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Lap Band to Sleeve revision journey (ongoing)!

breprih

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breprih    96

breprih
Posted (edited)

Hello Everyone,

In 2009 I underwent Lap Band surgery with a starting weight of 252lbs. I slowly lost over the course of 3 years weighing in at 149lbs (103lbs lost). I literally had never felt so good in my entire life! Around this time I started noticing that some things felt “off” with my band. However, my focus was then on my struggle with infertility so the band was put on the back burner. Fast forward 4 years later and 2 rounds of IVF I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy!

Now that my son is a year old I’ve been focusing on my health a bit more. During my struggle with infertility I gained around 50lbs back and am pretty upset about it! I actually just got a letter from my hospital about revision from the band to the sleeve. The letter stated that greater than 50% of their lap band patients were having complications and undergoing revision surgery.

My consultation is this Friday 9/15/17! I’ll be back to update you on how it goes!

Edited by breprih
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breprih    96

breprih
Posted

So I had my consult yesterday! I know most of the nurse practitioners in the office so it was really nice seeing them and catching up as it's been a few years since I've been there for my band. I weighed in at 202lbs (I wore the heaviest clothes I own) and that only puts my BMI at 33.66 so right now the concern is that I don't weigh enough. They are confident that insurance will pay to have the lap-band removed but not confident that they'll pay for sleeve revision. So.......when I see the surgeon on 10/3 I somehow need to be 11lbs heavier. I'm going to have to figure that one out. :unsure: If my BMI is 35 I need a comorbitity. The only one I used to have is sleep apnea. When I went through all these pre-op things with the band I had a sleep study and found out I had it. So, I'm going to be having an at home sleep study and hopefully I still have it. That feels so weird to hope I have it. Insurance is so twisted.

Anyway so next Friday 9/22 I have to go for a barium swallow and lab work. Then, on 10/3 I'm going to meet with the surgeon. I'm waiting for the sleep lab to call me but I am hoping I can get the sleep study done before I meet with the surgeon. If all goes well and the surgeon thinks I could be a candidate for sleeve I'll have to have an upper endoscopy too to check for erosion and scar tissue. It's possible that I may only be a candidate for bypass due to erosion so we will see. That isn't really what I want but I'll cross that bridge if I come to it.

There will be other with nurse practitioners and nutritionist if all goes well but for right now I need to have the barium swallow and meet with the surgeon and go from there! Oh, and I also had them remove some Fluid from my band and my heartburn has subsided. Hallelujah!

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breprih    96

breprih
Posted

My insurance gave me this website. From what I can tell if you look at page 4 coverage sounds pretty optimistic!

https://cignaforhcp.cigna.com/public/content/pdf/coveragePolicies/medical/mm_0051_coveragepositioncriteria_bariatric_surgery.pdf

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breprih    96

breprih
Posted

Wow. Since removing .6cc from my band last week to help my reflux I can eat almost ANYTHING. :(

It did get rid of my reflux but I want to be losing right now, not gaining. Hopefully a few pounds will help me out when it comes to my BMI and approval.

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ert08    18

ert08
Posted

I have a band. I got it around the same time as you. I have around the same weights as well I was 207 at weigh in with a BMI of 34.5. I was told most likely I'll get my surgery. I was also told for me the sleeve which I wanted might not be a good choice, he recommends bypass because of the amount of damage the band does and how he couldn't make the sleeve small enough.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using BariatricPal mobile app

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breprih    96

breprih
Posted

Well that .6cc removal of my band really gave me the ability to take in so much more. I'm up to 204. :huh: Oh well at least it'll make it that much easier to hit the 35 BMI. I called the hospital today regarding the at home sleep study and they said they are just waiting for approval from insurance and then they will scheduled. It feels so wrong that I'm like praying I still have sleep apnea.

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breprih    96

breprih
Posted

19 hours ago, ert08 said:

I have a band. I got it around the same time as you. I have around the same weights as well I was 207 at weigh in with a BMI of 34.5. I was told most likely I'll get my surgery. I was also told for me the sleeve which I wanted might not be a good choice, he recommends bypass because of the amount of damage the band does and how he couldn't make the sleeve small enough.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using BariatricPal mobile app

Do you have a co morbidity? I had sleep apnea when I went through all of this for the lap band so I'm hoping I still have it so I can get approved.

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ert08    18

ert08
Posted

I just have high cholesterol, that I know of. I'm just starting to go through other testing. My program does medical weight loss prior to sugery as well. I was told he would argue my case but like everything its not 100%.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using BariatricPal mobile app

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Road2health    28

Road2health
Posted

I'm on the same journey. I had my lapband 14 years ago and 4 children from then on. I maintained weight at 125 for over a decade. But scar tissue and acid reflux problems caused me to get my band emptied in June and I have gained 33 lbs since June:(

I had my endoscopy last Monday and I'm getting revision to sleeve on October 3. The rapid weight gain has been really hard and made me very depressed honestly. Keep us posted on your journey ❤️

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breprih    96

breprih
Posted (edited)

Hi all,

I was supposed to have my Upper GI this past Friday the 15th but I had to cancel. My son has been sick (now my husband and I are as well) and he was up the ENTIRE night. Ugh. I literally didn't sleep at all. So, I'm going to call Monday and reschedule.

