Dee-Texas

I will answer my own question. I met with Dr. Castro jan. 23. He is such a kind man. He answered every question I had and never rushed me. His office is efficient and caring. I've talked to another Doctor before Dr. Castro about the problems with my band ...and I wanted questions answered about a revision. Dr. Castro has done many revisions and considered a specialist on revisions from band to sleeve. While the first Doctor was nice....I never felt he was the one I could trust with my health. Dr. Castro though IS THAT DOCTOR for me I haven't decided on my sleeve date surgery but when I do...Dr. Manuel Castro will be my doctor.

The thallium test is the one that costs 3-5k. I can't afford this as I'm self pay. I don't have any problems other than I'm over 50? I guess there's such a wide range of what each doctor wants just as there's no rhymn or reason for such strict predicts other than it's just .....what's ordered by each doctor. Sometimes it doesn't go by each person...just straight across the board everyone has the same thing. This makes me Leary of just being a number like I was with the lap band. I guess I'm scared about the whole process since the lap band journey was a LOT about the money..that they could make Thank you for all your input

Anyone have the same problem and what did you do. First ".i will be self pay for revision from band to sleeve. I've heard most have to have a stress test before surgery. My problem is I have a torn cartridge in my knee and can't cycle or walk enough for a stress test....to do a medical stress test the cost is about 3-5k. I CAN'T afford that plus the surgery! I'm trying to find a solution so I can have the surgery. I'm looking for a surgeon in the DFW Texas area. I've heard good things about Dr. Manuel Castro and he specializes in revisions. Anyone with feedback on Dr. Castro or stress test problem? I haven't talked to Dr. Castro yet so I don't know if he requires the stress test....ohh and I'm over 50. Thank you for answering.

I understand the fear but needing to do something. In 2007 I was thinking the same thing. I researched for 2 years and finally decided the sleeve (which was only done in Houston to my knowledge) would be the best surgery for me. I allowed a doctor to talk me into the band. The band was the golden boy at that time. I did lose but not the amount that was touted by many "lapband doctors". Fast forward to today...I have a prolapsed through the band, adhesions, dilated esphogaus, nausea and the worse is Im gaining weight because all I can eat is soft food. My new surgeon says the band has to come out because it's harming my body. I would LOVE to go to the band but I'm self pay. It's so expensive so I don't have the choice like those with insurance but I'm still hoping I can work things out.. Read everything and YOU will know when it's right for You. Good luck

I had a hiatal hernia, dilated esophagus and prolasp through my lap band. Wow...I knew something had to be wrong but had no idea all of these things.

Hugs and prayers! Now..you can post as a whole new you...just way smaller. I'm looking forward to Gettimg my revision also.

I agree there are always people that think they have the right to say anything to anyone. They have no compassion nor a filter. I do think they need to be called on their post that its not acceptable and you had rather not hear from them if they are mean or negative. Those people should not answer posts if it upsets them....because its been asked before. What I've found in my search is some of the discussion might be two years old...some things do change and I would like the "new" version This is a great site with wonderful helpful people...thanks to all.

Banded in 2007...I lost 75 lbs...doing O.K. But never got to goal. Started having problems 2 years ago. I went to my band doctor..he wouldn't listen when I said there was something wrong. 3 months ago went to a new surgeon to have an endoscope to find out what was wrong. He found the band was originally placed too low. I have a prolapse of my stomach through the band and esophageal dilation. New surgeon said the band needs to come out. One problem is..no insurance...I would have to be self pay about 16k. My question has anyone had the same problem and what did you do to fix it? Is there a way to NOT have to have a revision to another WLS? I don't want to rush into another surgery if leaving it like it is but don't want this problem to harm my body. Anyone? Thank you for your time.

I need a revision from band to??? Gastric bypass or sleeve? Surgeon says revisions loose more weight with the gastric bypass and need the restriction plus the malabsorption. .I read here that many love the sleeve after having the revision from the band and do well. WHY did you choose the sleeve and how much weight have you lost after...a year? The reason I'm asking the surgeons office called today and said they could schedule me in mid Jan. for gastric bypass...I'm in panic mode now..trying to decide..which is safest, which have the best weight loss rate for long term and which is easier to maintain the lifestyle. I'm self pay and the sleeve is cheaper than the bypass as a revision from band. Thanks to all that answer.

I am not sold on the gastric bypass...I guess that's really why I asked the question. I have a history of a surgeon telling what was best for HIS pocket book and pushed the band since in 2007 he didn't do the sleeve and told me was too dangerous. NOW I question all surgeons....are they really doing what is best for me or does it just fatten their bank account...sorry...it's just because of past experiences and I don't want to make the same mistake again. I never made goal even though I lost 75lbs with the band. All of a sudden the band didn't feel the same didn't work the same and when I would go back to the doctor he wouldn't listen...just pat my arm and said it was my fault and to go back to the rules...which I was following....not perfectly all the time but enough to know something was wrong. Fast forward 7 years and an endoscope...new surgeon said my band was placed way too low and after the body stopped swelling and healed I had a very large pouch and no amount of tightening would help since the pouch would hold more in the first lace. What I had from the first band surgery was a prolapse through my band which was way too tight...but still a large pouch.. Thank you for helping me put the pieces together for a true decision...not ones from books.

