PrettyPuffy

I was just approved to have my lapband removed on 10/30/13, but I am freaking out a bit. I have had an unfilled band for 3 years now and weigh about 10 lbs less than I did when I got banded. My weight keeps rising, and would be higher, but I work out religiously. My BMI is about 35. I am terrified of gaining weight after the band is removed. My surgeon has a policy of waiting 3 months before scheduling a sleeve, so that's three months of potentional gain. Also, I don't yet have approval for the sleeve, so working hard to lose weight during the 3 month period will make approval even more unlikely, especially if my BMI drops a little bit. I know myself and while it would be wonderful to get my BMI down after removal, it wouldn't last and I would be exactly where I started before I got banded. I am 53 years old and losing weight gets harder and harder each year. I guess my question is, do people who have gone thru the removal gained much between surgeries? Was the lapband removal surgury difficult to recover from? Days? Weeks? Terrified of going backwards. Thanks.

Je JewelJ You are exactly right. That is what I need to ask them to do. I know that by having prior approval for both procedures I will feel so much more relaxed about the time between and less likely to freak out and go on an eating binge.

Anyone able to decipher the reponse that I received from my doctor's office? My question to them concerned band removal (which has been approved) and then approval for a separate surgery for sleeving. I will, of course call them, but I am traveling but in the meantime, I thought I would put a question on here. Thanks for any help! "I did already check with your insurance, you do have the writer. Come in and talk with us.

Thanks Gamegirl! I thought maybe it was a typo. So "rider" means covered. yay! i am sure that there are a litany of things I have to do after my band comes out in order to qualify. i very much appreciate the response, This can be a angst ridden process trying to figure out what is covered and what isn't.

I know I am having the same angst that so many people have expressed here, but it always helps me to hear others stories and know I am not alone. Has anyone been immediately approved for Band removal but denied for sleeve? My surgeon does this in two separate surgeries, so just because BCBS approved the removal doesn't mean they'll approve my sleeve. My BMI right now is approx 35 and I can't imagine that an insurance company would want me to gain weight in order to qualify. Love to hear other experiences. Cheers!

Jeanie-How are you doing? How was the surgery? I hope all is well and recovery has been smooth!

So worried about what to do...Should I have band removed and stay at my current weight (which seems to be w/in 15 lbs of the weight I was pre-Band) or recognize that I am a serial dieter and lived in weight distress for 20 years, and hope to get approval to be sleeved. It's a fascinating dilemma...well the better word is probably " distressing". Does the risk and fear of getting sleeved outweigh the benefit and freedom of living less obsessed with my weight??

Thank you for your note...seriously. I just need to hear from those who ave been there. Guess I am just feeling discouraged, disappointed in myself and hopeful and hopeful I can change my life.

Congrats! So glad you posted because it is great to hear from people who know they made the right decision from band to sleeve.

Wow! You and I have nearly identical stats. Thank you so much for your reply. Please let me know how everything goes for you. I have BCBS and will call them to see if they say the same as your insurance with reference to approving should I have any lowering of my BMI as well as what date they use for my weight. Best of luck.

Purple-your BMI went up to 41 since the band was removed in May? If so, how did you get it back to 36 in 3 months time? Thanks for your response. I have BCBS and wonder if I will need to puff my BMI up before they will approve my sleeve.

I am sort of a similar situation and I definitely understand. My choice right now is to get refilled and just deal with the side effects of vomiting, etc. or remove the band and hope that my insurance will cover me for the sleeve three months after. It's so stressful, I completely appreciate that. The thought of gaining weight rapidly once the band is removed is so depressing. I wish you all the best and deep down know that for me, I need to get this band out..

Hynita--how long had you been banded for? Was the sleeve recovery easy as well?

It's been an exercise in frustration, vomiting, regurgitating and doctor's visits. I have had it prolapse and then replaced. Initially lost 60 lbs, but after the prolapse, weight keeping coming back, even w/the vomiting. In an effort to protect my stomach and esophagus my dr decided to unfilled me, which then led to additional weight gain.. Bottom line, band has not been successful for me nor have I been successful with it. Regardless, I need to have it removed. Why keep this foreign object in me if it is doing me no good?