I was banded in July 2009. I started at 250 lbs and sit now between 170-180. I've been as low as 149. Ive had 6 fills and 2 unfills. My question is why did you switch from band to sleeve? Did you not lose weight, did you have complications??? Did your insurance pay for a second surgery? Once your not considered "obese" anymore will your insurance ever consider paying to convert? I just have so many questions. I have an apt to talk to my surgeon but can't see him for 4 more weeks...

Hi,

I was also banded in 2009 and got down to my goal weight. I had the band removed in July '13 as it slipped and when the removed it the found it had begun to embed in my stomach.

I have chosen to have the sleeve as it is a lifelong tool without all the fills and unfills even though I am only around 25 lbs above my goal weight I knew that gradually my weight would have crept up.

Let me know if you have any questions - I am self funded so can't answer anything on insurance.

Jess

Xx

I had my band in 2009 and after many problems decided to have it removed in 2013. I struggled with my weight for the following year and was sleeved ten weeks ago. My insurance covered everything. Band removal and then the sleeve even though I was not considered obese anymore. I have a PPO.

Your surgeon may not even be able to answer insurance questions. There may be a person in their office dedicated to insurance verification. Even though they can't file anything for you they should be able to give you an idea about what your insurance may or may not cover.

Good luck!

I had to have my band removed after a few years due to slippages.

I had my band back in June 2011. I had two slips and a prolapsed pouch, so my doctor recommended it to come out and revise to the sleeve. I have my revision surgery Jan 13, 2014. I wish I would have had the sleeve to begin with and avoided 3 surgeries.

your story sounds just like mine. did u have your band removed for a while before you were sleeved? any regrets or complications with the sleeve?

I had my band back in June 2011. I had two slips and a prolapsed pouch, so my doctor recommended it to come out and revise to the sleeve. I have my revision surgery Jan 13, 2014. I wish I would have had the sleeve to begin with and avoided 3 surgeries.

Band and sleeved all in one surgery! Nope! No complications or regrets... just that I wish I had done the sleeve as my first surgery then I wouldn't have had just a set back in my weight loss. But I'm on the road to success now!

Band and sleeved all in one surgery! Nope! No complications or regrets... just that I wish I had done the sleeve as my first surgery then I wouldn't have had just a set back in my weight loss. But I'm on the road to success now!

I agree. I didn't know about the sleeve back in 2009 and wish I had. It would have saved me a lot of trouble, pain and surgery. But I count it as a learning experience. At least it only caused me discomfort and not permanent complications.

Hi,

I was also banded in 2009 and got down to my goal weight. I had the band removed in July '13 as it slipped and when the removed it the found it had begun to embed in my stomach.

I have chosen to have the sleeve as it is a lifelong tool without all the fills and unfills even though I am only around 25 lbs above my goal weight I knew that gradually my weight would have crept up.

Let me know if you have any questions - I am self funded so can't answer anything on insurance.

Jess

Xx

My band slipped after a tummy tuck. I have been banded for three years with no complications. My BMI is 23 (5’3, 130lbs). I was told that my only option is to have the band taken out. No surgeon will perform any bariatric surgery on me because the FDA will not allow any bariatric surgery on anyone with a BMI 30 or lower. I am so devastated.

dont be devastated, you dont need to have the surgery right now. i wouldnt have sleeve done if my BMI was 23. just see how you do maintaining your weight and if by some chance the weight comes back the sleeve will still be around, im sure !!

good luck.

My band slipped after a tummy tuck. I have been banded for three years with no complications. My BMI is 23 (5’3, 130lbs). I was told that my only option is to have the band taken out. No surgeon will perform any bariatric surgery on me because the FDA will not allow any bariatric surgery on anyone with a BMI 30 or lower. I am so devastated.

Hi,
I was also banded in 2009 and got down to my goal weight. I had the band removed in July '13 as it slipped and when the removed it the found it had begun to embed in my stomach.
I have chosen to have the sleeve as it is a lifelong tool without all the fills and unfills even though I am only around 25 lbs above my goal weight I knew that gradually my weight would have crept up.

Let me know if you have any questions - I am self funded so can't answer anything on insurance.

Jess
Xx

I have Blue Cross Blue Shield and they pay for a revision even if you are at normal weight as long as your doctor says you need it.

I was also banded in 2009, my highest weight was 280lb. I got down to 200lbs and couldn't get past that, finally I did and I hovered around 195lbs. Two years ago I had bilateral knee replacements and was out from work for the whole summer, during that time I did regular daily walks and ate three meals a day. I came down to 185lbs, my goal weight was 170lbs. Last year I started getting a burning sensation in my esophagus and chest, my surgeon ordered an upper GI study And found that I had a stricter making my esophagus work harder and causing it to become inflamed. He took some fluid out and thing calmed down. I had another GI study this year because of still having some pain and I was gaining weight. My esophagus was better but still inflamed. I also have the problem if grazing at work due to my demanding job and work hours, 3pm-12a. My surgeon wasn't doing sleeves back then just bands and gastric bypasses. So my surgeon and I decided to do a revision, I would have had it first if it was available. I'm excited and terrified about the surgery, but I am up to 240lbs and am not happy. I know I have to work at this and I am ready. My surgery is in two weeks. Stating my liquid diet tomorrow.

I I had my band in October 2007, i weight 250, 5'6 and after i band for two day i went down to 170 but honestly i look sick, very thin in the face and my twins sagged. I believed the only reason i lost weight witthe band is because i was spitting up a lot, almost daiy and i had bad acid reflux . I just gave up because i would get so sick after a fill that i would lose time off from work because i was so dehydrated. Last week, i had band removed and now I want to have the sleeve done. I currently weight 230 pounds and I feel that my weigh is creeping up.

I was banded in 2007 starting weight 360 lost 160 lbs by being very strict and hard work. I've had nothing but trouble this last year can't eat vomiting all the time chest pain and just can't stand it anymore this is not a way to live. Started eating slider foods and gained 40 lbs my doctor suggested the sleeve and my ins just added it to are policy so iam all set for June 12. Can't wait to not have this pain in chest everytime I eat

My advice to everyone is you can succeed in weight loss surgery just be patient and positive and look at your future being healthier

I was banded Jan 10, 2013. I lost about 50 lbs but could never get any further than that and started gaining it back. I gained 12 lbs before I went to see my doctor. I had issues with being too tight, then too loose and numerous stuck episodes. We'd put .5cc's in and take .25cc's out and still have issues. I just got frustrated with it and was miserable not being able to eat without puking aferwards. I knew that the risks of having a slippage were increasing every time I threw up, so I talked to my doctor about revising to the sleeve. I'm self-paid, so there weren't any issues, however, he did tell me that even if my insurance covered it, there wouldn't be any issue about my BMI being too low now that we are doing a revision. So if your insurance covered the band, it will most likely cover the revision. I'm only 11 days post-op and I feel so much better now than I ever did with the band

Edited May 26, 201412 yr by hockeywife91