Good news is I found the pictures from the surgeon who removed my fallopian tube back in 2015. She was the Dr. who took a look at the band while removing the fallopian tube and said that she didn't think it looked right. I'm going to bring the pics to the surgeon on 10/3. I'll try and post them below momentarily.

Edited by breprih
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resitton    50

resitton
Posted

I know this sounds crazy but when I had my band put in in 2008~ I wore ankle weights under my jeans to push me the 5 pounds to where I didn't need a co-morbidity to qualify...


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breprih    96

breprih
Posted

On 9/26/2017 at 6:15 AM, resitton said:

I know this sounds crazy but when I had my band put in in 2008~ I wore ankle weights under my jeans to push me the 5 pounds to where I didn't need a co-morbidity to qualify...

Not crazy at all! I've actually had others suggest this to me!

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Go To Topic Listing Revision Weight Loss Surgery Forums (NEW!)

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    • Doughgurl

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      Hey everyone. I'm new here so I thought I should introduce myself. I am 53y/o and am scheduled for Gastric Bypass on June 25th, 2025. I'm located in San Antonio, Texas. I will be having my surgery in Tiajuana Mexico. I've wanted this for years, but I always had insurance where bariatric procedures were excluded. Finally I am able to afford to pay out of pocket.  I can't wait to get started, and I hope I'm prepared for the initial period of "hell". I know what I have signed up for, but I'm sure the good to come will out way the temporary period of discomfort and feelings of regret. I'd love to find people to talk to who have been through the same procedure or experience before. So I look forward to meeting you all. Hope you have a great week!
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      1. Selina333

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        I'm so happy for you! You are about to change your life. I was so glad to get the sleeve done in Dec. I didn't have feelings of regret overall. And I'm down almost 60 lbs. I do feel a little sad at restaurants. I can barely eat half a kid's meal. I get adults meals often because kid ones don't have the same offerings at times. Then I feel obligated to eat on that until it's gone and that can be days. So the restaurant thing isn't great for me. All the rest is fine by me! I love feeling full with very little. I do wish I could drink when eating. And will sip at the end. Just a strong habit to stop. But I'm working on it! You will do fine! Just keep focused on your desire to be different. Not better or worse. But different. I am happy both ways but my low back doesn't like me that heavy. So I listened (also my feet!). LOL! Update us on your journey! I'm not far from you. I'm in Houston. Good luck and I hope it all goes smoothly! Would love to see pics of the town you go to for this. I've never been there. Neat you will be traveling for this! Enjoy the journey. Take it one day at a time. Sometimes a few hours at a time. Follow all recommendations as best you can. 💗

      2. Doughgurl

        Doughgurl

        Thank you so much for your well wishes. I am hoping that everything goes easy for me as well. We don't eat out much as it is, so it wont be too bad in that department. Thankfully. Also, I hear you regarding your back and feet!! I'd like to add knees to the list. Killing me as we speak! I'm only 5' so the weight has to go. Too short to carry all this weight. Menopause really did a doosey on me. (😶lol) My daughter also lives in Houston. with her Husband and my 5 grand-littles. I grew up in Beaumont, so I know Houston well, I will be sure to keep in touch and update you on my journey. I may need some advice in the future, or just motivation. Thank You so much for reaching out, I was hoping to connect with someone in the community. I really appreciate it. 💜

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. LeighaTR

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        I hope your surgery on Wednesday goes well. You will be able to do all sorts of new things as you find your new normal after surgery. I don't know this from experience yet, but I am seeing a lot of positive things from people who have had it done. Best of luck!

    • Alisa_S

      Alisa_S

      On day 4 of the 2 week liquid pre-op diet. Surgery scheduled for June 11th.
      Soooo I am coming to a realization
      of something and I'm not sure what to do about it. For years the only thing I've enjoyed is eating. We rarely do anything or go anywhere and if we do it always includes food. Family comes over? Big family dinner! Go camping? Food! Take a short ride or trip? Food! Holiday? Food! Go out of town for a Dr appointment? Food! When we go to a new town we don't look for any attractions, we look for restaurants we haven't been to. Heck, I look forward to getting off work because that means it's almost supper time. Now that I'm drinking these pre-op shakes for breakfast, lunch, and supper I have nothing to look forward to.  And once I have surgery on June 11th it'll be more of the same shakes. Even after pureed stage, soft food stage, and finally regular food stage, it's going to be a drastic change for the rest of my life. I'm giving up the one thing that really brings me joy. Eating. How do you cope with that? What do you do to fill that void? Wow. Now I'm sad.
      · 1 reply
      1. summerseeker

        summerseeker

        Life as a big person had limited my life to what I knew I could manage to do each day. That was eat. I hadn't anything else to look forward to. So my eating choices were the best I could dream up. I planned the cooking in managable lots in my head and filled my day with and around it.

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        I still cook for family feasts, I love cooking. I still do holidays but I have changed from the All inclusive drinking and eating everything everyday kind to Self catering accommodation. This gives me the choice of cooking or eating out as I choose. I rarely drink anymore as I usually travel alone now and I feel I need to keep aware of my surroundings.

        I don't know at what point my life expanded, was it when I lost 100 pounds? Was it when I left my walking stick at home ? Was it when I said yes to an outing instead of finding an excuse to stay home ? i look back at my last five years and wonder how loosing weight has made such a difference. Be ready to amaze yourself.

        BTW, the liquid diet sucks, one more day and you are over the worst. You can do it.

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