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She says in the title of the post that she was sleeved, I am not sure if this is a revision from a previous band or not?

For me, it really mattered when my PCP confused the VG with the bypass. He just couldn't fathom what a VG was, kept saying I would have malabsorbtion and end up gaining all my weight back and have to take supplements the rest of my life. I even brought out the pictures to show him, and his mind just couldn't wrap around it. That upset me. I needed his support and didn't get it. My family got it, after I explained it about 3 times. And, I got their support. Yes, it kinda of makes me mad when people don't get it. Because I would have never had a bypass. The VG is so much smarter.

I've had both so I feel like I comment and tell you my experience, and with confidence can tell you that the problems with the band are not worth your time, energy, frustration, risks of complications, and pure hell. I can say my band horror story with you, but don't want you to think that my experience is unique. It's very common, and more and more patients are seeking revisions or having to have their bands removed because of permanent damage. This topic has a lot of good information: http://www.verticalsleevetalk.com/topic/23383-considering-lapband-read-this-first/page__pid__197846#entry197846 I will be more than happy to share with you the gory details of my experience, but here is some statistical information regarding the band. This information is from the makers of the band. http://www.lapband.com/en/learn_about_lapband/safety_information/ You can check my blog on here for sleeve research links, statistical information, and then make an informed decision. No one could pay me to have or recommend a band. Not even to my worse enemy. It's not pleasant, and while it is advertised as reversible, what the surgeons(who still push the band) and the manufacturers neglect to tell you is that once the band is in place, it can be removed, or revised, but they never mention the amount of damage your stomach tissue may have after removal.

Wishing you every successlll I had a friend you regained afer bypass. She refused to change he relationship with food. It is hard to do, but not impossible. Good Luck and Happy New Year!

HI Marian, YOu will survive the preop. It's a little hard, but you can do it. We go to a support group and there is a guy who had the gastric bypass and tells a story about not following the diet before surgery and he paid big time. He was really sick. So I remembered that story and stuck to my 2 week pre op liquid diet and 2 week post op liquid diet. Good luck with your surgery. It's the best thing I ever did, wish I did it 20 years ago! Virginia

Teens typically make better patients than adults. They are not trying to find ways around the docs instructions, they do as they are told. I'm all for it. I think it's great. Bands or sleeves, either one. I'm not supportive of bypass in a teen but I am bands and sleeves. Why should a kid suffer obesity? I had a Mom PM me the other day regarding her 13 year old son with a BMI of 52. What will his BMI be by the time he's 18? He could well be dead by the time he's old enough to make his own decision. He already has high blood pressure and diabetes. Kids can't lose all this weight any better than we can. Why wouldn't they deserve the same chance at a life saving surgery?

Well on Monday 7/30/07 @ 7:30 am my band is officially leaving me! I found out on 6/1/07 that I had a slip with some errosion and was trying to hold out for my insurance to cover a revision from Lap Band to RNY, but my stomach will not let me wait any longer. The reflux is so bad and the esophogitis is really painful even being on 3 different meds to try and help settle things for a bit (nexium, carafate, and reglan). My paperwork went in this afternoon for my revision surgery and it was a total joy to have to do EVERY little thing over from scratch again (cardio, psych eval, pulmonary, dietary, support group, endoscopy, colonoscopy, abdominal sono and primary care MD). So unfortunately I'm going to have 2 surgeries now :car: I'll probably have the RNY revision after 8/27 when I get my daughter settled into her freshman year at college. So this is my tale of woe for now Jane

Just alittle update...I got my insurance approval today :clap2: and I'm schedualed for my revision to RNY on 8/29 :omg: I want to thank everyone for the kind words and support they've shone me over the past several weeks! Jane

Doubts are normal. There is a lot to consider. Every single one of the doctors I've been seeing over the past year for various maladies have all said the same thing...WLS is what you should consider. I listened to them and got things in motion. This time next month should find me healing up from my bypass and losing at a great pace. Positive outlook will be needed to get through the no fun liquid diet I'm starting tomorrow. You'll do great. Lots of great advisors on here

