Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums

I received my Explanation of Benefits in the mail today from Kaiser Permanente. It tells me what was billed by the hospital and doctors, what was disallowed, and what was allowed and paid. This was for my lap band to sleeve revision, and I spent two nights in the hospital. For my surgeon: Charged: $13,750 Disallowed: $10,350 Allowed and paid $3400 For my hospital stay: Charged: $80,231.28 Disallowed: $75,843.28 Allowed and paid $14,388.00 And so the total amount that Kaiser paid was $17,788. I didn't even have a co-pay, and the member responsibility was $0. I feel so blessed to have Kaiser Insurance. Now, we do pay out of pocket for our health ins…

45 years old and doing this again. My 1st surgery had developed a fistula "whole" they need to repair/redo surgery . Anyone having problems with drain tube? It has been a week and I am still draing 3oz a day.

I had my port revised four days ago. My abdomen is really swollen and sore. Is this normal. Is so what did you do outside if the normal to dull the pain.

So I've been in a 14 month fight for coverage of a revision from lap band to a sleeve. I should finally know the outcome this week. Over the weekend I found some great info on policies and standards of care for revisions. I put together one final letter that I overnighted yesterday. Just in case it's useful to anyone (I sight the policies of Medicare, 8 other insurance companies, and the ASMBS) I'll post a link to my blog. Thanks, Britt vsgappeal: Final Letter - Why revision doesn't require a high BMI

How long did you stay in the hospital after your revision? For my first one I stayed over night, but I was the last one operated on and I had been sick...they said this time I could leave in just a few hours.

Hi Everyone, I just got back from my doc and he said my band is slipping. I have to get info. from the insurance gal at his office, go to a seminar to see what's available, check what my insurance will cover, and try to come to a decision about what to do. I don't want my band removed without having some other solution for my weight problem. While I've lost 50 lbs., it had been 70 lbs. until I started gaining weight with my band slipping. I'd still like to lose more weight but I really don't know which way to go. He said Medicare won't cover gastric sleeve, though I do have supplemental BC/BS insurance that may cover it. Any other information or suggestions for m…

Good morning. I had my original band surgery done Nov. 5th, of 2008. In the last 6 months or so my band has slipped and now I am scheduled to go in and have it repositioned and revised. I have my notes regarding all my post op surgery food do's and don'ts but can't find my information about prepping for my surgery. Last time I did liquids for 2 days prior. If anyone has any suggestions or helpful hints about what they ate (broth, Jello, sugar free pops I remember) I would appreciate the feedback. Thank you and best of luck to all those being banded, I would do it again in a heartbeat!! Julie

Went to the nutritionist yesterday and need to take a half-day course (May 17), but surgeon's office just scheduled (insurance approved!) the surgery! July 9. WAHOO!!!!!!!!!!!! SUPER EXCITED! Can't believe it's happening.....and so quickly. I hope the process remains so smooth - and hope the same for all of my RNYTalk friends on here!

Well I found out a few days ago that my band slipped and I will be leaving bandland for a revision to a sleeve procedure on May 30. I don't regret getting my band at all. It was not exactly what I thought it was going to be but I have lost 65 lbs over the last year and a few months. Mostly I think my weight stalled after my doctor chanced my thyroid meds........ugg. Anywho. I got where I didn't get my normal sigh signal that I was full. I thought it was time for a fill. I made the appointment and then started having a little difficulty swallowing my Water. food would go down good. When I went for my fill, I told the PA. They had me do a barium swallow and it showed normal…

I was just wondering if anyone else has had an issue with United Health Care Choice Plus denial of revision from lap-band to vertical sleeve? I have had complications for two years with gastritis, dyphagia, ulcers, esophageal dilation, and pouch dilation. I also have a hiatal hernia that by new doctor thinks should have been fixed at the time of my lap-band. My BMI is now 35 with several co-morbidities (sleep apnea, post Heart Attack, coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis, ischemic heart disease, sick sinus syndrome, pacemaker, now on beta blockers, etc...). I meet all of the criteria for revision but they just don't want to pay for the revision to the sleeve. Firs…

