Daisalana

I posted this earlier, repeating with some edits and updates and plan to keep this updated for my own accountability! I was banded in 2007 at 333lb; it worked lovely for me, I lost almost everything I wanted in 1 year (220lb) -- then I got pregnant & it broke, gained it all back, had a baby, revised band -- lost it all again (211!), got pregnant again & it broke again -- gained it all back again, had a baby, revised band. Worked again, but slower... broke again.. gained it back... this has continued on and on.. I have had a total of 2 replacements & 6 revisions. Before my last, last revision I was back to 220lb. Took over a year of testing (with a new doctor - previous doctor disappeared in the middle of the night - that's a whole other story) and got back up to 300. Started personal trainer 3x week at a gym. Down to 270 - then The last revision didn't take, I don't feel the same as I use to, and that revision was early 2015. Ruptured a disc in my back and exercise went to nill. Took a year or so of tests and appointments before my doc fixed my back. I've been plugging along for over a year at 300-330lb. Back to my original 2007 pre-op weight. Band has been bothering me like it never did before. Waking up choking on acid. Sort of vegetarian by force - no meats are soft enough. Can't eat many veggies or fruits, but hey ice cream goes down! Insurance is terrible (I have never even been offered a plan that has Bariatric coverage, ever. Through different companies. Wonder where this stuff exists.) So the waking up choking really scares me and I finally made a $700 appt to try an unfill(don't have much if any anyway) and check the band. And it slipped. In my various revisions They had to move my port from belly, chest, belly... port has flipped 4 times... port disconnected once... tubing broke once... and now slipped. Keep in mind, since day 1 I am self-pay, so I could have bought a house by now with all I have paid. I'm not kidding!! Doctor said we either revise the band again, remove it, or convert it. I refuse to revise the band again, I hate the booger at this point. Not one more penny!! It will be $9k to remove it -- $22k to revise it to a sleeve. I am too afraid of GP, even after all this time as a bariatric patient. In 2012 I wanted to convert to the sleeve, but the price difference was too much to justify everytime I had to go under the knife (if I only knew how many more surgeries I'd be paying for since then because of the band!!). This time, I decided -- remove it, and be done. When I can eat 'normal' again for the first time in years, I'll work on eating things like fruit, veggies & salads -- which I can't eat now. I thought a little more & talked with family, and we've all decided I should just take out a 2nd mortgage and bite the bullet, because I'm not healthy anymore and would very much like to be, and if I decided later on I want the sleeve, it's going to be another 20k+ the 9k I pay now. I was born overweight and it has been my lifelong struggle. So, I have it all scheduled now. Surgery January 4,2017 (for tax purposes, I asked to wait until the new year). I've been absent from the forum for years, feeling that I have nothing to contribute as a lap-band failure, and the great friendships I made through this forum, I talk to all the time. But I am back, now that I am going to be a 'newbie' in the sleeve world. I am very excited now that I've gotten over the initial shock of how much money I'm going to be shelling out..... again. Here's to my new success, and good riddance to the band!!!! --------- 1/1 update; took out several loans to pay doctor and hospital last week. Don't know how we will manage but I guess we will. In the midst of this someone asked about paying the anesthesiologist. This wasn't brought up in conversations previous, so it was another slap in the face . Left anesthesiologist 4 messages last week so I know cost and where to pay, no one is calling me back. I guess with holidays. I tried googling an estimate for self pay anesthesiologist and got no results I can use to sleep at night. Went on 12/29 for preop. With my 5 and 7 year old (who helped me run around paying everyone, ever so graciously). Started the endless paperwork. I showed them my current insurance (2016) and new insurance for January 1. 30m later, he starts showing me payment plan for the preop! $2k!! They are killing me. Another cost not brought up before. I didn't take out enough loans to pay thousands upon thousands more. Then he says it's because my 2016 insurance is out of network for their hospital. I don't even, what?!.... I said well, can I come back January 2 then?? And he said yes. Why wouldn't they lead with that? Anyway, so we left to find Pokémon cards rewards for being such patient little kids. My doc asked me to do Protein shakes a week pre-op to shrink my liver. He didn't sound stern about it, and it is the holidays.... but I really am nervous about a conversion surgery. Seems more invasive, I feel unhealthy, and I have a lingering cough from a bad cold I got a week before Christmas- so I want to do the best I can. I have done a modified liquid diet based on reading others' diets. On December 26th I started a liquid diet, broth (chicken bouillon cube in water) mostly. I hate taste of sf products so I'd rather not have them. Also New whey protein shots, carnation high protein essential powder mixed in with coffee. Two nights this week I have also had a low carb small dinner at night. Grilled fish and asparagus/cottage cheese with ragu. First couple of days I had intense headaches by evening. Headaches Stopped December 31. Tried sf Jello on December 31 also, and glad to see it tasted great. I've moved past that sugar hang up. Wahoo. I forgot it can be done. Every time it feels so hard, I get through it by remembering it's only temporary. I was 322lb at the preop appointment with doctor on December 25. Today January 1 I am down to 309lb. I feel much less bloated than I have been feeling for a while. Kids don't start school until January 5, husband and I are both busy business owners. This is going to be a rough week. I also have been wanting to get the house good and cleaned before I have surgery so I don't fret about cleaning while I recover, but I can't find the time! Plus, did I mention the kids are out of school? I am anxious about surgery. I watched two YouTube videos of the conversion. I've had a band for almost 10 years and they make me nervous. What if the band is embedded in my stomach?! Wah! I should not have watched them admittedly. I also have been reading around the forums. Sad to see the interaction is barely a fraction of what it was back when I was doing the band thang. That anxiety is why I am up at 2:30am posting here. Hopefully I am not messing up my preop tests by showing up on little sleep. I'll keep posting updates! Hopefully It just gets better and better......

