rosstheboss

My Dr In NC is now doing the Sleeve for $9998.00 In part because there are many band people who can get them removed under insurance but will not pay for the revision. I would check around at some of the major Bariatric enters in the area. Some are doing them in out patient facilities that are actually nicer than a Hospital setting

Hi Glad I found this. I just scheduled my Band to Sleeve revision for May 5th. And I am nervous as the reality is sinking in. My Doctor does them together, he never mentioned two surgery. But in our meeting today he said the new stomach is 1/4 of the old one For some reason I thought he had said it would be 1/3, This difference seems little but kind of through me. Perhaps because I had the Band before, really not sure. I have to go to see the PA a few weeks prior to surgery as we are over the 4 week cut off which is OK. The PA actually is more of a optimistic, actually the PA has been the one who first suggested the revision and how knowing my history and compliance he thought it would really help me. I really only saw the DR a few times in the last 8 years as i mainly saw the PA, The Dr you have to wait literally hours and hours!

Ins may pay for removal which is easer to justify but you may have to cover revision

Hi just came from dr to schedule my revision. Actually he was asking me about what I sent to get them to approve. It is hard. I later was told they sen 160 pages of documentation. And yes they check off from there list. For me after the rejection and Pier review they questioned a year that I had not seen the Bariatric Dr. But I had other dr notes and pages of compliance records.

Hi actually meet with dr today And have date of March 5! really not sure he never mentioned 2 surgeries. I Think it depends on what band complications you have, and maybe your general health. He said it will take 1.5 to 2 hr total. My band has been empty now for a few months now.

Thanks. We were banded around the same time too. So many tests but they want yo minimize potent problems. All my tests went well. I know this will be hard but would rather do it now than regret it later

Thanks. Yea I've been hanging around this 250-260 for years. But coming from 300 plus and needing the band out I'm so concerned about just having the band removed without any revision. As the band is empty it's more comfortable but getting harder. I'm Am concerned long term about the band.

Well back again, I have my Results Review to set up my revision Tuesday. My wife is not thrilled with the thought. It doesn't help that I had foot surgery 2 weeks ago, the Bone has healed well but the incision is still sore, So she is not excited and is very fearful of the revision, She would prefer I just have the band taken out. I am looking to have the revision done in may and would do both the removal and revision at one time. It doesn't help that she had lunch with a friend who's husband is in medical surgical equipment and told her about how they do the surgery etc. and she thinks I well be depressed as we entertain a lot and I wont be able to eat. I too am still thinking going back and forth with this. Again I have such a long history of Family and personal struggle with weight. The band was a good decision in that i have kept off a good amount of weight for 8 Years, and have adopted a much better life style. (I can't wait to get back to the gym and pool.) But the band has had it's issues, I am going to be 60 this year also. For some time now I drink Protein shakes and have to drink with meals as the pouch is painful even if i have a few bites - due to pouch issues. I am concerned that with out anything I might regain more weight. I know that Eventually will need knee replacement and can't afford to be any heaver. I see other family members who are now older and very overweight having so many issues to get around. I also have friends who have struggled with weight up and down 100/lbs and can not consider WLS as they now have other medical issues. The older one gets the more harder to recover etc. Also I've reached my out of pocket max for the year. (Knee injections, Foot Surgery, and all the Pre Op tests) I have kind of been thinking about this for years wanting to get these last Lbs off but also somewhat comfortable with how I am. But with so many visits to have Fluid put in and out and now my band is empty and Dr.says no more fills and the band needs to come out. My primary care Dr is OK with it but says realize you can have a huge thanksgiving meal. My Knee Dr set a letter that I needed it also. I have been so compliant insurance has agreed to pay for the revision. I have been praying and thinking on this for some time. My thought was that if ins approved it I would go ahead and now that they have i am concerned that i am tempting fate, as I am generally in good shape but would be helpful to looks additional 30/lbs or so. My Daughter was also banded a number of years ago but regained her weight , she actually was the first to start the revision process as she has 2 friends who have the sleeve a few yrs ago and have done well. She started WW back in Aug, while she started the revision process. Ultimately she was not approved Because of non compliance but has now lost 85/lbs on her own! She is very strict but she too is thinking she may need to do something later as she has been through this before and doesn't know if she can keep it off. She is encouraging me to get the sleeve as she know how I work out and have kept a good amount of weight off, She thinks I will do well with it. She says her friends who are a few years out generally eat 1/2 of what is served in a restaurant (Which is often what I do, unless its a salad). Even thought i don't have any fill I have some restriction but am definitely more hungry. Hopefully my Dr will put both of us at ease Any words of encouragement?

