Kami63

gosh I probably shouldn't read these posts on lunch. I almost choked to death on my Water in the break room. I'm pretty sure everyone in here thinks I'm crazy now laughing and choking at my phone!

I have waited 3 years because 2 insurance companies denied me. I am approved and scheduled now but I had to endure a lot of Band pain the last 3 years. Life isn't fair and insurance companies see you as a case file....not a human. It could be worse than a 6 month wait!

Lol I hear ya! Me and my booty are ready to shrink too! Happy Birthday

Anniemay: my doctor is Dr. Nick Nicholson. He usually won't do it all in one surgery but all of my band Fluid has been out for three years now. So I am happy he agreed to do it! Where are you in your process? Do you have a Dr?

Surgeon confirmed all in one on 6/25. Soon to be sleeved in Dallas

Hi June sleevers! First off good luck to those of you going in the next few days I can only imagine the anxiousness and excitement because I literally almost threw up today when my revision date was confirmed. I am having the band out and sleeved all in one on June 25th. Still have an EGD and preop labs to do but then I am set so excited and nervous and some other feelings that are hard to put words to... Oh and hello to my sleeve siblings!!

He will hopefully let me know if I can have the revision all in one surgery. He usually does it in two but my insurance is changing on 7/1 so he will not be able to get me on for two surgeries. I will try to accept any decision he makes because I know he has my safety in mind. Prayers would be helpful though so that I may finally get this 3 year process wrapped up and be an exbander and new sleever!

Could they just submit to the insurance on intolerance and pain? Hang in there.

Praying for you! I too had my band in 2007 and have had complications since 7 months post op. I was originally denied by Cigna in 2010 to have the band removed. So I have been fighting for 2 and a half years to get approved for the removal. Finally I changed jobs and got BCBS and they approved me in a week! I am scheduled to evict the evil band on 6/25. I never lost hope or stopped trying because I am the one going through all of the pain and throwing up not the insurance personnel. I am approved for the gastric sleeve also but they are changing our insurance plan 7/1 so I am running into complications with getting the 2nd surgery done but again I am going to stay positive. Sorry for the long post but I am happy you are taking the steps to get a revision and I am sending prayers your way. Good luck!

Thanks for the encouragement! I had my fluid taken out 3 years ago but they think it is not in the right place but can't tell from the tests. The insurance at that time said they would only take it out if the test could prove that it had come through my stomach. I finally got me insurance when I changed jobs and I am sooo happy that my new ins will take it out. Good luck to you too. Hopefully soon we will be sleevers!

Thanks! I know I love Dr Nick. He can really out you at ease. I trust whatever decision he makes.

Thanks I will stop freaking out now. I will just try to relax. My surgeon will know best whether it is safe to do an all in one with my band complications.

I can't get my hopes up. I'm afraid it won't really happen though because my plan changes 7/1 and the doc has to decide that he will remove my stupid band and do the sleeve all in one. I never thought I would be so confused after 3 years to finally get an approval. I see the surgeon again on next Thurs to see if he will do it. Please pray that all goes well and the band has not made my stomach chopped liver so to speak. If it is ok he might take it out.... Too much of an emotion I don't know right now... Happy Friday nonetheless

Wow I've seen so many people say the same thing! Maybe a letter pointing out the pages they are on in the clinical s would help. Or do a BP log and take it to your PCP and have them clearly document it and have them write on or circle the blood work with the cholesterol and sign it. These crazy insurance companies! Maybe if they can't find it by glancing then they say it isn't there. Good luck, I know how you feel about being denied

I am in band hell!!! And I have been in band hell for 5 and a half years pain pain and more pain along with the signature throwing up. 2 insurances denied even the removal of the band. I have tried for 3 years to get this darn thing out so I know how you feel. Now for the good news, I am evicting the darn thing forever on 06/25 ! Now I am in a similar situation. If I get approved the doctor can decide to do the removal and sleeve all in one. But I would not count in it happening all in one. Hang in there. Your surgeon wants you to heal. Once you are healed you can start your sleeved life in the safest way. Good luck and have a speedy recovery from your band removal!

I am praying for you and for me! My appeal got submitted yesterday. Keep your chin up..... We will get through this! Oh I also submitted documentation that they did not request about some of my comorbidities for good measure and wrote a letter. My insurance coordinator helped me with some of the things I could put in so hopefully the will see me as a human NOT a case....

Oh my. I am sorry to hear that. I am glad you were still able to get the surgery. Maybe soon they will come to their senses and reimburse you if not for some of it

Good luck!

Hurry hurry! It may take longer than you think. Go through the hoops and if you decide it's not right for you, at least you won't be staring at regret for not doing it while you had the insurance. Good luck!

Thanks as always for the support. I am looking forward to seeing your journey. Next up for you: a surgery date!!

Thanks for the encouragement! Unfortunately my employer is the one changing the plan. They say they can't afford it any more. I hope they just pick another plan with BCBS but there is no guarantee they will. I'm just along for the ride at this point. I've done everything the insurance asked. It is on them now to approve or not. Then if approved it is on the doc to decide if he will do all in one. Whatever happens is supposed to happen. 3 years ago I was ready to get the gastric bypass and that didn't work out. Now there is another option that is better for me! The sleeve if BCBS doesn't approve or the doc doesn't feel comfortable with doing it all in one, then maybe I am supposed to wait again for some reason. Just gonna hang in here and wait till they all decide lol

I had kind of a rocky day. I called to schedule my removal and the earliest they could get me in is 6/25 and the doc wants removal at least one week before sleeve. Well my plan changes on 07/01 and the scheduler could not work with me I emailed my insurance coordinator and told her she did not have to submit to BCBS for approval bc I wasn't going to get scheduled even if it was approved. She emailed me back saying she had already submitted but she has a plan... IF I get approval, she will ask the doc to do the two all in one on 06/25. He will prob want an endoscopy and to meet with me again for him to decide so IF all of hat comes together I will be sleeved on 6/25. If not I will have to wait and submit to the new plan. Btw my HR still doesn't know what insurance/plan they are going with Staying positive though bc I get to evict my band forever on 6/25

That is amazing!!! I am so happy for you!

Maybe you should find a nutritionist in your are that specializes in baritric patients. Accountability is usually a good motivator and with your surgeon in Mexico you may not see them as often as you would if you had one stateside. The one I went to was reasonable. $40 per visit without insurance and I will have one visit 2 wks post op and one visit 1 month post op then every 3 months after that I think. I look forward to having someone to answer questions and report weight loss to. Good luck!

Good luck!