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Self pay if you went to Mexico (there is a lot of information on the self pay/Mexico board) is generally anywhere from $4-9K depending on location and surgeon. Most people seem to average around $5K. The best I've seen for self pay in the US was around $10K, so if you're not comfortable going to MX then there are self pay options in the US, and though you would likely still have to travel, it's not out of the country. They're more expensive than MX, but nowhere near the $44K mentioned. My insurance (expensive and usually great insurance) doesn't cover ANY bariatric at all. I chose Mexico because the hospital is 45 minutes from my parents house in San Diego and I am more confident in this doctors experience with lap band to sleeve revisions than the self pay doctors I talked to in my area (and he was much less expensive than my area as well obviously).

I am there with you. My surgery was scheduled for Set. 2, all appointments were done and they submitted on the 17th. The band removal was approved that day. They also denied the revision. The reason given was that even though the band caused complications, I was non compliant since I said in the dietary consult that I didn't always follow the post bariatric diet. Of course the fact that I had days I couldn't eat anything because of the band just wasn't mentioned. Also, because my BMI is now only 33.47 and I did lose with band, I don't meet the conditions for coverage for the RNY. Now as I see it, they are punishing me for actually loosing weight with the wrong tool. I was never able to have more than 4cc in the band so I never really had the restriction to only be able to 1/2 cup or less for total success. The REAL problem is my doctor's nurse. She isn't returning my calls. I didn't know about the denial until I had called several times about instructions for my pre-op appointment at the hospital. At that time (20th) she said the doc was doing a phone call with the insurance company. Several more calls to her (no response) I called the insurance company (TRICARE) and they said they only had a request dated the 19th, and no other follow up. They offered to send it over again to that department. I again called the nurse without response so I called the nurse who does the seminars and she did a face to face with the nurse. This was on the first and she did tell me the surgery had been cancelled, but the other nurse would get back to me. Nothing again so I called on the morning of the third without response. Without doubt this has been an ugly long weekend.

I haven't been here in a few months but I had not given up on getting VSG surgery approved. I've written some posts which tell more of my story if anyone is interested and is going through the same thing: http://www.verticals...er-suggestions/ This has been such an emotionally draining time that I wanted to share that I have finally had SUCCESS and I thank all of those who encouraged me to keep trying. I will be having a Lapband removal and revision to Sleeve - Surgery date not scheduled yet since my surgeon's office said they have to see if any pre-tests will be required. I was originally denied by UHC in August stating that I had not met their requirements since I hadn't completed a 6 month pre-op physician supervised diet. I was, however, approved for the Lapband removal due to complications. I wanted both done at the same time and found the fact that they approved one and not the other completely illogical. My surgeon's office suggested I move forward to start a physician supervised program (since UHC says it specifically cannot be a Bariatric physician). I started seeing my primary care Dr. specifically for weight loss. I had recently moved to FL so had to find a primary care Dr. to begin with. So essentially I decided to go down both tracks - appeal the denial as well as work on the six months pre-op diet so, in my mind, worst case I would still qualify by March. However, I was still upset about the whole 'principle' - or lack of - principle of requiring someone who lived with the Lapband for so long to do another 6 month pre-op diet. I sent an appeal letter to UHC and received the most ridiculous response I have ever seen - let alone another denial. They had another Dr. review my case - someone supposedly with knowlege of bariatrics and his lame reason for denying me was that since I had failed with the Lapband I would just fail again with a Sleeve and then I would be asking for a gastric bypass - almost his exact words... no lie. This infuriated me and showed a total lack of knowledge on his part in my opinion. I mean, just like that, this Dr. who does not know me at all, has never even spoken to me, let alone examined me, decides that I am just a BIG failure!!! I was told the next level of appeal would go to my employer since my employer self insures the plan or something like that. In the meantime I continued to go for my monthly Primary Dr. visits and the first few months lost about 5 lbs then after the holidays gained that back and more. I forgot to mention that my Band was unfilled back in July and my appetite has been worse than ever let alone that I can now eat a whole lot more plus things I couldn't eat for years. It took me another month or so to finally write my second appeal letter which went to my employer. By the time I sent it off it had grown to 70 pages - 2 for the letter and the rest my prior letter, denials and other medical records. The first appeal letter was 4 pages of a letter and 30 pages of records but I went ahead and obtained more records in the interim from my podiatrist, etc. I didn't intend for this post to be so long - I guess I'm kind of venting along the way so forgive me for that. I finally received a letter from my Employer the other day stating that they, too, had had another surgeon review my case who had bariatric experience and this Dr. (bless him) completed validated my case - stated that both surgeries are absolutely medically necessary and that I was correct in pointing out that UHC's own Bariatric policy contradicted them denying me both times before. I choked up as I read his words - and just praised God for his answer to my prayers! I don't have a date yet - I am supposed to hear from the Nurse at my surgeon's office on Monday to go over my health questionnaire to see if I need any pre-tests for sleep apnea, etc. I am really healthy other than my morbid obesity and even when I had Lapband in 2006 only had to have a pulmonary test done aside from the routine blood, etc. So if all goes well I may still have the surgery by the end of the month or in March. All this to say that if you are going through the same type of thing - particularly with UHC - DON'T GIVE UP!!! I'm willing to share my letter with anyone interested - email me if you want a copy. It's sad that they make us go through all of this; upon reflection it has all the more strengthened my resolve, but will still really unnecessary. As my plans progress I'll post in other topics. Thanks. Susie

