Trying to get removal approved

SO frustrated with my band right now.  Banded in 2007 - unfilled in 2012.  Insurance no longer covers treatment including removal.

I have been PBing/throwing up 1-2x a week for the past few months.  Upper GI shows normal, Scope shows normal but still throwing up. 

Doc prescribed anti-nausea meds but I'm NOT nauseous!!  Then suggested taking claratin to help with mucous...I'm only getting mucous when I'm PBing/sliming

So frustrated with them right now - do i need a 2nd opinion?? 

Yes, you need a second opinion. 

What insurance do you have?

Blue Cross of MN but my employer has a specific clause in there that will not cover anything related to bariatric surgery.

Definitely get a second opinion. 

I will bet you that scar tissue has encased your band and it has tightened even though you have no fill.  Scopes and Gi's will not show what is going on, on the band itself.  I had developed nasty reflux and even with no fill could not keep foods done.  Heck I even throw up ice cream.  When I had my revision it showed severe inflammation around my band that was encased in scar tissue.  It took my surgeon an hour to "chisel" it out.  He even had to take an extra piece of my stomach out because it was so thin from the damage caused by the band and scar tissue. 

Best of luck to you.

since there is an exclusion on your policy about all you can do is self pay or change jobs. Good luck.

yes you do! I too have the LapBand for 10 years. I started throwing up and having bad, bad reflux in March 2016. Prior to these years I had no problems. I actually keep my weight off and stayed around 125 pounds. I noticed it started to creep up and wondered what the heck. I also had to throw up every night around the same time due to the acid. I purchased a hospital type bed so that I could slip sitting up. This didn't help. So I went in to a clinic and they said they don't do anything with Lap Band any more due to complications. They recommended me going 3 hours from my home to Rochester MN to Mayo Clinic. There I had several people consulting with me. I had every test under the sun and they said the band failed me. It was leaning up which caused my esophagus to become my stomach. I had ulcer all over my esophagus. The took out all fluid and gave me medicine to heal the sores. They told me not to worry because I am a very good candidate for the revision surgery due to my complications. That was almost a year ago and I now am 70 pounds heavier and have to wear my cpap machine again. The insurance said I'm not at a 35 bmi with enough complications!!!

You might end up like me in the long run.

Go see another doctor!!!

definitely get another opinion a band gone wrong can threaten your life.  When i described my symptoms to my new surgeon his response was that band needs to come out now!  don't  wait.  I revised to RNY.  I did self pay to avoid waiting for the insurance process in Canada.