HI Everyone, :laugh: I am really really struggling...I am seriously having the fight the insurance co & my PCP blues. Pasted below is draft copy of a letter that I am working on to send to the insurance co. and maybe even the insurance consumer division. Although a really tight squeeze for now, I am working on Plan B. Dr. Alvarez in Mexico, 9750 for sleeve. Here struggling...having gained 18 pounds since September 15--all of my clothes are fitting way way way toooooo tightly! Bumming Here's my letter! I just dont know what to do.... Any insight is greatly appreciated! I am not sure if I should be outright saying I want to request an appeal or just asking for an update. Please review and give me your insight. Thanks! Group/ID Number: XOH842901948/H06800 Primary Care Physician: Dr. Derek Kelly Diagnosis: 278.01 Morbid Obesity Procedure: 99241 Office Consultation Referred For: Office Consultation Requested: 12/9/08 Denied: 12/9/08 Services Requested: Consult with Dr. Vitello for a Sleeve Gastrectomy Referral Authorization No. 23,562'Denied (Referral Denied'This is a request for an out of network non-contracted provider with Managed Health Care Associates Managed Health Care Associates 2740 W. Foster Avenue, Suite 411 Chicago, Il 60625 FAX: 773-271-0264 Illinois Department of Insurance Consumer Division 100 W. Randolph Street Suite 15-100 Chicago, IL 60601 Greetings I a writing to formally request an updated status of the referral decision rendered in December 2008. First of all, the services requested are inaccurate. Since October 2007, Dr. Derek Kelly has provided referral authorizations for me to see Dr. Vitello regarding lapband adjustment. From October 2007 until September 2008, I visited Dr. Vitello for lapband adjustments and presented with complications of my adjustments on a monthly basis. Resultingly, September 2008, I had to have emergency surgery to remove my lapband due to slippage. I followed up with post-operative care with Dr. Vitello, who then consulted with me regarding revisional bariatric surgery. In the interim, I informed Maria, of Dr. Kelly's office and contacted the BCBS of IL to be advised of my benefits coverage and protocol for seeking revisional surgery. At that time, I was advised of the criteria for coverage, which I meet now and did so at the time of request, and advised Maria of the same. She advised me to have Dr. Vitello submit the referral authorization and that she would handle the request, as she had handed the processing of all of my prior referral authorizations to Dr. Vitello. Upon mutual interest, Dr. Vitello petitioned for referral authorization for revisional bariatric surgery, vertical sleeve gastrectomy. My last follow up appointment with Dr. Vitello was October 31 and the referral authorization was submitted twice by Dr. Vitello's staff (University of Illinois at Chicago) before warranting a response by the Managed Care Group. This petition submitted in full disclosure, my operative and post-operative reports and medical necessity substantiating the need for the procedure. According to my insurance terms, bariatric surgery is a covered benefit as long as it is deemed medically necessary; this is furthered for revisional bariatric surgery with indication that as long as the first bariatric surgery was medically necessary, there is no waiting period for clearance for the authorization of a revisional surgery. Additionally, according to my policy's terms and conditions, I have been advised of the following: Repeat of a covered bariatric surgery may be eligible for coverage only when ALL of the following criteria are met: For the original procedure, patient met all of the screening criteria, including BMI requirements The patient has been compliant with a prescribed nutritional and exercise program following the original surgery Significant complications or technical failure (i.e., slippage, etc.) of the bariatric surgery has occurred that required take down or revision of the original procedure that could only be addressed surgically Patient is requesting reinstitution of an acceptable bariatric surgical modality. Dr. Vitello submitted his referral authorization to Dr. Derek Kelly indicating my request to reinstitute an acceptable bariatric surgical modality, vertical sleeve gastrectomy. On December 9, I received paperwork advising of a decision of denial for a consultation. It indicated the denial was based on the fact that the services are available in-network and the request was from a non-contracted provider. The basis of this claim request for out-of-network coverage is due to this surgical procedure being revisional bariatric surgery, which is an acceptable bariatric surgical modality. Secondly, the letter advised of an alternative for the non-approved service, to contact Dr. Kelly for a referral to an in-network specialist. On December 15, 2008, I met with Dr. Kelly in follow-up to the denial. Dr. Kelly advised that he needed to submit supplemental supportive documentation along with the referral for processing to secure an affirmative decision. Dr. Kelly then proceeded to review my operative report records from the surgery and