Hi I know many guys don't get this done. But i had a lower body lift a number of years ago. I had a lap band and my Port was about 3 inches or so the right. after my body lift it was 3 inches on the LEFT! I said to the surgeon, You moved my port? he replied no that is where it ended up after tightening the muscles. I don't know why you wouldn't have it done. One bit of advice (listen to the Nurses! ) They said if you don't have a recliner than purchase one. It will be your best friend. I actually slept in mine for a few weeks. It made it so easy to get up and move around etc. I

It's difficult. I was banded in 09. I've kept off 50 lbs. but it's been a struggle. I have had fill put in and out so many times I can't remember. Ins will want to see compliance and if you gained that say you were not compliant. Many dr mine included are doing the sleeve for $10,000 all inclusive, hospital etc. with 3 yr follow . My ins is covering a revision but I have Years of compliance history even then it was denied at first. So ask your dr about private pay especially for revisions.

Hi. Do you have a Kroger near you. There Carbmaster milk is high in protein and I believe lactose free , I use this instead of protein powder

Thanks for your input. My dr plans to do them both at the same time. I don't really want to have two surgeries. While my current weight is not bad I know I'll face problems down the road as I have arthritis in both knees so eventually may require knee replacement. I am currently recovering from foot surgery and know weight is not helping. As I gave been working out these last 8 years I have a lot more strength and am in far better shape then when I was banded.

Thanks for your help. Yea its been a life time of weight struggle, I was a fat kid, the 33O in HS. I did loose 100 lbs in college, actually in like 6 months, also lost a lot of hair and wasn't able to keep it off. For the last 8 Years have kept a good amount of it off, working out a lot. I wear a 36 to 38 pants, mostly XL shirts. Most of the fill was taken out at Christmas and the rest a month ago. I do find i am hungry, Weight is still up and down same 5 lbs. I am concerned about just having the band removed, but also trying to get my head around the very small volume. Actually most of the time I am doing protein shakes, until the band was empty it hurt to eat unless I was drinking with my meals.

Hi It's been some time since I've been on this site. I was fat my entire life, weight 330 in HS and up and down ever since. Lowest adult weight was College where I got to 225 after starving but never able to keep at a close to normal weight. I was banded in 2009 and like many have had a love hate relationship with my band. Like many it worked but had problems with too much or too little fills. Have had Fluid added and taken out so many times I can't remember. Some issues with Reflux etc. I was 300 when band was placed, lowest was 240, For the last 3-4 years my weight has fluctuated from 250 to 265. Overall I eat well and work out at least 3 x a week, mostly in an exercise class with trainer. (So basically I have been able to maintain a 40 lb weight loss) About a year ago the Nurse at the Bariatric office started talking about a possible revision and how he could really get me to my goal once and for all. I was going to them at least 6 times a year. (They had an annual Self Pay program) We started the Process about 6 months ago, with all the testing, with the testing it was found that pouch was dilated, and dr would not put in any more fills. The insurance initially approved to remove the pouch but not the revision. The Dr asked for a peer review and they came back asking for some more information. which i was able to provide So they have now approved the Revision to the sleeve. I am nervous as I am generally in good health. Have High BP and actually look like most of the old fart friends of mine who are in the late 50 - 60's. many of who never faced a life long battle with weight. On one hand have bad knee issues, that will be better if slimmer as well as High BP, But I am getting older and with the current insurance situation who know if I will ever have the chance to have this done again under insurance. I do want this band out but could not really face the good chance of gaining my weight back if i had noting to help me. Its been hard enough to keep tin the 250-260 range and I don't want to go back to 300 Plus. But also I am concerned I wil never be able to eat a normal meal again. Guess I'm looking for some encouragement from people who have done the band to sleeve Revision. PS Getting Insurance to pay is hard. The Dr said it was unusual that i had so much documentation. I started to go to a good gym just after the band and they log each time you go in for INS Purposes so I had excellent records also had records of weight loss and personal training programs for the last 8 years! and Dr had records for 7 years of followup. They probibly sent 50 pages of documentation as well as letters from various dr. .

Hi ! my high was around 330, A long time ago. I was always heavy in my 20's I lost 100 lbs in a 7 months. than slowly gained virtually all back. Was banded 4 years ago at 300. Got down to 335 and had a body lift. Would do it again. and Again. When you get their contact me but if your young and have not been heavy that long you may not need it.

