Hi all!

Soooo my story started a few years ago (I think 6).

I was morbidly obese and felt disgusting. HW was about 244 lbs (and I'm only 5 feet tall!!). I didn't have the willpower to lose ALL that weight on my own and began to realize that I needed help.

My mother had RNY a few years earlier and, while she DID lose like 75% of her excess weight, she never looked healthy to me. She suffered with anemia and vitamin deficiency, never worked out, had very saggy skin etc.

When deciding on a bariatric prodecure I felt attracted to the lap band due to its reversability and low operating risks. The first surgeon I went to was VERY pro the LB- in fact I think he only performed this procedure. The second surgeon I consulted with was vehemently against the band and strongly advised me against it. This was years ago when then "anti band" sentiment was just starting.

I ultimately decided on the lap band because I'm a nervous person in general and wanted the "easiest", lowest risk, and most reversable procedure performed.

The surgery went well and there were no problems. I was able to go back to work within a day or two.

I've heard some people say they have a "love hate relationship" with the band. For me it was a "want to love, yet fear relationship" meaning I WANTED so BADLY for the band to work. But I was constantly afraid of it slipping... Or eroding.. Or food getting stuck (in public!) ... Or suddenly feeling tight when traveling and I didn't have access to a doctor... Or not being able to afford the fills and fluoroscopys... Esaphageal dysmotility, distended pouch... Etc.

My doctor had a strange way of doing fills. Unlike using fluoroscopys to help me find my "sweet spot" he would just put in the needle, fill the band, have me sit up, chug water, and then release some fluid. Once I felt the water go down he would remove the needle and tell me that im in the perfect zone.

Boy did that cause issues! Getting lukewarm sink water down is simple... But getting in proteins and/or veggies down was much harder! I was constantly running back and forth to the doctor for fills/unfills (which wasn't cheap or easy! He was located 1.5 hours away from me and fills we're $50 plus insurance copay. So i was constantly taking off a half day of work and shelling out $80 for this.)

When I'd see him he was thrilled! After all, I WAS losing weight... And getting fitter... But it sadly it had nothing to do with the band. I was just too ashamed to admit it. Rather, I worked out every day, ate under 1200 calories/day, and carb cycled. I was on a mission to prove to the world that I COULD lose weight, and that I didn't get cut up and have a foreign object placed in me for nothing.

It was sad for me, and I really did feel alone... But I made it work and got used to chewing my food up a ton, taking tiny bites, drinking a lot to get the food down. I went from 244 to 178 and was happy. I was far from skinny... But I really felt good.

Fast forward about 5 years!!...

I got married, moved to NY and mostly forgot about my band. I actually gained some weight back after the wedding, but started Medifast/optavia and lost 40 lbs. I was good... Until the heartburn started.

My previous doctor warned that any heartburn can either be the symptom OR cause of a slipped band. I went to a new NY surgeon the next day to get all the fluid removed. A day later I felt mostly better but still tight. Foods were getting stuck and being that there was no fluid in there I was nervous.

Bands that are too tight can cause a slip.

My husband and I are trying to get pregnant and when I asked my surgeon what happens if the band slips/erodes during pregnancy, she just said "things can get complicated and more risky for both you and the fetus"

That's when i just realized that I'd HAD IT WITH THE BAND!! I could no longer live with device that caused me so much stress, fear, and didn't even work in the first place!! (that night I went to a wedding and took a bite of chicken which got stuck and had me dashing to the bathroom and vomiting. This was simply no way to live, yet a common occurrence for me).

Long story short, today I got my band removed and I FEEL SO RELIEVED! I am in practically zero pain and feel like a massive weight was lifted off my shoulders. I'll do another post about the removal process because this is already wayyyyy too long!!

TLDR:

Didn't have any MAJOR complications with the band, but very relieved to have it removed! It may be a less risky, reversable procedure on the outset, but the long term risks of complications are fairly high and can be nerve racking.

@RayLandry: you should contact Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy, they can help you appeal the denial for a few hundred dollars (instead of the thousands that surgery will cost). they will only take your appeal if they believe they can win. they helped me to get everything approved. here's there website: www.wlsappeals.com

Jenn, thank you for the website! Since my surgery is only about 2 weeks away, do you think it is too late?

@RayLandry. I agree with jendkopp and I would challenge this. With your surgery 2 weeks away, the clock is ticking. Do not wait!

To me, this is clearly a failed implantable device and your insurance should have provisions for surgical correction of an implantable device (ie: revision). Think about this in terms of an artificial joint. They are known to fail sometimes, but an insurance company really shouldn't have limitations on how many surgeries you can have on your artificial joint.

Best of luck!

Well, I'm not sure if I am throwing good money after bad, but I just enlisted Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy to for a second appeal! Thanks Jenn for the recommendation. We'll see what happens! The cost of the assistance and advocacy vs. The surgery costs......well, it's a no brainer! I just hope that I didn't dig myself a deeper hole!

Thanks ya'll

@RayLandry: keep us updated on your appeal. Good luck!

I had my band removed as well with insurance covering it. Medical complications do meet the criteria to remove band and have another wls. Find out what the requirements are... “medical reasons for removal “

Reflux chronic acid problems upset stomach. Bad heartburn ect. You get the drift.....

fingers are crossed!

Do you think insurance will cover removal and conversion surgery if I am no longer obese? I would like to remove the band that I had put in almost 10 years ago, but am at a healthy weight. I feel like it is a ticking time bomb. I do have problems with acid reflux and food getting stuck if I’m not careful. I’m afraid if I just get it removed I will gain all of my weight back.

Like most things, you just never know until you try. I just self paid for my revision because my insurance denied removal and revision. They deemed it “medically unnecessary “. I am on my second appeal, with the help of an outside advocacy firm. I am praying this works to get me reimbursed! I too had the problems of reflux, pain, and night coughs. As a result, my esophagus was getting irritated. I am 18 days out from revision surgery and I feel great! Reflux is gone and I have already lost about 26 lbs! My BMI, at time of surgery was about 33. Not your typical 40+, like most bariatric surgery candidates. Good luck to you Kerri, hopefully you can get your insurance to pay for it! Believe me, I know firsthand, the negative outcomes of lapband!

Edited January 13, 20197 yr by RayLandry

Thanks for your reply. Glad things are going well for you after your surgery. I guess my first step is to make an appointment with a surgeon in the area. Fingers crossed that you get your expenses covered. That’s a lot of hoops to jump through to get your health back on track.