Poorehouse

I have UHC and the policies are all different however; If you are doing a revision then that is not the same as a new never had weight loss surgery. You have already met your 6 month criteria when you had the band put in. The person sending the info to insurance will and should be sending ALL your medical records including your 6 month requirements. Also MY doctor had me RE-fill out the questionary of everything I tried to so to lose weight and you can put your own dates on there. So don't worry about the 6 month requirement because technically you did that already Second they are going to code your revision as a Medical Device (band) Malfunction. Along with all the other diagnosis you have. The fact that they will use malfunction or device failure that alone will usually get you approved! It took me 10 DAYS to get my approval from UHC so if you want band to sleeve REVISION then go or it... All they could say is no but UHC is a very good insurance and I'm betting you will get approved. I work in the medical field and I see this all the time. Good Luck! My surgery is 10.24.13

So there IS dumping syndrome with the sleeve???

I am not sleeved yet and I am going to ask what I am sure is a stupid question but I don't mean it to be ... If you are exceeding your goal weight and can't stop losing could you (and yes I know it is wrong and bad for you) but could you take an unflavored Protein powder and put it in a real ice cream shake or start using whole milk? And maybe you already are ... I guess I am wondering does it hurt to eat now or are you uncomfortable because you are full easily and as wrong as it is... Would it benefit you to eat a little junk food IF you are trying to get your weight back. Again I really for know I'm just looking for these answers now since I am scheduled for oct 24th Thank for your help OOO if you guys don't mind me asking have you notice weather or not you skin particularly in your face and neck was it forgiving with all your successful weight loss? Some people snap back and look great and I noticed some people look a little more aged Best of luck and God bless you guys

Has anyone lost weight and had problems with the extra skin and your facing aging faster. That may sound stupid but I had a friend that lost 65-75 pounds and she looks 10 years older now more wrinkles - he body looks great but her face took a hit... (Not to sound mean). So what can I do before and after surgery to help with my skin to hopefully make it more "forgiving" Thanks for you help guys!

I know this may be stupid question but this sight has helped me so much! I am supposed to have band to sleeve revision oct 24th and in have to start a 2 week preop liquid diet, however the list of approved items included fruit, apple sauce, salad with fat free dressing only and hot cerel. NO meat at all. My question is after this diet I will still have to drink Protein drinks or put protein in drinks/food ad Kroger actually squeezes fresh OJ every morning and they do not put a thing in it. It is 100% just oranges squeezed - the NATURAL sugar content says 25grams but it is NOT added sugar or sweetener it is just naturally that sweet. To ME since they out absolutely nothing in it and it is straight orange I am considering that a fruit that I just don't have to peel! Am I crazy or do you guys think it would be ok to at least drink one 8 ounce glass with added protein in it a day? I figure the Vitamins in fruit couldn't hurt either. I hate fruit and healthy food but I do love that fresh squeeze OJ Opinions ...

Has anyone had band to sleeve revision done in Texas. I wanted to get opinions on some doctors. Dr. Provost or Dr. Cribbins Those are the two I am considering but open to others - can get personal opinions from people that have had this done in the Plano, Dallas or Denton area. Thank you

Well, I am officially approved for band to sleeve revision on Oct. 24th. My doc wants to do it in ONE surgery. My band has been drained for 2 years so he feels one surgery would be fine. I pray that is the right decision. I am having a bitter sweet moment... I am excited for the new journey and praying it is the best decision for myself and that I am successful especially since I was NOT on the band. But the biggest struggle to me is having a 15 month old son that needs me. The thought of not picking him up for 6 weeks seems like eternity and I am sure will be so hard on both of us. I can't really afford to put it off because insurance approved it and I my deductibles are met for this year. So I really hope and pray this decision works out for both of us I think having an active mom in the future will pay off. So I'm joining the Oct new band to sleeve revisions

Thank you!!!

Well I got approved so I will pray it's the right decision with my baby only being 15 months old... Bitter sweet time for me

Ok I am a terrible eater which is why I have a band that I hate and now I am looking at the sleeve... I HATE the taste of all diet drinks... Yes I tried them and I realllly hate the taste. I'm praying there is a Protein shake that is really good. Like chocolate milk good hahahaha. Or is there a good flavorless protein that I could mix into a carnation instant Breakfast. And I know I have to stay away from sugar but I really need help finding a Protein Shake that is so good my brain doesn't realize it's good for you LOL Since I won't be spending money on fast food I can afford to pay a little more for good flavor ... I am NOT a coffee drinker. I like the basics chocolate vanilla strawberry and Carmel flavor if there is one. Thank you guys for all of you wonder help!!'

Can y'all give me the run down I the kinds of Vitamins that you will have to take after the sleeve. What kind? How often and do you only have to take it for a little while or forever? And I take Motrin/Advil for my joint pain... It works great... Will I still be able to take Advil after the sleeve? Thanks

I am new to and supposed to have this surgery 10-24-13. I would love to have all those answers too. I did a post asking what the best flavor protein drink there is for flavor the one that several people liked was called Premier and you can get samples. Unjury was another and I have tried it and it was shockingly good to me and I HATE healthy anything (I could have write your post lol). They also have a Chicken Soup flavor that several people liked. I called Unjury and ordered a sample pack of all 5 flavored they have. I do know you will be on a liquid diet before and after for almost 6-8 WEEKS which I'm told is the hardest part... But once that is over it seems to he worth it. Also there are water based protein drinks if you don't want them think. My friend did sleeve lust 75 in a year and is maintaining. She said if you go to a GNC health food vitamin store tell them you are looking for protein drinks they are they only store that will let you return it if you don't like the flavor!!! And that is great because they are not cheap so that should really help you out trying to find what works for you. I hope that helps good luck to you!!!

