Jendkopp

December 18th, and I cannot wait! I had my Lap Band removed on Aug 28th and waiting to heal before sleeve surgery (and hoping I don't gain too much weight while waiting!)

I had my lap band removed, and there was a complication that required me to get a drain put in. I’m supposed to go back to work on Monday, but not sure if I’ll get my drain out by then. Did any of you go back to work while your drain was still in? I don’t want to, but I didn’t know if I was being unreasonable

1- I got the Band in 2012 before the sleeve was an insurance approved option. 2- no hair loss 3-I can't really eat rice or pasta 4- the lap Band really helped me to greatly reduce by love affair with carbs; however, my Band slipped after 1.5 years, which required repositioning surgery. After 3 years, it just stopped working and over the next 2.5 years I've gained back 30 of the 90 pounds I've lost. I'm now waiting for insurance approval for Band removal and conversion to sleeve. 5- best tool is tracking my foods

Just wondering how long, in your experience, it took Aetna to decide whether to approve a band removal and conversion to a sleeve after the doctor submitted the request for authorization. I just found out that my insurance will be changing on Jan 1st and my doctor does the removal and conversion to sleeve in two separate surgeries.

i have not, but if i was self pay, i totally would. i spent a lot of time talking with BLIS to have them explain their coverages

Anyone get converted from band to sleeve in one surgery in FL and love their surgeon? Looking for recommendations.

@Nicki33319: what was your experience with Bariatrix Florida - would you recommend them?

i was in no way implying there would be bad food choices. the problem with the band is that it is sometimes difficult to eat the "good" foods b/c the bands may not allow you to eat them - certain good for you foods just get stuck and you have to eliminate them. others want restriction, but if you can feel tightness, you have too much. i think the band is highly misunderstood, which leads to so many complications. i am a highly compliant patient and still have had some major complications. i hope it works for you. i just believe in putting both the good and bad out there so you can make an informed decision

***slipped with repositioning surgery July of 2014

I got banded in 2012 and lost 90 pounds and then had a slip that required re-positioning surgery. For some people with bands, you never find the "green zone" of no hunger, and I was one of those people. My surgeon is now recommending removal b/c once my band slipped, I never lost weight again and I can't get fills b/c they just cause me to throw up. The other thing is that you have to have a really good doctor educate you on how the band works. If you have any pain while eating, you are too tight, which will lead to a slip. I don't think that bands are necessarily bad, I just think a lot of doctors don't seem to properly caution patients on the proper way to use that tool.

danigurl: did Lindstrom end up getting you approved?

I am wondering if any of you have used Lindstrom to appeal a WLS insurance coverage denial? If so, what was the outcome? Thanks!

it depends on what insurance you have. i have aetna, and it only requires 1 co-morbidity with a 35 BMI

@BGrundee: so you got approved with a BMI under 40 and mild sleep apnea? did your dr have to do a peer to peer to get that approved?

I had lap band revision (reposition of the band) with hernia repair, and the recovery was a little tougher than the original lap band surgery because of the scar tissue on my stomach. Basically weaker than last time, but felt better both times by day 8. good luck!

Have you considered Dr. Tiffany Jessee at Suncoast Bariatrics (Tampa Area)? She is a wonderful doctor and her office staff is amazing! You can see her post-op with any questions, not just her nurse.

Pro golfer John Daly also donated some autographed items!

The Florida Chapter of the Weight Loss Surgery Foundation of America is having its first fundraising event - a dinner cruise aboard the Yacht Starship leaving out of Channelside in Tampa. The event starts at 5pm on Sunday, February 8th and ends at 8pm. We will have the entire second deck of the yacht, there will be a buffet dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. Everyone will get a free goodie bag. Some of the donations include: 4-pack of Disney tickets, 2 entries to the 5k Zobie Run, 2 Entries to the 5k Color Run, 2 tickets to the Florida Aquarium, Perky Jerky, PB2, Fiber Gourmet, Kay's Naturals, Big Train, portion8, Tanka bars, Health Warrior chia bars, and Pampered Chef products, Publix, Outback, Fitlife Foods, Soul Rooster, PRP Wines, and $500 Dr. Mentis gift certificates, 2 MOSI-IMAX tickets, 6 tickets to Airheads trampoline arena Tickets must be purchased in advance by going here: www.wlsfa.org/florida For more info, watch this YT video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ooNrYxJHAkM Click here to see the invitation: cruise invite- pdf.pdf Hope to see you there!

only 3 tickets left!

Only 6 tickets left...

Also, we are giving you a free bag of Bariatric Advantage Calcium chewey bites with every ticket purchased (a $32 value). Don't miss out on this fun event!

I think that the band slip rate is much higher than the doctors tell you. I have connected with many bandsters via YouTube and FaceBook, and way too many of us have had lap band slips and needed revision surgery. I had a slip that required revision surgery, and I am pretty good at following the rules. However, I kept my band after the slip (and simply had it repositioned) because I love my lap band. The one thing that has helped tremendously is having a doctor that does fills under fluroscopy - that way you have a better chance of not being too tight (band filled too much), which can lead to a slip. My doctor got a fluro machine after my first slip, and I no longer get fills without fluro. Good luck!

Weight loss surgery was one of my best decisions. However, it is important to make sure that you choose the best surgery for your specific situation. I chose the band because I knew that the band would make it difficult to eat bread, Pasta, and rice (my weaknesses). However, I am two years out and my band still requires almost monthly maintenance via doctor visits for fills. I had a slip after 15 months, and it later required revision surgery to reposition the band. Despite the maintenace and slip, I still love my lap band and chose to keep it. I have lost over 80 pounds (93 pounds down at my lowest), and I know that the lap band was the right decision for me. However, I know lots of people who have had their band slip, and they have chosen to revise to the sleeve. It seems like sleeved people lose weight quickly, but I am personally fearful of having staples inside me. Good luck with your decision.

It took me 8 days to get back to feeling up and ready to go back to work (desk job)

My dr suspected my friend had an erosion and did an endoscopy to find out (she did not have an erosion)