Approved for Lapband Removal

[Gotta win 4me 12]

Tuesday, I went to see the weight loss surgeon at the surgery office who placed my lapband in 2010. I went to discuss removing the band and revising to a sleeve or RNY. Well, he does the procedures in two different surgeries, with the weight loss surgery being 3 months later. They submitted the paperwork for the removal and I was approved for that today without evidence. My issue is I don’t want to wait 3 months and have to go through with another surgery. Will I be able to switch doctors and keep the approval for the band removal? I know I have to get approved for the WLS as well. Another surgery center excepted me as a patient today and will do the removal and revision in one surgery. I have Cigna and the changes in their BariatricPal medical bulletin does not have me jumping through hoops so I know that I will have approval as soon as I complete the NUT Eval.

[Lynn Cannon 49]

Won’t it be lovely when this is all sorted and over! Can the new centre answer your questions as they might have been through this before?

[Gotta win 4me 12]

I spoke with my insurance (Cigna) this morning and they said that all the new surgeon has to do is call and say that I have already been approved for the removal and have them switch it to their (new surgeon) name. So, all they have to do is submit for the revision surgery.

[Matt Z 4,139]

On 9/14/2018 at 10:03 PM, Gotta win 4me said:

Tuesday, I went to see the weight loss surgeon at the surgery office who placed my lapband in 2010. I went to discuss removing the band and revising to a sleeve or RNY. Well, he does the procedures in two different surgeries, with the weight loss surgery being 3 months later. They submitted the paperwork for the removal and I was approved for that today without evidence. My issue is I don’t want to wait 3 months and have to go through with another surgery. Will I be able to switch doctors and keep the approval for the band removal? I know I have to get approved for the WLS as well. Another surgery center excepted me as a patient today and will do the removal and revision in one surgery. I have Cigna and the changes in their BariatricPal medical bulletin does not have me jumping through hoops so I know that I will have approval as soon as I complete the NUT Eval.

Did your surgeon explain exactly why ? Unless there are medical issues, there is no need to wait. Revised from Band to RNY in 1 surgery, and my Band was 100% encapsulated in scar tissue...

I don't think your insurance will care really, as long as the new doctor / center is covered (typically will be) it actually will cost everyone less to do it in 1 surgery. Since the Insurance is going to eat some of the cost... I don't foresee them having a problem with you wanting to save them money by switching to a new doctor.

Edited September 17, 2018 by Matt Z

[Gotta win 4me 12]

2 hours ago, Matt Z said:

Did your surgeon explain exactly why ? Unless there are medical issues, there is no need to wait. Revised from Band to RNY in 1 surgery, and my Band was 100% encapsulated in scar tissue...

I don't think your insurance will care really, as long as the new doctor / center is covered (typically will be) it actually will cost everyone less to do it in 1 surgery. Since the Insurance is going to eat some of the cost... I don't foresee them having a problem with you wanting to save them money by switching to a new doctor.

I agree. He said that the esophagus does not operate correctly when people have had a band in for so long. He also said that there is no way he will waver from that decision with any of his patients. It works out well because my husband didn’t want me to allow him to do my surgery anyway. I told him that there was a leak and he just wrote in my medical records that I was just not eating right so I got a second opinion and confirmed the leak. I’m going to go with the doctor that accepted me.

[kiwiangel23 21]

I am getting my lap band removed and getting the sleeve done on October 25. Every time I eat I get nauseous and I vomit and I can’t wait to get it removed

[Gotta win 4me 12]

2 hours ago, kiwiangel23 said:

I am getting my lap band removed and getting the sleeve done on October 25. Every time I eat I get nauseous and I vomit and I can’t wait to get it removed

That’s horrible. I cannot imagine. My lapband has a leak and now ALL the weight I lost, I have successfully gained it back. I wish you the best. I am hoping to get mine the second week in October. Fingers crossed!