reviewed my other health records in my medical file and interviewed me regarding my health status. Dr. Kelly indicated this procedure should take approximately 30 days maximum and to anticipate an affirmative response to proceed with revisional bariatric surgery and that I had his medical support in substantiating the medical need. I have been waiting since December 15, 2008 and to date am more frustrated now than ever. For the past 2.5 months, I have meticulously called Dr. Kelly's office regarding a status update. Maria, the administrative assistant, has provided several updates. The updates have included the fact that the previous medical director retired and was replaced and the new director was then on vacation, to the medical director making request for additional paperwork (which was submitted), to the medical director needing to meet with Dr. Kelly regarding the details of the approval process for this type of referral authorization, to the medical director and Dr. Kelly being unable to meet to further discuss the nature of my referral, to Brenda communicating that there was never a properly submitted referral from Dr. Kelley to the Managed Care group which resulted in the initial denial decision. In my first direct contact with Brenda Blazek, the Referral Coordinator who signed the referral denial letter, she claimed to know nothing regarding my case and further indicated that there was no documentation in my file. When I followed up with Maria with Dr. Kelley's office, she advised that Brenda did not find any information in my file because all of the information was being held by the medical director. Whatever the real case is, this is neither professional nor acceptable in accordance to my patient's rights under section 502(a) of ERISA. Just yesterday, I called and spoke with Maria five times to get an updated status, to exhaustedly be declined, yet promised an update by the end of the work day. I have not spoken with Maria, nor have I missed an update call from Maria. This has been my experience for the last 2.5 months. Below is an excerpt of the fax sent to Dr. Kelly, which was confirmed as received by Maria on February 5, 2009. Maria, I would like to reiterate that on 12/9 the referral authorization stated that the procedure, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, is a covered benefit in-network; however my request was to have the procedure done by an out of network provider. Additionally, this was confirmed by Tammy on yesterday at 12:50 with Blue Cross Blue Shield that this is a covered medical benefit as long as it is deemed medically necessary. My appointment with Dr. Kelly in December was to have provided me with a specialist referral to have the procedure done or we could have executed an appeal. I think Dr. Kelly submitted an appeal for coverage of the procedure; however, I am requesting to have this surgical procedure done by Dr. Vitello or be advised of the in-network provider who can perform this surgical procedure. Even in accordance to the appeals process, the timeline has been elongated to address issue of medically necessity when that is not the matter'the issue is approval for out-of network coverage or referral to an in-network specialist. I hope this clarifies the situation more. I will call you tomorrow to see if you have an updated response. Additionally, I was contacted by the non-contracted provider's office as a follow-up to the request in January and February. Last week, I advised them of the insurance referral hassle that I have been experiencing and they formally resubmitted their request, directly to Dr. Kelly (attention Maria), to the medical director of the Managed Care Group and to Brenda Blazek. To date, no response has been received; however, they have confirmed receipt of such documentation. Resultingly, I am assuming that since the only official documentation I have received to date is the referral denial, then I am evoking my patient right to request an appeal, specifically an expedited appeal process. However, I am highly dismayed because Dr. Kelly advised that there would be no need to execute an appeal. I would like to seek clarity first on the status and if this is in order, I would like to request an activation of the appeals process and under separate cover I will or will have my attorney to handle the appeals process. Before escalating to that level, I am very much interest in seeking resolve immediately. If and when I need to activate an appeal, I am requesting an expedited appeal process because my health at this point is continually declining and it is therefore imminent and serves my best interest to not further jeopardize my quality of life by waiting for a decision. Since December, the following symptoms I have presented: my breathing has become labored and therefore results in extreme shortness of breath my severe obstructive sleep apnea condition has worsened (hypopnea with severe oxygen desaturation) my acid reflux has returned my amenorrhea has returned and I have again began experiencing tumultuous joint, knee and lower back pains __________________ Originally posted at www.lapbandtalk.com