I was just wondering if anyone else has had an issue with United Health Care Choice Plus denial of revision from lap-band to vertical sleeve? I have had complications for two years with gastritis, dyphagia, ulcers, esophageal dilation, and pouch dilation. I also have a hiatal hernia that by new doctor thinks should have been fixed at the time of my lap-band. My BMI is now 35 with several co-morbidities (sleep apnea, post Heart Attack, coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis, ischemic heart disease, sick sinus syndrome, pacemaker, now on beta blockers, etc...). I meet all of the criteria for revision but they just don't want to pay for the revision to the sleeve. Firs…

HI everyone.....I have my financing in place and NEED to find a doctor for a band to sleeve revision. I have searched the internet and there are so many options that I am looking into....Aceves, Rodriguez, Alvarez, Kelly, Garcia, and on and on. Please tell me your experience and any other valuable information. Thank you so so very much!!! Sarah

I am attempting to get my insurance carrier to pay band to sleeve revision due to a leak in my band system. If you had a defective or failed band, what portion of the revision did your insurance cover? By the way, my BMI is 35. Gigi

hi all - I'm in the process of starting a new part of my weight loss journey... from band to bypass. Any feedback from those who have experienced the revision surgery? successes? problems? Some will ask, "why the revision?"... well, I have been disappointed with the band - after fills, etc. even my surgeon believes it's time for me to go the bypass route. It's been there since 2008, but I have struggled - up and down, up and down. I gained back some of my weight, but not all of it. It's equally emotional as it is physical, so therapy has been helpful in terms of understanding the "why" behind my weight gain. I guess the band, as a tool, has been moderately helpful. Anywho…

I can't can't can't believe that I am only 5 days pre-op. Unreal that the big day is almost here. So incredibly grateful for finding this board and all of the wonderful and helpful people on here. This board is a gem. I hope Monday-Wednesday goes by quickly at work. I want to get on that plane and head to San Diego NOW!!!

I can't can't can't believe that I am only 5 days pre-op. Unreal that the big day is almost here. So incredibly grateful for finding this board and all of the wonderful and helpful people on here. This board is a gem. I hope Monday-Wednesday goes by quickly at work. I want to get on that plane and head to San Diego NOW!!!

Hey All... I'm Jacee and this is my story. I am 23, female and living in Australia. In 2008 I underwent Lapband surgery and went from (127kgs) 275lbs to (70kgs) 150lbs. I was initially very successful and I loved my band. In early 2010 I started suffering for undiagnosed gallstones, which meant that in turn my Lapband had to be loosened from unrelentless vomiting. My gallbladder was removed in December 2010 and by then I'd gained back (20kgs) 45lbs. In early 2011 I suffered from a Lapband slip and my surgeon recommended I undergo RNY Bypass. At first it was a very daunting decision that I wasn't ready to make, but within a month I changed my mind. My codependency to …

Just curious as to how many folks on here had their sleeve done as their first surgery? Seems like I read a LOT of people getting revisions to a sleeve from a band. I am going to get a sleeve, but have never had WLS before now (never had a band, or any kind of surgery). Who else is in my boat? Thanks! Laura

I recently got out of an outpatient surgery by Dr. Duckett from Northwest Ohio Surgery Specialists to repair my lapband. I was originally banded on September 2006. Over time; I lost quite a bit of weight- but during the last year; I noticed a sudden to gradual loss of restriction in my band. I found Dr. Duckett of Maumee and made an appointment with him after noticing some weight gain. I told him that I felt that I had gradually lost the restriction in the device. He checked the device and discovered that I was correct under the scope. The band had leaked at the port location and throughout. I have two incisions currently. The first is where my port is located under t…

Hi I've been considering having a revision since I haven't lost much weight and a doctor told me me sleeve was big. Has anybody been resleeved in Mexico ? Who did you use ? And how much was the revision ?

I'm considering getting VSG surgery done soon and I've been reading a lot of posts here and elsewhere lately. I'm wondering how common revision surgeries are. If I have the surgery, I'm going to have to pay for it myself (with financing) and I don't want to have to spend $14000+ on surgery now and then have to have a revision surgery down the road. Are revisions really that common or is it possible to go through the VSG surgery and follow the diet & not need a revision in 2, 3, 4+ years later? I'd really appreciate any comments or thoughts about this.

Hi All, I was just wondering if anybody had any input on their scars from revision surgery. I still have visible scars from being banded and didn't know if I was going to get new scars for the sleeve revision. Do the doctors try to follow the same scars or do you get new ones? I just don't want my belly marked up more than it was before. I mean my tummy already looks hidious, but I certainly don't want it to looks worse. I know fat is worse than scars, but just wanted some input. :smile1: Anybody? I accidentially posted this in the general forum but maybe someone here can answer?