$500 would have been a miracle LOL!! Finally talked to Anesthesia today, it will be $800. Did my pre-op testing... she said some abnormalities, could be from coffee (I drink Protein shake in my coffee in the morning), and it's nothing they'd not do surgery over. So, unless my blood work shows something crazy, I am still a go for tomorrow morning!

GARBGLDKFIHERJBJF Last week they said they are closing at noon today for the pre-op, for the holiday (that makes sense???). I said well when do you open? He said 5am, but don't come early because they'll be busy with people in the hospital. I said so like 10:30? He said yes. Then the preadmission lady calls over the weekend to get questions filled out; and said they close at noon on Monday. I said yep, I'll be there at 10:30. Couldn't sleep well last night, I've been up since 7am. I get the kids ready for our 45m haul to the hospital. We get there early (10:05am), and the lady says, pre-op closed at 10 today!!!! Are you...argh... what!!! I am so pissed right now. I asked if tomorrow is enough time to do pre-op for Wednesday -- she said yes, but her super smart office is the one that re-itterated that they closed at noon today, and I see how far that got me. If my surgery is post-pone due to their incompetence, so help me....

Beautiful Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Hope your daughter has an uneventful recovery! I am in Alabama and was curious who her new doctor is? It wouldn't be related but my original doctor disappeared in the middle of the night, rumor mill went nuts. I googled him and found a lawsuit was won against him in January 2016 - a rny patient of his called him with complications and he didn't tell them to go to the hospital, and they died. The lawsuit was for 3m. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was out n proud with my band. Didn't bother me. I've been telling everyone I'm swapping to sleeve too. I never felt the need to keep it a secret. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

If you're in ketosis, it supposedly can make your lady bits smell funny. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Good luck! Thanks for sharing, I am 3 days away and enjoy reading everyone's play by play. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Probably since you lay on your stomach, you're pushing into damaged tissue, bruised etc. and when you get up it's flaring up. Think if you had a bruise on your arm and you pushed into it for a minute then let go. It's pretty painful. I watched some YouTube videos on band to sleeve conversion (about to do it myself) and they are rough. A lot of cutting/burning of more than just that small area. The band creates scar tissue. Try sleeping on right side with a pillow prop or back and see if it still bothers you. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

It really does get easier after a couple of days. I am on it too right now. Things I forgot (I had to do this I 2007 when I was banded) is 1. Headaches!!! I don't know if it's the low cal or low sugar but I got headaches every night for a few days 2. Mood swings from being hangry! It dulls down more each day. 3. I hate the taste of fake sweeteners so instead of sf Jello or popsicles I would rather just drink broth till my eyes explode - but realized yesterday, my body made that swap where the fake sweetener stuff tastes like normal sugar. Wahoo broke the sugar itch. Hang in there and keep your eye on the prize. This is temporary. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

