I need to make a decision!!!!!!!!!!!!!! - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

Rory · 01-18-2006, 09:45 PM

I finally got insurance. I live in Little Rock, AR and right now I am laid off of my job. So I have federal insurance. I called the doctors that maybe I wanted to use and they said that they did not accept Health Advantage. I am looking of getting financed through Capital One, but they only give you five years to pay for it. Can anyone help me with this?

Another problem that I am having is that there are only 4 surgons here in Little Rock that perform WLS and three of them are pushing lap band. One is one of the finist in the business and will only do gastric bypass. He only does open gastric bypass. He teachs other doctors how to do this procedure. He has done 8000 procedures with only 2 deaths and I don't thing they were related to the surgery. I thing that is a petty good ratio.

Another thing is why are so many doctors pushing the lap band now. I don't understand. Now that the lap band has come out, all of a sudden you start to hear horror stories about gastric bypass. Especialy when GBP is tried and true method

Thank

Rocking Rory

bstars42 · 01-18-2006, 09:53 PM

Are you sure the doctors are not pushing the laproscopic procedure and not the lap band. I know when i first started the processes i thought "lap"meant lap band but they mean laproscopic. Just a thought, but if this is not the case and they are pushing lap band I'm not sure y they would do this. hope this helps a little.

Rory · 01-18-2006, 09:56 PM

They are pushing the lap-band with the ring aroung your stomach where you have to go get fills.

Rory · 01-18-2006, 10:02 PM

A ring around the stomach. New at this.

Rory · 01-18-2006, 10:03 PM

They are pushing the lap-band with the ring aroung your stomach where you have to go get fills.

Brooke220 · 01-19-2006, 06:16 AM

I agree that they may mean laproscopic surgery. Be aware that you don't lose as much weight with the lap band and some of those who start with the lap band later opt to go on to the gastric bypass. If I had less than a 100 lbs. to lose I think I would have done the lapband.

I'd do an Internet search for a good lap RNY doctor or center near you, like maybe at a university. The hospital that did my surgery does loans if you have good credit.

LizardQueen · 01-19-2006, 08:10 AM

I have noticed that the use of the lap band does seem to be increasing. It is reversable and there isn't the problem with malabsorption, but it also doesn't seem to have as many negative consequences like gb-dumping. It is a personal choice about which procedure to have.
As far as financing goes, my ins paid, but knowing what I know now, if I would have had to mortagage my home to have wls, I would have done it in a heartbeat. It has changed my life in so many positive ways. Look at the interest rate and make sure you are going ot be able to maintain your payments and afford aftercare for life.

twodogsmom · 01-19-2006, 09:37 AM

If you had ins with your job, and were laid off, you should be eligible for COBRA for 18 months. You do have to pay the premium, but woud be able to continue with all your ongoing med. care.

lealphachienne · 01-19-2006, 10:46 AM

Many docs are pushing Lap-Band because it's more cost effective for them...it's a shorter procedure and they can collect almost as much money. The suppose reduced side effects also makes follow-ups easier.....I don't know how regulated the Lap-Band is in regards to training and such. It's very common in Europe and Canada. I think it's fine to consider the Band if you only need to lose arond 100 lbs.... I would think that if you need to lose more, then the RNY is a better choice. This is something you need to discuss with the surgeon about what is specificcly good for you. Go to each one and get more than one opinion.