Banded over Bypass?
Have any of you Banders had the band placed over your RNY pouch? I had my RNY in 12/2001 and I have gained 40lbs since losing 120.5lbs from 287lbs. This 40lb weight gain is killing me, and Im looking into getting approved by my insurance company to have the Lap Band. Can someone share the experience and results? Thanks so much!
HI Dazzling Eyes,
Glad to see you on the board again. I just got approved for a revision last Friday! My BMI was not over 40 nor did I have 2 or more commorbidities. I found a good revision surgeon who performed an upper GI and endoscopy. He proved that my stoma and pouch had stretched and that I needed surgery for revision and within a week I was approved. I'm having my original mini-gastric bypass converted to a traditional RNY. I'm hoping to have a better results the second time around. This time I plan to be wiser with my food and beverage choices. So, I would recommend you find a good revision surgeon who is willing to see if your "tool" is broken and is willing to convince insurance that you need this procedure due to a mechanical failure.
I do not have a copy of revision surgery that my doctor sent but I will see if I can inquire about it. I will say this: if you can have your doctor order test such as upper GI and perform an endoscopy and see that you have an enlarged stoma or pouch he write the letter up in such a way as saying that your first surgery is failing, due to those mechanical breakdowns and is in need of repairment. I hope this helps.
Yes, there are a few band over RNY pts who are doing well. You should post this on the lap band board http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/lapband/