Jlkhollins

I struggled with the same decision, except it was the lap band verses RNY (this was before the sleeve was popular). I really wished I had listened to my surgeon and gone with the RNY. I've had the lap band in place since 2008 and have had nothing but issues. When a fill is done my stomach becomes irritated and the stoma (stomach opening) swells shut. This usually last a week and I am lucky to get down 8oz of Water per day. I used to be a stomach sleeper and can no longer sleep on my stomach because I can feel the port digging into my muscles. Oh, and did I mention the lack of weight loss? I can't eat the foods I am supposed to eat (lean Protein, veggies, fruit) because they get stuck. But the foods I'm not supposed to eat (anything processed) slides right down. So, I would go with the sleeve. Hands down. And in fact, I am....on January 29. Jennifer

It really varies by insurance. But, I have Anthem BCBS and I was approved in 24 hours.

When I had lap band surgery I was back teaching summer school (middle school) after a week. I am planning on returning to work after the revision surgery after a week as well. I think it is doable as long as you listen to your body, pace yourself, and remember to drink drink drink during the day. It can be easy to get distracted at work and forget to eat/drink regularly. Jennifer

Congrats on being one week post op! I am having a band to sleeve revision on the 29th of January and am so nervous. Do you have any words of advice? Anything you would recommend? Anything I should pack or have on hand for after the surgery? Jennifer

Hello! I am from Blacksburg, VA (GO HOKIES!) and am traveling to Richmond, VA to have revision surgery (band to VSG) with Dr. Schroder at Henrico Doctors Hospital. My surgery date is January 29th...and I am nervous! My original lap band was done at VCU by Dr. Maher, who has since retired. Does anyone have any experience with Dr. Schroder ? Jennifer

I found that I really had to stay on top of everyone to make this happen. When I had my psychological eval the psychologist took two and a half weeks to send documentation. This was after she said it would be sent within three days. (I am a psychologist...I know how long it takes to write these reports...not three weeks). I also stayed in contact with the surgeon/insurance and made sure everyone was communicating. I believe this helped to get a quick approval and now i am headed into surgery January 29. Good luck! Don't be afraid to advocate for yourself! Jennifer

Thank you everyone!! I am starting to get excited. I just booked a post surgery vacation in the Dominican (in May) and am excited that I will be in better shape and on my way to health! Happy almost January!

I am a band to sleeve revision and just received my surgery date of January 29th. I have already adopted the pre-op diet because I was sick and tired of being run down all the time. I already feel 100% better...I can't imagine what the next few months will bring. I am scared of the added risk that comes with a band to VSG revision but I am placing my faith in Dr. Schroder (Richmond, VA) who is renowned for the revision surgery in this area. Good luck to everyone as the journey begins!!!! Jennifer

Hi Fellow VSG'ers! I am set for a band to VSG revision on 1/29/15. I have a vacation planned to an all inclusive resort in the Dominican planned for the beginning of May. This may seem silly...but am I going to be okay to travel by then (barring any complications)? Has anyone traveled a few months after the surgery? How do you manage food? I look forward to hearing from everyone!! Jennifer

Thank you!!! I am going to focus on staying positive and working toward health! I am excited to begin a new year and can't wait to see what it will hold. Any recommendations on things I should know for the hospital? Things I should pack?

My surgeon's office just called and scheduled pre-op for January 20th (all day) and surgery on January 29th. I have worked so hard for this....two years of insurance issues, traveling 8 hours round trip to find the best surgeon. And, now I am scared. Scared of leaks, scared of complications, scared of not succeeding with the sleeve. I am going to try and trust in Dr. Schroder and his team and quiet my nervousness. But HOLY CRAP....this is really happening!!

Thanks for the replies! I have fulfilled all the requirements for surgery and am just waiting for a date. Sounds like I need to call the surgeons office and inquire. My hope is that it is around the time that is on the insurance letter.

I am cross posting this from the Lap band to VSG forum and here as well...hoping to find some answers! So, I've jumped through all the hoops for the last two years in order to qualify for revision surgery. First, i had Atena and for the life of me could never qualify. Then, I changed jobs and landed back with Anthem Keycard (the insurance I originally had when the band was placed in 2008). I went back to my surgeon (Dr. Schroder, Richmond, VA) and started the process again. Nutritional eval, psych eval, PCP approval. And, within 24 hours of the surgeon's office submitting the paperwork I was approved for a revision from Lap-band to VSG. I received a letter from Anthem stating that my surgery date is 1/27/2015. My surgeon's office told me they would notify me when my surgery date is. Does anyone have any experience with the the letter that is sent by the insurance company and if this is your actual date? I don't know whether to get excited (YAY only a month away) or still wait patiently for the surgeon's office to call. Jennifer

So, I've jumped through all the hoops for the last two years in order to qualify for revision surgery. First, i had Atena and for the life of me could never qualify. Then, I changed jobs and landed back with Anthem Keycard (the insurance I originally had when the band was placed in 2008). I went back to my surgeon (Dr. Schroder, Richmond, VA) and started the process again. Nutritional eval, psych eval, PCP approval. And, within 24 hours of the surgeon's office submitting the paperwork I was approved for a revision from Lap-band to VSG. I received a letter from Anthem stating that my surgery date is 1/27/2015. My surgeon's office told me they would notify me when my surgery date is. Does anyone have any experience with the the letter that is sent by the insurance company and if this is your actual date? I don't know whether to get excited (YAY only a month away) or still wait patiently for the surgeon's office to call. Jennifer

I have Anthem Keycare and getting approved for the revision was relatively painless. I met with the surgeon, the dietician and the psychologist. The only outside thing I needed was a letter of support from my PCP. It took 12 hours to get an approval once everything was submitted.

Thanks for the reply! I have been reading the forums since the days before my lap band procedure in 2008. I knew I had to get the band out when my stomach obstructed last year after a fill and I couldn't keep down Water. What do you see as the benefits of a revision? Is the VSG more predictable than the band? I don't know what I can eat on a day to day basis because the band is so fickle. In what ways was the surgery more painful?

I was originally banded in Richmond, VA in 2008. I've gained and lost the same 50 pounds 4 times in the last couple years. I was never truly successful with the band and have had a whole host of complications. After jumping through hoop after hoop for the last two years I have finally been approved and will have the devil band removed and the surgery revised to the gastric sleeve in February 2015. I am anxious, afraid that I will fail at yet another procedure, but cautiously optimistic at the same time.