revision

Hi everyone
I had wls on 1/10/05/  lost 70lbs. but put 15 back on and no matter how much exercising I do or how much I diet I can't seem to take the weight off.  I was wondering if anyone has had a revision and if so what is the protocol.  I am at my wits end and am getting very depressed because of it.  If anyone can give me some advice on what to do I surely would appreciate it

Thank you for your time,
Cindy

Well Cindy, I am somewhat in the same situation.  However, my lap-band slipped.  I found out back in May that my band has slipped and the Dr. wanted to do revision with bypass.  Reason being, he felt the band is not the way to go now since he would have to put it much higher and that would probably not give me a good result.  I have gained back 32lbs of the 90 lbs I lost on the lap-band.  Yes very depressing.  Dr. called yesterday to say I was approved for the revision.  It didn't take much work for me since I have really good insurance.  I had to go through the nutrition and psych eval again, but that was done just 1 1/2 weeks ago.  Got call yesterday that I am now approved for surgery.  I will be going in for the revision on 9/29/09.  I am terrified though. For some reason this surgery just makes me so nervous, even though I have much faith in my Dr. and have previous major surgeries before without complications and without being nervous.  Don't know why just scared.

I think from what I have heard it depends on the insurance on how things go.  I feel I might be one of the lucky ones as far as insurance.  Check with you Dr's office, they should be able to give you an idea of how things work according to your insurance carrier.

Good luck
Tammi

Hi Tammi, who is your surgeon for your revision? And can you share what insurance company you have? Thanks! Maureen

My surgeon is Dr. Valin in New Haven. I have Anthem BCBS for insurance.  My surgery date is set for Sept 29.  I am very nervous about it, but I know I have to do it.

It's interesting to me that BCBS has approved your surgery when you have only gained 15 lbs. back. Don't we have to be classified as 'obese' in order to get these surgeries covered, even revisions? Is he performing any other type revisions - any of the endoscopic procedures (which I do not believe work on any level whatsoever)... keep posting, this is very good information that you're sharing! And don't worry, there is nothing to fear. You are in good hands and you have friends here... Maureen

You know I was very surprised that it got approved to easily.  However, I think it is due to my plan that makes things easier.  However since this whole process has started the scale continues to climb and it is very depressing.  I have now gained probably 35 back. I have stopped getting on the scale because it is just depressing.  I have decided that I will go back on the scale on "D" day of Sept 15 when I have to start my 1000 cal diet and then will after surgery on the 29th.  I am terrified of even doing the surgery, but I know what I have to do.  Also in the end it will be worth it.  The DR said for sure I should be able to get to my goal.  As with the band, I never did.

I should also mention that when I first went for surgery for the band, I didn't need much for insurance to approve me then either ( I work for the state, so my insurance is pretty good).

Hi Cindy - What kind of surgery did you have that you are looking to revise? Did you already have the bypass or do you have the band? I'm going for a revision from band to bypass - but I've heard that some people with bypass get "tweeks" done to help with being more effective.....

Have you talked to your doctor? What did he say?

Hi Tammy,
I had the bypass and everything was going great until about a 2 years ago and now no matter what I do I can't seem to go anywhere with this weight loss.  I joined a gym, had a personal trainer to boot, went 5 days a week for about 4 months and nothing.  I cut back to 3 days a week because I saw that working my butt off 5 days was not doing anything and the only reason I don't give it up all together is that I'd still have to pay my monthly gym fee.  I don't know what else to do.  I go to the Dr in another month or 2 and I'll talk to him then. 
I was trying to see if anyone might know what the protocol would be for insurance purposes so maybe I could get a head start on what they want.
Thanks so much for listening to me.  I appreciate it.

Cindy

How frustrating for you!! Have you tried using one of those programs like sparkpeople online where you put all your food in and see if there might be areas that you could do better with?

Good for you being committed to working out 3 days a week = can you imagine where you'd be if you didn't do that? I wish you all the best to figuring out the root cause of your issue.....it just doesn't seem fair that you put in all that work without results - but as anyone who struggles with weight knows sometimes things just aren't fair but that doesnt' keep us down!!!

Cindy, you describe exactly what I'm experiencing - I think I'm taking in about 1,000 calories a day and I'm still exercising - but gaining. I truly believe this is a consequence to a couple of things, at least in my case: (1) living most of my adult life as a super morbidly obese person (between 350-400 throughout my 30s and 40s); and (2) the surgery and resulting malabsorption issues. Our bodies are trying to figure it all out. Metabolism is shot to hell. We will never be normal, so the idea to follow "normal" behaviors to sustain weight loss, e.g., healthy eating and regular exercise, doesn't make sense. Of course, we need to be living this way every day of our lives - but there must be something else that can be done to keep the weight off. I think it's a very rare WLS patient who keeps the weight off forever. Best of luck with this! Maureen