lacjim

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone who has Kaiser Permanente insurance got them to cover revision surgery from lap band to a gastric sleeve.
I qualified for the lap band surgery through Kaiser, but I opted to self-pay because they wanted me to do the Options program before the surgery, which would have meant driving into Los Angeles once a week for six months, and I couldn't do that. I wanted to have my surgery performed by a surgeon in Ventura, which is much closer to where I live.
Anyway, I paid to have the lap band surgery and got the lap band in April, 2008, and I had a small amount of weight loss at first, which eventually came back. My band was tightened nearly to the max, and I would throw up at nearly every meal. They told me that my metabolism is very low, which would make it hard to lose weight, and I have found that to be true and try to exercise when I can.
Lately, I have a never-ending stomach ache and am trying to see if Kaiser will remove the lap band and approve the vertical sleeve instead. The endoscope apparently showed that there is no erosion, slippage, or ulcers, but it is possible that I have scar tissue around my band or that I may have a hiatal hernia. I am trying to get a upper G.I. to be able to learn more about my stomach pain, but I have to wait about a month before I can get an appointment with my PCP.
Has anyone here with Kaiser Insurance had revision surgery approved? Can you tell me what your experience was? Did Kaiser make you wait a long time until your revision surgery?
Thanks very much for any advice or assistance.

Hello!
My name is Sondra and I will be having my vertical sleeve surgery in 3 weeks. I am having a revison from the lap band to the sleeve. I had battled with having a revision surgery for about 1 year now. When I finally got the nerve to make the appointment for a consultation I called and canceled. I felt like a failure because I gained the weight back from the first surgery. But after praying and talking it over with my husband I made a second appointment and kept it. What really helped was the support from my husband and a very dear friend who had the surgery as well. We both struggled with our weight all of lives and thought the band was what we needed. While we both continued to struggle with our weight while having the band, my friend was never able to get off her high blood pressure meds. I was just blessed to not have any medical problems that required meds. Long story short after my friend had her surgery and said it was the best thing ever, she is officially 3 months pre op, down 41 lbs and off her high blood pressure meds. I was inspired yet motivated to make the lifestyle change.
I received the call on April 1st (Yes April Fools Day) that my surgery was approved and that they could schedule the surgery for April 30th. Take note when they called I was taking a nap so I thought it was a joke. I had a ton of questions like do I have to go thru the classes or psych evaluations. To my surprise no, just get my lab work done, see the dr for post op and then have my surgery. I am still shocked because I hear of so many people waiting for thier approvals. I guess you get what you pray for.
I am still new to this sight and learning how to maneuver thru everything but I want to post my pictures and interact with others who have the same issures that I may have but until then..COUNT DOWN TO A NEW ME!