Lapband Expiriences -- Pros and Cons

KellNY, RN · Jul 23, 2006

Bargain abdominal surgies? In Mexico?

Not so much. Not for me....

However, Re: Lapband surgery...

I think it's the lesser of two often necessary evils (hows that for a cliche combo?). But then again, my collegue/friend is in the hospital right now with a 60% chance of survival with functional recovery because of her lapband--or a complication 2 years after the placement of, I should say. I don't know the whole cascade of events, but after a year and a half (if not more?) she ended up with NEC and dilated bowles. She was traveling--Las Vegas--for a conference and that's where she is now....Thought she had a virus or gas....turns out a large portion of her bowels had begun to die and rot. If she survives, she'll have a colostomy bag for at least a few months.:uhoh21: Very sad.

My other 2 friends (one of whom had the same surgeon as the above mentioned woman, btw) are doing wonderfully. One only lost 50lbs (she has major food issues), but both are healthier so far than how they started.

I think you really need to weigh the pros and cons (as it seems you may be...or maybe not). Even with the traveling and accomodations it's less??

Kelly

MA2006 · Jul 23, 2006

I have also thought about getting the lapband, however most insurances will not cover the expenses. I have been told by three doctors that lapband is the best way to go. If your BMI is over 40 (or 35 with certain weight related health problems) then the risks of the lapband procedure are less than staying obese, as told by the doctors. Another thing one mentioned was that people who have a BMI of 40 and above have approximately less than 20% chance of losing 50% of the weight they need to lose on their own (and keeping it off for more than 6 months) and much less of a chance they will lose all of it on their own(and keep if off for more than 6 months). That was very discouraging to hear, but it opened my eyes. However, I am not saying it cannot be done, there are people who have lost over 100 lbs and kept it off on their own, but not many sorry to say. Whatever you choose good luck and I hope we reach our goals.

bbcewalters, NP · Jul 23, 2006

Hello
This is vulnerable for me to post this from a personal piont.
I have decided to have a lapband in Mexico by a surgeon who was certified in the States and has done presentations at Harvard. He has taught many US surgeons and is considered to be an expert in this surgery. I have researched him and the procedure quite a bit.
Why Mexico -- The office I work in has limited insurance that will not cover this despite physician request. The cost in the USA is anywhere from 18000 to 26000.
This surgeon and total hospital cost is 8500 which is the typical rate in Mexico. The facility there is excellant and near San Diego.
Why lapband - I have stuggle with weight since I was in college. I have tried weight watchers/ overeaters anon /and diet after diet. Call it lack of self discipline or character defect or what ever nothing has worked for me. I was near and personally involved in 9/11 and since my weight has been over the top and getting woorse. I am in and have been in PSTD counseling and the therapist think this is a real sign if recovery.
I do not want an early demise.I am now having sleep apnea and borderline HTN and SOB on exertion. I medically meet the criteria with BMI. I have recently been cleared by a local cardiologist and my primary care MD/PA.
Concerns are erosion and slipage however these complications are
View of this I realize this is not the end all but will only be a tool to help me. The tentative date is August 31st.
Requesting I am not seeking medical opinions or medical advise here in this post. I am asking from fellow collegues here any personal expiriences who have had this and/or have professional knowledge about this procedure. I am open to both the benifits as well as complications that have been seen in your care or expirienced.
FYI website I have found pretty informative are www.lapband.com and www.lapbandtalk.com.
Thank you Sincerely,
Marc

I am a nurse who currently works on a Bariatrics floor we specialize in lap bands and gastric bypass. I have many stories I could tell you good and bad, however it is my experience that the people that choose to do the surgery and have A LOT of support from family friends, coworkers and nutritionists (very important) do best. As far as going to Mexico, I think you should search options in other states within the US. Other states have different qualifying criteria and physicians that take medicare/medicaid pts....

You can PM me any time and I will do my best to get you more specific info...

Good luck in whatever you decide, but remember that this is a LIFE LONG change and with a band if you continue to eat to much you will not loose weight. A Gastric bypass reduces the size of your stomach so it will only fill with 30 cc at a time, but a band does not reduce your stomach size, it restricts the size only for a time to help you feel full, but when it passes the band you will not feel full anymore. Therefore it is EXTREMELY important to resolve any underlying isssues you have with food before the surgery.......

Bobbi

banditrn · Jul 23, 2006

I've never heard of the lapband, but my DIL had the gastric bypass by some wonderful doc's in Grinnell Iowa, and she's done very well!!

She's in her late 20's, but was starting to have health problems due to her weight. And, as I've observed with a lot of obese people, she did NOT eat large amounts of food!! Her problem seemed to come from not enough or the right kind of exercise.

She was always a pretty girl, and she has emerged as gorgeous - and she's a much happier person now that she can do the things whe wasn't able to before!!

HARRN2b · Jul 23, 2006

It is unfortunate that in America many are having to travel to Mexico to have medical treatments. Chapala.com is a site used by many retirees who have moved to Mexico. Many of them can no longer afford to live in the states. However, with the rapid influx of retirees, and a new era of baby boomers that area is also starting to get expensive. My mom said many of her community travel to Mexico for dental work as it is so $$ in the USA. I am not offering opinions or advice, it is just the sad state of affairs in the United States that one can no longer afford medical care. My anatomy professor said that many will start to travel to China in the future as they are ahead of the curve on stem cell research. Their government fully believes in it. I believe that I even saw info on one of the ALS websites concerning travel to China.

As usual, just my .02 cents

Lpn1997 · Jul 24, 2006

Have you checked out Obesityhelp.com? I joined last year before I had gastric bypass and have learned a lot. There are different forums, one of which is designated for people interested in or who have already had lapband. I do remember reading where some of them had surgery in Mexico. Check it out if you haven't already.