You can do it Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was just moving into size 12 when my Lapband broke for the last time (and never recovered) and I was actually pleased as a pickle. Getting sleeve January 4, I may aim for 10, but I think a 12 would make me happy if a 10 doesn't happen. I am 6'0. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I don't like sweet cottage cheese. We always made lasagna with cottage cheese, so I like to make it without noodles basically. Mix egg and cottage cheese with garlic powder, layer with a little ragu and bake. Reheats well. Another quick and favorite of mine is mix salt pepper cottage cheese and onion powder, chop up some radishes in it (I leave the radish greens in it too). Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Band to sleeve on January 4th! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Coming up on my 10 year bandiversary, and I am removing a slipped band and getting a sleeve on January 4. So, I can complete relate to your feelings. As a self pay, and having to have my lap band fixed 6 times already in the past. Replacing snapped band, fixing flipped/disconnected port after each pregnancy, moving port from belly to chest (ugh!!!) and back to belly. And now slipped. Years of not being able to eat a salad when I want a salad or vegetables and fruits - most of which I haven't been able to eat for years - I originally said I am done just get rid of the band and I will do weight watchers. Then I thought some more and reflected. I decided I need to give the sleeve a go. If it doesn't work for me, I am done with surgeries. When my band wasn't broken I was a star patient, lost weight effortlessly - really! But the stupid thing breaks every year one way or another. So I am done fixing it. One thing I have learned, I was sold that the band would be "for life". With as fickle and fragile as my band has been, there is no way I would have it for life. If the doc got in there and said he couldn't do the sleeve, I wouldn't be devastated. But, I also feel like I should give it another shot without having a contraption that can break so easily. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

Don't crush Prilosec!! It is an extended release medicine, if you crush it you get all the medicine at once. For something like Prilosec, it may not be fatal but who knows. Definitely ask your doc how to take it first. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I was banded in 2007; it worked lovely for me, I lost almost everything I wanted in 1 year -- then I got pregnant & it broke, gained it all back, had a baby, revised band -- lost it all again, got pregnant again & it broke again -- gained it all back again, had a baby, revised band. Worked again, but slower... broke again.. gained it back... this has continued on and on.. I have had a total of 2 replacements & 6 revisions. The last revision didn't take, I don't feel the same as I use to, and that revision was early 2015. This is between 2 surgeons. Back to my original 2007 pre-op weight, my band has been bothering me... Found out it is slipped & has to go. They had to move my port from belly, chest, belly... port has flipped 4 times... port disconnected once... tubing broke once... and now slipped. Keep in mind, since day 1 I am self-pay, so I could have bought a house by now with all I have paid. Doctor said we either revise the band again, remove it, or convert it. I refuse to revise the band again, I hate the booger at this point. It will be $9k to remove it -- $22k to revise it to a sleeve. I am too afraid of GP, even after all this time as a bariatric patient. In 2012 I wanted to convert to the sleeve, but the price difference was too much to justify everytime I had to go under the knife (if I only knew how many more surgeries I'd be paying for since then because of the band!!). This time, I decided -- remove it, and be done. When I can eat 'normal' again for the first time in years, I'll work on eating things like fruit, veggies & salads -- which I can't eat now. I thought a little more & talked with family, and we've all decided I should just take out a 2nd mortgage and bite the bullet, because I'm not healthy anymore and would very much like to be, and if I decided later on I want the sleeve, it's going to be another 20k+ the 9k I pay now. So, I have it all scheduled now. Surgery first week of January 2017 (for tax purposes, I asked to wait until the new year). I've been absent from the forum for years, feeling that I have nothing to contribute as a lap-band failure, and the great friendships I made through this forum, I talk to all the time. But I am back, now that I am going to be a 'newbie' in the sleeve world. I am very excited now that I've gotten over the initial shock of how much money I'm going to be shelling out..... again. Here's to my new success, and good riddance to the band!!!!

I originally went with my first surgeon that was hours away from home due to a cheaper price, and I found it terribly inconvenient for when I ended up having to go back & forth. While I'm not against going to Mexico, my generally supportive family is, so I don't consider that an option. Interesting that pregnancy made yours wonky too! Pregnancy flipped/disconnected etc. my band every time. I begrudgingly wear underwire now, I'll be glad to be back into all the old clothes I've held on to. Good luck with your continued success!

I posted the novella/questions in the pre-op area, but after looking I see many familiar faces, so just wanted to say hi! Fairyface from LBT. 5 years out, band broke for the 5th or 6th time in Feb, instead of yet another fix/new band I'm getting the sleeve. I now have insurance that covers it (I am 99% sure), and calling the nurse Monday to get an update. Hoping to get it done asap. No fear, no glory! Is that the saying?

