Gastric Plication After Having Lap Band Since 2006

[Sunshine057 0]

Here's the short version:

I had the band on May 31, 2006. I lost over 140 lbs and was VERY successful and happy. I maintained the same great weight for years. All of a sudden in December of 2009, something happened and things were never the same. But, nothing "happened", I just didn't have restriction anymore. After months of trying to get this fix, get in to get the fills, many tests etc I finally made the dr's office understand that I have had this thing long enough to know when something isn't right. In November of 2010, they replaced my port saying that it had to be leaking.

Since then I struggled trying to get it adjusted right and never really did have restriction. After months of this, I again explained how I needed to go under an x-ray and SEE what is going on. FINALLY, in September of this year, they did put me under the x-ray and wouldn't you know my stomach kept prolapsing up through the band. It is like when you squeeze a balloon. The band was so tight, it was pushing my stomach up. So, they removed all of the Fluid and took pictures and again, no restriction. (btw I asked what would happen if we tried filling it again, the dr filled it and I watched with my own eyes and the stomach went right back up through the band, crazy!)

So, after weeks of being totally unfilled and speaking with my surgeon he recommended getting GASTRIC PLICATION on top of my band to keep the stomach in place. So, of course my insurance will not cover any of the costs and I have to pay over $11,000 cash up front. Fine, scheduled for Nov 4th. Then the dr had a personal emergency and it got pushed off. THEN, we he came back, the hospital said that all revisional surgeries have to go in front of the hospital board. The meeting was last night. Fine. TODAY, they call me and the hospital put a new policy in place that you have to be nicotine free for 30 days before surgery. SERIOUSLY!?!?? I am a smoker and this is getting pretty damn frustrating at this point. So, now I have to take a urine nicotine test and was told that I cant even schedule the surgery for sure until then. UGH!!!

So, anyone who has any experience with any of this....thoughts, advice, suggestions are welcome. I need some feedback from people who have experience. I do not know anyone that understands what this is like from personal experience. Thanks!

[betheboo 40]

That totally stinks! Have you ever tried Chantix? It works great for quitting smoking...