I have a lapband (2007) and am having a lot of problems. New surgeon (had problems with lapband doctor) did tests and said lapband needs to come out. I want the sleeve...he said since I've not lost all my weight with the lapband...a bypass would be better for me. He said after a year the "non-hungry part of removing the Guerhln gland stops..so the malabsorption and restrictiviness of the bypass is better. I have arthritis in My knees and can't fathom not being able to take nasaids for the rest of my life. Soooo the question is...for those of you that are 2-3 years out...do you still have the non-hunger or is your life...just a diet with watching what you eat and exercising? I made a mistake with the lapband the first time..plus having to self pay for that and now another WLS...I don't want to nor can I afford to make the same mistake again. Thank you for your replies.

Has anyone used carecredit to pay for surgery and how did you like it? Is there better financing for this type of surgery? Of course my insurance excludes any WLS or problems from WLS. I looked at carecredit last night and if you don't pay them off completely in 24 months the interest rate is really steep. They also only give you 23 days before they demand credit again..meaning one day late and the interest rate climbs to 26%!!! I'm despertaly trying to find a way to pay for this revision since my band has failed. Thanks for answering.

I've searched and can't find my answer so I'm asking WHY? Why do the doctors require two weeks of nothing but fluids? Is this to look good for the weight loss after surgery? I'm in the possible revision boat right now...questioning everything and wondering if I just tried harder if this band would work!!! Loss of money, time at work, pain, starting all over..just makes me very sad. Banded in 2007..lost 75 lbs..needed to lose 120..gained 20lbs back since knee surgery and a problem with the band?...at least I'm having tests to see if the band is a failure or it's me.

I've heard that if someone is self pay they buy an extra insurance policy. Anyone do this in Texas and did it pay also which insurances cover the complications from WLS?

I am in the blue cross blue shield risk pool...which by law they can charge me 3 times the normal rate to have insurance this crappy insurance has Any and all weight loss surgery exclusions and all exclusions related to weight loss surgery. It's truly a crime When my surgeon called they sent a letter denying all weight loss surgery citing the exclusion. I called and tried to appeal... they in essence said too bad so sad. End of story.

Just asked a question on laproscopic revision from bsnd to sleeve and was answered to find a surgeon that has done 1000 of these surgeries. I can find the names of surgeons in this area but how do you find out how experienced (number of surgeries) they are in laproscopic revisions from band to sleeve. Thank you for your help

I have BCBS Texas but had an exclusion. Why I can't have surgery now. I was denied. I was wondered if you also had an exclusion.and still having the sleeve. I wanted to know how you got around the exclusion.

Did you have an exclusion in your policy for no weight loss or anything related?

Has anyone hired these companies that advertise here on this site to fight for your appeal? What happened? PROS? CONS? I have BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD TEXAS RISK POOL...I would think since Obama care with its no exclusions we wouldn't have a problem....??? Idea and help please. They verbally said after their denial letter they will pay for NOTHING since it was an exclusion in the first place!! Thank you

How many had the revision to sleeve via laparoscopic and how many had open. I've heard it's dangerous to have this surgery laparoscopic because of leaks while others that have it open usually have hernias later. The reason the question is I'm trying to decide to have the surgery (have band issues and the doctors say its necessary) I have two doctors that I'm trying to decide between and one idles it laproscopic and says its the only way and very safe....the other says its NOT safe and will only do it open. "???????Help with real life answers from those that have lived it.... Thank you

S the weight loss the same for a revision patient as a first time sleeve person? Also is a vertical sleeve the same as a gastric sleeve?

This is my update on band revision. I met with Dr. Clayton Frenzel in Arlington for the first consult. He was NOT the Doctor that put my band in. My original band doctor wouldn't return calls and I felt abandoned after he got my cash payment for the band. I've been having problems for about a year now. I had band surgery in 2007. I lost a total of 75 lbs and stopped losing about 18 months after the band. Dr. Frenzel did an endoscope to find out the problems. Seems my band was placed really lower than it was suppose to be...I was overfilled to the point my stomach has prolasped. They did find I had a hiaital hernia but even if they fixed it and did the sleeve....insurance would see the operative report and denine all payment. So not only would I have to pay for a sleeve or bypass but the hitial hernia as well ...out of pocket. I have Blue Cross Blue Shield "risk pool" which means by law to have insurance they CAN and DO charge me 3 times the normal rate for insurance. They have denied all surgery to remove the band, port or any other type of surgery. So...I can't afford to self pay $14,000-$20,000 for a sleeve or bypass. Im really just so very sad about the whole thing. So in essence I'm stuck with this thing in my body that doesn't work and is causing problems. I wish all of you the best and happy losing.

I just wanted everyone to know that Dr. Frenzel in Arlington would be my choice of surgeons if I could afford to self pay. Very highly thought of by his patients and Forest Park Medical Center. My problem is my "crappy" insurance. Im in the BCBS risk pool and they will NOT pay for anything related to WLS. I talked to them and they just said...so sorry you're having the problem but there's is an exclusion and they won't pay..period. IF I qualifed (who knows what that would be) I might could get in the Federal insurance if I didn't have insurance for 6 months. Pretty risky on a maybe. Before I stopped coming to this site....I wanted to clarify about Dr. Frenzel..which I would recommend. The Doctor that put IN my lap band I would NOT recommend.