Thom1955

I "rebanded" on 10/26 due to a slippage - after 2 1/2 years on band, had the misfortune of needing a revision - original lost 130 lbs - but gained 50 plus back after slippage as Dr required band to drained - long story short - I'm doing the whole liquid diet thing again - I hate it - was pretty good first couple days - liquid, but, kind of sneaky with full liquids and an occasion small taste of peanut butter - my doc is requiring long time liquid diet - can not handle it any longer, as matter of fact, night before my surgery, I ate like a pig knowing I was going back to lapband land - my dr. gave me quite the lecture after the surgery when it was discovered - anyway, amazing, I feel so much better after this surgery than the 1st, no gas pain, no pain at all - but, now, day 7, I want something of substance to eat - what to do? I don't want my doctor catching me twice at cheating with food - Dr Oh in Federal Way, WA is great, but, very straight forward - tells you like it is - quote - "well, you don't follow the rules, you will be fat again, fatter!

Sadly, after two years, my lapband slipped. I've had success with the band and lost over one pounds. I was suffering horrible acid reflux, had a EDG (scope thingy) done and learned that I had Barrett's Esphogus and that my band had slipped. My doctor (Dr Oh, Federal Way, WA - he is excellent) told me that I needed to have a revision, that it was my fault for the slippage as I wasn't chewing enough and eating too much (ok?) and that if I didn't have the sleeve, I would get FAT again! I am so content at my current weight - I'm right where I'm suppose to be. So anyway, long story short, he unfilled me, and I'm already back to old eating habits. In one week, I've put on 5 lbs. Yikes, at this rate!!!! in six months, I'll be back where I was. Anyway, he told me insurance would not cover a revision. I'm reading through some of the blogs and it seems insurance has covered some revisions - does anyone know if Blue Cross Premera, WA state, cover lapband to sleeve revisions - does anyone know the procedure code? I am still reading up on the sleeve, but, think I want to do it - can't afford to pay it out of my own pocket but, can't afford to let myself get unhealthy again either! Thoughts, ideas, suggestions - would love to hear from any - seems all revisions I've read about by members of this group are happy with their choices!! Thanks all! TKT2FLY aka Tom

Finally after nearly 4 weeks, I have heard from BC/BS Premera - DENIED!!!! I'm so upset. I've thought about the appeal process and really appreciate the appeal letter that Brittu has shared - I may be using it - if not the sleeve, perhaps band repair will be covered - I've put on over 40 lbs and really getting into a rut and eating like a madman - absolute food addiction I have - totally bummed -does anyone know if band repair is usually covered by insurance - feel like I have no options - to top it off, my band is of course still in place, unfilled, and I've been PBing adn Sliming for 2 days nonstop with a pain so bad - think I have a lodge cashew - anyone have words of encouragement - I see doc next week - by the way, he is really good, no bedside manner, but, good at what he does - Dr Oh, Fedl Way, WA

Lynn, I'm going through exactly what you are . Like you, my dr. says after 2 EDGs, the band has to come out, be repaired or go with sleeve - I'm leaning towards sleeve and hoping to read more about those that have gone the band to sleeve route . I had great success with the band and although there were days I hated it, learned to live with it. I thought the weight loss (120 plus pounds and being almost too thin) was well worth it. I also liked that it could be reverse/removed. This is my fear with the sleeve, there is no going back. Well, if insurance company approves the revision - right now, I've convinced myself, I'm going for it. Don't want to be heavy ever again!!!

Thanks everyone for your responses - Brittu - love the appeal letter and saving it just in case - I had another EDG done 2 days ago and my dr. gave me three options - remove band, have band repaired, but know, possibly same thing will happen or go with the sleeve. He again told me insurance probably won't cover it - I got the CPT # (43775) and my insurance Premera BC/BS says they will cover if medical necessity - my dr will write it is medical necessity so I'm hoping - they are submitting the paperwork to insurance company - fingers crossed here - I really liked the band the first year - again, I lost over 120 lbs - now with the slipped band and it being unfilled, I've put on 25 lbs in six weeks - I don't want to get heavy again - so, thanks for all the encouragement - I'm still learning about the sleeve and read everything I can - I'm optimistic from reading what I've read so far - fingers crossed - ! Tom

Best of luck - keep us all posted - think I just ate too much - OMG, I have PB like there is no tomorrow - I had an english muffin and loaded it with butter - bad eating habits are hard to break even after 10 months - but, it tasted so good - and I still lost a bunch of weight this month!!!

