Lap-Band Surgery

[tippikitty]

Was wondering if anyone has had it and knows about the cost as it is not covered. Apparently you would have to go to Toronto for it as no one here does it. My doctor only has one patient who has had it done so he doesn't really know too much about it.
Any infor would be greatly appreciated.

[Handyman]

I am in the process of arranging to have "Mini-Gastric Bypass" surgery in Bay City, Michigan. The surgery is $18,000.00, but if OHIP approves it, it is covered. It is the ONLY bariatric surgery you should probably consider. I have researched the topic extensively, and for me there is no other choice.

This surgery is the newest state of the art technology, and is done laporscopically, ... five ports into your abdomen. If your doctor should recommend a mini-gastric bypass surgery that is out of Traverse City or Detroit, it is not the same surgery.

I know two people personally who have had the surgery in Bay City, and they swear by it.

If you want to learn more go to clos.net which is their official website. You also might want to google "Gil Gerard, the Mini Gastric Bypass" and watch the video, ... it is 4 parts. very impressive.

Good luck. If you want anymore info, PM me.

[Sophie's_Mommy]

i know a girl who had it done, she was almost 400 pounds, she is now 120, she lost lots of weight, but she was deathly ill all the time, it s not good for u, ohip will only cover it if u extremley obesse and your weight is affecting you health. I will ask her more about where she had it done and how much it was and i will pm u. Oh ya she diden t go to toronto, she went to sudbury i m pretty sure

[tippikitty]

Ok thanks Shawns Girl. It sounds to me like she might have had the gastric bypass surgery which is different from this lap band surgery. This surgery is way less invasive.
Thanks for the info tho.

[BAILEYDOG]

Tippikitty - we started a support group here in the Sault, it is on the last thursday of every month and we had about a dozen people there. They range from interested in the surgery - to in the process of having surgery - to haveing had the surgery. There were people there that had the mini gastric - the lap band and the Roux-en-y. They all had some degree of success, some slow some fast.

HandyMan the mini gastric is very similar to the Roux en Y as they are both done laproscopically and both have 5 incisions. They both have their drawbacks and their benefits.

Shawns Girl - Ohip will cover if you have 100 lbs or more to loose, have a BMI over 40 or (35 with CoMorbidities)which are life threatening conditions such as diabetes, Sleep apnea or High blood Pressure. I know some people who have had the surgery in the past have had complications but not everyone is in the same boat.

The lap band is not covered by OHIP but you can pay for it your self at about $16000 US contact suzikew on here for more details about it.

[tippikitty]

I wonder why Ohip will cover one surgery but not the other. I'll have to look into the mini by gastric. I wish I hadn't missed that meeting this month. I have tons of questions.

[Sophie's_Mommy]

yes tippi she had the gastric bypass which is diffrent sorry thought it was the same thing. Good luck and i hope u can find a doctor who wont charge u a ton of money

[BAILEYDOG]

TippiKitty - the lap band is not covered by Ohip because they consider it to be cosmetic surgery and not very effective. It is effective if you use the procedure properly but it is reversable by having the band removed. The other surgeries are also reversable but it is way more complicated and every doctor will tell you that it is not reversable so that you don't go in thinking that if you don't like this you can go back. There are doctors in the states who's whole practice is reversing this surgery. Having said that you have to have very good reasons for having it reversed (ie Imminent death and malnutrition) and the outcome sometimes is no better than the original surgery.

[tippikitty]

From my understanding with the lap band you can open it and close it in cases where you may want to become pregnant. They just open it back up so you can have a healthy pregnancy and after your pregnancy they can close the band again.

[BAILEYDOG]

it is actually a water activated band that has an access under the skin. Want it looser remove some water want to eat less put water in with a syringe. (This is only to be done by the doctor) This is only what I have read you would have to talk to Sue to learn more about it.Sue (Robinson) Wilkins at 705-254-3997 or weewilkins@yahoo.ca

[tippikitty]

Thanks baileydog. I was looking up mini by pass and I think that it is covered. Any thoughts on that? I know it's a lot more invasive but I think it's covered which makes a huge difference unfortunately.

[BAILEYDOG]

yes the mini is covered and it is only a little more invasive than the lap band in that there is some stapleing going on to make the stomach smaller and reroute the intestine. My wife knows a guy that had it last week in grand rapids and he returned to work yesterday. The surgery is about 1 hour long. This surgery is considered a restrictive/malabsorbive surgery in that you can only eata limited amount of food (smaller stomach) and what you do eat the bypassed intestine limits the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed. The lap band is strictly a restrictive surgery. However you have to be prepared to take vitamins for the rest of your life to make up what you miss out of the food as the part of the intestine that is bypassed is the area that certain vitamins would normally be absorbed.

