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Thank you, Amy. That's a good point I had not considered - calling my provider and just asking! Funny how something simple slips the mind! The good thing is my employer is very large and values weight management very highly. I don't foresee them cutting the coverage, but I'm certainly not going to wit around. This band is killing me and MUST come out! Fingers crossed I don't have to pay for the entire surgery out of pocket
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!! I am encouraged to know that you did lose some!! Yhat's all I want!
Thank you, and I wish you continued success!!
thanks,
Ginnie
p.s. Did the revision fix your GERD?
I just had my VSG to RNY revision in May and have lost over 40lbs. Since surgery and over 60lbs. From my highest in the program. My weight loss has been steady with multiple stalls if that makes sense.
Like you, I am a not worried about losing quickly. I just want it to stay off and I am more dedicated that ever. I too had full regain and GERD
Hello, i just found this forum as ive been looking for some help. I hsve had the lapband for 8 yrs and in the first year and a half i went from 225 to 135. Ive regained some back snd am now up to 170 with some issues. I cant eat solid foods and i am having abdomanal pain. I called a doctor because my surgeon is no longer practicing and i have an appointment tomorrow. Im hoping to get a revision. Hoping yours goes well. Good luck.
Good Luck on your surgery! Everything will go well :) I could not wait to get the band removed either! Yipee!
Lap Band: Mexico 2014 (280 lbs)
Sleeve: Mexico 2010 (240 lbs)
RNY and Hiatal Hernia Repair: USA 2018 (210 lbs)
Goal: 160 lbs
I am having RNy in the morning , I can't wait to get this crap band removed. I am going with RNy because There are a lot of people needing revisions and my current insurance only covers 1 WLS surgery per lifetime. Good luck to you
Yea, the band can Kick Major Rocks...
Your situation sounds completely miserable and I hope you can get whatever it is that you need.
I've got no surgeon recommendations but I do know that all of your questions about what your insurance covers can only be answered by speaking directly with a representative there. Call the 800 number on the back of your card and get detailed responses. If they will approve a revision pending different things print out a dated hard copy of their response and a dated copy of your policy as it stands today.
It sounds like a bit of a pain in the ass, but insurance companies make changes to coverage all the time. Employers change the policies they offer to their employees just as often. Having a dated hard copy ensures that you'll not jump through all the hoops only to have your coverage changed in the meantime.
Good luck. Revision coverage is so hit and miss that there simply isn't one blanket answer.
Hi there,
I have a very VERY long story, but will keep it brief. I was banded in 2010/2011 (honestly cannot even remember) and the band did not work well for me. I was basically "stuck" 24/7 and vomited while eating per the guidelines, which left me malnourished and sick for about 5 years until I learned to get food past my band. My health improved, but the vomiting still occurred periodically. It was then that I started losing weight. I went from 320 to 185 and plateaued there (plus or minus 10-20 lbs****il I found Keto this year and dropped to 165 today actually. :)
The vomiting is now way worse but in waves...nearly every meal, more often than not...and I have been experiencing sharp pains in my port area and central stomach that seems to get worse and more frequent over time (last 6 months or so).
I am in the process of reaching out to a local surgeon for care and revision. I had Cigna when the band was installed and have Cigna once again now. The band was initially approved, first try, after completing the 6 months and exams and so on...
I am not a "healthy weight" for my height (5'5, just under 170). based on that I would not qualify for a NEW surgery if I were to apply. Obviously I do not want to re-gain the weight I FINALLY lost after a DECADE of hard work. Removing the band might cause significant regain, so I want a revision.
Here is my question: When applying for a revision from Lap Band to another type (sleeve, RNY, etc.) will I have to have regained or will I possibly be denied because I am at an acceptable weight? Do they even consider the impacts of regain?
Also any surgeon recommendations are welcome. I reached out to Surgical Healing Arts of Ft. Meyers bc they seem to do a lot of revisions.
Thanks in advance!
-Amanda, 32, Tampa
I had complications from the lap band. The place where the band was, made that area kind of grow together. When I had the sleeve, I had complications because my stomach actually slipped though my diaphragm giving me a Hiatal Hernia and an eroded esophagus because of years of medications.
The only way to fix it was to get the RNY. That's where I am at right now!
Lap Band: Mexico 2014 (280 lbs)
Sleeve: Mexico 2010 (240 lbs)
RNY and Hiatal Hernia Repair: USA 2018 (210 lbs)
Goal: 160 lbs