HI Friends, Have not posted in awhile, I must say that I cant believe its been 4 years since I was banded. I am having major issues! While I am proud that I have maintained a weight loss of over 50 Lbs since my Band. And 85 lbs from my high weight. I am still frustrated as I want to loose more and don't know what else I can possibly do. I train (Weight 3 x a week) Try to do some cardio 1 other day. I know I could be doing more cardio. I eat well but if I go off my plan for a day or two due to any even the scale is up like 5 lbs and it than takes a few days to get it back down. I found some old photos today from 2005 they were really hard to look at. When I look at them vs today I know I have come along way but the scale is driving me crazy. My High was 330 when i was 17, my low as an adult was 223 when I was 25 after server diet, for most of my adult life I was hovering around that 300 Mark. UP or Down 10/lbs. I was banded May 1 2009 at 300/lbs. My low was that following year 237, In the last 3 years my weight is between 240 to 250 and I am not happy about that. My new goal is 235 but it is so hard to try and get their and probably harder to stay their. Really don't know , I thought I would try something different and joined WW. The plan is good but the points were far to high. I cut it down and have been loosing a bit than had a weekend away for a wedding and it back up again. I know all this stuff about body set point. I have seen a nutritionist and she say to look at family and I am a big guy and my weight where it is is OK! But still not pleased just need to be reassured I guess. I need to learn to accept myself. It really pisses me off that many of the guys I know are bigger than me and seem so secure with themselves and they are fatter than me. I have even though that maybe I should have By pass surgery now. You may have noticed that I on prior post that I had a body Lift. So I do look ok but really want to get another 10 to 15 off and don't know what to do next. I enjoyed eating WW and tracking good amount of fruit, Now I am doing WW but only Power Foods. Veg, Protein etc. at least for awhile but I tell you lack of carbs make me cranky!

Yea Stay Away, I do not drink soda very often. Hear an interesting thing from my DR. Every person that later had a weight gain after successful weight loss had something in common, and that was they started to drink soda again. Not to say every banster who drinks soda gains their weight back but all that she has seen had this in common. Now certainly this was not the only factor but might have been a symptomatic of a person going back to their old habit of eating. Regardless was an interesting observation. Also the more I hear about the obesity problem one common thing is Soda, DIET and Regular. Our bodies were not meant to drink this stuff. I am certainly not perfect and am having issues but try to keep away. For yourself, I too can go up 5 lbs in a day and its caused by Carbs, Salt etc. My body just loves to retain water and carb do it every time. Anyway good luck to you, you seem that you are well on your way.

Hi we have similar stories. I am 3.5 years out with the band, have kept off 55 lbs. I was 65 lbs down but getting back on track. The good news have kept 55 lbs off for 3 years not. I was about 330 in HS. In collage went on a strict plant on got down to 225. but gradually came back on. So for most of my adult life have been around 300. I am just over 6ft tall. I was 300 when banded. Lowest I got to was 335, for a while I have been hovering in the mid 240's. Anyway the band can get you to a healthy weight if you work at it and I guess I am at a healthy weight so says my Dr. But I would like to be thinner. I also work out 3 x a week. My Dr office now does the band with a procedure to the stomach. It is kind of a band with a Sleeve type procedure, he inverts part of the stomach and that makes it smaller but they do not surgically remove the extra part. You may want to ask your dr. about it. My Dr office started doing this about a year ago, it was not being done when I had mine 3 years ago. Kind of wish he was doing that too back than. You do have to work hard. Slimming etc not a big deal and should not happen too often, if it does your doing something wrong. Ask about this band plus procedure.

I had a bad respiratory infection before surgery and we just pushed it out a month. Call your Dr. you might go on an antibiotic or just wait a bit. Good luck to you.

Have you tried the knee shots of lubricants? ( Not just the cortisone If not try them and make sure they do the injection under the ultrasound to make sure they hit the spot. Helps a lot to hopefully move out the replacement. Also swimming instead of running. Good luck.

Follow your Dr. Orders, remember the scars will look worse before they start to look better. Their is not much to do in the first few weeks until the bandages, tape, drained etc are out. Than you will start to treat them. Some of the worse scars now look the best. I had a body lift a year ago.

You need to go back to your band Dr. Maybe go on some medication for acid reflux. I had a bit of a problem last year and actually had to take a few things. you could have inflammation etc. Sorry to hear of your trouble.

