Body rejecting my lapband

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

My lapband surgeon's aftercare is horrible. He also told me the revision needed to be in 2 surgeries if I was going to try and go through insurance. That was a huge red flag for me.

As far as I know, the most common reason for doing band removal and revision surgery in 2 separate surgeries is to allow the body to heal before subjecting it to more surgery. I don't want to rain on your parade, but it's impossible to predict what your upper GI tract is going to look like when your new surgeon goes in there to remove your band. If there's a lot of scar tissue or inflammation, it might not be safe to proceed with the sleeve at that time.

I had my band removed in April 2012. I went in to the operating room expecting to wake up with a sleeve, and I woke up with nothing - no band, no sleeve. Here's a link to a recent thread about the band versus the sleeve, on which I posted my own story. If you have any questions after reading it, please let me know. If I don't know the answer, I may be able to point you in the right direction.

Just one more thing - I applaud you for getting a 2nd opinion about this. Your health is too important to allow a doctor to pooh-pooh your concerns.

[Jean McMillan 2,973]

However I don't know if insurance will cover a revision. Did they cover yours?

WLS coverage will depend on the terms of your particular policy. I have excellent insurance that covered both my band removal and my sleeve revision. My understanding is that insurance may cover band removal if it can be shown to be medically necessary - that is, causing complications. If your policy includes a single WLS per patient's lifetime clause, it's much harder to appeal insurance denial.

A few years ago I served on an ask-the-expert panel at a WLS conference. I sat beside Walter Lindstrom, MD, a surgeon and sleeve patient who recently established a WLS patient advocacy company that can help with an appeal should you need it. Their service isn't free, but it probably costs a lot less than paying for a revision out of your own pocket. Here's a link to the company's website:

http://wlsappeals.com/how-we-help/fight-your-wls-insurance-denial/

[elcee 3,343]

Well said TMF

[laurigee 545]

So sorry that your having problems! It just goes to show us that everyones body is different! I know it probably sucks to feel like the exception! However, it sounds like you are on the right path with a surgeon you trust! Good luck on your surgery and keep us posted!

[lrhodes46 55]

So sorry that your having problems! It just goes to show us that everyones body is different! I know it probably sucks to feel like the exception! However' date=' it sounds like you are on the right path with a surgeon you trust! Good luck on your surgery and keep us posted![/quote']

Thanks laurigee! I do hate being an exception. If it weren't for my problems I would definitely not have it removed. I really do like my new surgeon.

[lrhodes46 55]

As far as I know' date=' the most common reason for doing band removal and revision surgery in 2 separate surgeries is to allow the body to heal before subjecting it to more surgery. I don't want to rain on your parade, but it's impossible to predict what your upper GI tract is going to look like when your new surgeon goes in there to remove your band. If there's a lot of scar tissue or inflammation, it might not be safe to proceed with the sleeve at that time.

I had my band removed in April 2012. I went in to the operating room expecting to wake up with a sleeve, and I woke up with nothing - no band, no sleeve. Here's a link to a recent thread about the band versus the sleeve, on which I posted my own story. If you have any questions after reading it, please let me know. If I don't know the answer, I may be able to point you in the right direction.

Just one more thing - I applaud you for getting a 2nd opinion about this. Your health is too important to allow a doctor to pooh-pooh your concerns.[/quote']

Thanks Jean for the advice. I was told that if there was any evidence of problems I wouldn't be sleeved when my band is removed. I've only had my band 6 months so there may or may not be problems. But I trust my new surgeon to make that decision. My old one, not so much.

[lrhodes46 55]

Here's the cynic in me. Follow the money. Your new surgeon is not a non-partisan participant in this discussion. He may be telling you what you want to hear?

tmf

Oh and my new surgeon took me on as his patient without charging me an assumption fee. So he's not concerned about the money