Guest guest Posted June 7, 1999 Report Share Posted June 7, 1999 Welcome new Bandsters- I know I missed one person, whose letter I accidently deleted... but I welcome all of you to this wonderful list... To the person who sent this specific letter- you didn't sign your name ?-- you asked why people traveled abroad... Well, in some countries Band surgery is either not offered, not covered by insurance or still under tests so not avliable to all. The last case is that of the US- it is still under FDA (?) examination before being approved for all-- so about 10,000 do have the operation there, but they have to be admitted into the experiment. In Israel, where I live, only two surgeons do the Band, so it's a long wait... People would do the operation privately, paying 40,000$, instead of wait a year which is the normal time. Moreover, until 3 months ago, WLS was not covered completly by insurance-- so while RnY's and VGB's would be covered, with the Band they would only pay for the operation itself, so there were still the 3000$ of the Band itself. Now everything is covered. Just two cases, to think about and be grateful you don't have them. Good luck with your pre-op tests, I am sure we will have time to wish you luck before the operation itself. ~ Dorit in Israel http://meltingpot.fortunecity.com/mali/18/enema.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 1999 Report Share Posted June 7, 1999 Hi Welcome to Bandsters and I hope that you get as much from it as I have. In answer to your question, no this surgery is most certainly not available all over the world. In the UK it isn't available except privately and then only a couple of surgeons do it. In the US it is still going through FDA approval. It is available in the rest of Europe which is why I travelled to France from the UK. I am so pleased that you are having pre op tests as many of the complications that have arisen from this surgery have come about because no tests before or after the surgery were performed. Having said that, complications are fairly scarce and most people are more than delighted with their decision. As to whether we miss not eating our favourite foods, this is the best bit about the BAND, nothing is BANNED (no pun intended). I eat whatever I want but I find that a taste is more than enough rather than a barrow load! Providing you stop eating when you feel full the weight will come off. However, you will have seen that certain people mention high calorie foods that are easily absorbed, such as chocolate, ice cream, milk shakes etc. Obviously these kinds of foods just slip through the band easily and should be regarded as dangerous though I do believe that a little of what you fancy does you good. I hope your surgery goes well and that you discover that you have made a wonderful decision. Love Janet >I am confused as to why people are travelling all >over the world and paying huge amounts of money. >Isn't the operation available in your country? >I think there is someone on the list from Australia >(maybe Perth) and they said there were no tests or >follow up. >is it difficult to adjust to a life without dining out >and enjoying good food. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 7, 1999 Report Share Posted June 7, 1999 Hi to the nameless new bandster that wrote...... 'It has taken me a long time to decide on the surgery and I am still pretty scared. it is difficult to adjust to a life without dining out and enjoying good food. I know you will all say the weight loss is worth it but it sure seems scary giving it all up.' I had similar fears to your before my op, as prior to having my band I used food as an emotional prop .....as well as simply enjoying good food and dining out etc. I was terrified to think about how I would cope with life without my 'comfort blanket' (food) rather like an alcoholic might struggle with the idea of life without booze! I had my band 6 months ago and so far have lost 35 pounds. I can honestly say that my enjoyment of food has INCREASED rather than decreased...as I am learning to enjoy eating smaller quantities, eating slowly, chewing well and so getting maximum satisfaction rather than simply packing the food in as fast as possible often hardly tasting it at all! I am able to obsess about food less and so can enjoy what I do have without guilt or shame. I wish you every success Helen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 8, 1999 Report Share Posted June 8, 1999 Hi can I just give one correction to Janet's email below...the band is available on the NHS to some people in the UK but it depends on where you live....certainly, where I live in London and you can get the band on the NHS but it's a question of waiting about a year... Ronke Re: new bandster > > > Hi > Welcome to Bandsters and I hope that you get as much from it as I have. > > In answer to your question, no this surgery is most certainly not available > all over the world. In the UK it isn't available except privately and then > only a couple of surgeons do it. In the US it is still going through FDA > approval. It is available in the rest of Europe which is why I travelled > to France from the UK. > > I am so pleased that you are having pre op tests as many of the > complications that have arisen from this surgery have come about because no > tests before or after the surgery were performed. Having said that, > complications are fairly scarce and most people are more than delighted > with their decision. > > As to whether we miss not eating our favourite foods, this is the best bit > about the BAND, nothing is BANNED (no pun intended). I eat whatever I want > but I find that a taste is more than enough rather than a barrow load! > Providing you stop eating when you feel full the weight will come off. > However, you will have seen that certain people mention high calorie foods > that are easily absorbed, such as chocolate, ice cream, milk shakes etc. > Obviously these kinds of foods just slip through the band easily and should > be regarded as dangerous though I do believe that a little of what you > fancy does you good. > > I hope your surgery goes well and that you discover that you have made a > wonderful decision. > > Love > Janet > > > > >I am confused as to why people are travelling all > >over the world and paying huge amounts of money. > >Isn't the operation available in your country? > > >I think there is someone on the list from Australia > >(maybe Perth) and they said there were no tests or > >follow up. > > >is it difficult to adjust to a life without dining out > >and enjoying good food. > > > ------------------------------------------------------------------------ > Campaign 2000 is here! > http://www.onelist.com > Discuss your thoughts; get informed at ONElist. See our homepage. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.