any help would be appreciated

I am feeling the blues here, I had my lapband on April 18, 2008 have had all my fills to date, and have lost 20 pounds.  Originally I was going to have RNY but unfortunately I let family members pressure me into doing the lapband instead.  My big regret!  I am now looking into revision surgery and am wondering if anyone has dealt with insurance company I have BCBS of MI and they covered my first surgery, I am afraid they won't cover the revision, has anyone had any luck with the insurance company, any advice would be greatly appreciated.........and btw the 20 pounds came off the first 2 months, nothing since i flucuate 3 pounds up 3 pounds down and that is it.

Best Regards, and good luck on your journey,
Julie

Hi Julie,

Yea, sometimes these procedures work very well and sometimes...... I think you should research a change.  I can't tell you the insurance company's reaction, but if you have medical backing, it might help.  You may have to do battle.  Don't give up. 

Thanks, Shoutjoy,

I called the Surgeon I was previously with when I was considering RNY and spoke to them about it, we are now in the process of getting an upper gi done on me to see if there is a problem with my band.  They said that if there IS a problem with it then my insurance will cover it,  if there is not a problem then......I guess I failed it instead of other way around.  

WHOA!  No you didn't fail anything.  The surgery failed to perform what was intended to do.  Not all surgical procedures work.  It has nothing to do with you personally.  I am sorry that it failed you!!!!

I know, but I guess I just get frustrated with myself for having no will power either.  Just one of them days I even tried out for the Biggest Loser  never going to their casting call again! lol anyone considers it....save yourself some time and just make a video and send it in!

Hi,

The one you had does not have the success rate others do because all it is doing is restricting.  There is a potential of absorbing the same number of calories of a non-surgical patient.  That's why it is so important to do as much research as possible before deciding on any surgical procedure.  I am sorry you were not as successful as you like.  But, now it's time to see what can be done next.  Before you jump into a new procedure read, read, read as much as you can about them all.  Then, make a knowledgeable decision based on your research.  Start all over with a new slate and if you have to, new doctor and surgeon.  See where it takes you.  The road may be a bit bumpy but we are here to encourage you along the way!

Hi Daisy,

I have never heard of a Center of Excellence.  What is it and how would I find one?  i have also read a lot of the posts on the revision forum.  It had answers to a lot of my questions that other frustrated lap-band patients had asked. 

Thanks,
Julie

Just because someone is a COE that really doesn't necessarily make them good.  As for insurance it all depends on how good their insurance person is.  Some doctors have great ins folks and some have horrible ins people.  A COE doesn't make the insurance person any better.