madrisere

I had my band put in back in 2005, so I've had it for quite awhile...I've never lost and significant amount of weight. 20 lbs maybe? I got pregnant in 2010 and started having pain in my port area around 12 weeks...I got pretty bad towards the end of my pregnancy I felt like the port area was RIPPING from my body. Everytime I sat down, stood up, rolled over or got in/out of bed it would I would get that ripping feeling. Awful. After I had my son, my Bariatric Dr had me get an upper GI and some other test I don't recall the name of (they did have to put me under for it)....the results of the rest? Everything is fine. Well my port area still hurt...it felt like it had moved or tilted. Fast forward 2 years later....I'm STILL having port pain. Except NOW under my scar where the port is, it started turning purple and you can see 2 areas (almost like staples or stitches) are pulling inwards. My Dr saw it and said it looked like an infection and thinks my band is eroding. I'm schedule for removal on Tuesday. His office called to tell me the time and update me on insurance approvals. I've been approved for the removal and then she said "your insurance doesn't cover gastric bypass so I'm not sure if we can get that one to push through like the Dr wanted" WHAT?! My Dr never even mentioned ANYTHING about a GB! I told him when I was there I didn't want anything else! I don't know if he's getting approval incase there's a problem where I'd HAVE to get it? I'm kinda confused. I don't want a bypass. I'm really just nervous about this whole thing. I'm happy to FINALLY get this stupid band out of me. It's been nothing but pain since my pregnancy...it's never really helped me and I need it GONE. I'm worried the recovery will be hard...I have a 2 year old and it takes a lot to keep up with him.. My parents will be staying over for 2-3 days and I can only hope/pray that's enough for me to keep up with him. Does anyone have any info as to WHY my Dr would be requesting approval for a Gastric Bypass without discussing it with me first? Shouldn't that be something I request?

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I'm in Florida

Not much to update on unfortunately my dr did the peer to peer review...they still said no. My Drs office called me Friday and said "we've done all we can to help you at this point. If you want the surgery, I can call back and give you the estimated cost next week" and that was it. Still haven't heard back from them about the cost. My DH has been speaking with the people at work who select insurance plans for next year to see if anything will be covered.....if I can hold out until Jan. it'll be my best bet. Aside from maybe contacting a lawyer :/

We are def. going to appeal...although I'm feeling pretty discouraged with everything right now. My Husband and my Drs office have been on the phone with the insurance company for most of the day. My Drs office has escalated it up, telling them this can turn into a life threatening issue if it isn't taken out. The endoscopy showed my band has definitely slipped. The insurance company doesn't care...they said even if I went into the ER, I'd have to pay out of pocket. My Dr has said he will be speaking with the board of the insurance company regarding this whole thing (they called it peer to peer), I'm really not sure if anything will happen with that. I want to keep hope that everything will work out...I certainly can't afford to pay out of pocket for everything (seriously...insurance is a freaking joke!).

I just want to cry at this point. I'm sitting at the hospital waiting to get an endoscopy. Got a call from my Drs office that my insurance company denied removal....even after he thinks there's an infection and eroding. I have to get this thing out....I just have to. I never imagined I'd have to pay out of pocket for this.

I gave birth 3 weeks ago. During my pregnancy (more-so month 5 and on) I felt pain near my port area. So much, that i often had to put an ice pack over it to try and help with pain and swelling (the baby also favored that side and often kicked my port...so the ice pack helped move him away from that spot as well). There were times when I went to lay down or sit and it felt like the port was literally TEARING away from my body. After birth, I felt relieved...no port pain. Well, that "no pain" thing lasted 1.5 weeks...this past week and half my port area has been in SO much pain. It hurts so bad to bend over to pick up the baby...it hurts to sit...it hurts to walk. I don't know why I'm suddenly feeling the pain now.. I have no idea what's going on. No idea what a slipped band feels like. I have no problems eating or vomiting...just pain in my port area. Didn't plan to see a Dr about my lapband so soon after delivery...but I don't think I have a choice now.