[suzikew]

OHIP currently considers LapBand a cosmetic surgery so that's why it isn't covered. it cost my friend $16,000 CDN but she had to have hers done in the hospital vs the clinic as she has severe sleep apnea so that cost $1000 more. There's a few docs in Toronto doing this and the surgeons in Traverse City are now doing Lap-band too.

Then there is the expense of travelling to Toronto. There is no coverage for this but the travel expenses are tax deductible.

Not a problem re missing the meeting. I think we are going to have information sessions monthly or every 6 weeks for people like you who are for info re weight loss surgery. We decided to do this separately from the regular support group because there is so much info to digest.

At the 1st support meeting there were people who have had the RNY gastric bypass in traverse City, people who are waiting for a date, 2 women who have had the miniGB and one woman who had the LapBand done in Toronto. Please remember that weight loss surgery is only a tool!! Everyone has to research what procedure is best for him/her. There are pros and cons to every procedure. Unfortunately, the docs in town really know very little about the procedures and how to get approval.

Email me if you would like to attend an info session or if you've had WLS and would like to attend the monthly support group, which is being held the last Thursday of every month--so the next one is Feb. 22 at 6:30 PM.

weewilkins@yahoo.ca

[suzikew]

Re the pregnancy thing. Many obese women have problems with fertility because estrogen is stored in the fat and keeps us from ovulating. Once you start losing weight, these women can become fertile as they resume ovulating. So they say that you should use birth control for 18 months after weight loss surgery. Yes, with the band they can release the restriction. since I had surgery 15 months ago, I've met some young women who have had RNY gastric bypass--and have had very successful preganacies with normal weight gain and nutritional intake. Actually these people were far more in tune with the nutritional needs than some who have not had the surgery. let's face it, despite our size, most obese people suffer from malnutrtion not in the sense that they aren't getting enough but in the sense that the foods we eat aren't very nutrtional. I know that when my pre-op diet was looked at--on average, I was only getting half the protein/day that I should have been eating.

[suzikew]

Handyman--I had many health problems before my surgery and I'm not sure if the miniGB is done in a clinic or a hospital but I needed the full support offered in a hospital setting. so for me it was the Mayo Clinic or Traverse City where the risks could be best managed. I had the procedure done laparascopically with only 5 little incisions and I had my gall bladder removed at the same time. I was/am very happy with my decision and have had no post-op complications.

[tippikitty]

Yes I'm very interested in the next meeting. I will mark it down on my calendar.
Thanks again for the info.

[kitca]

i had the mini gastric bypass done 10 months ago and i am thrilled with it. it was very scary and a difficult decision to make, but now, i just dont know what i was so worried about. i have no problems at all.

i did extensive research and decided that the MGB (mini gastric bypass) is the only surgery i would want, and i am so very glad that i had it!!!

i had my surgery and was out of the hospital the next day, and was shopping 3 days later. i returned to work the following week. i was tired for the first little while, but i adjusted my protien levels, and have felt fine ever since.

id be a bit leary of the band, ive read enough drawbacks. besides, the mgb costs the same, if ohip doesnt cover it, you can just pay yourself and get it done for the same as getting the band. and the mgb is perminent (however it is reversable) there are several people who have had pregnancies since their surgery. there is a website, and information forum for anyone interested. http://www.clos.net if you are interested.

and to the person going to bay city soon, you will love it there, all the staff are so wonderful. the doctor, all thhe hospital staff, excellent care. there are quite a few of us mbgers here in the soo!

[skibunnie64]

I thought that the lap band surgery was not available in Canada?

[tippikitty]

The lap band surgery is available in Toronto.
Thanks kita for the link.

[KelBear]

I got a response back from OHIP in only 2 weeks, they want me to have a psyc evaluation, b4 they approve it, I know I won't have a problem with that... I have to have one done for the CLOS packet anyway....whoooohoooo

[Handyman]

Having my surgery in Bay City on May 15th. Finally, ... can't wait!

[KelBear]

right on ...good luck let me know how it goes

[Teddy_Gurl]

I recently signed the forms to send to OHIP for pre-approval of gastric bypass surgery. Now I am readying about the mini gastric bypass and am wondering the differences? My doctor refered me to Traverse City for the gastric by pass but now I am wondering if the mini one is more beneficial. Any info is greatly appreciated.

[Handyman]

The procedure in Traverse City uses the Roux en Y connection for the stomach to the intestine. The Mini Gastric Bypass done in Bay City uses the more popular and less invasive Billroth II conection.

The Roux en Y connection has statistically more problems and is not reversible if you have problems.

My doctor also first referred me to Traverse City, but I had her change the procedure to Bay City.

I have my surgery on Tuesday the 15, so I'll let you know how it goes.

Wish me luck!