If my dr was doing gastric sleeve at the time I had my initial wls I would have went that route. I had lap band 3/2006 and revision in 1 surgery 4/2014. I did not have reflux prior to revision but I do now. Gastric Sleeve is still way better choice in my opinion. I have been happy with my procedure. Weight loss has been slower. I just keep telling myself I will get to my goal. It may take time but I will do it.

I’m revising from sleeve to SIPS and was told by my doctor that I need 6 months medically supervised diet psych evaluation and all the other fun stuff. I called my insurance today and they told me there’s no requirement except I have to go through a different dept. which basically guides you through and make sure you are ready for surgery. I’ve had WLS twice. From band to sleeve and I’ve never heard this before. I have UHC. Has anyone else ever been told that??

I was feeling the same way you were. Being on this board made me sad cause there's so many people who have little to no pain and I'm still on paid meds. My surgery was on July 8th and I am 5 days out. I am not a medicine taker but it's getting to the point if I have to leave the house I make sure to bring pain meds!!!! My doctor was so certain I wouldn't need them after day 2!!! So not true! I had a lot of pain in my right side. I am also a band to sleeve revise so I was wondering if that played a role as well. Good luck to you. Today is day 5 and I haven't taken any pain meds yet today so maybe day 5 is the breakthrough day! I was also able to sleep on my side last night!!! Hope all gets better for you. :-)

Hi all, my name is Lisa. I had the Lap-Band in Monterrey MX in 2003 and had success. I initially lost 100 lbs, but I have gained back 40 of it. I still consider it a success since I have kept 60 pounds off for over 10 years. Last year I started throwing up in the middle of the night, as well as throwing up at every meal. I thought that was just how it was going to be - my insurance didn't cover my surgery and I have tried to get follow up appointments with other doctors in town. Most of them wouldn't touch me without an outrageous "takeover fee." One doc wanted $5K up front before I stepped foot in the office! I finally went to my PCP in April and they set me up with a bariatric doc - since I was having an issue, insurance approved it (I have Sierra Health). Doc said the band was slipped and I also have a hiatial hernia and suggested revision to a gastric sleeve. Well - today my surgery was approved - in 48 hours! Lap band removal, repair of hernia, and revision to sleeve. My surgery date is August 5. FYI - my insurance just changed July 1st. I was told by them that because of Obamacare (PLEASE no political comments!!), that complications because of prior weight loss surgery, whether it was initially covered or performed in the country or not, HAS to be treated as any other illness and all I have to pay is the deductibles as for any other surgery. Yay! So, for those of you who have previously been denied or have not been covered in the past, it might be worth looking into. I was told that the changes went to effect on July 1. Not sure if it effects first time surgery or not, but worth researching!

Way to go cowgirl .. I wish they would of covered the sleeve I would of fine that first . I don't know if the revision will slow me down I hope not .. Still not weigh in yet and on broth and tea been 5 days now .. How long did it take you to get to 141 ?

The video is great for patients with a gastric bypass. They do not have a sphinctor muscle between their pouch and the intestinal connection so fluids will wash food through much more quickly. Sleeve patients retain the pyloric sphinctor in all of its previous glory. There is no medical evidence that my doctor can finds that indicates that it suddenly quits working after a sleeve. That is, the muscle remains contracted until digestion is completed in the stomach and then opens for slow drainage into the intestine. I honestly believe that sleevers can drink some liquids with impunity. I drink about a half a cup of liquid with meals and can tell no difference in the length of timebefore I get hungry again when compared to not drinking. I personally do not see any reason to give up drinking with meals. Neither does my doctor. Each of us should listen carefully to our doctors instructions but doctors are not gods and (heaven forbid!) have been known to be falliable. Just my 2 cents.

Well I'm a band to sleeve conversion. Now heading to a bypass not because of weight but reflux. I have had 4 dial actions to try to fix it no help. I take nexium twice a day and still have symptoms. I never had reflux before. However beside the awful reflux the sleeve is way better than the band. I don't see how anyone would do the band

My friend a work had bypass and has been buying clothes at Ross, Marshalls, and TjMaxx while she's on the way down. I plan to do the same! What a good idea.