I was approved for band removal, denied the revision due to BMI not being high enough. Trying to figure out how to appeal it. Not sure where to start but I can't believe that's the answer.

Well I am surprised to hear all these wait times. 3 months seems like eternity to me, but 5..7...12... I would be so discouraged. I am a squeaky wheel... I already called them 24 hours later when the insurance lady said the nurse would be calling me back.. I gave her all of Friday to call me, so I called her Monday morning. I then called back Monday to ask her to make sure to do the removal & sleeve approval at the same time, so I didn't get 3 months post band-removal and get denied. So, they said they would get that tweaked and doc was out of town all week and will be sending it on Monday. She said she'd call me to tell me when the form was sent, so I plan to call Monday afternoon just to check in! When I called Monday she was ready to schedule the removal, then realized I needed the pre-authorization.. As soon as that all goes OK I'm going to have both surgeries scheduled right away. I have started scaring myself, my insurance is BCBS of Minnesota and I saw someone mention how to look up the coverage.. when I looked at the generic bariatric coverage it did list 6m diet and all the hoops. I asked 3 people at his office, very specifically, if I needed to do any of that stuff, and no one said I did, that all insurance told them was that I needed the pre-authorization. Now I'm nervous that all the hoops are going to be required and some how the doc office isn't putting it all together correctly. I know they're very aware of BCBC of Alabama (where we are) who has all those hoops, they have notices posted all over their walls--I guess because people complain so much--that it's BCBS policy, NOT theirs. timetobefree, that's very inspirational! I wish I could get an ounce of that enthusiasm. I just feel like "I'm broken again, who cares.." As I have a smoothie for lunch :/

Gah a whole YEAR? I don't think I would have been able to do that. I know what a year of no help does...

Howdy howdy howdy. I have a few questions, and I fell from moderator at LBT to a newbie over here =) 5 years post-op of original Lap Band Surgery, when the band worked, it worked perfect for me, Lost and gained 120lbs a couple of times.. but my band broke every year that I had it. Self-Pay ALL THE WAY. I was busy having kids (and trying to pay medical bills, ahem), so I knew eventually I wanted to convert to the sleeve. Joined this forum, but the sleeve seemed like a distant reality due to $$$ and not really knowing where to go. Well right on track, my band has broken again as of February this year. My goal was always 180lb, I was down to 212 before pregnancies, and back to 219 after 2 pregnancies (as of Feb this year)... and today I am 262 with my broken junk of a band. In the past year my insurance changed to a policy that doesn't hate obese people. So on a whim, I found a new lap band doc to fill locally (I was having to drive quite a ways), and find out if in fact my band was broken or if I just needed a fill. Found out my new insurance covers the fills, which is good because we tried several till he realized it's leaking again. He mentioned me converting to sleeve, which is what I wanted, instead of fixing; but still didn't want to get my hopes up, not use to insurance covering anything. Yesterday the office called, and said my insurance has 'no limit on bariatric surgery' and all I need is 'preauthorization' from the doc. She said the nurse will talk with the doctor and call me back. This is all new information to me, does 'no limit' mean they would cover the removal & conversion? The lady got defensive thinking I was asking permission from her to get it done, and said I'd have to talk to the doc, the insurance told her (repeated what she said). I'm afraid I'm only hearing what I want to hear: No hoops to jump through, Doc just has to say OK; and insurance will cover both. Anyone have experience with being told this? I patiently waited for the nurse to call me back yesterday, she didn't, so on Monday I'm going to start being a squeaky wheel. I hope everyone moves fast so they can get $$$ in their pocket, and I can get back to losing before I gain all this back. Next question--I am about to go peruse the forums again, I remember there's several LBT'ers that have moved over, and last I checked (though it was when the forum was new) everyone was happy; how is the recovery from a conversion? How long should I expect to be out of work realistically? (Note: I went back to work 1 week post c-sections, twice, on my own decision) I'm a pretty tough cookie. Everyone who converted from lap band happy/still happy with the decision and if so, how far out? I hate to say I absolutely loved my band..... if it didn't keep breaking. I was a great success story, when it wasn't broken I was losing 3-5lb a week on average without trying. Took a lot for me to open this forum, I had to wait until I felt it would really happen... now I feel like it really will...

Well if everything is approved, nothing I read or hear will talk me out of it... I'm just trying to prepare myself! So I don't mind the bad with the good. I did just look at a 30pg long of a girl who regretted doing it. Sounds like it can be hard to get liquid in, so I'm already putting it in my head that I need to make sure to be drinking a lot!