RE: TONI AND WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

January 16, 2005

Cindi,

I had lapband surgery. My surgery itself lasted 30 mins. I was wake and

sitting up within an hour after surgery. I was up and walking within 2-3 hrs

after surgery. I had to wait to get to my hospital room before they would let me

out of bed. I spent 23 hrs in the hospital. I had very little pain....mostly

sore..like I had done far too many situps. My surgery was done laproscopicly.

My insurance covered it 100%. I think I might have paid around $250 out of

my pocket for my pysch evaluation and some counseling which was not covered by

insurance.

I would highly recommend lapband for those lookng to loose weight but not

interested in gastric bypass procedures. How one chooses weight loss surgical

option is such a personal thing. There are many procedures out there. I had

lapband. Tess had Duodenal switch/biliopancreatic switch which is one of the

most severe of gastric bypass procedures. There is also under the choices of

gastric bypass: RNY, vertical gasric banding, fobi pouch and micro pouch. All

of the gastric bypass procedures envolve cutting of the stomach and intestines

to create a far smaller stomach...as well as bypassing a portion of the

intestines to create malabsorption of nutritents.

Please research all the options carefully and talk with your doctor.

I would highly recommend Lapband. I chose it because I did not want my

stomach or intestines cut. The high risk of death from complications which is 1

in

200. Also I had to take into consideration with RA that I would need

medication for life. Because of the malabsorption part of gastric bypass I want

to

make sureif I am taking meds that they are being absorbed and are effective.

Many people who have gastric bypass have problems with pain meds, vitamin and

minerals being absorbed. Also many who have gastric bypass suffer from many

mineral and vitamin deficiencies caused from the bypass part of the intestines.

This was a big concern for me with Ra. I was already B vitamin deficient

from the MTX. Because of RA I am at higher risk of osteoporosis which many post

op gatric bypass patients suffer from because they do not absorb calcium.

You really have to have a surgeon look carefully at your medical status and

try to predict your future needs. The good thing about lapband is that it is

100% reversible should a medical need arise. It is adjustible during your

weight loose journey. Even if you stop loosing and need to get going again.

No

ideal weight lose window of 18-24 months like with Gastric bypass.

I would suggest a few websites for info: www.obesityhelp.com , www.fitday.com

and www.lapband.com

E-mail me privately if you have more questions.

Toni

In a message dated 1/16/2005 9:28:03 PM Central Standard Time,

writes:

Date: Mon, 17 Jan 2005 03:27:16 -0000

From: " CINDI " <heinscsf@...>

Subject: RE: TONI AND WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

HI TONI,

I JUST HAD A FEW QUESTIONS, WHEN YOU HAD WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY WAS

YOUR RECOVERY HARD ? HOW LONG WERE YOU IN THE HOSPITAL AND DID YOUR

INSURANCE COVER IT ? WOULD YOU RECOMMEND TO SOMEONE ELSE THAT

WANTED TO DO IT ?

THANKS, CINDI

January 16, 2005