Cost of revision from Lap band to DS?

For those of you who've revised from Lap band to DS, approximately how much did it cost?

Do they remove the band and do the DS in the same surgery, or does the band have to be removed first and let to heal before they'll do the DS?

I'm only 6 months out from banding and it's working, but so )%^$) slow.  I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall.

KJL

70 lbs that is great how much do you have to loose.

The only problem with that 70 pounds is that I lost 49 of it pre-op. I've only lost 21 in the 6 months since surgery and it's frustrating.  I still have 71 more pounds to go and at this rate it's going to take a couple of years.  I've been stuck between 191 & 194 for the last 3 months. :-(

Well i would talk to the doc that did your lap band and see if he will do the revision. u may want to go the RNY route with 71 lbs to loose my doc will not do the ds unless you have over 100 lbs to loose. and my doc charges 4,000 bucks for a revision that is why I am thinking of going to a different doc. just my 2 cents.  

To be approved for the DS you need to have a BMI of over 50 or a BMI of 45 with co morbid issues. With such a small amount of weight to lose it's highly unlikely your insurance company would cover the cost of your revision and if your self pay I don't know if it can be done with such a small amount of weight to be lost. Good luck.

The requirements for the DS are the same as for any WLS--BMI of 40 or BMI of 35 with co-morbidity.

Well thank you for the correction. I do remember reading somewhere that with the DS the higher the BMI (50 +) the better your odds for having a DS. I have been reading so much info I have all kinds of numbers and figures running through my brain. This is why I love this site there is always someone here to help and give info, and to correct you. So thank you again.

I think you will find it depends on insurance companies.  My insurance company used to say the DS was experimental and wouldn't cover AT ALL.  Now you have to have a BMI over 50 to be considered.

Thanks

Go to www.johnhustedmd.com. There is a message forum, and you can ask Dr. Husted directly what he thinks about revision to DS for you. I don't know his revision costs, so I can't help there...sorry.

Jill

Hi Karen,

I had the band for 5 years before complications forced removal and subsequent revision to the VSG.

I guess I don't get it. you had your first fill in late may/almost June and 2 subsequent fills that dont seem to be giving you the restriction you need yet. Based on a first fill on May 29th 2008, you are 18 weeks post fill and lost 21 pounds in addition to the 49 you lost on your own. Didnt anyone tell you that the average weight loss with the band is 1-2 pounds a week? Since your first fill was less than 20 weeks ago, I would say that you are on target considering the first one or two fills usually dont give you any restriction anyway. Sounds like you are depending too much on the band since clearly you have done stellar on your own and the band is just a tool that doesnt wor****il you reach proper restriction. Also your BMI is significantly lower and you will not lose the rest of your weight very fast. Patience..
With your present BMI and no band related problems, I can't see a DS surgeon jumping on the wagon to do surgery on you, but maybe some DSer's can jump in here??

Babs