Hello! I have had my band now for 5 months. Not only is my weight loss slow, but I HATE all the trips to the Dr. for fills and I cant stand that pain I get if I happen to not chew my food enough. I really thought I would only need a fill or 2 to get to where I needed to be. I have decided to take the band out and get the sleeve. I know some people may think it a bit premature, but I can tell you with 100% certainty that this band is NOT for me. I really just wanted some opinions.....am I jumping the gun? I have made arrangements and have a surgery date of 4/13. I got banded in November and have only lost 24 lbs, 9 of that was the first week. Tell me, what do you think? I…

Any experienced Gastric Sleeve Doctors. in US offering Gastric Plication to regular Gastric Sleeve Revisions?

I have had my band since February 2007. Yesterday, I went in for an upper GI to check and make sure my pouch hadn't stretched. I haven't had any pain or discomfort, no vomiting, or acid reflux. My only complaint was that despite having an almost full band, I could at times eat much more than I thought I should be able to. Hence the decision by my doctor to do the upper GI. As reference, I began at 277 before my lapband surgery. I got down as low as 183, bounced back up to 223 and am now sitting at 211 with a BMI of 32. My goal weight is about 165. This is in a period of almost four years. When I drank the contrast liquid, we watched as the Fluid went down the esophagus,…

Starting a thread so I have a place to consolidate thoughts/info/etc. I've been bandless for a little more than 6 months now. Sometimes it's like I was never banded, and other times it's like I still am. Surgery is at 9am tomorrow, check-in at 7am. I'll be in the hospital for one night. My parents are driving down tonight to spend the week. Having them here to help with DD (and DH, and me) will be nice. Poor DH is a nervous wreck; he always is with things like this. I have twinges of anxiety when I think about how miserable I expect to feel tomorrow, but I'm not nervous. I rarely get very nervous, I just get pragmatic, I guess. And the closer it gets to time, …

I don't want to scare anyone but I want people to know that the risks of this surgery are very, very serious. It will be one year from my surgery on Mar. 23. It has been quite an experience. I had the surgery on Mar. 23, 2011, went home, wasn't feeling very good and ended up back in the hospital a few days later. After some tests I found out that I had a leak on the staple line where the Lap Band had been. I spent the next few weeks in the ICU. I had 5-6 more surgeries trying to reduce the infection that had spread. My kidneys failed and I ended up on dialysis. My life expectancy at this point was at less than 20%. I finally started to gain a little strength and I …

I have had my LapBand 3 years today. So it is my anniversary....I have never had one single problem with it. Yes, I have slimed or gotten stuck a few times, but that was probably because I ate too fast. It doesn't happen often. No pain. I get full after a couple of bites of food. But the biggest problem I have had is that I HAVE NOT LOST ANY WEIGHT!!! I feel like a failure. I don't have the issues with the band that a lot of you have had. So I am lucky in that regard. But I read where some of you have lost weight and then either plateaued, had slippage, erosion...all types of unlucky stuff. I have had none of that. Which is great except for the fact that I am…

I have been lurking in this thread for a while now, and you guys have really answered a lot of questions I had. However, I still have some reservations about if the sleeve is right for me. My biggest problem with the band, besides the vomiting, chronic heartburn,never finding the phantom sweet spot, and getting stuck, was never feeling satisfied or full; I just felt STUCK, and once unstuck, still hungry. Can anyone describe how the full feeling with the sleeve differs from that? Do you actually feel full and satisfied? I was self pay with the band and feel like I just threw that money away, so I want to be very sure before I try again. I'm so confused!! Help m…

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone who has Kaiser Permanente insurance got them to cover revision surgery from lap band to a gastric sleeve. I qualified for the lap band surgery through Kaiser, but I opted to self-pay because they wanted me to do the Options program before the surgery, which would have meant driving into Los Angeles once a week for six months, and I couldn't do that. I wanted to have my surgery performed by a surgeon in Ventura, which is much closer to where I live. Anyway, I paid to have the lap band surgery and got the lap band in April, 2008, and I had a small amount of weight loss at first, which eventually came back. My band was tightened nea…

