Not sure what to do

I am NOT here to bash on the band.  I know it's a great thing for a lot of people.  I had surgery last week.  I kept flip flopping on my decision the whole time leading up to it, even in the holding area.  Everyone tried to reassure me, but noone asked if I wanted to back out.  Right at the last minute, I changed my mind, but it was too late.  They were already knocking me out and I couldn't speak!  What are my options?  I have no idea what to do now.  Now that it's done, I'm more sure than ever that I don't want it.  Am I stuck with it unless I self pay?

Thanks for listening.

Can you describe the main reason why you want it removed?  It's totally normal to feel kind of lost and jittery about such a life changing event. But, if you're absolutely positive you made the wrong choice, I'd definitely speak with your surgeon and ask what your options are.

I don't think it would be right to remain banded if you are really uncomfortable with it. You may want to check your insurance and see what the stipulations may be. Really think long and hard about it, though, because a lot of insurance companies are enforcing a "one WLS per lifetime" policy. So, make sure you're absolutely resolute in your decision before proceeding.

Best of luck to you. I'm sorry you're having a hard time.

Why do you not want it now? Are you having problems?

I have to echo Debbie: why do you not want it now?

Why not give your band a chance to work for you? Is there some reason you have to make an immediate decision about keeping it?

Jean

Your insurance company is not about to pay for the removal now just b/c you changed your mind.You will have to self pay.

Btw............why do you no longer want it???

Am I stuck with it unless I self pay?

Yes, you are stuck with it unless you self pay to have it removed. Your insurance might pay for removal at some point in the future if removal becomes a medical necessity - because of serious complications - but if you signed all the release papers for your surgeon and the hospital or surgery center, you will have a mighty hard time convincing anyone that the surgery was done against your wishes. And since you had probably received some kind of sedative or tranquilizer by the time you changed your mind and couldn't speak, your insurance company will probably conclude that you weren't mentally competent to make a decision or change your mind at that point because the drugs were affecting your mental processes.

Jean

ETA: No one asked if you wanted to back out? Why on earth would anyone ask that?

I was thinking that if I kept saying I just wasn't sure about it BEFORE they gave me any sedatives, they'd want to make sure I didn't want to back out.  That's just my thought process.  

Aside from my wishy washy feelings beforehand, since the surgery, it's been horrendous.  The surgeon put over 3cc in my band at the time of surgery and after being home a couple days, I was just still in so much pain.  I was lightheaded nonstop, but trying to follow all his guidelines and thought it was normal because I was on clear liquids.  I called the drs office and was told to sip on protein shakes all day and get all my water in and I should be fine.  All the protein shakes did was make me vomit.  I call back the next day and got an appointment.  He took all the fluid out of my band because I was too tight to even keep the protein shakes down.  I DO feel better since he did that, but I still can't get all my protein in because I just can't drink it all.  It's not that I wan't to go out and eat a Big Mac or anything, I just don't want to feel like crap.  I've had surgery before, much more major than this, and I've never felt this bad over a week out.

I have concerns because you stated you waited in the pre op holding area that you were waiting for someone to ask you, "if I wanted to back out."  and "Right at the last minute, I changed my mind, but it was too late.  They were already knocking me out and I couldn't speak! "

Seriously, how old are you ?

Seriously???  I wasn't 'waiting' for someone to ask me to back out.  It's been in retrospect that I found it interesting.  It didn't really even occur to me at that exact moment.  I guess I was just so nervous about it.  But geez, thanks for your insightful comments.  It's not like I expect to be handled with kid gloves, but why would you respond to a post when you obviously have nothing to add?

I responded because I was trying to understand why a grown adult would wait to be asked if she wanted to change her mind at the last minute, so she could change it. I asked your age because I could understand why a young adult might behave in such a manner. I was trying to decipher which one you were, before I went any further with my reply.

The " seriously " in my question to you was me asking you seriously, not me trying to berate you.