Band to sleeve in one?

[rxtine 20]

Who all were able to get the band to sleeve in one procedure? How many had to do two procedures? And if it was two, how long was the wait time for you?

[AZPete 20]

I did. My band doctor told me she would not do it in one procedure. I found a different doctor who would. He did state that if he found my stomach in need of healing he would not proceed with the sleeve. I did not want to go through two surgeries. Weight regain. And run the risk of not getting approved by my insurance. Blue cross approved my revision in 15 minutes of submitting for it. If I had the band removed and then waited I would have to go through about 20 different steps to be approved. I am happy to say that my surgery on the 11th of February was perfect. I feel great. It does hurt but that's expected.

[Threetimesacharm 1,400]

I had my revision in one surgery. I had an amazingly skilled surgeon and have had no issues at all.

[SylviaMom 83]

My Doc, Dr. Aceves, does the 2 in 1s when possible. I had my band in for 7 or 8 years and had a pretty wicked erosion...which you can't really know until you open things up. I had to wait 6 months between procedures. It's not ideal but safety first!

[rxtine 20]

That's what my doc said too. She would hope to be able to do it in one however she won't know For sure until she is in there! I'm really hoping for the best and that she can do it in one. I've had the band for 3 years and last month did a barium swallow and all looked ok but nothing is promised. So we will see. They make you get re approved for surgery if its in 2 steps? Would they cover the removal?

[AZPete 20]

For me blue cross covered either the removal or the revision due to complications. But once removed you would be starting fresh and need to be approved for the procedure.that means going through all the steps. For my revision the only thing I needed to go through was a demonstrated complication. Nothing else mattered. No BMI or weight or comorbidities needed.

[rxtine 20]

For me blue cross covered either the removal or the revision due to complications. But once removed you would be starting fresh and need to be approved for the procedure.that means going through all the steps. For my revision the only thing I needed to go through was a demonstrated complication. Nothing else mattered. No BMI or weight or comorbidities needed.

Hmm, something I need to bring up on Thursday at my appointment. Thanks for the info!

[MamaM 72]

Removal/revision here. First thing my husband said to me when I woke up was, "He did it! It worked." Thank GOD because I seriously did NOT want to have to do surgery again. I would have tho, had I needed too. I would NOT have had to jump thru all of the hoops again tho. It would have all been part of the removal and revision process. I would have had to do some classes but that would have just been a technicality. I wouldn't have needed to get re-approved.

[May2013 11]

I got revised in one surgery. I had a slip with erosion and a CRAP TON of scar tissue. It took my surgeon a bit longer for surgery (3.5 hours) because of all the scar tissue but everything went fine.