Would love a Revision

[tab 7]

Hello all! I was banded in 2006. Not even 4 months banded and I got pregnant and then pregnant again lol. I was told I couldnt get pregnant...they were wrong . My kids take up most or all my time. One of my children has special needs and his needs were being met first. Now its my time..

I hated the band since I had it put in . I lost 40lbs kept 20 off. I always had issues with too much fill not enough fill. Some days were so bad I couldnt even drink Water. I was fed up. Recently I had my band unfilled. It was terrible in my opinion. I dont think I researched it enough. I've made the decision to do the sleeve. I've been struggling like most to lose weight on my own. My questions are now what to do? I Still have the band. Do I go back to my original surgeon or can I seek a new one? What do I need to do? Do I have to do that whole process again like lap band? Which I don't mind doing. Will my insurance give me a hard time?

I thank you all in advance!

T

[moonchild1968 102]

Hi. You are not alone. I was banded in 2007. I lost 60 wonderful pounds. I was still obese, but it made a big difference for me and I was happy with the weight loss and new found freedom. I think I had the same fill experience as you....fill-unfill-fill-can't swallow my own spit-unfill-eat every and any thing-fill-can't eat anything except slider foods-weight gain. It has been a constant struggle. Once I learned how to eat around my band, it was all downhill.

My surgeon advised me to revise to sleeve last year (so you might want to start there if you still trust your surgeon and have his/her support), but I resisted. I didn't want another surgery and I didn't want to acknowledge that the band and I didn't work well together. We (the band and I) failed. It's been hard for me to accept. Finally, September 2012 I started really considering a revision. I went to another "initial" seminar (with the same surgeon) and heard everything all over again. After 5 years, I need a refresher. Long story short (is it too late for a short story? lol), I am approved. I had to get medical clearance again which was no problem at all. My doctor wrote it up better than I could have myself. I did not do psych again, but I did the NUT visit. I was approved so quickly (2-3 days) that it was further reassurance that I needed to move forward with the revision. Approval is easier for those who have been compliant with getting fills, says my surgeon. I got approved, but I put everything on hold, because I was not mentally ready to do it, but I am now. I'm calling my surgeon's office next week to ask them to schedule me. I hope to be in the April Sleever Achievers club.

Bottom line, start at the beginning. Pick up the phone and call your surgeon and tell them what your thinking then go from there. Also, call your insurance co. Please update. I will too. Good luck.

[moonchild1968 102]

If you haven't been compliant, don't let it be a deterrent. Call your doctor to discuss your options.

[genepha 47]

I'm looking into my 3rd revision (banded, rebanded with plication and now a sleeve). You should definitely talk to your surgeon, if you have a good relationship with him/her and feel comfortable. I actually switched surgeons for my sleeve.

Good luck to you!

[Macy6 356]

I agree with all of thee above. If you trust and had a good relationship with your surgeon then go back. My surgeon told me that a majority of his surgeries last year were band to sleeve/bypass revisions.

[Ms.AntiBand 2,984]

What do you mean you were banded and told you couldn't get pregnant?

[tab 7]

What do you mean you were banded and told you couldn't get pregnant?

Sorry what I wrote sounds confusing. Should of said I was told I couldn't have anymore children then got banded then got pregnant 2 times.