Gigi_Girl

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.

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.

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!

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.

I have made two appeals to the review board in this six week period. did your insurance state only one "type" of weight loss procedure in a lifetime? doc and I presented medical issues with the band and the leakage problem. They agreed to revise, but only to band. What on earth did you put into a 57 page appeal?

Pevette and Pookeyism, Yes, I have heard of "upgrading" surgeries from others. In plastics, often insurance will cover a panneculetomy, but surgeons will charge the patient the difference to upgrade. I have hounded the insurance coordinator from a variety of angles attempting to get a price for the difference of the band removal and revision to sleeve. I am more than willing to pay a fair difference. I was told that it was fraud to submit on procedure code to insurance when in fact another was performed. They refuse to do it. Maybe someone with insurance filing experience can explain this to us?

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

Hi, I saw your old posting. Did you ever get approved? I am going thru that process now with BCBSAL and have received two denials due to once in a lifetime benefit. Nevermind, the darn band has a leak! Anything from your experiences that you can share would be appreciated. Gigi

I don't know what the percentage of band to sleeve revisions are, but I agree that your choice to start with a sleeve is best. As for the seminars, usually, whichever doc does the program is who you sign up for. They are both good. I haven't been to the support group in several months. Mainly because of my band issues. I didn't feel I would be a good spokesperson until I get resolution....band out, change to sleeve, etc. I am going to call my insurance again this afternoon to check on the status of the revision. I never have been a patient camper.

Mary, I have been thinking of you. So glad that you are well enough to be home!

Sounds like some minor ailments. Congrats to you for gettng sleeved! How long will you be in the hospital?

So glad it is nothing too serious. Glad you are feeling better!

Sorry you are not feeling well. Are you back home or in Mexico?

Hello! Welcome! I use Dr. Miles from the same group. You will find them both to be very capable doctors. I am in limbo waiting for a band to sleeve revision. I have insurance approval to remove the band due to leakage and gastritis, but they are not wanted to replace with the sleeve. Hopefully I will have an answer from BCBSAL soon. The 7-month wait is frustrating, but you will find that it goes by quicker than you think it will. Just follow all of the doc's directions.