My name is Holly, I am 34 years old, in November of 2004 I have the lap-band placed. I won't go into a lot of detail as I just started a blog on this site and wrote all about it there (A Winning Loser with VSG). Anyhow, for the past 2.5 years have developed serious issues due to the band, including pneumonia from aspiration, which required two hospital stays. My GI doc has recommended I have the band removed, which I am all for! I meet back up with him next Friday (March 16) to go over results from a recent EGD, at that point he will make the referral to the bariatric surgeon. I already know my insurance covers bariatric surgery, and with all my issues, I have little do…

Hi all, I am scheduled to have my lap-band removed in one week (2/21) and then be sleeved one week later on 2/28. I have had several problems with my lap-band including 2 port revisions and now again I have another leak and need a port revision and haven't lost any weight in 2 years. I was initially very successful with the band and lost about 100 lbs. Slowly I have re-gained the weight and have put on about 50. I hope the sleeve will give me restriction again and get me to my goal weight and to be where i deserve- to feel like a normal perosn! http:\\thinspiration4me.blogspot.com

Just a question that I have been thinking about.... Does anyone know if anyone had revision to either RNY or DS after having Sleeve surgery??? I know the history behind the sleeve being the first step to DS.....but has anyone ever had to have revision done due to low amount of weightloss???

These are my before and after tummy tuck photos. As you can see that pre-op there was a lot of excess skin and the port can be seen. Post-op pictures are two weeks out and as you can see the port is no longer visible. My starting weight was 329 lbs. and my day of surgery weight was 129 lbs. Please feel free to ask me any questions and I hope that this post helps you with your decision.

I'm scheduled for surgery for tomorrow @ 7:15 am. I'm terrified of complications and surgery in general. I keep having the crazy thoughts going through my head...is ths to drastic... Keep me in your prayers. Any kind words are welcome!

When I was talking to my surgeon on yesterday, he told me that the range of weight loss was between 60-80% He told me that because I have a band and it has been in for almost 7 years the top of my stomach (my pouch) is probably expanded some ( it has a little) he said that it would effect the amount of weight I would lose with the Sleeve, he expects me to be more to the 60% end of the percentage.... My question is, is there any revisioners who have achieved the 80% mark, I truly believe I can get to the 80% (I know how I am when my back is against the wall, I'm a fighter) and I am praying I can lose 100% of my excess weight, I'm starting now... I just would like to …

When I was talking to my surgeon on yesterday, he told me that the range of weight loss was between 60-80% He told me that because I have a band and it has been in for almost 7 years the top of my stomach (my pouch) is probably expanded some ( it has a little) he said that it would effect the amount of weight I would lose with the Sleeve, he expects me to be more to the 60% end of the percentage.... My question is, is there any revisioners who have achieved the 80% mark, I truly believe I can get to the 80% (I know how I am when my back is against the wall, I'm a fighter) and I am praying I can lose 100% of my excess weight, I'm starting now... I just would like to …

When I was talking to my surgeon on yesterday, he told me that the range of weight loss was between 60-80% He told me that because I have a band and it has been in for almost 7 years the top of my stomach (my pouch) is probably expanded some ( it has a little) he said that it would effect the amount of weight I would lose with the Sleeve, he expects me to be more to the 60% end of the percentage.... My question is, is there any revisioners who have achieved the 80% mark, I truly believe I can get to the 80% (I know how I am when my back is against the wall, I'm a fighter) and I am praying I can lose 100% of my excess weight, I'm starting now... I just would like to …

Just getting this forum started :thumbup: If you've had a revision come on in :thumbup:

I would appreciate anyone posting who has knowledge of Tricare paying for the Sleeve after the band needed to be removed. Thank You, Mimi

Hello everyone, I'm 38 years old with a lapband...I've had my lapband since 2009 I've lost 50lbs (I still need to lose another 100+lbs) and have been nothing but miserable since day 1. I've been in the ER twice when the band has suddenly tightened up on me and I haven't even been able to drink water!! It's been so miserable...so I had my husband put me back on his insurance so I could start looking at revision surgery. I'm excited...I just hope I can get insurance to pay for it. Anyone been successful with getting this approved?? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Greetings All, It's been a very long time since I was last posting here. The lap band was removed after 16 months of my health worsening overall. At first I felt great! About 6 weeks post op I was really disappointed in no weight loss. At 8 weeks I had a fill and again @ 12 weeks, I lost about 12 lbs but was so ill with acid re-flux, diarrhea, and general malaise that I couldn't enjoy life. The short version is that my PCP gave me the choice of unfilling the band or removal. I chose un-fill. Ten months later it was removed. I suffered with adhesion and scar tissue, my asthma went off the chart hard to control. The whole process was scary and I am now about to …

