For those of you that revised to bypass or the sleeve from the band, what was your BMI at the time of the revision? And did your insurance pay for the revision?

I found out Friday that my band has slipped and I will need to decide very soon if I want to fix it, remove it or revise to a different surgery - if that is even a possibility for me. I am at a BMI of 34 now and am wondering if I would qualify for a revision to the bypass or sleeve at this point in the game? For anyone else that has experienced this, I am looking for your input. Thank you.

Sorry to hear about your troubles Newbie. I think you have a good chance to have a revisional procedure due to your slippage. I was considering the sleeve as well until I attended an information bariatric meeting. A bariatric surgeon informed me that many people who get the sleeve tend to revise eventually to the bypass. He did not want me to get the sleeve for that reason, and frankly, I want to have ONE revisional procedure and be DONE with it. I have not been happy with my band at all. It's either too tight or I am not losing much and need an adjustment. And like you, one minute I could eat one thing, the next minute I could not. I also have a lot of stress in my life and that affected my band as well.

I am NOT by any means thinking the bypass isn't going to have it's share of complications. But at least I know I will not have to take a half a day of work off every two weeks to adjust my band. It was a LOT more maintenance than I anticipated. But it is what it is. I am thankful I have the option for a revision. I start my Protein shakes Monday and have surgery August 13. Can't wait.

Good luck to you and let us know what you end up having done.

Thanks so much for your response! I hadn't thought of the bypass. I also saw something online today called "Gastric Sleeve Plication". My doc didn't mention that to me. That procedure looks newer. Like you, I want to only have 1 more procedure, get healthy, which means loose weight and be done with it! I see you have made up your mind for the bypass. I too wish you luck! WHOOT-WHOOT! August 13th will be here so quickly! I'll be praying for you! Let me know how it all goes for you. I'll do the same!

I had the band in 2005 and it sucked and now I am trying for the revision to the highly successful Gastric Sleeve. 2 weeks out from the procedure I just got a call from the WLC that my insurance denied the whole thing, removal of band and GS, until I get another psych eval and nutrition regiment for SIX MONTHS!!! I am pissed. I even had a sleep apnea test done as that is a new requirement if BMI is under 40, which mine barely is. And yes I have it zzzzzz... I am waiting to hear back from WLC about the possibility of having the band removed now, and the sleeve done in 6 months. AND insurance covering it. GRRRR... I look at that 6 months as time wasted when pounds could be dropping. I am 63 and getting older by the second!!

I'm 6 weeks in to my 6 month wait (due to stomach issues not insurance) so six weeks without the band and 5 months exactly til I get my bypass...,it's Driving me crazy!!!! Yes, it do seems like wasted time (logically in my care I know I need to heal, but still I want it now!!!!) good luck and I hope the rest of your journey is smooth.