Will I likely need all of the same pre- testing ( endoscopy, ekg, psychiatric screening etc) before having my band out and sleeve done? My dr does them at the same time.

I had my band removed last June and am now going through the process for my revision to a gastric sleeve. My insurance is making me jump through all the hoops again as if I never had the lap band. Very frustrating and now surgery is at least another 6 - 7 months away. They are requiring 6 months of nutritionist visits. Sigh. I suppose it will depend on your insurance company. I have BCBS.

Yes, you have to do everything again. I had the band as well. My insurance, Aetna, required four months of requirements. I didn’t want to wait and did self-pay.

Let me add, for the surgeon I still had to get medical clearance, psych clearance and cardio clearance. However, one shot and done.

Is that even if the band is causing problems and that’s why they are taking out and doing sleeve?

I can speak to my situation and what others have shared previously. I had my band removed and the revision done in the same surgery. I still didn’t get any bonus points for previous things I had done in the past.

I have Aetna, I still had to jump through hoops for my revision. More testing than with my band but that is my surgeons requirements. I did the 3 nut visits and 3 mo supervised diet.. the usual Aetna stuff. But approval was quick and easy.