Anyone gone through LapBand?

[chickenzoo]

Just wondering if there are any Lap Band users out there...........

 

[KatyTheChickenLady]

Not me, although I would like to. My friend did, three years later she is on a billboard for them, sheloooks and feels great.

 

[MandyH]

I too would like to hear everyone's stories about this procedure. What's the procedure like, recovery time, insurance coverage, etc.

 

[lotzahenz]

I have. I have lost 84 lbs. I will try and post my experience later if you want. I would do it again, hard as it is.

HenZ

 

[Slinkytoys]

Yup, had my surgery in January. Have lost a total of 50 lbs. with 25 more to go. My doctor is fabulous, the hospital was wonderful. Recovery was uneventful. Have had two "fills" so far. Since I wasn't at a high enough BMI our insurance wouldn't cover it. I think it ran about $16,000 self-pay. You do have to take vitamins for the rest of your life, and you will lose a lot of hair which will usually grow back. I am no where near as hungry as I had been. Make sure your doctor requires you to go for nutrition classes before you make your decision. Some don't and it hinders your life choices.
All in all, I would do it again.
Carrie

 

[redhen]

Is the lap band for life? i thought the point of it was that it could be removed after you lost the weight..no?

 

[cat]

I am so glad you started this post as I am just shopping around for the best v cheapest surgery at the moment. In UK our insurance does not cover this, but there are a lot of private health clinics offering surgery. I have tried everything else so I am pretty much decided on surgery, just trying to raise the money.

 

[chickenzoo]

I am going through all the classes now. Doing the nutrition class today. I am lucky that my military insurance now covers it, I just have to pay $200 plus the cost of the classes and such.

Redhen it is your choice if you want it removed, but most people choose to leave it in rather than having to risk having another surgery later down the road. With it in you can adjust it to suit your changes in life style over time. Changes to the band are in office procedures.

 

[TammyTX]

Quote:
Really?! I'm telling my sister (BIL is Marine).

I went through the process. I was even hooked up to my IV and ready to be wheeled into the operating room when the anethesiologist decided that with my apnea it would be better performed in a regular hospital and not there at the surgery center. I have to be intubated while still awake...not fun. That was an extra $5,000 ("at least") for the hospital stay. Well, it was just too much. I was self-pay and at $16K already, I just could NOT see paying that much more. So they unhooked me and I went home.

....used part of the money for a new gate entry instead. yea....

ETA: the NOT in the "just could NOT see paying..." Wow, doesn't that say something?

 

[cat]

There is a surgeon here in UK doing the surgery through your belly button so there is no scar and you are only under for 40 mins. He was the surgeon who fitted the first lap band in Europe and has fantastic sucess rate.

He charges £7900, which I guess is about $12,930 and includes lifetime aftercare. How does this compare pricewise?