Has anyone had a revision done by Dr. Ronnie Keith?

On april 04, 08 I had  lap band surgery howerever I'm highly disappointed.  I did what the doctor told me to do, only  I was still very hungry after eating 1/2 cup of  food.  I had 2 fills but really don't feel any restriction.  I  am going to Dr. Ronnie Keith this time and hopefully get approved for a gastric bypass.  Just wondering how long it takes to get an answer from B/C B/S Federal.   My wish is for my insurance to cover this.  I have to attend Dr. Ronnie Keith's seminar this Wednesday 17 Sep 08.  I guess if I don't here from anyone here.  I should get an answer then at the seminar........  Thanks everybody.     

I've never personally seen Dr. Keith but a good friend of mine has used him and dearly loves him. I had already flipped for my surgeon when she told me about him or I would have gone to him also i'm sure. I don't know about BCBS Federal so I can't help there but keep us posted!!

Federal BC/BS covers gastric bypass, gastric sleeve (VSG) and LapBand. I'm not certain about revision rules for coverage. So soon after you lapband surgery, I just have no idea. I know they cover the initial WLS without pre-approval or predetermination as long as you meet the criteria for WLS. The criteria is BMI > 40, or BMI 35 or > with 2 accepted co-morbid conditions (diabetes, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and a few others).

I don't mean to give information you don't want, but several LapBand patients require several fills over an extended period of time before they reach their *sweet spot* for restriction. We do have some LapBanders here, so maybe they can offer more information.

I suggest calling BC/BS about their criteria for revision WLS surgery.

I don't know the specific statistics, but I know that both Dr. Keith and Dr. Nelson are very experienced in revisions. You'll be in great hands.

Best Wishes

Virginia
Dr Keith does do revisions and I know A few who he has done. Actually he just recently did one on a lap bander. I did not see when you had your band...but I do know this if you are nine months post op from the band then the only thing you can have is the RNY...He is  a great surgeon who preformed my RNY

I see an associate of Dr. Keith (Dr. Nelson) and I am very pleased with the practice overall.  2 fills may not be enough for restriction, particularly if you have a larger band, but the practice is set up to work with you and your situation so I would trust any decision they made.