SeattleLady

My revision surgery was April 19, 2023 and I also have BCBS.

my original sleeve date was 11/2016 and I lost 100 lbs the first year and half. My lowest weight was 135 and I’ve maintained that for the last five years. Around my second year post sleeve I developed acid reflux and heartburn daily. When I would eat, shortly after I’d need to either throw up the acid trying to come up or I’d have to sit and tolerate the acid burning until it subsided. Daily omeprazole and tums did very little to counteract the symptoms. If I ate, it was happening.

2020 I had another EGD performed that showed Barrett’s esophagus had begun to form in my esophagus and there was a hernia. The surgeon wanted to move forward with a bypass revision but because I didn’t want to lose any weight or have another major surgery I asked for other medications to try before we went straight to surgery.

2023 in March I had another EGD performed that showed three ulcers, the hernia and worsening Barrett’s. Nothing had worked so far and my quality of life just wasn’t good. Considering I love to cook and eat, I knew I couldn’t just live with this much longer. I agreed to do the surgery.

The doctor sent over an EGD result, CT scan and upper GI to BCBS who approved the revision surgery. (My plan has Bariatric benefits) if your plan doesn’t have Bariatric benefits I would check with your insurance coordinator to see if there is another option.

I am now three days post revision- no heartburn or acid reflux at all. Painful, but on the mend.

In defense of the surgeons, I think one of the reasons doctors either don't tell you (some warn you of minimal weightloss) that a revision due to gerd often results in minimal weightloss is because to them, it isn't about the weight to them, it is to fix your gerd. You can't live a quality life suffering from severe gerd day in and day out. I couldn't sleep at night and during the day towards the end, I had to have food constantly in my stomach or the knawing feeling in my stomach would never go away, and my throat literally burned all day no matter what. It was miserable.

I don't understand why you are devastated when you lost 25 lbs in 6 weeks, especially at a lower weight start than most. That's a great start, even faster than some who had a virgin rny. Too high expectations can and will defeat all your hard work if it gets to you. Perhaps seek therapy if you truly feel "devastated". I know depression can sometimes occur after WLS.

I had a revision just to get rid of the gerd. Even if I never lost a pound, to end the horrible acid reflux and sleepless nights are 100% worth it to me.

Im very new to forum and your post was one of the first I read as prepare for my surgery on 3/27. My nerves are all over the place and I had not even thought of the possibility of my surgery not being able to be done because complications. Ive had several surgeries and never thought about the possibility of it being problems. Im so sorry to hear of your cancellation but so happy that your plan B is on the way. im one day one of my liver reduction diet and praying that when I wake up tomorrow will be just a little easier : )

I have a recurring hernia that came as a result of my gallbladder surgery years ago. I have had 3 hernia surgeries to date and part of Plan B is a 4th. I'm having that on 3/23 and then scheduling the revision to bypass for about 3-4 months after the Hernia repair so I'm all healed up. I've been feeling really down about this so I'm glad to be back on the path to resolution Wishing you the best as well.

I love this! Insurance companies will do anything to screw you over and not cover things. Sometimes you have to fight their battle to get what you want.
My grandmother got breast cancer for a second time and insurance refused to cover reconstructive surgery because it was "plastics". She already had a single mastectomy and used a breast prosthesis. After her second WIN against breast cancer needed a second mastectomy and insurance would only cover another breast prosthesis!!
Now imagine, what holds everything in place? There is LITERALLY NOTHING THERE to hold your "breast" in their natural position. They would just slide and twist all over your chest. She faught for MONTHS to get covered. She ended up winning, but no one should have to fight so hard for something that is necessary! We pay our insurance and they fight us every step of the way!

I have lost 30 lbs so far I was on a liquid diet for a bout a week than went to soft foods. Now i am on a high Protein with little to no carbs. The weight is coming off slow now but I had lost 20 lbs before procedure.. I have gone from a size 24 snug to a 14/16 or extra large.. ALready taken off 2 of my diabetes meds and have had my blood pressure and thyroid meds cut back..

I have aetna and they covered my revision, i also had hiatal hernia. I am 6 days post opp from having the duodenal switch.

I'm kinda late in this conversation. Maybe "stop telling them ..Mexico." I'hv been fighting to get revision from sleeve gastric to gastric bypass for 3 years (found out last year tI have 2 hernias and need robotic surgery due an earlier herina issue). I started a new job and have a new PCP. She referred me to a specialist immediately.
Go to 250 miles to find a doc. You have the coverage.


