Your journey sounds similar to mine. I was sleeved in May of 2012. Now I have osteo of the hip and desparately need a hip replacement. I've been to several doctors and most recently I was referred from one WLS surgeon to another to have the loop DS, aka SIPS/aka SADI. I am terrified. I want the Gastric Bypass but who can you trust?

Good Luck

I do not have Aetna I have Cigna. I was just going by what you wrote.

Conversion to a sleeve gastrectomy, RYGB or BPD/DS is considered medically necessary for members who have not had adequate success (defined as loss of more than 50 % of excess body weight) 2 years following the primary bariatric surgery procedure and the member has been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the procedure;

I don't understand what you mean by additional items. When it comes to a revision there are either complications or non-compliance.

I had a revision from band to bypass due to medical necessary. Even with an empty band it was tight and the acid reflux was horrible. I was eating tums like tic tac to get any relief. I tried to eat dense protein, but no matter how well I chewed or what type of meat it was I would vomit. When the revision was done it was found that the band was encased in scar tissue and that is what was causing my band to be tight. Had I not had the band out it would have eroded into my stomach.

So I will ask again what reason do you need a revision? What did the doctor find in your sleeve that you need to have a revision?

From what I am reading it appears you have to wait the 2 years and it would have to be medically necessary in order to qualify for a revision. You would also of had to of been compliant with the prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the original procedure.

What is wrong with your sleeve? Why do you want a revision?

I had my surgery Monday morning and came home on Wednesday. They sent me home with pain meds, but I didn't need any pain meds after I got home. Just be sure you walk in the hospital and after you get home. I made myself walk at least once an hour. The only complication I had was that one of my sutures got infected. I called my doctor and they put me on an anti biotic immediately and it cleared up with no problem. I volunteer at my church every Monday counting the offering. I was able to go do it the next Monday with my husband driving me. I am retired but if I had been still working I probably could have gone back after the second week if I had too. You will be tired from the surgery and it is work getting your routine down with the protein shakes and getting in all your fluids. Take as much time from work as they will allow. Your body has to heal and it does take time, but you will feel so much better. I wish I had done the gastric bypass instead of the lap band initially. I paid cash for my lap band and I certainly don't feel I got my money's worth with all the problems it created with my health and I lost very little weight. With the gastric bypass, the weight loss is slow and steady. It didn't start falling off right away and I thought, "Oh no", another failed weight loss program. But just stick with the eating plan and it will work. My highest weight was 280 and I have weighed 165 since Sept. 2016. Hope this helps, but if you have any additional questions, let me know.

I've been researching Apollo Overstitch and found your post. I'm wondering how you are doing now that it's been a few months. Would you recommend the procedure? Any info is appreciated.

thanks!

robyn