[Babzz]

Luck to you handyman
I am sure it will go fine

[Teddy_Gurl]

Handyman, how long did it take from your sending your application to OHIP and this date? and also, if you dont' mind me asking, what types of tests do they do prior to receiving the surgery?

[Handyman]

My OHIP aplication was sent in on April 2, 2007. Before surgery, you need blood work done, an ECG within the last 90 days, a complete physical within the last 6 months, and a chest x-ray if you are a smoker (I'm not).

You need to do your online application at http://www.clos.net and they will give you a tentative date for your OHIP application.

All the details are at http://www.clos.net

[Teddy_Gurl]

So I need to start the 12 steps? Do you acutally need to contact 10 other patients? Can the psych eval be done by any psychiatrist or are there certain ones? As well Handyman, does the doctor have to fill out a whole new form for the mini one to be re sent back to OHIP? I'm sorry for all the questions, but your help is much appreicated. Good luck with your surgery!

[Handyman]

If you join the CLOS posting site as they tell you, you can post and ask for people to contact you for your list of 10 contacts. Yes, you need 10 contacts.

Your psychological evaluation cannot be done by your doctor, but by a psychiatrist or a psychologist. The psychiatrist is covered under OHIP but takes forever to get into. I had mine at a psychologist (Dr. Kohan) for about $520.00 My extended health care plan paid for 80%.

Go to the OHIP website and download the "out of country care" form. That is the form your Dr. has to send.

It is all on the CLOS website. Give them a call and they will help you get started. They are great people to talk to.

[KelBear]

Handyman.. I am working on my packet and was wondering if you had all your tests and ECG done?? and did your doctor set that up?? thanks.... ooops sorry just read above.. that you did.. how long did it take for you to accomplish all that with our lovely health care system??

[MaO3]

Best of Luck Handyman! Make sure you let us know how things go for you.

[kitca]

kelbear and dragonfly, i had it done a year ago and can say nothing but good things!

your doctor agrees to work with surgeon. the surgeon's office will send all the information to your doctor and then your doc just requisitions the tests, perscriptions, whatever. it is a nice set up. they are wonderful in bay city. you can call kim hazen any time and she will help you and tell you what you need to be doing, or answer any questions. her number is listed on the clos.net site under bay city.

i have lost 85 pounds and feel fantastic. i have no problems or complications. dragonfly, i would recommend that you research both surgeries and make your decision. that is one thing i like with doing all the work needed for the MGB, at least you know it inside-out and know the comparisions. good-luck!

[KelBear]

I am so disappointed.. I have to get a psyc evaluation done.. (OHIP requested) b4 they approve.. problem is I can't get an appointment till July 23rd!! Also I need to have a physical for the CLOS packet.. and can't get in for that till the 15th of July! So I guess I will be waiting!!!

[Babzz]

JUly will be here before you know it Kelly

[Handyman]

well, had my surgery at at 9:45 on Tuesday morning. Everything seems to have gone good thus far. I was told I wouldn't feel hungry, but I didn't Believe them. Well, amazingly, I don't feel hungry. I have to force myself to eat because I lack the hunger, ............ strange feeling.

I also experienced very little pain. I had some pain medication right after surgery and was hooked up to a morfine pump but didn't use it.

Well, the next few weeks will be interesting. BTW,... I lost six pounds the first 24 hours!

[Babzz]

congrats handyman!! Happy all went well for you

[Bufford]

The only 100% safe and sure way to lose weight is simply control what you put in your mouth, and it don’t cost thousands of dollars!

[Handyman]

Easier said than done Bufford. Its like telling a smoker or a drinker to stop cold turkey,.... doesn`t happen.

Doesn`t cost thousands either, .... OHIP pays with our fine tax dollars.

[Kittie]

"Doesn`t cost thousands either, .... OHIP pays with our fine tax dollars. "

[MaO3]

Handyman I'm glad to hear that your doing so well.

Congrats on the first 6 lbs.

[Handyman]

18 pounds in 4 days!!

[Babzz]

[Mikee]

I just want to point out one fact to all of you for the first while yes this does work for the first few years but after that let me tell you something it gets hard again. What do i mean well you need to mentally train yourself. You mentally after a few years may find that it is hard to turn food away again. How do I know this well I had the gastric Bypass done here in the Sault and yes I lost alot of weight but since then put a few back on and lost again. This is when i found that even though you get the surgery you also need to get you mind mentally in the game for the long hall and yes at some point you will find it a battle again until you keep you brain under control. I wish the best to all of you that have it but remember what i said in the post as it may help you later on down the line so you dont go through what i went through.

[Handyman]

Mike;

You couldn't have had the 'Mini Gastric Bypass' in the Sault because it is a specific procedure developed By Dr. Robert Rutledge in the U.S.A. It is not offered in Canada, which is the primary reason OHIP pays for it.