Hi All its 3 1/2 years since I have been banded and 1 year since my body lift. And I am really pleased with the results, I never though I would have abs and kind of that " V " that everyone strives for. But I need some help to see if I am just fooling myself and eating too much or If I really OK and should accept myself where I am. Its really frustrating. My top weight was 330 - 335 in High School. Today I'm 240. i was 245 1 Year ago the morning of my body lift. I am almost 6' 1" I did get to 233 a few months after my body lift when I was recovering. I have been around around this 240 Mark now for a few years! And don't know what I can do to get to my goal which is moving up now to from 225 to 230! I am still a big guy. I have been heavy all my life, my dad and mom were big. So the it's in the Family. The only really thin "ADULT" member of my family is a cousin (HE's ADOPTED!) I was always the biggest guy in the class or room etc. So hear I am. Down 90 lbs from my High and 60 since the band. I work out 3 x a week for 3 years now. Yea I have built muscle but want to loose more. I keep looking for an answer and no one seems to have one for me. My Nutritionist says that my body really likes this weight! At my thinnest was 225 when I was 25, Now I am 55 and 240. so 225 is not realistic! My Medical Dr says I am fine! Not on any medications, labs are good. He is really happy where I am and what i have done. My Lap Band DR says I am a success. "Because the band gets you healthy not skinny." Oh THANKS FOR TELLING ME NOW! My Shrink says! "Live in the Now look where you have come from" Your a big guy and can't change your body type. My Trainer says do more cardio on my off days But I still want to loose some more. My Body lift was a year ago today, the Dr said he took off 10 Lbs but not so with the scale. I was 245 when I had my body lift, so I should be like 235 now but I am hovering around 240. I had gotten down to 233 during the recovery of my body lift. One I got back to the gym it started to up again. I would love to get some other suggestions too. It is frustrating, I know I am building muscle. My chest is almost a big as when I started ( NO MAN BOOBS THOUGH) but my waist went from a 44 to a 36, My Chest from a 52 to like a 48. My Shirt went from XXL to L but now back to XL Because of weight training my chest is getting bigger. Some guy friends have poked my chest and commented about the muscle so I guess that's good but not what I was really aiming for. (Yea I do kind of have abs now ! Yea I said that before) So really at a loss as to what to do next. I have tried eating more, eating less. Low Carbs, no carbs, normal carbs? The scale goes up if I eat too many carbs or go off my plan. A few days back on its down. I have had the tests done on the amount of calories I should eat. They say around 2,000. I actually have My Nutritionist and I agree around 1500 - 1600. I work out with a trainer 3 x a week, doing mainly strength I really should be doing more cardio on my off days. But I do have bad knees. Guess I am looking for motivation or something. I never thought I would have a body this good especially at 55, Yea my abs are fairly good but still see that fat guy, Yea when I look at old photos I know I look much much better but still, want to be thinner but not sure if I am willing to starve. And I can't starve and work out! Just can't do it! " I have tried it! " Any suggestions am I kidding myself or just being ungrateful. I guess I just look NORMAL Now. Better than most of my Friends , but am I just being ungrateful and unrealistic. any suggestions.

Hi All its 3 1/2 years since I have been banded and 1 year since my body lift. And I am really pleased with the results, I never though I would have abs and kind of that " V " that everyone strives for. But I need some help to see if I am just fooling myself and eating too much or If I really OK and should accept myself where I am. Its really frustrating. My top weight was 330 - 335 in High School. Today I'm 240. i was 245 1 Year ago the morning of my body lift. I am almost 6' 1" I did get to 233 a few months after my body lift when I was recovering. I have been around around this 240 Mark now for a few years! And don't know what I can do to get to my goal which is moving up now to from 225 to 230! I am still a big guy. I have been heavy all my life, my dad and mom were big. So the it's in the Family. The only really thin "ADULT" member of my family is a cousin (HE's ADOPTED!) I was always the biggest guy in the class or room etc. So hear I am. Down 90 lbs from my High and 60 since the band. I work out 3 x a week for 3 years now. Yea I have built muscle but want to loose more. I keep looking for an answer and no one seems to have one for me. My Nutritionist says that my body really likes this weight! At my thinnest was 225 when I was 25, Now I am 55 and 240. so 225 is not realistic! My Medical Dr says I am fine! Not on any medications, labs are good. He is really happy where I am and what i have done. My Lap Band DR says I am a success. "Because the band gets you healthy not skinny." Oh THANKS FOR TELLING ME NOW! My Shrink says! "Live in the Now look where you have come from" Your a big guy and can't change your body type. My Trainer says do more cardio on my off days But I still want to loose some more. My Body lift was a year ago today, the Dr said he took off 10 Lbs but not so with the scale. I was 245 when I had my body lift, so I should be like 235 now but I am hovering around 240. I had gotten down to 233 during the recovery of my body lift. One I got back to the gym it started to up again. I would love to get some other suggestions too. It is frustrating, I know I am building muscle. My chest is almost a big as when I started ( NO MAN BOOBS THOUGH) but my waist went from a 44 to a 36, My Chest from a 52 to like a 48. My Shirt went from XXL to L but now back to XL Because of weight training my chest is getting bigger. Some guy friends have poked my chest and commented about the muscle so I guess that's good but not what I was really aiming for. (Yea I do kind of have abs now ! Yea I said that before) So really at a loss as to what to do next. I have tried eating more, eating less. Low Carbs, no carbs, normal carbs? The scale goes up if I eat too many carbs or go off my plan. A few days back on its down. I have had the tests done on the amount of calories I should eat. They say around 2,000. I actually have My Nutritionist and I agree around 1500 - 1600. I work out with a trainer 3 x a week, doing mainly strength I really should be doing more cardio on my off days. But I do have bad knees. Guess I am looking for motivation or something. I never thought I would have a body this good especially at 55, Yea my abs are fairly good but still see that fat guy, Yea when I look at old photos I know I look much much better but still, want to be thinner but not sure if I am willing to starve. And I can't starve and work out! Just can't do it! " I have tried it! " Any suggestions am I kidding myself or just being ungrateful. I guess I just look NORMAL Now. Better than most of my Friends , but am I just being ungrateful and unrealistic. any suggestions.

