Question:
Ihad open gastric bypass surgery 2 yrs ago,

I am gaining my weight back, im terrible embarrased about this. I can eat as much as I did and as frequently as I did prior to my surgery. Im such as failure. I guess my question is, IF JUST IF there is a problem something not functioning (sp) properly can I have a revision and since I now have other ins and its under 50 employee plan does that mean I will have to pay out of pocket? I hope this question makes sense!    — Schatzie1 (posted on June 3, 2004)

June 2, 2004
Why are YOU a failure? From the sounds of what little you wrote, you most LIKELY have a failed stoma. This is something that happens (just like stricture but the opposite) people who have STRICTURE are not failures why would someone with a failed stoma be a failure.... Call your doctor and have him order an Upper GI test to see if your stoma is functioning. The answer is IF this is a problem (and pre op RNY THIS can be a reality for anyone ) insurance does/can cover it. The problem is having/findng a surgeon who will fix it. There are one or two in the state experimenting on it; In my case, my surgeon installed the lap band on my rny and I now have the food restrictions that was suppose to happen with the RNY. As far as your particular insurance, I have no idea; IF they pay for WLS in general, I cant see why they wouldnt pay for a 'repair' (I never called my a revision.. that implys you worked once... if you have a stoma problem it was there from day one) Even if they dont pay for WLS - I would still appeal for a 'fix' ... good luck.
   — star .

June 3, 2004
I know exactly how you feel i am 2 1/2 yrs post and in the same situation. I had an upper GI done it came out normal. The surgeon then wanted me to have an EGD done to see if the width of the stoma. I never had it done because i lost my medical insurance. I was under my husbands plan until they dropped his now he is switching to a new job they only cover medical for him and I am unemployed. But i hope sometime soon i can have it done. There are surgeons that do revisions it is a matter of finding one that is experienced in revisions.
   — Tammy N.

June 3, 2004
As the others have said, it could be a stretched stoma or a staple line disruption (if you're not transected) or a fistula. All of these are mechanical failures, and there's nothing you did wrong or could have done differently. It really bothers me when people use the "F" word (Failure) before they've even checked their mechanics....just makes no sense.
   — Leslie F.