Sleeve is an easier surgery for doctors to perform and it's an easier recovery usually. I was back home the day of surgery and back to normal within a week or so. My surgeon recommended it over the bypass because if it wasn't successful there was still the bypass to do later, which is what ended up happening. I got severe GERD from the sleeve and ended up gaining some weight back. I just had the revision to bypass last month and wish I had just went straight to bypass a few years ago instead of doing the sleeve first. Sleeve recovery was simple and I lost 78 lbs in a year, then my gallbladder had to be removed, acid reflux/GERD got worse, and the weight gain started right after that. I didn't have acid/GERD issues before the sleeve. Recovery after bypass was harder for me, took me about a month to get my energy levels back up, but totally worth it so far. I took 3 weeks off work, but should have taken 4 weeks, but I work from home so I got through it. Congrats on getting your surgery date!

This was not the old "RNY is superior to VSG" debate. To clarify I have a VSG is a fine tool  This was a question about the need/desire for revisions based on failed expectation on weight loss alone (not post WLS medical issues or malfunctions) I see a ton of post (sadly mostly VSG based) where people are very freshly out of surgery wondering when they can cheat, or 2 years out of surgery wondering why they never made it to goal , or going for revisions to RNY to finally make to goal after regain My questions was are people going for VSG to avoid dumping to cheat (vs malabsorption for medical valid reasons) OR were they not advised that the best surgeries for their particular cases would have been the more aggressive surgery OR did they have no honest clue about the statistical weightloss/ regain rates ? I see a lot of good complex answers, thank you. I also see that a lot of Doctors are promoting VSG as their first choice surgery. Now I know. There are complex reasons why revisions are seemingly on the rise. Thanks everyone!!!!

Hi I'm Angie and new to this site. I got my VSG on Sept. 27,2013. As a revision. I'm excited with the support you all show each other. Look forward to the road ahead. My pre weight was 274 Pre-op weight 260 And today's weight 245 Down 29 pounds

