Jenn6524

Hi Jax, When I had the barium swallow on 4/5/12 I was surprised to find out that my band was actually too tight. It had been a really long time since my last fill. My esophagus was also dilated ( possibly from over eating or just from too much food sitting there since the band was soo tight). I guess that's why I felt like I didn't have very much restriction. So they removed all of my fluid from the band in order to give the esophagus a chance to reduce back to normal size over time. I have also been having some pain in the stomach area on my left upper side so I am scheduled to have an upper endoscopy on Friday 4/27/12. Even though I don't want to have it done, I am glad that they ordered it. I just want to make sure nothing is wrong and I want to know if there is any erosion. That is the only way to really tell if you have erosion. Normally they cannot tell if you have erosion by the barium swallow. I certainly don't hope that there is any erosion, but if I do that is probably the only way my insurance will pay for the sleeve. The insurance person at the doctors office says it is really hard to get BCBS of Alabama to pay for WLS. They do everything they can to get out of it. Also I learned that BCBS of Alabama will only pay for one WLS in your lifetime. Luckily my first one was paid for by UHC or I would have no chance at all. We will see after Friday what my future holds.

Since you are getting your revision done in the next couple of months does that mean that you don't have to follow all of the regular BCBS of Alabama guidelines to get a revision like you do with your initial surgery. Did you not have to have a minimum BMI, participate in a physician guided weight loss program for 6 months, have a sleep study, etc? I may be in the same boat as you. I have a barium swallow study on 4/5/12. I also would like to consider the Vertical gastric sleeve if I have to have my band removed. Not to be nosy but are you by any chance from Jacksonville. It was just a guess since your ID is Jaxbandster. I am from that area! Thanks so much

Who is your doctor? Also do you have Alabama BCBS that is through a federal employer? I heard that insurance pays for a sleeve. I'm sure that all of the Alabama BCBS plans don't cover it. I know it really depends on the plan your employer chose.