It took quite some time before I really felt "regular and consistent" restriction - and that took me to 10cc fill - my band has capacity of 14cc so my doc tells me - I was banded Mar 13, 08, and was only losing between 5 and 8 lbs month and then plateau with no more than 2 lbs a month - seems I could eat anything - then in Dec, I was filled to 9.5 cc and lost 10lbs and my doc then filled me to 10cc for Jan 09 - I have my monthly check up tomorrow and if my scale is right - I've lost between 17 and 20 lbs - I have been able to eat only a very little and at times I think I'm too restricted . Think its just different for everyone - I'm down about 90lbs now and only 10lbs from my year goal of 100lbs! People at work today actually told me I need to stop losing weight - That made my day!!!

Yes, my doctor is also in Federal Way, WA - Dr OH!!!! Love him although his bedside manner isn't great - but, he is top in his field - just praying I don't have a leak - a wee bit of restriction after last fill, but, nothing like a few of the earlier months - I like tight restriction even if I can't swallow my own saliva - I just want to get rid of the weight!!!! .. and have no willpower when it comes to eating!

1. SpecialK ...................3/17/08.........9/7/08............53.9 lbs 2. scrappy_friend ..........3/17/08.........9/4/08............54.0 lbs 3. aJoneen....................3/04/08.........9/4/08............31.0 lbs 4. WestCoastMom..........3/27/08.........9/4/08.............60.0 lbs 5. julietj1970.................3/3/08...........9/4/08.............40 lbs 6. SugarBean.................3/24/08.........9/4/08.............88 lbs (30 before surgery) 7. Tess415.....................3/10/08.........9/4/08.............60 lbs (23 before surgery) 8.jegtlf.............................3/24/08.........9/5/08..............56lbs 9. emmersglue ................3/18/08............9/5/08..............48lbs 10. lglenn3000...................3/17/08.........9/5/08.............28 lbs 11. TKT2FLY .....................03/17/08........9/14/08 .......... 63 lbs 12. 13.

I had a wonderful month of being able to eat anything I wanted and without have to chew! Thought, something is wrong here. I went into today for my monthly fill and learned, I indeed put on 2 lbs. Very disappointed. Doc told me I might have a leak and that if no restriction this month, they do whatever test to determine if leaking or not and fix would be surgical. To say the least major disappointment. I was banded 3/18/08 and have lost 68 lbs so far, but, feel, wasted month and could have been down more - if I have a leak - am I responsible to pay - does insurance cover it? bummed!

I was banded on 3/17/08 and weighed in at 333.3, yesterday, I was had my 4th fill and wieghed in at 263.3 - down 70lbs - Whoo Hoo! about another 40 or 45 to go!!! The Best to all my fellow Shamrock Bandsters!:thumbup:

I was banded on 3/18/08 - started at 333.3 lbs and today, i'm 263.3 - 70lbs right on the money - best thing I ever did for myself. Think I could do even better, but, find myself cheating here and there and not doing the protein shakes (so over them). Joined LA Fitness over the weekend and hoping to take this journey to the next level - goal weight - 220.0 lbs.

Hi All - I was banded on March 18th - so so hungry I might add for something "chewable". I myself was getting a bit concerned about my wieght lost. Since surgery, I've lost 19 lbs in 8 days and 41 lbs since the pre op diet that started on March 3th. Not complaining, frankly estactic, but, during my 1st post op meeting with my Dr., he was pleased and said for a man, this in not unusual. I did go up a few pounds immediately following surgery, but, I've gone from 333.3 to 292.3 in 3 weeks, 2 days. Really jazzed. I'm 6ft 4in, and looking forward to also getting back in shape and getting some definition in arms, legs, etc. - praying with the fast lost, won't get the hanging skin, (stay tuned). I haven't even had my first fill and already close to 1/2 to my wieght loss goal! When will the honeymoon be over? ... and anything other than liquids I can get away with - two 1/2 more weeks of liquids is going to kill me. Tom in Seattle

Weight loss is amazingly quick for me as well. PreOP on 3/3/08, I weighed in at 333.3, on Band Day, 3/18/08, I was 309.5 and this morning, 3/23/09, I'm 299.2! If scale is right, I'n down 34 lbs in 30 days! Happy Easter. ... and finally, I think the gas is subsiding!

Hey All - I had surgery Tuesday morning and still have the blahs! Lots of gas pain! I'm belching all the time. Able to walk short distanc to mailbox then crash when I get back to the house. i'm so tired and have no strength. Sipping water, and sf popsicles. When do you get energy back? I so miss being myself. Noticed some wrote having a bit more than clear liquid. Me clear liquid only allowed until WED after 1st dr follow up appt. Tired of being tired. Good news, lost 30 plus lbs.! since pre op diet.

