I had my band put in back in 2005, so I've had it for quite awhile...I've never lost and significant amount of weight. 20 lbs maybe? I got pregnant in 2010 and started having pain in my port area around 12 weeks...I got pretty bad towards the end of my pregnancy I felt like the port area was RIPPING from my body. Everytime I sat down, stood up, rolled over or got in/out of bed it would I would get that ripping feeling. Awful. After I had my son, my Bariatric Dr had me get an upper GI and some other test I don't recall the name of (they did have to put me under for it)....the results of the rest? Everything is fine. Well my port area still hurt...it felt like it had moved or tilted.

Fast forward 2 years later....I'm STILL having port pain. Except NOW under my scar where the port is, it started turning purple and you can see 2 areas (almost like staples or stitches) are pulling inwards.

My Dr saw it and said it looked like an infection and thinks my band is eroding.

I'm schedule for removal on Tuesday.

His office called to tell me the time and update me on insurance approvals. I've been approved for the removal and then she said "your insurance doesn't cover gastric bypass so I'm not sure if we can get that one to push through like the Dr wanted" WHAT?! My Dr never even mentioned ANYTHING about a GB! I told him when I was there I didn't want anything else!

I don't know if he's getting approval incase there's a problem where I'd HAVE to get it? I'm kinda confused.

I don't want a bypass.

I'm really just nervous about this whole thing. I'm happy to FINALLY get this stupid band out of me. It's been nothing but pain since my pregnancy...it's never really helped me and I need it GONE.

I'm worried the recovery will be hard...I have a 2 year old and it takes a lot to keep up with him.. My parents will be staying over for 2-3 days and I can only hope/pray that's enough for me to keep up with him.

Does anyone have any info as to WHY my Dr would be requesting approval for a Gastric Bypass without discussing it with me first? Shouldn't that be something I request?

I'm in FL too, going thru similar. My band is slipped and my insurance will only cover taking it out if its "emergent" surgery. The last submittal they are doing is to fix the band. I guess its called 'Revision' - I don't even know anymore. What I do know is that if my eating is out of control I'm in such pain its ugly! But nobody said the word "eroding". Does that mean literally falling apart? If you have bariatric coverage I'd get a second opinion and definitely fight with the insurance company. Keep us posted. Right now I'm getting fatter by the minute with no result in sight - pretty sad. I was a self-pay - 14k down the tubes and my ass is just getting larger.