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PPO doesn't go through a medical group, so Blue Shield will look at your request directly. As long as you meed revision criteria, you should be good!

So i just called and my insurance said that my revision has been approved!!!!!!!! PTL! I'm still in shock and waiting for the official call from my doctor.! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I just found out about 2 weeks ago that my band has slipped. This is what lead up to finding out and the problems I’m having and facing now that I know.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I had the band placed on 10/25/07 and have lost about 120 lbs so far. During last summer I was filled too much and had crazy reflux and two months in a row I had unfills. Then I was fine for 6 months. Then this past holiday season, between xmas and new years I started having weird symptoms. It started with weird side pains when I ate. I'd have the tight pain in my left chest/shoulder, felt short of breathe from the side pains, couldn't breathe very deep. (I actually passed out around new years once). Over the course of three weeks it lead to reflux on everything even water, just burping up a little bit of everything all day. Then progressed into 24/7 uncontrollable heart burn. On Fri 1/9 I called the hospital because I couldn’t sleep at all or eat any solid food. I had to wait until the following Wednesday to see my surgeon. I was on liquids for nearly a week until I saw him.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> On 1/14 my surgeon removed just over a CC of fluid and ordered a full blood panel and an upper GI. He said it could be one of 3 things. 1) mega esophagus 2) slippage or 3) erosion. He thought it was #1 for sure since I wasn't throwing up, I could keep food down. It just reeked havoc on me until it passed. He said if it was the esophagus problem, worst case would be band removal. (freak out!) I had the upper GI done on 1/16.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I felt great after the unfill and the upper GI. The Upper GI found that my band had indeed slipped. My surgeon isn't concerned with it as is unless it keeps causing me problems. Now he says that I might just need a revision surgery, he didn't speak of removal. His plan if it keeps acting up is to remove all fluid, then if worse, schedule a revision surgery. I’m set to see him again in 8 weeks, but he said that if the reflux returns or any other symptoms to come back and see him.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> In the last week my symptoms have started flaring up again. I’m hoping to get in to see him next Wednesday. My poor husband can’t sleep at night when I’m up pb’ing, choking on acid reflux and coughing up spit foam (I can’t seem to throw up even when I try because I hope to get some relief, just sliming and pb’ing).<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Note, I’ve also had other weird abdominal symtoms that I’ve checked with my GP with, she then referred me to the GI specialist. Whenever there is food in my stomach at all no matter what it is, I get these weird side pains, still short of breathe, crazy abdominal cramping and weird uncomfortable radiating back pain. They don’t seem related to the band other than it only happens when food is in my stomach. My lapband surgeon didn’t seem to know what those pains were from and how they were related. So that’s why I’m going to see the GI specialist. Who knows!<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> I'm so scared. I don't want another surgery, I don't want it removed. It's done for me what I can't do for myself. I've made drastic changes to my life and food habits, but I still don't trust myself without it. I want this band to work. I want to be able to live with it.<o:p></o:p> <o:p></o:p> <o:p> If anyone has experience with slippage like this, please continue to share. All of this informaiton in this thread has been really helpful. I noted the smoking, coffee, chocolate, mint and articicial sweetners as triggers. This week I am going to cut out these items (coffee has already been reduced to 2x's per week from daily.)</o:p>

Hi Morningoasis, I'm glad you're going to get this taken care of. I forgot to mention that some of my pain was very simular to yours...I couldn't take a deep breath either. I'll be interested to hear if your insurance will pay for this. I looked up my policy with BC/BS and it states: "No coverage for bariatric surgery including reversal, revision, repeat and staged surgery, except for the treatment of sickness or injury resulting from such bariatric surgery, or unless required by law." I'm hoping they consider abdominal pain when eating sometimes a "sickness" . If not, then I'll have to go back to Mexico and I'm not looking foward to that with all the killing going on there. Ofcourse, I could always wait until the band causes me a "sickness" :thumbup: I am also worried about living without my band. Although I never got to goal, my band has kept me from gaining it all back. I hope that repositioning is all we'll need. Take Care, Marsha

I just have my revision from the lap band to sleeve a week a go. And so far looking good.. To many problems with my band .

Let me ask you a question- I called Cigna and they confirmed that revision coverage is different than starting from scratch and showed the 4 bullet points. I qualify for all but 1 - the one about the band causing the medical problem. The surgeons office said that because of that- I need to see the nutritionist, psyc etc... So that it will be easier to get approved in 3 months vs no wait with the revision. I'm worried that after all that hardwork- what else do I need to do

Sorry Dustin hope you get rescheduled real soon. I had revision from band to sleeve 11/10/14 I am doing great. Try not to be nervous it's not as bad as the band was.

My revision was an overnight stay Sent from my LGLS991 using the BariatricPal App

My revision was overnight stay. Insurance approved 3-4 days. But I did great and wanted to be in my own bed. Oh, and the band removal and RNY was all one surgery. Took 2 hrs. 5 laparoscopic incisions. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I got my band in 1996 and struggled all these years. I was revised ok April 2016. It's been the best thing I've ever done. I'm about 10 lbs away from my goal. I've had.no issues at all.

Hey! I didn't realize how many people had band problems either. It's been nice to read what others have experienced. I can't help much with what to expect since I'm in my pre-op for revision starting today. My surgery is on 2/13. But I'll keep ya posted!

thanks...I am currently a bandster waiting for appointments for revision

I am revision from band to sleeve and no it was not more.