Hi, I'm waiting on my insurance to approve my band to RNY revision. They have approved my port revision (three months ago - which I had to wait on pre-existing condition clause) until now to have. I was banded April 11, 2008 by Dr. John Bagnato, Albany GA. Assessment day I was at 271, with a pre-op diet I went into Surgery at 259 pounds. By my first fill I was down about twenty pounds - or perhaps I should say attempt at a first fill - my port had flipped. So I had to schedule revision surgery, which I had in July. I think lost an average of 15 pounds a month. I found out right after my revision surgery my husband was having an affair - emotionally I was a wreck but I think it gave me a push. By November I was down to 214 (my lowest weight). I worked out, followed all the rules - strictly and even ran in a 5k. My marriage continued to deteriorate and by December I asked for a divorce. We separated in February. I ended up moving to my hometown in Florida (four hours away) in March. It never dawned on me the impact of moving to another state would have on my health due to my band. I ended up getting sick and had to get an unfill a few months after moving to Florida. I went back to Georgia for one fill which I had to have removed due to esophagous spasms. When my divorce was final in October 2009 I lost my benefits. I quit my job when I left and it took me four months to find a job (and it didn't offer benefits). But with two small children to feed I didn't feel I had much choice. So no doctor, no follow-up. I tried to find a doctor in Florida to see me, closer than four hours away. No one would take me. I tried everything. I finally found a doctor in Pensacola that would see me. He was able to put in 1cc (I have a 10cc band) in November 2010. I went back in March for my second fill and he couldn't access my port. By the way my port is in my chest, stitched to my left breast muscle). He said it has to be moved. We filed the insurance and they denied me due to pre-existing condition (June 2010 is when my insurance took effect, so I had to wait until June 2011 for anything related to my band). In May I started having port pains and reflux issued - I had an upper GI done. I have mobility issues in my esophogus and some erosion...so I'm told that the band has to come out. I had an appointment Wednesday of this week with him. He confirmed it and we discussed alternatives. I had been reseraching the RNY for a few weeks (once he told me bye bye band)...so now I'm waiting on insurance approval. I'm curious how many of us are out there? and if it is specific to the doctor or type of band? Is there a specific timeline when the failures/complications begins. For the longest time I blamed myself - thought I'd done something wrong. It appears after getting back on LBT (after a two year departure), I'm not the only one. I really hope this RNY site takes off...looking forward to talking to everyone...

as of Jan 1, 2019 I weigh 140lbs from my revision on Apr 11, 2018. My weight loss has slowed but I work out 3-4 days/week and run a 3mi almost daily

I agree- see someone else. I had GERD and Barrett's esophagitis with a Barrett's polyp. My surgeon did not even give a 2nd thought to doing gastric bypass because of the history. He told me that anyone with bad GERD before surgery could have it worse after a sleeve, and in those cases, bypass is the better option. My GERD is gone now. If you have GERD now, you may end up with a revision to bypass down the road, and IMHO, why not just get the bypass now and be done with it.

Thanks for the reply. I’m scheduled for Apr 11. Was your mgb 1st time or revision?

Height = 5'3" Highest weight = 250 Surgery weight = 217 (thanks to preop liquid diet, lost 22 lbs) Surgery date = Lapband -9/26/2011 Sleeve Revision - 12/26/2012 (was 171 going into this surgery) Today's weight = 137 (down 102 lbs) Goal 139 - Met in June 2013.

My surgery was Thursday, Apri 7. I was released yesterday. I'm a sleeve to bypass revision due to a few medical issues. The pain is nothing compared to what I had when they did the sleeve. Not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. Getting up and walking keeps the gas pains at bay.

Just wanted to touch base with everyone. I had my revision on the 11th and the first couple of days were ROUGH. I stayed an extra day in the hospital due to nausea. I figured out I was nauseous due to pain meds, so I'm just taking Tylenol and doing fine. Once my drain was removed most of the pain/discomfort was gone. I know everyone says that each day gets a little better and it's actually true. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

Hi Jeninpink . I had my revision this past Tuesday and I was worried about all that too but it actually wasn't that bad. No more pain that when I had the band. I actually opted for 0 pain medication at all at the hospital. I was there 1 night and received 2 Heparin shots in my tummy but they use such a tiny needle if you can have a lap band fill, heparin is a walk in the park. I can't comment on the drain tube because my dr doesn't use them. I came home Wed and I've been drinking just fine. Already up making my niece lunch today

There's a revision board on here and at least 1 thread full of sleeve to RNY revisions. I was a band to RNY and I'll tell ya what I've told everyone else. After the misery I had with my band I wasn't having anything but RNY, the success rates are the highest and I wanted nothing but the best. I had HORRID reflux with my band and absolutely wouldn't risk having similar misery with a sleeve. Sorry it's been such a long road for you! Good luck!!!!

OMG you have been through the wars. I am so happy that you finally got the right diagnosis. I hope you have an easier life after the new surgery. You have found the right forum. There are a few revision patients in here for you to chat to. Sent from my Lenovo TB-J606F using BariatricPal mobile app

Yes I had popped a stitch too. My circumstances were a little different though. I had plication done with OCC march 2012 and got pregnant May 2012, popped the stitch at 7 months pregnant. Had my baby c-section feb 2013 and stomach collapsed and cause an obstruction June 2013. Had to have emergency surgery to reverse plication and spent a week in the hospital. Not fun at all but I don't have any regrets or blame Dr. Ortiz. Had a upper GI done Nov 2014 and everything is normal. Signs of esophagus scaring, the X-ray tech asked if I had lots heartburn but I do not at all. Could of been due to the tune they put down my nose to my stomach to drain the blood during the ordeal. Today is a new day, new year actually ????and I am starting my journey once again. Going back to dr. Ortiz and getting revision in 15 days. Started my pre-op diet today.

