Gigi_Girl

When you had your second band put in, was the post op recovery and healing easier or worse than after your first band? I am looking at having my band removed and replaced on August 20. (My current band is leaking and won't hold any fluid past a month.) Curious to hear others perspective.

I agree, dehydration can cause dizzyness. Have you been getting in all your liquids?

I am from Jacksonville, AL.

Rachel, at three weeks out, are you still on mushies? When can you have real food?

Thanks!

Sorry to be so quizzicle. Did the doctor plan to keep you overnight or decide after surgery? Can you tell I am a little anxious?

puppypaw, did you have to stay overnight?

I was banded initially December 2008. Lost 80 pounds over first couple of years. Have succeeded in gaining 30 of that back in the last year. First band stopped holding fluid over the last year. NP suspected a leak, so started aspirating fluid to measure. Each visit, got out less and less. The last time was just one month past a 7cc fill, only could remove 2cc. Don't know why the leak, but insurance approved replacement due to defect after several back and forth requests.

I am getting my second band on August 20.

Thanks puppypaws and icunurse for your comments. I want to have my eyes open when I do this. I have a pre-op discussion with my surgeon on August 10. Plan to ask his experiences with putting in a second band. My only choices are to 1) do nothing, 2) have band removed, 3) have it removed and replaced, or 4) pay the full tab and revise to a sleeve. Before I opt for #4, I would like to see what king of results I have with a second band. puppypaws and icunurse, how are you doing with weight loss since the second band? If there is anyone else out there with a second band experience, please chime in.

Sorry to hear about your experience. Hopefully, you will like your next surgeon better. Don't forget to ask for a copy of your records to take with you. You don't have to explain why you want them, just tell them that you want a copy of all of your records. That implies you are going elsewhere, seeking counsel, etc. Let them wonder.

Thanks for the well wishes. I am counting the days until I start on liquids. That sounds strange, but I am ready to get this going again. I have BCBS of Alabama. I understand their hesitation on fixing, since literature says more and more band patients are asking for revision. But, I believe not fixing problems in the long run will be more expensive for them. Good luck to you!

I am in the same boat. We suspected that my band developed a leak a year ago. My weight has been steadily creeping up since then. This year I have had 3 fills preceded by aspiration of the Fluid to measure. Each time there was less fluid than the last. The most recent unfill was only able to get 2 cc out of 7 cc that had been filled only a month prior. Note that what is being extracted in not clear saline, but suspected to be body fluid being sucked into the tubing. It took insurance 4 months of requests and denials before they finally agreed to remove and replace the band. The reason for the denial was my policy says "only one weight loss surgery per lifetime". They finally understood that the leak was a defect thru no fault of my own. I was estatic when I received the insurance approval letter this weekend. I call Monday to schedule surgery! It is such relief, almost like I won the lottery!

Hi banders that have been revised to sleeve. Did you lose weight faster with the sleeve than initially with the band?

Talk to your surgeon to find out if the band is right for you. If your pain meds are anti-inflammatories your doc may recommend a different procedure.

Usually insurance will on pay for one procedure per episode which would make the doc remove the gallbladder at no charge. I don't like to work without payment, do you?

You won't beep. I have had my band since 2008 and have never had an airport issue.

You might be dehydrated.

Rather than just replacing the tubing, will insurance cover a total band replacement? Obviously, there is more to the defect that just the tube.

Super job!

Looks like everyone has a different opinion. None better or worse, just different perspectives. Yes, stress DOES tighten your band. I would continue sipping and give it a day or two. If you don't get relief, call your doc.

I have had to take nsaid for a short period of time (no more than 2 weeks) due to similar issues. The best compromise is to take after coating your stomach with malox or something similar. Of course, this reduces the affect of the nsaid, but it is better than nothing.

The insurance person at the doctors office says it is really hard to get BCBS of Alabama to pay for WLS. They do everything they can to get out of it. Also I learned that BCBS of Alabama will only pay for one WLS in your lifetime. Luckily my first one was paid for by UHC or I would have no chance at all. We will see after Friday what my future holds. Jenn6524, what is the outcome of your BCBSAL approval for revision? I too have a band that needs removing. BCBSAL refused to pay for a revision to a sleeve, but they are considering replacing my band. Go figure.... Gigi

aldmb2, my frustration lies with insurance saying the removal is medically necessary...but they choose what to revise to same procedure. As you said, external reviewers can't make insurance companies pay.

Thought I would give everyone an update. Insurance won't pay for a "second type" of surgery. My Realize band has a leak and insurance company, BCBSAL, agreed the band malfunctioned and wrote, pending the physician's request, they would approve to reband me. They had already approved the band to be removed, but I wanted revision to return to the restriction I once had. (Doc removed the remaining Fluid when I was having an Upper GI in mid April.) If the doc's office can get an approval letter to reband, then that is the route I will take. I suppose if this one fails, I can always choose to pay for the sleeve. My choices: Remove the band Remove and replace the band Self Pay for the band to sleeve revision Good luck to everyone else on the sleeve journey. I'll keep an eye on your progress. Gigi