StephieC

I had the original Lap-Band surgery just 01 month after it was approved by the FDA in 2001. My start weight was 240 and I was down to 162 at my lowest. I have been the unfortunate recipient of some unusual abdominal tumors that gave me an enormous weight gain. I was back up to 200 last year and I seem to hover around 190-195 currently. I was at a steady 190 for several years as I seem to have lost the first 50 in the first year. Now, in the middle of my tumor removal surgeries (yes, there were 2), I somehow managed to have the tube between my port and my band come "un-done" and it started "floating" around and poking my insides causing excruciating pain. I had the tube repaired in a quick outpatient procedure. I also managed to have a 4th surgery because my last tumor removal resulted in a hernia. Now that I am apparently healthy, which is been nearly 7 months now, I cannot seem to lose the weight. I never know when the band will work. Sometimes I can eat whatever I want and sometimes I can't. I was able to have my repair covered by insurance, but it doesn't normally cover WLS. My doc told me that I have severe scar tissue around my band because it is old and it doesn't want to stretch with the fills so it doesn't work properly. I desperately want to lose the weight, down to at least 150, but I am in a vicious cycle. I am too exhausted all of the time to go work out, which I need to do to lose the weight, but the extra weight makes me exhausted! Arghhh! Does anyone have any suggestions? Has anyone ever heard of Cigna covering revision surgery? I am thinking that although they don't normally cover WLS, since I am having health issues, they may actually cover it as a means of repair. Does this make any sense or am I just wishful thinking? The band and the port are starting to cause pain when I lay down in certain positions, too. Any thoughts? Thanks to any and all for any suggestions.