Bugaboo77

OMG...same happened to me. I was prior approved by insurance to get my band removed and now my insurance is saying they won't pay. I sent in an appeal and they denied it again. $18,000. I have a message into my surgeon and my primary care clinic. I am scheduled for RNY bypass surgery on July 10 and supposedly approved for that also. We will see!

Ok. So, I had received prior approval from my insurance to get my band removed. That was done Feb 8 as there was medical necessity. My insurance is now denying payment for the surgery I had because they didn't receive a referral from my 'primary care clinic'. I had been dealing with my bariatric doctor and my surgeon regarding the issue...why go back to my primary care clinic? I sent in for appeal and it is denied again. I can't afford to pay $18,000 that it cost to remove my band.

July 10 for me. RNY

Great to hear! I got my band out Feb 8, after having it for 6 years. My surgeon wants to wait 3 months to allow healing time before doing the bypass. My next meeting with him is May 5. Hoping to get surgery scheduled end of May!

I am also interested in the responses you get. I just got my lap band removed Feb 8, after having it for 6 years. I meet with my surgeon again in 3 months to allow healing and decide whether I want to pursue sleeve or bypass. I was leaning towards having another WLS. And that push became stronger when I found out I am now considered diabetic.

I am interested in this also. I got my band removed last week. Still debating which path to choose.

I'm getting my band removed on 2/8. I'm so happy to get rid of it. My surgeon wants to wait 3-6 months to allow healing time before doing sleeve or bypass. Banded in 2010 Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Keep me posted! I'm excited to get this thing out of me! I have regained everything I lost.

I'm so happy to find this thread of people in the same thing I am. Scheduled to get my band out on Feb 8. My surgeon wants to wait 3-6 months before doing revision to allow healing. I haven't spoken with the surgeon too much about which procedure to pursue--RNY or sleeve. But I am leaning toward RNY mostly because it's a sure thing. I don't want to fail again. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Sounds like you are too tight. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

This is encouraging to read. Banded in 2010. Started having problems last year--reflux issues. Most Fluid removed. Endoscopy done-found reflux, gastritis and a small hernia. Have now gained all my weight back. Surgeon removing the band on 2/8/17, but wants to let it heal for 3-6 months before performing another WLS to prevent any possible issues. I've been trying to decide bw RNY and sleeve. But have been leaning toward RNY. It's been around longer and I don't want to fail. I feel like RNY is more of a sure thing. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am also trying to decide between bypass and sleeve. I'm leaning towards bypass for a few reasons. 1. I have a band that will be coming out in 2 weeks. It worked for a little while but It quit working for me and I have gained all Of my weight back. I want something long term. Bypass is the gold standard. It's been around and shown success longer than any other WLS. The sleeve is the latest and greatest (like the band was 6 years ago when I got placed.) The sleeve hasn't been around as long to show those long term results. 2. I have/had issues with acid reflux, and sleeve can increase those issues. In all honesty, The biggest thing for me is Long term success. I don't want to go through all of this again---weight regain and trying to go through revision bc of a failed WLS procedure. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I am hoping to get bypass in the near future. My surgeon takes the band out and lets things heal for 3-6 months before doing another surgery. He said it would help prevent leaks and such. My band is almost empty now, but I have been steadily gaining weight since they took most of my fluid out. I have no restriction. This fluid has been out for 6 months or better now. I am back to my pre-band weight, and actually a little over already. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I got the insurance approval for band removal! Whoop whoop! Feb 8 it comes out. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App