"Days 1&2 are like the basic liquid diet post-op, right?" Yes. Day 3 can be salmon, chicken or most any meat. The diet is similar to the zone diet so it's mainly low or no carbs for 5 days. She recommends very low glycemic foods such as refried Beans on the 3rd day. She recommends shakes as only a snack and not as a meal. Bypass people have real pouches that hold about 4 ozs of food. We have a very small pouch where food stays for a few seconds before it passes through the stoma.

As we all go for our one-year followups, what things did we learn? Here's a summary of mine: My appointment went well. Dr. is very happy with things. I’m at 221 on his scale (218 on mine), which is up a few from the 218 I was at on his scale in July. No surprise, as I've been gradually creeping up since November 1, when I stopped jogging outdoors and switched to elliptical. Plus, the holidays. We talked a lot about the mental issues, the need to not be fixated on the number, the physical changes, etc. He says I’m a model patient, for what that’s worth. He says that it’s largely a head game from here, which I know. He asked about how much I’m eating, which we went over, and he cautioned me about eating to the point of being full. He said that while my sleeve will never stretch out to the old stomach, if I repeatedly eat to full, I will condition it to stretch more. Good lesson. He also cautioned me that I am now in a lifelong fight with my body, which wants to get back up to 362 lbs. He told me that I should not be surprised that in 5 years, I will have gained 40 lbs., although he also said that I’m doing so well, and seem to have the right attitude, plus my age and gender, that I may not. He said that should I gain the weight, we can then talk about bypass but, interestingly enough, he also said, “By then, they will have figured out that much of this is hormone-related, and maybe they’ll treat that way then.” Go to support groups, keep exercising, blah, blah, blah. How about everyone else?

All my adult life till 40 I weighed 98lbs. At 5'4" My ideal weight was 125. I was banded in 2005 at 250lbs. I tried to tell the Dr.'s I didn't over eat, and they told me the band was the way to go, and I knew I didn't want to give up the foods I loved, just the ability to eat less again. Right after surgery I was in alot of pain, Dr. couldn't understand why and kept me overnight. About 8pm my port flip'd and the pain went away. For at least 4 months I tried to convince the Dr. it wasn't working and finally he revised the port. I went on for months and had fill after fill and nothing. We filled with food, without, sideways, laying down, standing up... In 2009 just as my weight came on, so did it leave. I still do not over eat, have to remind myself to eat, just like when I was 98lbs. Although there is no sense of fullness, I do have bouts of pain when I eat certain foods. It dosn't matter how much I chew. I am now under 195/lbs, and since I am now 60, my skin does not retract, and does nothing but hang. I am in a size 12 pants and x-lg top. I choose now, to not loose more weight. Don't get me wrong, I still believe in the band and I encourage everyone I talk to and tell them not to use me as an example. Am I the only person who feels I should not have to pay to have it removed? It never worked, and the pain is always there when I eat. Am I the only one who has this experience?

I Had gastric bypass Oct 2017. I was 274 at my highest. Now I am 150lbs and I couldn't feel better then I do now. The amount of confidence that comes with weightloss is remarkable. [emoji3059][emoji3059][emoji3059] Sent from my SM-G975U1 using BariatricPal mobile app

I cheated on week 2 after my lapband 4 yrs ago. I ate a Burger King cheesburger. The fear of a staple line leak after my revision 6 mths ago was enuf to keep me on 4 weeks of full liquids and 4 weeks of soft. In fact, the nurse had to talk me into eating Jello the first week cuz I thought it was too solid. Plus my husband is the food Nazi and I know he woulda tattled on me to my dr... Good luck with ur surgery!

@@checkmeowt Hi thanks for the reply. They've checked my hormone levels and they seem to be okay. I actually need birth control because without it my cycles are horrible. Heavy and lots of pain. I see my gastric bypass doctor this Friday and I'm going to bring it up then. I need something that works without reeking havoc on my life. I don't know if kids are even on the table for me, but like you I don't want to mess up the chance either.

Wow, seems like the sleeve now has better stat's than gastric bypass. Thanks for sharing..