They Want To Remove My Band. I Say Nooooo!

[newhope4me 0]

I've been under tremendous stress for about 2 months (back on antidepressants, sleep meds and trying to find a counselor that is a good fit). Since the stress started, it seems my band has been extremely tight and has made eating difficult, to the point that I started a lot of vomiting. Now it's to the point that I've barely had any solid food for about a month. I've had shakes, broth, etc. (if that stays down) but not much else (had one good day about 2 weeks ago that some very tender pork roast stayed down, it was so delicous!!)

I am not where I can return to my surgeon (military family) and I was a self pay (March 2007). I never had any issues with my band and my last fill was more than 2 years ago.

I think my band has slipped with the stress and the vomiting. I mentioned it to my general doc who gave me a referral to a local band doc. I called to make my appointment but was told that I can't make an appointment until I take the seminar which is every 3 Tuesday of the month. Which brought up a concern, it's already been quite a while since I've really had anything nutritious, so should I go even longer, especially 3 more weeks. I explained the situation to the lady who transferred me to a supervisor who then explained that this local band doc will not look at anyone that was banded by another doc. She said that if I thought there was slippage and hadn't eaten for as long as I've said, that constitutes an emergency room visit and then they would remove the band.

I don't want it removed!!

I mean, if all I need is an unfill, then why remove it? And I refuse to get where I was before and she said, well, you can always request insurance to pay for it to be put back in. But I can't now because I am at goal weight.

If they do remove it, is my appetite going to come back full force like it was before the band?

I feel like the band has been a savior to me, to my life, my well being, etc. She explained I could die if something happened (didn't really catch what it was she said, I was still really upset about the fact that she said they'd just remove it, without even looking to see if that's the problem).

I don't think there's any other doc in the area that my general doc can refer.

I haven't even told my husband about all this yet. However, he did mention the other day that he was concerned and he's afraid it's slipped too. I am going to speak to him when he comes in this evening. I am just so frustrated by this situation. Even as miserable and hungry as I am right now, I don't want it removed.

[saras422 6]

Find a doctor who will look at you immediately even if you have to travel. Start calling around. You could cause some real damage if you did have a slip. There has to be someone who will talk to you about options. Anyone who tells you that you can just take it out and put it back in is full of crap. It's true, but surgery shouldn't be taken lightly. Find someone who will evaluate you soon. Good luck.

[shuckybucky 107]

Can you get in to see you general doctor and ask him to order some imaging using barrium? Or call your original surgeon and explain your circumstance and see is he will call in an order to a local hospital for imaging? I definately would NOT have it removed without confirmation of a slip. Sometimes slips can be treated without surgery. My band is very sensitive and when I am stressed (which is a lot lately since I have a 16 year old) I can't get any food down and most liquids won't go. I have to drink wheat I can and use my Protein. You are correct that insurance wouldn't pay for it now that you are at goal weight. Use the doctor locator on here to see if you can find another band doctor. You might have to fly to your surgeon... good luck

[Evy 1]

If you go to the ER their not just going to take it out. They will do some tests to make sure it's slipped. Believe me I went to the ER 4 times before I had my band removed.

[elcee 3,340]

I think you need to find another band Dr. This one has ridiculous rules.

[newhope4me 0]

We financially are not in the same place we were when I had the procedure and therefore, cannot see the surgeon that banded me (travel, etc). Where we currently live, I believe that is the only doc that does the procedure and/or it's the only one my insurance will cover. My general doc has no experience/expertise with the band, which is why he referred me to someone else.

I have a followup appointment (for other things) with my general doc on Tuesday. I am going to talk to him but I'm assuming he can only refer me locally.

Evy, did they unfill you? The lady told me more than once that this local band doc will not do anything (fill/unfill) a band someone else put in because she "doesn't know what's in there".

[cheryl2586 3,053]

You need to go to the er and let them check you out. You cant assume the band has slipped just because you cant eat. It may or may not but can you continue not getting any nutrition at all? Go to the ER they will do test and dont make excuses about another doctor. The ER will refer you to someone. Even if you did have to have it out because it slipped is your health not important or would you rather die from malnutrition

[Jachut 487]

I'm gobsmacked by the scenario where a doctor claims she "doesn't know what's in there". Band surgery is not something that can be done a million ways - there's only one way to do it correctly and bands don't come with different equipment. She can find your port, that is attached to your band, that's all that needs to be done for now and if you were to require revision surgery, then standard scanning such as a barium swallow, X-rays and ctscans are going to provide all information.

It is a completely warped world where a surgeon turns away a patient in need simply because they didn't perform the original surgery. I would vent my spleen well and truly - probably wouldn't do any good - but I wouldn't walk away from that without making my feelings know.

Will this surgeon see you if you attend the seminar? In which case what choice have you but to wait and live on something like Optifast which at least will provide basic nourishment?

An emergency room visit will not necessarily result in band removal surely someone will know how to unfill?

[Humming Bird 275]

I bet there is a lapband doc closer than you think that can help you. Where do you live now? Start a new thread asking folks here about docs in the area. I drive through several towns and one large city to go to the doc I want and pass quite a few lapband docs to get there.

I've seen post after post here over the years that show the ER is not a good place to go for the band in general.

[Evy 1]

My band dr had unfilled me prior to going to the ER because I wasn't tolerating food. I had an upper GI, 2 ultrasounds, hidascan, endoscopy, CT scan, and esophagus scan. They found in the endoscopy very severe gastritis. It would not get better, it was getting worse so I had my band removed. I'm also self pay.

[newhope4me 0]

She's the only doctor in town that does lapband, therefore, the only one my general doc can refer me to. She only just started in 2009. Even with the seminar, the band doc will not see me as a patient, only in an emergency situation to remove the band. Which I don't understand why they would opt to do the more evasive procedure.

I'm a military dependent and we've had a lot of unexpected expenses come up recently and I'm now on medical leave from work for other issues. Self pay is no longer an option.

Thank you, everyone for your input.

[newhope4me 0]

So, new issue today. I passed out at someone's house and had to have my husband pick me up. As he was on his way, he called for authorization to take me to the ER but since it was during regular business hours, our medical provider refused and had me see another doc. But since I have an appointment in the morning with my regular doctor, all this doctor told me was to get some sugar, a shake, "french fries, even a jelly donut, anything you can get." This after I explained to him I cannot eat solid food.

Now I am in bed, feel completely drained, trying to finish a glass of rice milk. I'm hoping the next 14 hours go quickly and see what my doc says.

[elcee 3,340]

You say self pay is not an option. It may have to be. If going to a Dr not covered by your insurance is the only way to get help then do it. If you don't get help then you will end up paying a lot more in the long run. Your health is more valuable than anything else.

[newhope4me 0]

Just wondering how you do that? How do you go to a doctor with no money to pay them? I don't know how that works. When I go in to any doctor, dentist, etc, there's a sign that says payment is due at the time of your appointment. So what do they do after your appointment if you can't pay them?

[lorabeth 10]

I would call tricare. Talk to a supervisor. There might be someone else in your area that they will authorize. Also tell them what is going on. I have fought with being seen elsewhere for things and it has been paid for by tricare west. Also tell them the doctor is refusing to treat you. They might have something in the contract with tricare that says that they have to treat you...because we do move so much.