losing_the_band

I want to have my insurance pay for a revision from banding to sleeve because of issues with my band, but I'm not getting my hopes up (my BMI is currently 33). I want to be prepared to self-pay if I need to, so I'm trying to find a surgeon that is priced in my price range if I need to pay out of pocket. I'd like to stay in Washington, if possible, but am willing to travel if I can't find a good, affordable surgeon for self-pay. If all else fails, I'll head to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali, Mexico. I've looked into Dr. Billing at the Puget Sound Surgical Center, and I found Dr. Srikanth's website last night. Anyone know their prices for self-pay?

Your acid problems sound a lot like mine, but I haven't gotten confirmation of a slip requiring band removal. I chew a few 1000 strength tums every night. The aftertaste of them is horrendous in the morning, if I don't get my mouth rinsed after eating them. I haven't seen my surgeon in more than two years, though (I moved across the country from her). I've got an appointment on the 25th with a new surgeon, and we're going to see how my band is doing and I hope evaluate me for getting a sleeve.

You know, I hadn't thought of it that way! I'm hoping this works!

Well, I bit the bullet and made an appointment with Dr. Billing. We're going to start out with just checking on my band and seeing what's going on with it, since I haven't been able to see my original surgeon for over 2 years. Keep your fingers crossed that my insurance decides that they're willing to pay for all of this. I have to say that I get a very good feeling from the coordinator. She's very nice and caring on the phone, so I'm hoping the surgeon is the same way.

Ouch, $20k+ is way, way out of my price range. I think I will probably wind up self-paying. My insurance (Federal BCBS) has the following for the requirements for subsequent WLS: − All criteria listed for the initial procedure must be met again − Previous surgery for morbid obesity was at least 2 years prior to repeat procedure − Weight loss from the initial procedure was less than 50% of the member’s excess body weight at the time of the initial procedure − Member complied with previously prescribed postoperative nutrition and exercise program <br><br>I meet the last three requirements, but I don't meet the initial criteria anymore, so I doubt that my insurance will pay for the band. They may cover the removal of the band, but they aren't going to cover the sleeve surgery. Sucks. Guess I'm going to be saving money for a while, or taking out a loan. I'm leaning more and more towards going to Dr. Aceves in Mexicali. His price is definitely more in line with what I'd like to pay. I know he's very experienced, very good, and I know that Dr. Billings has seen his patients before, so I'd have a local doctor for follow-up.

I'm hoping to find someone that was able to get Federal BCBS to cover a revision surgery to VSG. Bonus points if you had a BMI under 35. I figure it's going to be a long, long, LONG shot to do it, but I'm hoping.

I want to have a band-to-sleeve revision surgery. I haven't been able to see my band surgeon since late 2008ish, since I moved 2400 miles away from her. I've suffered though acid reflux since early 2008, and the last time I saw my surgeon was to get a partial unfill to try and resolve it. It got rid of the worst of it (I was able to stop relying on PPIs), but I still have to chew Tums every night and sleep on a slight incline. I wouldn't be at all surprised if I've had a slip for a while, but I've just been avoiding finding another surgeon (I know, I know, don't shoot me). I'm just so frustrated right now. I don't have good restriction with the band, yet I can't tolerate any more fill. Heck, I'm barely tolerating what I've got because of the acid. I've been slowly gaining weight, no matter what I try. I've regained 50 of the 90 pounds that I lost. I'm going to try to see if my insurance (Federal BCBS) will cover a band-sleeve-revision, but I'd say my odds are pretty much out of the park long, since my BMI is just under 33 right now. I don't want to gain more just to have surgery, though, so if insurance flat out refuses to pay, I guess I'm off to Mexico. EDIT: Ugh, it would help if I used the right surgery in the title line, lol. I blame it on being very tired and posting late at night, right before bedtime.