After being banded with plication in August 2012, I have been having quite a bit of pain for the last three months. I went to my surgeon who acted like he doesn't want to bother with me. Just real rude and acted like my pain was no big deal. So I saw another surgeon who was kind enough to take me on. My body is rejecting the lapband. It seems it doesn't like having a foreign object in it. So my band is going to be removed and I will be revised to the sleeve all in one surgery. I have lost weight with the band but my body doesn't like it.

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/

Well said TMF

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!

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.

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.

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