Need Help With Removal Options

[wait4it 0]

I had a lap band put in 6 years ago and (to make a long story short) it has never worked right. For a long time I thought it was me. I must be doing something wrong. I was ashamed.

Recently a doctor finally listened to me and took me seriously and sent me to get a upper gi scan done by a radiologist not associated with a bariatric clinic. I watched the barium swallow and saw how wrong things are.

Post surgery my doctor did a barium swallow to check the placement and I watched the barium go into the little pouch and then drip into the bottom portion of the stomach.

During the barium swallow that I just had done there was no pouch. You could see the shadow of the band sitting right at the base of my esophagus. It clearly has slipped with time!

The bariatiric clinic associated with my insurance and doctor however will not acknowledge that the band is out of place and maintains that it I am doing something wrong!

It is so frustrating. I saw the films. I know how different it is than where it was placed. Right now all I want is to get it out!

So, I am looking to hear from people who have had a band removed with out help from insurance about how to find a doctor that will give you a reasonable rate for removal. Please tell me what your experience was like and how you found your doctor.

If it matters I am located in the midwest (Wisconsin) and am willing to travel!

[MLBL 2]

If your Dr sent you for an independent barium study that shows the band is slipped that should be enough for your insurance to cover the removal. Get the Dr that ordered the study to do the referral. If I am misunderstanding and that is the same Dr. who will not admit there is a problem, removal or not, I would switch bariatric clinics ASAP. They are clearly not looking out for your best interests.

[Cleo's Mom 257]

Have the doctor who sent you for the independent upper GI to give you a letter stating the band is in the wrong position and needs to be removed. Get a copy of this upper GI report and any CD's of it available (contact hospital records). Send these to the insurance company along with the doctor's letter.

Don't give up the fight. If the band has slipped, then you and this doctor need to convince your insurance company that keeping it in will be very costly for them if you develop complications from the wrong position of the band and that it is medically necessary for it to be removed.

The insurance company always denies at first hoping that people will just quit bothering them - and many do. Become a thorn in their side. The squeaky wheel gets the grease. I have lived by that and it has served me well.

And one more thing - it is very common for doctors (and some on here) to blame patients for all band problems. You are not alone in that the band failed you.

[Momto3redheads 18]

Oh you poor thing! That is horrible! Stay strong and keep at them until you can get it taken care of!!! A slippage is nothing to ignore. Call your insurance company and let them know what is going on - you should be able to go to any other bariatric doctor and get it taken care of....hang in there!

[Melissannde 41]

If you can't get anywhere with your insurance company, may I suggest that you contact Obesity Law? I think it's Obesity Law and Advocacy Center And I think the attorney you want to speak to (or email) is Walter Lindstrom.

Best of luck to you.

Sometimes, just sometimes, a slipped band can be fixed by removing all the Fluid and going back on liquids for a period of time. I'm just mentioning this in case you want to give the band one more try before giving up on it.

I'd also consider finding another bariatric practice.

Take care.

[wait4it 0]

Thank you everyone for your help! I will get copies of the scans so that I have them. My regular doctor is the one who sent me for the independent barium swallow. The radiologist who did the swallow said it was wrong. The bariatric clinic in our area that is associated with my insurance says that they have reviewed the films and that my band is fine.

I will give the clinic one more chance to acknowledge the slip and then will go to another clinic. Thankfully we live within driving distance of three other cities that have clinics I could try!

It feels wonderful to have support here!