In Feb 2009 I had my band placed. Long story short, I had lost 58 lbs, but I ended up not being able to follow up with doctor due to changes in my insurance plan (divorce happens) with no bariatric coverage and I could not afford to just pay it all out of pocket. I had some complications prior to that and had all the fluid taken out of the band. Since 2011 I had gained around 30 lbs back, but got myself in gear and lost 10 lbs pretty quickly. August 2012 I had a stomach x-ray which showed my band tilted. The doctor thought if I continued to lose weight the band would untilt itself and be fine. Now about 2 weeks ago I started having severe burning in stomach and a lot of pressure in the band area. I had another stomach x-ray which showed a rather large difference.....my band had slipped and it looked like a mushroom on top of the band! I had an EGD which confirmed that but NO erosion.....thank goodness!! So now it looks as though I have no insurance to cover a band removal, but it MUST come out due to the severity of the band slippage. I am wondering how in the world the band is just now slipping??? In my own mind I think if I could have had PROPER follow up with my surgeon that this wouldn't have happened. I am angry because I cannot afford to just pay out of pocket AND having this surgery to remove the band could break me financially. The doctor is going to try to find a loophole and get it covered.....possibly pre-existing condition exclusion, but not sure. I am stressed, scared, and just plain ole hurting physically over this. I would LOVE to be able to continue my journey the right way......I want to continue losing weight and am now wondering what to do to prevent a gain! Honestly if I lose another 20 lbs I will be completely happy with myself even though it's not exactly where I wanted to be originally, but I was feeling and looking great! Any input and help with these issues would be greatly appreciated!!!
