I am new on the site but have been a member of LBT for 2 years. I have not lost any weight since the inital month of the post op diet since being banded. They would do a fill then have to take it out due to not being able to drink liquids. I was doing that for like 2 years. I am livid!!!! I hate that this stupid thing is in my body not doing what it is supposed to. I have switched insurance due to my husband getting a new job. My new insurance has an exclusion stating that they will not cover anything to do with bariatric whatever. So I have written an appeal to the insurance company and have gotten a response saying that they are going to need a certificate of coverage from my old insurance co. I called to get that. Now what.... I have this stupid thing in my body that doesn't do what it is supposed to do and now I can't even get it out!!!!! I am so frustrated!!!!! What is up with me? Why didn't the stupid thing work? I tried to go on to LBT and see if anyone else has had this problem and of course everyone wants to tell you that you need another fill.....HELLO! I have had fills and unfills for 2 years now.....So the reason that I am posting on here is that maybe I can get this stupid thing out and hopefully get the sleeve put in. I am still considered morbidly obese because of my height 5ft 2in. I just need some encouragement and nobody telling me to get another fill (I have nothing in there now).

I am so sorry to hear of your battle. I have never had a band, but know people with them. Seems like it works for some, but not for many others. (And those it does work for usually have some sort of issues.)

You are on the right track with the insurance company. Fight for the removal. If you are considering a sleeve, they might not be willing to pay for it, but you may be able to get them to pay for the removal (which requires surgery anyway) and just pay the surgeon and OR time for the sleeve revision.

We have several people with Band revisions on this site. Look at threads by FabBy50 and Tiffykins. That will give you a lot of information. Tiffy also has some great examples of appeal letters that may help you. (Note - to see Tiffy's profile, you will need to send a Friend Request.)

Good luck with your appeal and research. I can't imagine the frustration you must have right now. We are here to support you if we can.

Hi SC,

I am so sorry you are having this horrible time. I never had the band, just the VSG, but this site has lots of people on it who have revised and are very happy with the new weight loss tool. I hope you decide to go down this route and your insurance company pays for it. Tiffykins is probably the best person here to talk to in your position. Let us all know how you are getting on please.

Jane x

I am revising from band to sleeve in Sept. my advice = write a heartfelt letter with details on how under your last insurance you got the band and have been compliant with it and did your best - but the band failed you.. I'd even post other ins. companies policy statements on revision. Then ask ever so humbly that they pay to have the band removed and while the doc is "in there removing the band" that he revises your stomach to the sleeve - then quote all the great things about the sleeve. I'd also write a letter for you to give to your PCP or other doc for him to state the (1) removing the band and (2) revision to VSG is medically necessary.