My semi-failed story...

I had RNY in April 2003. My highest weight was 502, I was 462 at my consult. In the first month I lost 30, then things slowed down and I averaged about 10lbs a month for a year...and that was it...since May 2004 I have not lost a significant amount of weight I have gone between 330-345. I can go out to dinner and share an appetizer...have soup, salad, steak, and mashed potatoes. And just feel full. My roommate who has not had surgery gets full quicker than I do. I don't eat all the crap I used to...I feel like I eat normal but that with my genes I can't eat normal I need to eat less to lose. My surgeon has recommed banding my new pouch, he is doing some test to see if there is a problem. But here is my problem...Insurance. I had no battle to get my sugery...I was over 500lbs with sleep apnea and high bp...and had been on a supervised diet and exercise program for over a year. I was on medicaid at the time. Well now I've lost 170lbs, working with insurance that has a WLS exclusion, which of course I thought wouldn't be a concern for me...until now. I no longer have sleep apnea or high bp, but I have had a tia(mini-stroke) due to a DVT. I have no other risk factor for another blood clot other than my weight. So to me have this surgery isn't treatment of obesity it's stroke prevention. Has anyone else been successful in getting a revision when the insurance has an exclusion. Also, to me if the pouch was made to big which makes it unable to acheive the purpose of the original surgery, does that help my case.

Sarah Margaret! I'm kinda in the same boat. According to the results of an endoscopy and upper GI my pouch is wider than it should be. Apparently this is normal for heavier folks. I asked my surgeon about banding and he said that he wasn't terribly impressed with the research thus far. I'm also going to have more intestines bypassed which basically means doing the surgery all over again. I often wonder if I'm completely insane for doing this. Anyways I asked my surgeon about the insurance agreeing to pay for this and he said that they often do at least one revision a month. I would think between the pouch being larger due to no fault of your own and the risk of stroke should give you a purty strong case for the insurance. 300 pounds or not, you still look gorgeous.

Sarah Margaret, I don't have any relevant or helpful information for you, but I wanted to tell you, you are cute as ten buttons! Just adorable. I hope you are able to find the help you need. You're in my thoughts. j

I'm sorry, I don't have any words of wisdom, but I just wanted to tell you that you look AWESOME!!!!!! OH MY GOD!!!!! You should be so friggin' proud of yourself. I can't stop looking at your pictures. Keep the faith. There are always solutions. (((hugs)))) esther

Hey neighbor! If you're doing research, I hope you'll stop by the lapband board. I love my band! feel free to email me.

My insurance changed Jan 1st through my employer...