that eases my mind about going into Mexico for surgery - for I will be possibly traveling myself - the hubby will stay home watch kids HAH! and working --- I will post again soon maybe with a picture too.... LOL I don't think I hae noticed any pictures posted ??? or maybe I am not looking in the right place-------Good night

Cyndi, goosh do not hesitate at all to get the band. I highly recommend even though my after surgery medical support is not that good the surgery, hospital, staff were great in TJ was great and good price deal. I have learned more here on the forum than with making phone calls. So for everyone I would recommend to read this forum way before surgery to know what to expect and good questions to ask. I wish you the best in your decision and I am here for any support. Sylvia from California

[Sally]

Hi there, new here...

I had a VBG (vertical banded gastroplasty) back in the "dark ages" of this technique 18 years ago. At that time I was 27 years old, weighed 340 lbs, and had two small children. I had problems with my blood pressure, my legs, my ankles, just moving around was an ORDEAL (I'm 5'9").

MY wake up call, if you wanna call it that, was one day my doctor sat me down and told me point blank "If you DON'T do something about your weight, you are NOT going to live to see your children grow up!" (They were 7 and 2 at the time.)

I researched and went with the VBG (at the time in 1988, it was 'state of the art', and my insurance picked up all but about $800 of the cost because I had so many co-morbidity factors in the mix).

Today, 18 years later, I have been holding in the 190-200 zone for about 6 years. Yeah, I go up and down - but now *I* have control. I also had some brilliant counselors who helped me reshape my relationship with food... one of my favorite quotes is "my car doesn't orgasm when I give it gasoline! Why should I be so hung up on food? IT'S *JUST* fuel!"

Today, I left the love of my life in the VERY capable hands of Dr. Ortiz. Darrin got banded today (6/22), and when I left, he was sleeping soundly post-op.

My point is this: If I'd had it to do over, I would do it in a HEARTBEAT. I am CONVINCED that if I hadn't done the VBG, I would be dead today of some obesity-related complication. (I'm 45 years old). I am actually a little envious of YOU guys having the bands - I have a HORRID scar from just above my belly button to my breastbone - but I AM ALIVE. And now that Darrin found Dr. Ortiz and got banded, *HE* is going to live to a ripe old age... and we'll have years of driving each other crazy ahead of us!

I always told Darrin "I WANT TO GET OLD WITH YOU"... and I meant it. Now, thanks to Dr. Ortiz and his crew (and Darrin's decision and determination) - NOW we have that option. Thank the Goddess.

[nita57]

Thanks for that Sally. What a wonderful story for those of us who are waiting for our surgery dates.

And please let Darin know that I am so glad he is doing well and am looking forward to his updates. I'm sure there are many others here who are reading and following his story closely. Thanks again. Nita

Hi there, new here...

I had a VBG (vertical banded gastroplasty) back in the "dark ages" of this technique 18 years ago. At that time I was 27 years old, weighed 340 lbs, and had two small children. I had problems with my blood pressure, my legs, my ankles, just moving around was an ORDEAL (I'm 5'9").

MY wake up call, if you wanna call it that, was one day my doctor sat me down and told me point blank "If you DON'T do something about your weight, you are NOT going to live to see your children grow up!" (They were 7 and 2 at the time.)

I researched and went with the VBG (at the time in 1988, it was 'state of the art', and my insurance picked up all but about $800 of the cost because I had so many co-morbidity factors in the mix).

Today, 18 years later, I have been holding in the 190-200 zone for about 6 years. Yeah, I go up and down - but now *I* have control. I also had some brilliant counselors who helped me reshape my relationship with food... one of my favorite quotes is "my car doesn't orgasm when I give it gasoline! Why should I be so hung up on food? IT'S *JUST* fuel!"

Today, I left the love of my life in the VERY capable hands of Dr. Ortiz. Darrin got banded today (6/22), and when I left, he was sleeping soundly post-op.

My point is this: If I'd had it to do over, I would do it in a HEARTBEAT. I am CONVINCED that if I hadn't done the VBG, I would be dead today of some obesity-related complication. (I'm 45 years old). I am actually a little envious of YOU guys having the bands - I have a HORRID scar from just above my belly button to my breastbone - but I AM ALIVE. And now that Darrin found Dr. Ortiz and got banded, *HE* is going to live to a ripe old age... and we'll have years of driving each other crazy ahead of us!

I always told Darrin "I WANT TO GET OLD WITH YOU"... and I meant it. Now, thanks to Dr. Ortiz and his crew (and Darrin's decision and determination) - NOW we have that option. Thank the Goddess.

[housecatgirl]

Glad to hear some news on Darrin. Please ask him to post his experience when he feels up to it.