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Congratulations! This is a NSV! Great job [emoji122]

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The best thing top do is call your insurance company and discuss it with them. Or, wait for your doctor apt and let them fight the battle for you.
Insurance companies are so finicky it is hard to say. Sometimes they deny just for a "code" being entered wrong. You dr. office will know how to enter it and make it clear it is not for WL reasons, etc.
Goodluck GERD SUCKS! I had it for years and my gastric bypass has completely resolved it. (I did NOT have sleeve, I went with bypass from the start because of already having such severe GERD before hand.

Wow, next you see her say, "are you okay, looks like those bags under your eye are growing fast you have to be careful at your age."
Do let people pee on you and call it rain! Bully back!!!!

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This WLS is a big mind game! With my sleeve I got down to 181lbs. And, people in my office were rude and condescending. There was true of my work-friends too.
I didn't prepare for such a response. Get you head to the point that can focus on your goals and best health. In my experience, women around you can be your biggest hurdle. Forgive and ignore their comments. Sometimes people are just jealous! Peace

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Typically this is not for weight loss... This is to help another issue (GERD) so i dont think BMI would matter in this case... But call your insurance company to verify

Wow, next you see her say, "are you okay, looks like those bags under your eye are growing fast you have to be careful at your age."
Do let people pee on you and call it rain! Bully back!!!!

Sent from my SM-G996U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

This WLS is a big mind game! With my sleeve I got down to 181lbs. And, people in my office were rude and condescending. There was true of my work-friends too.
I didn't prepare for such a response. Get you head to the point that can focus on your goals and best health. In my experience, women around you can be your biggest hurdle. Forgive and ignore their comments. Sometimes people are just jealous! Peace

Sent from my SM-G996U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

This WLS is a big mind game! With my sleeve I got down to 181lbs. And, people in my office were rude and condescending. There was true of my work-friends too.
I didn't prepare for such a response. Get you head to the point that can focus on your goals and best health. In my experience, women around you can be your biggest hurdle. Forgive and ignore their comments. Sometimes people are just jealous! Peace

Sent from my SM-G996U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Wow, next you see her say, "are you okay, looks like those bags under your eye are growing fast you have to be careful at your age."
Do let people pee on you and call it rain! Bully back!!!!

Sent from my SM-G996U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I finally weigh less than 300, for the first time in 17 1/2 years!! I'm off all 3 diabetes meds, my anti-inflammatory/joint pain med, and my blood pressure med. I do cardio 3 days per week and weight training 2 days per week. On cardio, I'm up to an hour and a half. On weight training days, I'm at right around an hour. Never in my LIFE did I think I could ever be here. I know I need my rest days, but I actually hate taking them LOL I look forward to working out, which is so crazy and foreign to me.

This WLS is a big mind game! With my sleeve I got down to 181lbs. And, people in my office were rude and condescending. There was true of my work-friends too.
I didn't prepare for such a response. Get you head to the point that can focus on your goals and best health. In my experience, women around you can be your biggest hurdle. Forgive and ignore their comments. Sometimes people are just jealous! Peace

Sent from my SM-G996U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

Ok so I might just be weird but at over 100lbs lost I now notice my tailbone when I sit on firm surfaces... like it's uncomfortable! Going to get an xray to make sure one of my overweight falls didn't do damage that I just didn't feel until now but anyone else experience this? It's uncomfortable to drive now, I have to use a pillow.

My father never had surgery but suffered from GERD as long as I can remember. He was diagnosed with esophageal cancer last year. That’s what motivated me to get this done. Before surgery I was also on pantoprazole twice daily and still taking tums and GasX daily too. I also wear a CPAP and had unbearable aerophagia every morning. That’s ultimately why I chose to go through with it. My sleeve didn’t help me much with weight loss but I lost 70 lbs earlier this year between the nausea and vomiting!
As I type this I just woke up with similar but milder symptoms and I’m 10 days post op. I really hope it’s just due to the healing process! Everyone I’ve read about says all symptoms of GERD disappear after revision

I wasn’t particularly excited to be converted from VSG to RNY either but I knew I needed to do it. I was eating specifically to avoid GERD flare ups towards the end. Surprisingly my lifestyle is nearly identical between the surgeries except I’m super careful with (known) dumping triggers. There was a small adjustment period but other than that not much of a difference EXCEPT GERD has been gone for 3 yrs and counting.

Good Luck!

7.5 years. My initial surgeon KNEW I already had reflux and sai “well, you’re just going to have to take omeprazole for the rest of your life “. Then taking omeprazole twice daily failed… I’m so much happier with my new surgeon!

Just had my revision from sleeve to RNY for GERD 2 days ago. Still sitting in the hospital because I can’t pee! I’m itchy all over and have a Migraine. Whaaa. Sorry, just needed to vent!