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This is awesome, thank you! I am really looking forward to a more natural feel and it is good to know that I won't feel much during the liquid stage. Were you hungry during the liquid stage?

I have a lap-band (since 2009) and I know all there is to know about that BUT, now that I am moving towards revision to bypass I feel a little overwhelmed with all that I don't know. What is the best piece of advice you can give me? Perhaps something you wish you knew about before or something you wish you did differently. ANYTHING!

I just had an awesome consultation for revision! My doctor doesn't think I'm going to have any issues with approval from Anthem BCBS. I have to do a few classes next week and then she'll submit for pre-approval to see if we're up against any roadblocks. After that I need an upper endoscopy and some nutritional classes but not much else! She said it would probably be 3 to 5 months before surgery. I'm hoping for closer to the 3 months because I'd like to be all healed up and fairly adjusted to the new lifestyle before we go camping all summer! [emoji846]

I know all the plans are a bit different but if you have Anthem BCBS, can you tell me about the process for you? My BMI is 40 and I've always had mild sleep apnea. I'm sure they'll do blood work etc when I have my consult on 12/14. I'm hoping to convert from Lap Band to Bypass.

Hi everyone, This is sort of déjà vu for me! In 2009 I was on these forums a lot as I prepared for my lap band surgery. I lost 100 pounds in 3 years with lap band. In 2017 I tried to have revision surgery to the sleeve but my BMI was 35 and I only had mild sleep apnea and my insurance would not approve it. Fast forward to almost 2023 and my BMI is now 40. I have a consultation on Wednesday as I now have new insurance (Anthem BCBS) and I'm hoping to have better luck with approval. I am leaning more toward gastric bypass this time. I know a few people who have had the sleeve and a few people who have had bypass and it seems like the people with bypass have had the results that I'm looking for. Also, I don't want another 10 plus years to pass and be back here again. I'm really hoping that all this can be accomplished sometime in the Spring as I have 2 young boys and we spend the majority of our summer camping and I would really like to have all this done before the camping season begins. I'm not sure how feasible that is but I guess I will find out on Wednesday at my appointment! Anyone else out there in a similar position or starting the journey just now?

Literally all the time. There seems to be no rhythm or reason to it. I've had mine for 13.5 years.

Hi All, I had lap band surgery in 2009 when I was 22. I lost 100lbs in 3yrs and had a normal bmi. Over the years I've gained 70lbs back and the lap band is a pain. I have a conversion consult on Wednesday. I've always thought I wanted to go with the sleeve but I now know a few people who haven't had great success with it. I know a couple with bypass who look great and are very happy. I'm wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation or has any thoughts/advice? Thanks!

Hey all! Not much to report! I met with the dietitian again last Monday. I am doing pretty good at eating 3 meals a day. I am still working on snacking but it's been hard because I've been SOOOOO hungry! She doesn't think I've been having enough protein so I am working on eating more protein and protein based snacks. I am also waiting for a call from the hospital to schedule my upper endoscopy. Fun fun!

No answer from insurance yet. I called them just now and they stated that my Dr.'s office left some info off of the paperwork. It's all small stuff like is it inpatient/outpatient, provider info, place of service, tax id ect. Once they get that info back from my Dr.'s office it'll take another 5 business days to hear back.

This is a great idea. I think I am going to try 5-6 smaller "meals" so that I'm not so hungry all day!

Ugghhh!!!!! What the heck?!

I called my insurance last night and they confirmed that they got my paperwork! Nervous!

Yay!!!

I just got off the phone with my insurance company and they confirmed that my paperwork was received late yesterday! They said they have a 5 business day turnaround time so long as all the paperwork has been receipt. So, I'll probably just give them until next Wednesday before I call. I know it's not coming back with an approval because I have some other things to get done but this is the first step at least.

Anyone out there in the progress of getting approved and getting a date? I'm aiming for a January date but would not be surprised if it ends up February. Anyone else out there?

Yes I imagine it will feel very different. I have many many food intolerances and major restriction. It's not a full or satisfied feeling at all. It is basically a stuck feeling. It's more in your chest and then in your stomach. I can't wait for that to go away. I drank all my calories to gain half my weight back so believe me LOL I'm already starting to work on eating real food trying at least with the band and being better in general.

You know, I use to say that about my lap band. However, having gained 1/2 my loss back I now know that it's a lot more of yourself than you think! Give yourself credit! You can drink lots of calories and eat lots of things that will "slide" right on through! YOU have to make the choice not to do those things in order to be successful. I know it's just the beginning but you are already do that and you deserve some kudos!

Ugh I had a fitbit long ago but it broke and I have just recently been thinking about replacing it! I walk about 1.5-2 miles 5 days a week. I have a circuit training DVD I also do whenever I can. I meet with the dietitian on the 27th. I'll see what she has and recommends for tracking.

Oh gosh I have Cigna too.

Oye, what insurance company if you don't mind me asking?

Losing gets harder the smaller you get without exercise. It took me a lot of exercise with the band to get to 150. I probably ate too much though. I am hoping the sleeve helps in that department.

Working on Lap Band to VSG revision here! When I had the band in 09 I gave up soda for an entire year and then I just had one periodically. It never hurt and all the tests I've had to get the VSG have not shown a stretched pouch. I think the bubbles may upset the stomachs of some. I think the biggest reason is drinking your calories is not a good idea. Believe me I gained like 50lbs on liquids alone. The sugar in sodas caused me to crave more sugary things that would also just slide right through the band. I feel like the same could happen with VSG if I don't cut them out.

I think this is common! My Dr. said that my hospital's standard practice is basically to pick an arbitrary date and ask insurance to approve it. They are fully expecting insurance to come back and ask for more info and to lay out 100% what I need to do to be approved. My Dr. said that is how they get insurance to tell them what is needed without playing games. Then we do everything they ask and send it to them again with the real date for approval. Insurance sucks, hang in there!

Thanks! That is exactly why I want to cut out coffee! Healing from the surgery is enough all by itself! I don't need to be having caffeine withdrawals at the same time! No thank you! I am hoping to go cold turkey a month before surgery (TBD). I do plan to move away from the lean cuisines at some point. For right now I'm so overwhelmed with what to eat that I need them for my sanity otherwise I'll make bad decision because I am so overwhelmed! Your surgery is coming up soon! What does your pre op diet consist of? I know someone who is having surgery today at the same hospital I will as well. She has 3 shakes a day and is also able to have brother and sugar free jello. Wow, that is going to be hard when the time comes!

Following! I got pregnant after lap band but only after 4 years of fertility treatments and 2 IVFs later. Hoping to get sleeved in January and would like to try and conceive again in 2019!