Feeling confused about next step!!

Hi! Ok I'm feeling confused as to what to do next! Here's my story.... I had an old style VGB(the kind they do not perform anymore) 27 years ago. I had regained my weight many years ago. This last year I have had lots of problems GERD, Hiatal hernia, severe pain and distention, vomiting and nausea, increasing back and hip problems. Went to my reg GI Dr and he did an emptying test and basically said fluids are passing but solids are causing problems. So he sent me to Dr Kroh for further testing which was done at the Cleveland Clinic. After having those tests performed he sent me back to my reg GI Dr. I saw him yesterday and was so frustrated and upset afterwards. Basically he said those tests showed the same thing.......narrowing around the site of the band (again) and bad gastritis. He said there was nothing he could do so I just need to learn to live with it!! He said I just have to push lots of liquids after I do eat a meal...even if it takes days of liquids...till everything passes!! Also eat soft, easily digested foods that will pass easily! (Yeah that's been my life for how long...trying not too eat much veggies, fruit, meat...wonder why I can't lose weight??) I told him I wanted to have the band removed and he said "well that will only cause you to GAIN more weight!" I explained to him that obviously the band isn't really working and only causing me MORE problems when I do try to diet and lose weight! So he suggested I called Dr Kroh back!! Shhhheez...back to square one! I did so and they scheduled me for an appt Nov 18th and said they checked mi insurance and it does not cover any Bariatric surgery but to come in for my appt ant they would write up an appeal to the ins co. Because of my medical issues. Then she told me not to get my hopes up because they are almost always denied! I then asked her about the DS surgery and she knew nothing about it! (??) She said they would appeal for a band removal into a RNY! Now here are my questions........
-What do I do now??
-Should I let them continue with the appeal?? And is that appeal specific to only that Dr and the RNY??
-Or do I try to find a DS surgeon that does revisions?? And HOW do I do that??
-And is the DS harder to get approved then the RNY??
-Also do I let the Dr appeal or go thru an ADVOCATE myself...or both??
Sorry foy the loooong post and all the questions....just don't know what to do next?? Thanks....DIANE

I imagine (but don't know) that VBG to DS would be of similar complexity to RNY to DS.  This thread here has some good info and is worth a read http://m.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/4635457/RNY-to-DS-R evision/

I've pasted the main info below, but the full thread has some interesting tidbits you should read:

"First of all, the specific revision from RNY to DS is tricky, and only a few surgeons can/should do it. You may find other surgeons that will do a revision, but to things that are easier for them to do, like ERNY or bob, and I'm sure you know you don't want to waste time on those. You will have to travel. The list of surgeons that can actually do this tough revision follows:

Dr. Keshishian, located in California
Dr. Rabkin, located in California
​​Dr. Stewart, located in Texas [recently deceased*]
Dr. Simper, located in Utah
Dr. Elariny, located in Virginia
Dr. Roslin, located in New York
Dr. Buchwald, located in Minnesota

Surgeons above are in the US, and if you are willing to travel outside the US, there are the surgeons below:

Dr. Baltasar, located in Spain
Dr. Marchesini, located  in Brazil

Dr. Gagner in Canada and Dr. Greenbaum are also experienced surgeons, but please use caution, and RESEARCH!!!!!!!!!!!"

*Part in square brackets added by me.

I don't live in the US so can't advise on the insurance front - hopefully others will chime in though.

THANK YOU so much for your help! I will read the info on the link you sent me right now!

BTW if I were self paying I'd probably head to Spain or Brazil.

Really??? Why is that???

Just coz surgery in the US is sooo expensive as a self pay and the other option... there have been reports of patients waking up with something other than the DS.

Wow! Just curious but what price range are we talking about for self pay??

Virgin DS would be about $16K USD. I have no idea what a revision would cost.

Oh and that's for Mexico, I think the US would be about 3 times that, you'd have to check.

I would contact a DS revision surgeon like Rabkin or Keshishian(sp) and ask them.  All you will get at the Cleveland Clinic is a RNY.