Five years post Banding and Four months post Revision

Thanks Melly!  I am loving the Sleeved Life!  So much better than the LapBander's Life!

Your revision approval sounds too good to be true, but I am glad it was in your case.  Sounds like you are doing fantastically, and that things worked out for the very best.

My surgeon was amazing. He documented that I came from almost 500 lbs, on numerous meds and lost with the Lapband. He made the  case that for me to maintain good health and my weight loss I needed the revision. It was document that I had gained 42 lbs and the insurance agreed. He was blown away. I was pleasantly surprised since they refused to pay for my original Lapband, they claimed my BMI was too high and the Lapband would not work for me. They have also denied all my plastics even though I had major problems related to the excess skin. 

You've done amazingly well. I'm glad you didn't have more damage and were able to revise. You've given really good advice in the last paragraph, too. 

Thanks Nic!

I have to say that I am adamant about letting LapBanders know - YOU CAN'T IGNORE REFLUX!

I have friends in my support group that suffer with nightly reflux, the way I used to.  They wake up vomiting up acid - acid coming from their nose and burning.  They are so afraid of losing their Bands and gaining weight they just suffer.  They are fooling themselves thinking that it will improve, it's just going to get worse.  It makes me sad.

Sheer stupidity on their parts!

It is just stupidity!  One told me the other night at work, "I am never taking this band out!"  She was only 40 lbs overweight when she got it.  She's now ultra skinny and has a BMI of 18.  she's vomited her way to that BMI, she's had her band so tight that she's lived on protein shakes for months.  Her entire band life has "future complications" written all over it!

It really is important for people to know this information to avoid more pain down the road. I wish I had had my band removed sooner than I did because of this very thing.  (And like you said, I believed that it would get better. Because my horrible surgeon told me I was imagining it. I sure was gullible back then.)

Nic, Your story makes me so angry!  You were gullible because like so many others you trusted your surgeon to have your best in mind!  Unfortunately, he was not to be trusted!