First a little background. Got my band almost exactly five years ago. Discovered a couple of months ago that it has since eroded and will need to be removed. I am wanting to do a revision to the sleeve once I have healed from the removal surgery. I have met with the surgeon and they have submitted the paperwork to my insurance for the removal which I fully anticipate will be approved. I downloaded and printed out the entire bariatric policy from the BCBS-AL site. Below is the verbiage specific to my situation: V. Revisions - Effective for dates of service on or after March 15, 2010: Gastric Surgery Adjustable Gastric Restrictive Devices Revision or removal…

I had my surgery on Dec. 30th, 2011. Prior to the surgery my Dr. had told me that there is a chance that once he gets in there he may find too much scar tissue from the old band. My band was put in back in 2002 and it was the small band which is no longer offered. I had many slippages and problems with the band until they finally removed all Fluid from the and in 2005 which still left me with occasional restriction. Surgery. I was scheduled at 3:00 (If you are a hard stick because of lack of good veins..please request the first surgery of the day.) It took about 6 people working on me to find a vein because by then I was dehydrated and my impossible veins were not co…

I know that at 2 weeks post op I am moving further away from the highest risk period. I start pureed foods on Wednesday, and resolve to continue being careful. My surgeon told me that they think most leaks actually happen in the first two weeks, but we all know that many are discovered weeks later. I have an optimistic view, I feel like I am recovering fine, but there is this little niggling worry since revision patients have a much higher risk of leak. Just curious if any of my fellow revision patients were told anything in particular about this - what to watch for, when they can consider themselves "out of the woods" for a leak.

I am 46 years young and trapped in an older person's body. I lost my late husband almost 10 years ago and when that happened, I decided it was time to get fit so that I could be there and Active for my two girls. I had the lap band surgery 8 months after his death. I have had many complications with it and was told that for some people, the band does not work and I happen to be one. I had 6 slippages, and one port flipping that had to be replaced. Now- My girls are 16 and 20 and I am ready for a change. I had a double fusion two summers ago and still suffer from back pain as now the disc above the fusion is bulging due to upper body weight. If my body matched my …

I gotta tell you, the first few days were rougher then I expected. I had (and still have!) gas pain - alot of burping. My abs are super sore. I really felt awful from the anesthesia for awhile. I could barely handle the pain meds, but found that taking Maalox first helped coat the stomache first. I have two drains - surgeon doesn't put them in for most people, but for revisions it is his standard protocol. I woke up today, wednesday, feeling a lot better though. today I started the PPI and am allowed full liquids like the Protein drinks.

Anyone pay out-of-pocket for the lapband and later get insurance to pay for revision? I paid for lapband out of pocket now, gained weight back. I'm considering sleeve but can't afford to pay out of pocket again. I paid out of pocket for the lap band because I didn't want to jump through all the hoops for insurance. Anyone else with a similar situation?

Hi everyone!! Well, I'm now 5 1/2 years out from having the LapBand surgery. I've lost about 43 lbs. I was not covered for band fill adjustments post op. I was told otherwise before I making the forever, life changing decision. Needless to say, I'm frustrated, confused, and feel "stuck". The past 5 days/nights I've been online researching the long term effects the band (has caused) and the sleeve (can cause). I want the band removed. The information I've found and the symptoms that people say they have evperienced or currently experiencing...I found myself relating to the symptoms, signs, complaints and discomforts. Actually, it's like a "light switch" went on in my…

Hello, I'm considering having my band removed and converting to either the vertical sleeve or RNY surgery. I'm interested in hearing from people that have been in this position. Specifically, during recovery from band removal did you lose any weight? How long did you wait to have the second surgery (RNY or VS)? I had my band placed by Dr. Arturo Rodriguez in Monterrey, MX in March of 2004. I had decent success with the band, losing 70lbs in my first 7 months post op, but then after getting pregnant I stopped losing weight. I ended up having two children post banding and overall am down 40lbs. I have not lost weight for the past 5 years and now realize that an expectat…