There are a couple of dozen different types of bariatric surgery (which the 'Mini Gastric Bypass'(MGB) is one type), but none have had the success rate in regards to invasiveness, pain, post op complications, weight loss, and patient satifaction that the MGB does, .... and it is completely reversable (for medical reasons only).

Ghrylin is a peptic growth hormone that is produced in your stomach that basically tells your body 'I am hungry'. It is found at high levels in obese people. After the MBG, these levels significantly drop (for obvious reasons), and patients of the MBG often have to remind themselves to eat (I have found this!).

No surgery is for everyone, but if you do your research, most people now choose the MBG if they can. The fact that almost a half dozen nurses at the Bay City Hospital have had the surgery done is testament to their faith in its success. I only wish good luck to anyone who has to resort to these measures, it is usually a last resort.

[Mikee]

I had my surgury back in Nov. 2000 and yes it helped me lose alot of weight but all I'm saying is that 3-5 years later it is a mental battle now trust me you will get to that point. All these surgerys are new and there really isn't ant data we are all the source for this information for others to use to make up there minds to get the surgery or not. Just remember to train your mind because it will try to go back to the old ways I didn't believe someone when they told me the same thing so thats why I am passing it on to all of you. Oh forgot to mention but they did do Gartirc Bypass Surgury's at the General Hospital here in the Sault. Yes it was not the mini. There were many of us that had it done locally and others that came from out of town to get it done here until it was stop. Trust me it was nice for my wife to be by my side and still be able to go back home when she needed. EWven if its a mini or lap there is always the mental part as well just remember. Trying to pass on what I already know since it has been 6 years since mine.

[Teddy_Gurl]

So my Nurse Practioner's secretary calls me today to tell me that none of these doctors are licenced? This can't possibly be true or OHIP wouldn't approve this would they? When I filled out the forms I put CLOS and then the Bay city Address. It doesn't seem to me taht my RNP is to supportive of this type of surgery, but it is the only one I will ever get done.

[Handyman]

I also have a RPN that supported my surgery.

Dr. Paul Doroghazi is a licensed doctor in the state of Michigan, ... don't worry about that part.

[Babzz]

Still feeling good handyman? No complications

[tippikitty]

I want this surgery sooooo bad!!! but my husband says no!

[Handyman]

Its too bad your husband won't support you to have this surgery. My wife was full of misgivings before the surgery, but she did write a letter of support for me because she trusted my judgement in the research I had done in it.

Print out the patient manual on the clos.net site and do the research together. Maybe with some more information, he will see a different side.

[Handyman]

Does anyone know when and where the local support group meets tonight? If you do, PM me or post here. Thanks.

[tippikitty]

Oh handyman I've done it all....read the manual, gave it to the doc, filled out the forms for OHIP and surgery and even met with Kitca. My problem is I'm not huge but have major health problems that might allow me to have the surgery.

[tippikitty]

Handyman how are you doing??? I'm dying to know. I'm seriously re-thinking the surgery and talking my husband into it.

[KelBear]

start booking appointments now.!!!!. I started my packet about 2 months ago.. and couldn't have my physical done till july 15th..as well as my psyc evaluation.. so that's all I am waiting for now..

[Babzz]

Did any one watch the program big surgeries on tlc tonight? This one young guy, only 26 years old was so heavy he could not even walk! He will have surgury next episode

[KelBear]

Well I have bad news.. CLOS in Bay City called and they had to reschedule my surgery.. now it is September 6th. I have to start college on the 4th. Also my son starts school that day too.. She gave me the option to go to las vegas, but the cost of the flight and hotel may not be affordable for me.. Any Ideas??? Anyone Else have theirs done in Las Vegas... Can I go alone or do I need someone with me???

[kitca]

oh no kelbear, how about having it in bay city 2-3 weeks later? you will only be gone for a week, and you will be feeling fine when you return.

you need a support person in bay city or vegas. it is expensive to have to fly, and time consuming too.

i wonder why they are rescheduling?

[ssmarie]

I know someone that had it done in Las Vegas...yes, you have to have someone with you....try going to NWA.com and look for flight from Soo, Michigan....the airport code for SSM MI is CIU...that is how I went to Vegas

[KelBear]

I asked if I needed a support person because when I told Kim in Bay city that it was out of the question to go to vegas because I couldn't afford to bring myself and a family member she said "Oh you have a support person"???? So it got me thinking .. thats all.

[Babzz]

I am saving and hoping to go in October..Still unsure if ohip has approved me yet, but I went to the sleep clinic and I have sleep apnea That should help in the approval though.

[kitca]

yes babzz, that should help. you need your support person for the first 3 days i think, then you can be on your own after that. that is what one of my 'littermates' had, her mom could only come for a few days then she was on her own.

that is so frustrating that you are rescheduled and the timing is bad.

[Babzz]

Hoping my sister will come with me... I have no one as of right now