Five LAP-BAND Myths
Saturday August 15 2009posted by Adam - Total Comments: 2
1. You'll gain all your weight back when you take the band off -- This is false. The truth is that, even though the band is removable, it is designed to be a life-long implant, helping you to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight for the rest of your life. Most of our patients love their band and would not even consider removing it.
2. You can't eat sugar -- We hear this a lot, because of some confusion with gastric bypass patients. Gastric band patients can have sugar, though we don't recommend a lot of it. With bypass, the sugar goes through your digestive tract more quickly and results in what is commonly called a dumping syndrome, whenever the sugary food hits the colon. With an adjustable gastric band, all food -- even sugar -- goes through your entire, natural digestive tract.
3. The surgery is dangerous -- Every surgery has risks, but the gastric band surgery is a very safe procedure with relatively low risks. Older versions of weight loss surgery have, unfortunately, given the whole idea of weight loss surgery a bad rap. A gastric band procedure is done laparoscopically, through tiny holes. There is no cutting or stapling of internal organs, and patients are usually out of the hospital the same day as the surgery.
4. It's too new. It hasn't been proven -- Gastric bands are relatively new, but they have gone through extensive trials leading up to FDA approvals. They have been shown to be safe and effective, and they've improved the quality of life for thousands of people.
5. Getting a gastric band is taking the easy way out -- I really don't like hearing people say this. Gastric bands are tools, not cures. A successful gastric band patient is careful about their diet, exercises regularly and attends regular check-ups with his or her care provider. It's a powerful tool, but it is not easy.
Comments
Wednesday September 09, 200907:09 pm
Joined 07/18/2009
Comments : 4
Is there anyone out there who has been allowed surgery before six months, even though the insurance says six months of recent weight loss attempt under a doctor’s care? I have done this multiple times, but none recent. I am not sure what they think an additional 6 months will do for a person—or people (most of us) who have lost and gained throughout our whole lives.
Tuesday September 15, 200910:09 am
Joined 04/06/2009
Comments : 99
(repost from another comment thread)
anmom: I’ve posted your question in the community forum under the “Getting Started” topic. You can follow this link directly to the conversation: http://www.moreoflife.com/forum/viewthread/94/
The feedback I have recieved from our insurance specialists is that requirements like these are difficult, if not impossible, to get around. It could be argued that they use the 6 month period to ensure you are committed to change before they invest in your surgery.
However, if you view it as a stalling tactic, use that to your advantage. If you believe they do this so that you’ll give up and go away, use that as motivation to prove them wrong.