Failed bandsters....

Has anyone here revised from the band to another surgery successfully?  How did you manage to get insurance approval?  My insurance states that they will not cover revisions that are not due to mechanical failure.  I am not sure what that even means for me.  My band, technically, is fine... I just hate it and it has never worked for me in terms of a feeling of fullness or satiety.  With restriction, I throw up.  Without it, I can eat.  There is no in between.  I have had it 10 years and want it out.  :( 

If you were unable to get insurance approval, did anyone here get a revision in Mexico?  My concern about that is follow-up care and my insurance refusing to cover any of that, or anything potentially related to it. 

FWIW I am looking into revising to the DS.  

Thanks! 

I am facing revison surgery, my lap band surgery has gone the same way. Too tight or too open. when I get a fill I throw up when I have it loosen, I can eat like crazy. Check out
http://thedavisclinic.com/default  There you will find information and a video of lap band's having to come out.

I have several friend who have had to have theirs removed, get with a good Dr. and he or she will help get the necessary approval to have it taken out and a revision surgery if you need it.

Good Luck, Linda

I had my band put in in 2004...I just recently had a revision to a RNY on 4.5.11.   I feel sooo much better with it out!  I have lost almost 50 lbs since that date and am thrilled to say the best thing i ever did was have it taken out!

Good luck, and i also think you should research a good doc to help you with the insurance part of it...because really it is a failed product if its not working for you!

Good luck!

I had a band in Mexico and wouldn't recommend it. I pad cash and ended up getting my insurance to approve a RNY and band removal. Maybe if you have good documentation of the band failure it will help.

I am having the same issue- there is no mechanical failure with my band. I just throw up every day! If you get past this one, let me know how you did it! My insurance says that the failure has to be proved with and EGD. Gggrrrrr!

I wish I had never got the band! I paid cash what a waste of $$.. I never even lost much weight. Now my eating habits are worse then they ever were before the band.. I am so frustrated.. I feel like such a failure I did better on Nutra System I would of rather spent the 18,000 on that. I wonder where I will be in 10-15 years it has only been 2  years and I am Iron & Vit D diffecient .. Sorry just had to final say something!! I have kept quite this whole time.. I would never recommend anyone get the band what a waste!!

You are NOT alone! There are so many people who feel the same way you do.

Join the failed bands group, if you're interested. There are many of us in that group who have had similar experiences.

~Nicci

Thank you ;)   I will...