I had a prolapse and had emergency surgery on Thursday night and they removed my band. They would not convert me to a sleeve as my stomach needed time to heal. At 165 lbs, they said my insurance would not pay for the sleeve.

For 5 years, I had this band, and I know I can't o it The strangest thing that happened was that they took out the band and I still have restriction for now,,,,the scar tissue has kept the shape, but I think that will relax soon enough.

If any one can offer any advice, I would appreciate it. How much would it be to self pay for a sleeve?

The scar tissue MAY be all you need, if it is well-formed.I would seriously consider working with what you have right now. You can always have a sleeve later. There have been people that have had their bands removed before, and have been able to maintain their weight loss. It IS doable. If your experience with the band has "taught" you and you have changed your eating habits enough, then you might be ok. Just continue eating as you have with the band. Do NOT use your band loss as an excuse to change your eating habits. You have to be vigilant about it. Just move forward, and eat as though you have the band and see what happens.

I had the band procedure in May 2008. My band twisted and slipped and it was removed in July 2009. I had a kayak accident in Hawaii so my band slipped when I was getting into the kayak. My stomach was too swollen and tramatized during the removal to put a new band in. My doctor told me to return in 5 weeks to have a new band put in.

I've been quite sad without my band but yet felt good that it was out. It sometimes felt weird that this plastic object was in me with no certain time when it would come out.

I just went to see my bariatric surgeon today for a new band. He told me that my BMI is too low and its possible that Blue Cross may not cover my new band. Can you believe that too low of a BMI? I explained to him that it was an accident that my band slipped and I shouldn't be penalized for not getting a new one. He agreed and he is going to submit a request for a band for me but will need letters from my various doctors to support my claim.

I thought I could maintain my 85 pound weight loss with my behavior changes, exercise, eating less, going to support groups, therapy, etc. It lasted a couple of months where I actually thought I could do it.

But then I found out my Dad has cancer in both lungs and it freaked me out! I go to therapy every week and its helping me but I really miss the support of the band. It helped me tremendously with giving me a small appetite, no cravings and I did not feel hungry after eating.

My doctor also suggested today that in my request to Blue Cross that I also ask for an alternate bariatric surgery like the sleeve. I said YES! I really do not want to gain my 85 pounds back and it has been difficult for me to not to snack and to feel full once again. People have told me they have done it without the band after it has been removed but I honestly do not think I am one of those people.

After my swelling went down, its been much tougher. I wish you luck. I would say it all depends on your medical insurance about what procedure it covers. Insurance is (and has been) picky about the reasons why they cover bariatric surgery.

Good luck to you! Please post again and let me and others know how you are doing.