theresasweeney

Hi, Dr Zapata put my lapband in back in 2007. It now needs to come out due to a slipped band. I am considering going back to Dr Zapata. Can you tell me what the cost was to have the revision? Did he require an endoscopy? Also does the sleeve cause you any heartburn? Thanks

Hi, I am new to this site and would like to share my weightloss journey this far. I was banded back in Sept 2007 in Mexico by Dr Zapata. I had many fills and some unfills in the US during this past 3+ years. Due to extreme heartburn and food getting stuck I had all the fill removed in mid December to allow things to calm down. I have gained over 30 pds back and went back in for a fill. However, they discovered I have a slipped band and it needs to be removed. At first I thought I would get another band but after learning more about the vertical sleeve there is no way I want another band! I saw a surgeon last week and he did submit paperwork to get approval from my insurance company to have the revision surgery (remove band and do VSG procedure). I am hopeful the insurance company would approve but I highly doubt it since my BMI is too low. I am looking to have the VSG procedure done at the end of the month if possible. If have read very good reviews on surgeries done in Tijuana. Any recommendations others can give me would be greatly appreciated!

I am trying to do the same thing as you. I currently have a band that has slipped. Saw the surgeon today and he submitted paperwork for approval of the sleeve. How long did it take to get an answer from Cigna?

Did this get resolved? Did CIGNA deny coverage? I am waiting for CIGNA to approve my VSG. This would be a revision from a Lapband to a vertical sleeve.

I've been banded for over 3 years and it has worked well for me. I love my band!! Maybe not everyday...but for the most part I love it. Unfortunately over the past 4 months I'd been having issues with reflux, esophagus pain and vomiting. I went to my fill doctor to have some saline removed. I was at 2cc's and he took out a 1/2cc, which put me at 1.5cc total. It did alleviate the pain for the most part, but then after a few weeks I realized I had almost NO restriction! I decided to have an upper GI done to find out if there were any issues going on. The doctor found that my much of my complication is due to an enlargement of the portion of the stomach that is located above the band. He said it should be the size of a thumb, but mine is the size of a tennis ball!!!!! He advised talking out the rest of the Fluid and let things settle down and then do another GI in a month or so. What was really odd is when Ihe went to remove the fluid he found no saline! I still don't understand where 1.5cc of saline went. He didn't really have an answer for me. I have already gained back15 pds in the past 2 months and that is freaking me out. What's worse is my fear that the upper stomach will not shrink and be small like it should. My doctor was not optimistic that it would. Has any out there had this happened? Did your upper stomach shrink back or did you have to have another band put in? Does this occur because of overeating or perhaps because the band was too tight for too long. Just looking for some answers....