Hey All - I've crossed over. I was banded yesterday Tu, 3/18. YAY!! Now home and excited about my new life. I was thrilled to start off the surgery with having lost 24 lbs with the preop liquid diet (as much as it sucked). I gained about 5 back after surgery, but, from what I read that is normal with swelling and all. Feeling pretty good overall. St Francis, Federal Way, (Seattle) with Dr Oh and Hirai are all great! Last night funny at hospital as our ward was all gastric or bypass patients, every hour overnight, the on duty nurse, a sweatheart of a drill seargeant, so no rest for the wary and lead our walks and encoured belching the entire time. She said it was the only way to get rid of pain in the shoulders. Very nice woman, but after spending the graveyard hours with her, couldn't wait to get home and get some sleep. It paid off, no real pain, not even in the port site. A wee bit sore but nothing more than that. Excited to be a newbie on the post op side of lapband surgery! on 3/3/08 - 333.3 lbs on 3/18/08 - 309.5 lbs my first goal - to get below 200lbs!!! Tom in Seattle:rolleyes:

I can not imagine going right home after recovery - the follow up care while overnighting in hospital was terrific - they wouldn't discharge you until you drank a combination of 70 1 oz thimbles of water of water apple juice combo - they would put 10 in front of you (they called them your cocktails and encouraged slow drinking, once finished brough 10 more and again, take your time was the message - it was so easy to do it this way, had to sleep on a bet that was angle so you would keep pushing yourself up to get comfortable, this forced excercise with motion of legs and helped with the gas pain, the breathing machine exercise, the walks every 1hr to 90 minutes all thorugh the night - pain meds and even popsicles - no tingling at home - been home for about 9 hours now, still doing pain med, but am feeling a bit sore on the belly - but, not pain - so glad I got to stay in hospital - lot of work, but at same time feel rested and off to a good start with follow up care. Tom in Seattle

I'm less than 48 hrs away from surgery. I did cheat on day 2 with a fried egg and breakfast sausage and again on day 3 with a can of beef ravioli. My headaches were killing me. So for the last 10 days, I been really good, sticking to only protein shakes, cup of soup chicken, or tomatoe soup. A few jellos (hate jello) and lots of popsicles! I pray to God my cheats on day 2 and 3 won't set me back. I had lots of craving, and one unforgettable crave for steak and sauteed onions. I went to bed so I wouldn't eat! I think I'll be ok. Its hard at first, but for me, after day 3, got much easier!! I go in on Tuesday, March 18, at 530am - Dr Oh, St Francis, Federal Way (Seattle), WA! Can't wait to join the post op threads! Tom in Seattle

Hey don't beat yourself up! This liquid diet thing isn't easy. Everytime I thought I was going to cheat (usually at night as I could make it thru the day without any problem) I found myself just going to bed (as early as 7pm on steak craving night) so i would not eat anything. Its Sunday and in less than 48 hrs I get banded - finally! I must say, this whole liquid diet thing has gotten so much easier towards the end. Keep yourself busy, go for drives, shop till you drop. Between saving so much money from not buying groceries and dropping 19.5 lbs (yes, 19.5 lbs) in less than 2 weeks, I'm patting myself on the back (I can reach now!) for making it this far. I think I did share on day 3, i cheated with a can of chef boy ar dee, canned beef ravioli. Who knew, they are delicious. So, again, don't beat yourself up. Fill up on sf tropical flavor popsicals when you feel the need to eat - they are great! The best to you. Tom from seattle

I just finished day 9 of the all liquid diet pre op - I have 5 more days to go and CAN"T take it anymore - I've lost 13 lbs - I need a break - I already decided - Tomorrow night, I'm going to buy myself a big fat juicy steak and smother it in sauteed onions! It my last chance to eat real food! Tell me its ok!!!! Tom in Seattle:cursing:

Thanks for the reply - I get my band on Tuesday 3/18 - can't wait - still holding strong with the liquid diet - but want real food so bad - try tomatoe soup - its allowed with my doc - and it does help. will look for you in the post op forums! Best to you. Tom in seattle

Again, all thanks for your support. Another day almost over and another day of liquids accomplished. Think I'm going to reward myself with a sugarfree pineapply flavor popsicle! March 18th is Band Day - getting jazzed and glad I did have that steak! (well, not glad, but, made the right choice!) Tom From Seattle!

Tank you all - I won't have the steak - I woke up this am feeling better and 3 lbs lighter - i think I needed to have everyone bitch at me! THANK YOU ALL! Tom in Seattle