Hi All its 3 1/2 years since I have been banded and 1 year since my body lift. And I am really pleased with the results, I never though I would have abs and kind of that " V " that everyone strives for. But I need some help to see if I am just fooling myself and eating too much or If I really OK and should accept myself where I am. Its really frustrating. My top weight was 330 - 335 in High School. Today I'm 240. i was 245 1 Year ago the morning of my body lift. I am almost 6' 1" I did get to 233 a few months after my body lift when I was recovering. I have been around around this 240 Mark now for a few years! And don't know what I can do to get to my goal which is moving up now to from 225 to 230! I am still a big guy. I have been heavy all my life, my dad and mom were big. So the it's in the Family. The only really thin "ADULT" member of my family is a cousin (HE's ADOPTED!) I was always the biggest guy in the class or room etc. So hear I am. Down 90 lbs from my High and 60 since the band. I work out 3 x a week for 3 years now. Yea I have built muscle but want to loose more. I keep looking for an answer and no one seems to have one for me. My Nutritionist says that my body really likes this weight! At my thinnest was 225 when I was 25, Now I am 55 and 240. so 225 is not realistic! My Medical Dr says I am fine! Not on any medications, labs are good. He is really happy where I am and what i have done. My Lap Band DR says I am a success. "Because the band gets you healthy not skinny." Oh THANKS FOR TELLING ME NOW! My Shrink says! "Live in the Now look where you have come from" Your a big guy and can't change your body type. My Trainer says do more cardio on my off days But I still want to loose some more. My Body lift was a year ago today, the Dr said he took off 10 Lbs but not so with the scale. I was 245 when I had my body lift, so I should be like 235 now but I am hovering around 240. I had gotten down to 233 during the recovery of my body lift. One I got back to the gym it started to up again. I would love to get some other suggestions too. It is frustrating, I know I am building muscle. My chest is almost a big as when I started ( NO MAN BOOBS THOUGH) but my waist went from a 44 to a 36, My Chest from a 52 to like a 48. My Shirt went from XXL to L but now back to XL Because of weight training my chest is getting bigger. Some guy friends have poked my chest and commented about the muscle so I guess that's good but not what I was really aiming for. (Yea I do kind of have abs now ! Yea I said that before) So really at a loss as to what to do next. I have tried eating more, eating less. Low Carbs, no carbs, normal carbs? The scale goes up if I eat too many carbs or go off my plan. A few days back on its down. I have had the tests done on the amount of calories I should eat. They say around 2,000. I actually have My Nutritionist and I agree around 1500 - 1600. I work out with a trainer 3 x a week, doing mainly strength I really should be doing more cardio on my off days. But I do have bad knees. Guess I am looking for motivation or something. I never thought I would have a body this good especially at 55, Yea my abs are fairly good but still see that fat guy, Yea when I look at old photos I know I look much much better but still, want to be thinner but not sure if I am willing to starve. And I can't starve and work out! Just can't do it! " I have tried it! " Any suggestions am I kidding myself or just being ungrateful. I guess I just look NORMAL Now. Better than most of my Friends , but am I just being ungrateful and unrealistic. any suggestions.