Ok It has been years since I have posted on here I am six years out since my revision to RNY. However in the last few months and now in the last few days I can feel sharp pain where the small intestines are connected bypassed on the bottom and I can feel the pain. Its getting worse my surgeon has since retired and I have moved its getting worse the pain I mean, I have been trying to ignore it but now I cannot sleep. I became very Anemic a year ago and they never found the cause. I just want to know if anyone else had this pain and what they did. My wife wants me to ignore it however The pain is increasing across the intestine. any ideas

I also had this same concern. Having done plenty of research, speaking with my surgeon, and reading on these boards, I became comfortable that it wouldn't be an issue. I have a fair way to go to goal yet, only sleeved 12 days ago, but I was aneorexic as a teenager and initially my family were terrified I am going to go too far again. Knowing that this was a HEALTHY option for me and not just a super quick method of weight loss was just as important as anything else. Some people do go below their target, but I am sure that given time to adjust the amount which is eaten and the type of calories consumed, this can be rectified. I have already warned my family that I may go a little underweight until I get used to how much I should be eating to maintain my goal. A little bit of trial and error. I would also try to sway you away from the band, having read plenty of complications and seeing how many revisions there are here. I just don't believe it is a good option for anyone. Best of luck with whatever you decide. xx

I want you sleevers to tell me--do you still have to take very small bites and chew, chew, chew like with the band? And what happens if you don't? And why would you have to eat any differently than normal if there is no restriction at either end of the stomach opening and digestion is normal except for the quanity of food the stomach can hold? The band was a disaster for me. I have vomited for 3 years. I can't deal with another similar experience.

i HAD A SIMILAR EXPERIENCE. Had the band for 2 yrs, and it was basically a nightmare for me also. many issues and problems. I did do the revision on the 18th of this month. I can't give you the expert advice others can because of the newbee stage I am in. I will say that from all the research I did, it seems like the only alternative I was willing to do. so far, I am quite happy..have to stay focused on a post op diet for a month..but it is well worth what I will receive for the effort....Bev

Is there anyone out there that got sleeved with a relatively low BMI? I’d dropped to exactly 30 the morning of surgery. Had it been lower it would have been called off. Can I expect to loose my weight as quickly as others, given complete compliance (which I have maintained to the letter), or will it take me longer because I have less to lose. Has anyone else been through this? SW 180 CW 171 (14 days post op) GW 140

I was banded on May 12th and my port flipped within the 2nd month. I had my port revision done on Aug. 26 in outpatient surgery. I was in and out. He moved port lower. So far, so good. He was able to remove the Fluid and replaced it during surgery. To keep me on track, he did a refill in three weeks. Alls is good now, I have about 5 cc in my band and actually went back last month to get a small unfill. I'm ready for another tomorrow.....I hope he finds it easy. Best wishes to you.

I was informed that my port flipped during my third or 4th fill I believe. That was 6 months post-op. I have a Realize band. MY surgeon discussed a revision surgery with me and after he pushed the port in and up, he was able to make the fill. Since I had a decent amount of fluid in my band at the time, he suggested that we just leave it and revisit as I progress. At my next couple of fills, he just flipped it and filled my band. Sometimes it takes an additional poke but really, I don't want to be taking time off at this point for a revision. I am lucky that he can still access it I guess. I will have the revision if I need to though. It is a day surgery with local anesthetic but I really hate the hospital! GOOD LUCK!

Hello, I guess this is my introduction to the forum, please point me in the right way if I'm in the wrong place. I'm a 46 Y/O guy, about to go in for a revision to my RNY that was done a while back (exact date when I remember...) My new date is this coming Tuesday, May 30th, 2017. My first surgery was somewhat successful, but I guess I got tired of the restrictions and requirements after a while, and I started cheating more and more in my diet. I dropped down to around 300 lbs after starting at 618, my heaviest. A few years ago I had an accident, where I was left in a lot of pain, and since I didn't have insurance I left it go untreated, and that was the beginning of my weight gain, to where I'm now, 504 lbs as of last Monday. Well, here I am, not as excited as the first time, and not scared either, more of a feeling of "whatever". Now, don't get me wrong, I will make it work, it's not as fun being fat and 46, like it was being fat and 30. Anyway, I'm an open book, ask away if you have any Q's, and I'm looking fwd to learning from ya'lls successes and mistakes, especially now that I found a forum dedicated to guy's issues, because my first time around, it was mostly ladies, with very few guys, and most of those guys were young. Best Regards.

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 had to have both, but I think my insurance required the endoscopy only because I had a lap band and had to prove there were issues (like gerd or whatever) to prove that the revision is best for me at this stage. I had an upper GI, it showed I had a dilated esophagus (2nd time in 9 years), but it wasn't enough since the doctor can remove the liquid, rest my esophagus for a couple of months, and then put the liquid back in. The sleep study wasn't mandatory by my insurance, I think I had to have it done because my surgeon is ultra careful. I had no history of sleep apnea. Do you have to have a cardiac clearance for surgery? That seemed to be the most important to my surgeon...

I don't know about not losing as much but most doctors will warn their revision patients that they will lose more slowly. We don't get the rapid "honeymoon" period drop that many others do first time. I figure it is because our bodies have been there done that and have it figured out. I knew that going into this so I have been religious about following low carb eating and measuring everything and logging every piece of food that goes in and trying my best to get to 10,000 steps so that I can do the best I can to outfox my body. My goal is still the same as my lowest maintenance weight when the band was working.

I had the sleeve in 2012. I was perfect sleeve candidate. I did not have GERD and no comorbities. I got pregnant post sleeve and I regained all my weight back. I have developed GERD and my sleeve is twisted. I also developed a hiatal hernia which I do not attribute to my sleeve. I am having revision surgery to RNY in October 3 years almost to the date of my sleeve surgery. Should have, would have, could have RNY to begin with. I never wanted to have a 2nd surgery. I do believe drs often times do not like performing sleeve on those with bad GERD to begin with. There are many successful sleevers and lapband to sleevers. Good luck in your decision.