Hi there, I was wondering if anyone who has Kaiser Permanente insurance got them to cover revision surgery from lap band to a gastric sleeve.

I qualified for the lap band surgery through Kaiser, but I opted to self-pay because they wanted me to do the Options program before the surgery, which would have meant driving into Los Angeles once a week for six months, and I couldn't do that. I wanted to have my surgery performed by a surgeon in Ventura, which is much closer to where I live.

Anyway, I paid to have the lap band surgery and got the lap band in April, 2008, and I had a small amount of weight loss at first, which eventually came back. My band was tightened nearly to the max, and I would throw up at nearly every meal. They told me that my metabolism is very low, which would make it hard to lose weight, and I have found that to be true and try to exercise when I can.

Lately, I have a never-ending stomach ache and am trying to see if Kaiser will remove the lap band and approve the vertical sleeve instead. The endoscope apparently showed that there is no erosion, slippage, or ulcers, but it is possible that I have scar tissue around my band or that I may have a hiatal hernia. I am trying to get a upper G.I. to be able to learn more about my stomach pain, but I have to wait about a month before I can get an appointment with my PCP.

Has anyone here with Kaiser Insurance had revision surgery approved? Can you tell me what your experience was? Did Kaiser make you wait a long time until your revision surgery?

Thanks very much for any advice or assistance.

I am so excited for you! There's not anything that Dr. Mun could have done to make me love him more. He is wonderful, and you are in very capable hands! My 3-month follow-up is tomorrow. God bless!

Thank you so much for the reassurance! Your story has really comforted me so thank you for sharing that! I'm going to be there tomorrow at 1:00. If you will be there too around that time, I'd like to give you a hug!

My appointment is at 10:30. I have to drive an hour and a half to get to Harbor City. I'd love to meet you, too. I hope it works out!

My appointment is at 10:30. I have to drive an hour and a half to get to Harbor City. I'd love to meet you, too. I hope it works out!

Thanks very much. I am coming from Camarillo so I have a drive also. I have no idea how long it might take from where I am given traffic conditions. I am about 70 miles away, and so it will probably take me an hour and a half also, but I'll probably come like an hour early just in case there is a lot of traffic. I am really excited. I was afraid I was going to have to live with this pain for months longer.