It's crazy how many onus have the same story! I too am a failed TWO time lap banded and I am getting a revision pending insurance approval in Oct 25th As far as insurance if you have a common insurance like United healthcare you should still get covered even if it takes longer because you still meet the same criteria as you did when you got the band... Your BMI is likely 35 - 40+ and they actually have a diagnose code for "undesirable" weight loss results and the band is diagnosed as mechanical defect because it did not produce the intended results making it a failed procedure. So even with no other symptoms your chances are good for approval because you are doing a revision. Plus you also mentioned other problems you are having due to the weight like leg pain... All of that is part of your medical records they will send. If you think about it... In the log run its cheaper for insurance to pay for one sleeve surgery and get it over with verses paying for fills several times a year for the rest of your life on top of paying for additional surgeries caused by the band to repair the damage done. It would be nice if the took the band off the market seeing how clearly the long term uses is so dangerous. I'm waiting for someone to file a class action law suite over the band because you know that is coming after seeing the identical same stories pop up everyday... You figure this website/app alone has patients from all over the United States so this is not the case of a doctor not knowing what he is doing this is happens to everyone in every state cause by the band makers! I hope this eases your mind until you get approved Good luck to ya

See this is why I ask you guys! Thank you! I imagine the preop diet is different than post op diet. Thank you for the try it in juice first ... Didn't think about that

Went to see DrProvost today (I have second with Dr Cribbins Wed)... I told dr provost I wanted to revise band to sleeve. He said he will do band to gastric bypass. He said the sleeve is not good for banders. Had I never had a band he would do a sleeve but because I do have a band he recommends the bypass. Which I am scared to death of. He said people with bands that have sleeves I told him I didn't like the thought of bypass because of re routing everything and dumping syndrome. He said dumping happen when you eat sugar or high fat foods. If you eat that you will feel very sick, and faint like you want to pass out. All the things I worried about. He said well I should not be eating that anyway so I should do bypass. I fully understand that I must change my eating habits and that sugar and high fats are off limits... However the thought of NEVER having sweets really bothers me. I think if every ONCE IN A WHILE I want to share a piece of birthday cake with my son I would like to be able to have that option once I react my goal weight. Hopefully I'm not wrong feeling that way. My question is has anyone else been advised to so gastric bypass vs sleeve and what did you decided an how did it turn out? Also, has anyone had leaks since sleeve revision. Advice needed and appreciated

I did and wants to do band to sleeve revision in one surgery oct 25th 2 week all liquid diet PRE-op and then 4-6 weeks liquid to mush after! Good luck to you !!! Tell me how it goes!!!

I am getting my second opinion Wed. Researching the band to sleeve revision. The surgeon that did my band only wants to do a gastric bypass... I made my mind up I will NOT do that. Does anyone have any regrets making to revision from the band to sleeve? Or is there any prep that you wish you would have done before having surgery. This app has been such a great help to me I appreciate everyone's opinion -

May be stupid questions but I forgot to ask my doc... He has me scheduled or band to sleeve revision oct 25... But I have to do two weeks liquid diet before surgery and 5-6 weeks after (God help me LOL) Is smoothie King ok? I usually get strawberry kiwi by itself but I'm told they can add Protein to their drinks .... Would this be ok to drink?

I have heard someone else mention the Gladiator is it nasty and something you just have to choke down or is it good? I am such a picky eater my husband while supportive of getting the sleeve thinks I won't survive the Oreos liquid diet hahahahaha A few have mentioned not being able to tolerate real food... How often does that happen. And thank you to the person that posted the smooth king info... Great tool (even though it crushes my dream of living off the king... Hahahaha) Has anyone tried the smoothie king chocolate?

UPDATE: second opinion... Band to sleeve revision Oct 25th. He feels he can do it in one surgery. I told him if he needs two that was fine with me but he said my band is high up and looks great thought it was safe enough to do one revision. Now the challenge ... Two full weeks all liquid diet! 6 weeks post op... Liquid to mush .... I won't be chewing food for two months LOL I will be posting this a new topic ... Suggestions on what to drink for 2 months lol

Has anyone used Dr. Cribbins for revision and would you share your experience good and bad.

I am researching band to sleeve and I want to make sure I am informed of everything. Had anyone had a band to sleeve revision that resulted in a leak? If so when was leak found? What caused it and how did you fix it? And would you still have the sleeve if you had to do it again?

Sorry I was confused by your reply... At first I thought you only regretted waiting to have the sleeve but you ended your post like you wish you could trade back and have NOT done the sleeve... Is that correct? The reflux is so bad if you had to do it over again you would not get sleeve? I appreciate your honestly and everyone's for that matter... The more you know what to expect to more you can mentally prepare thanks again!!!

Ok don't LOL but any chance sleevers can drink Carnation Instant breakfast Drinks? And NOT the sugar free ones ... Can you drink the regular ones instead if protein drinks?