Lap Band to RNY

Hi all.....I had my lap band back in 10/06.  Ive lost a WHOPPING  (drumroll) 10 lbs.  I dont know what to do!!!!  I feel SO stupid for having lap band when I could have had RNY.  I was set up for RNY but changed my mind (due to iron concerns).  Now im totally regretting not having the RNY.  Is there anyway that I can still DO the RNY and what will happen insurance wise?  I mean WHY would they pay for RNY after lap band?  Wont they say no because they already paid one surgery?  Anyone do this? Kerry

I'm so sorry you're feeling so frustrated.  I had the Lap-Band in 10/02 and lost 60 lbs.  Then I had a baby and gained a lot back.  For a small portion of time I felt as you do, that I should have gotten RNY.  Until I looked around...and saw that RNY patients have just as much trouble as Lap-Band patients if we don't follow the rules.  I just didn't follow the rules.  I expected the Band to do it for me instead of being a tool.  RNY will do it quicker, but you still have to follow the dietary rules to maintain that loss.  I'm not trying to give you unwanted advise, because I have a huge adversion to that.  I'm just saying that I support you and that I have felt what you are feeling.  This summer I went back to my Dr. and said, "Here I am, what can I do?" He said, "Let me get your file out of achives" **sigh**  He gave me a high protein and very low carb plan to follow.  It's working.  I've lost 30 lbs. since the end of July.  I just had to get it into my mind what I wanted and then follow through.  I also went through some eating disorder counseling to see why I felt the need to sabatoge my surgery.  I don't know if you are like me or not, but if I can help in any way, please let me know.  

it is possible that they may pay for a revison, but I am certain that there are rules, as there are with most insurance companies/plans that cover the surgery.  have you spoken to the surgeon who placed your band? review your insurance policies and see what it says about revision, or you could call and ask one of the insurance people if it is covered and what criteria has to be met in order for the revision to be covered. Just some ideas... hope it helps.

Hey Kerry, I had mine done the same time as you...I am only down 30 pounds.  Are you restricted??  I am up to 3cc's in my 4cc band and JUST got restiction.  Bear with it.  I am the slowest loser and was getting down because I had the band and not RNY too.  I just recently got to 30 pounds..I was stuck at 14 until recently and was discusted.  Now that I have restriction, I am hoping a couple of pounds a month will come off.  Just think...it is 10 pounds that will stay off.  I honestly thought I would be so much further than this by now and was right where you are now. Please don't give up, work the band.  Now that I have restriction...FINALLY...I am optomistic.  Not sure if insurance will cover RNY unless your BMI is still high enough to qualify.... PM me if you want to chat and I will give you my email address..don't throw in the towel....YET.. Kristen

I had the band for 5 years and at first lost ALL of my excess weight (from BMI 42 I went down to a BMI of 22), then started finding it difficult to live with the restriction (could only eat cheese and chocolate and soup, anything else I would be full and in pain after 2 bites but still be hungry and low in energy, NOT head hunger REAL hunger), so had it deflated, then started putting weight on, had it reflated and kept putting weight on. I found that I wanted to eat 'normal food' but the band was giving me pain and making me vomit if I had 'normal food' even if it was a tiny tiny portion, but I could eat all the chocolate and ice cream I wanted, buckets of it! I switched to R&Y only 5 weeks ago as I liked the idea of 'dumping' on junk food, I believed that would help me stay off it.  So far I can eat chocolate and ice cream, but tiny portions of it, if I have a lot I feel tired and weak (these are some side effects of 'dumping', but mild) and that is putting me off eating junk and helping me to not crave it either. I am aware that I am still early on and I may not feel happy with the R&Y in a few years to come but I wanted quits with the band as it didn't deter me from eating junk, it was HELPING me eating it! I never had much chocolate before the band, after the band I was living on it! as I could not live on anything else. Anyway, sorry about the rant, I really envy the people who have long term success with the band, wi**** was me! Yes you can convert to R&Y, I don't have much info about insurance, I know some people got it paid on insurance, try to ask on the revision forum perhaps? good luck Jo

It depends, all insurance companies are different. Some will cover rescue and revision surgeries due to complications or failure, but some won’t. Call your insurance and ask. Also, you should think about why you only lost 10 pounds. Was it due to mechanical failure of the device? Were you not getting fills? Were you getting fills and not feeling restriction so gave up? Or were you making poor food choices? If you were just making poor choices or not getting fills then I’d say not to revise because you haven’t failed yet. Good luck!