Hi The Preacher, I am a woman of faith and I would love it if you prayed for me. I’m having a revision from the lap band to the gastric bypass on September 18. Please pray that it all goes well!!! Thank you!!

Sorry I didn't reply sooner. I was on 80 mg of Omeprazole a day and tums several times a day. I had to be very careful when I ate, nothing spicy not even a little spice. I started having issues a few months after my sleeve as soon as the doctor tried to get me off Omeprazole after about 6 months he doubled the dose at 14 months I had the revision. So far I have had no reflux.

I never had reflux until I had the sleeve. I had such severe reflux after that and was on 5 medications several times a day that this year I couldn't take it and revised on 8/31/15 to gastric bypass. Honestly if you already have reflux I would opt for the bypass. I have no reflux and my surgeon said its near impossible for me to ever have it again. I am off all medication and love it!

I had the revision on July 10th for the same reasons. High weight before sleeve in July 2014 was 300, lowest after sleeve was 210 and then I regained 40+ and couldn’t get it off. Was 250 when revision was done, weight loss has been kinda slow but they said it would be. Stalled at week three for over three weeks but scale is finally moving again. Down 23 pounds so far. Best thing is my restriction is great, can’t even finish a quarter cup of protein most of the time. I’m glad I had it done, wish I would have gone with the bypass to begin with. Good luck to you.

Yeah I've resorted to slider foods too. I feel like so much of a failure for it. How far out were u before the docs decided revision was best? How much have u lost? I'm on double dose omeprezole, ranitidine, carafate and nitroglycerin. Good luck with ur insurance!

Trisha...my banding was almost one year ago! I have been extremely happy with Realize band! I think 2 surgeons is great and it is really the port that is "installed" differently/ Instead of being sewn on the muscle fascia...it has a tool (think of it like a "bedazzler" which stamps the claws onto the fascia!) I have had 2 friends need lap band port revisions because they flipped...never heard of a realize port flipping....not to say they can't but hmmm... I will be thinking of you! Good luck and be happy!

Post #20 on this thread, I got you down. Here we go!!!! Okay Gang...here we go, we have 4 new bandsters this week... Jennifer (jrowell) on the 29th gypj on the 31st Isa on the 1st AND Geochic77 on the 1st. Good luck everyone, have a happy and safe surgery and recovery, and puleeeze post when you return, so we know you are safe. Don't make us worry and fret, now. Wanna see your cute avatars on a welcome home thread, okay? Happy Banding!!!! Wait, add 2 more with Saturday surgeries, jeangab and BigDaddy216 on the 2nd...the above instructions go for you two as well...See you on the other side! Editing...I started a new thread for this week's bandsters, go there for the complete, revised, updated and final list...Yay Ya'll!

((((((((((Oh Babs! )))))))))) I am so sorry you got this news. Yeah, "medically neccessary" is quite the quandry, especially when viagra, et. al, get approved, but birth control is another matter entirely.... It took a long time to get my second skin graph after my motorcycle accident. I cannot tell you the number of Dr.s who said I just needed to baby the original site. Baby it hell! I had to sleep with a wet cloth on my leg just to help control the uncontrolable itching. In warm weather I would have to spend all day with my leg elevated to held reduce the seepage. And they kept telling me that I just needed to baby it an to quit whining about it. The insureance company kept turning the revision down bacause it wasn't "necessary." Fight this Bab! Fight! Fight! Fight! You know that we are all here for you. We all send you such wave of positive energy, we remember you in our prayers, no matter whom we pray to. If you need help with your letters, I know we have some very eloquent writers here who would jump at the chance to help you. You said the skin on your thighs is breaking down, are you bleeding? I should think at the very least you are suseptable to skin infections similar to celulitus. You might think about that angle when you write your letters. (((((((((( Babs! ))))))))))