mrlddst

My insurance paid for it but I don't know if it would have been the same story if they drop bariatrics from coverage.

Had mine removed in Nov'09 by force. It damaged my stomach. Currently looking into the VSG.

I went in to have my band replaced on Monday and instead they ended up just taking the old one out. The doctors said they ran into complications that meant life or death so they chose not to continue. They want to try again a few months from now or send me to a specialist. I don't know what to do now? The pain following the procedure was so unbearable that I don't know if I can go through with it again. How did you cope?

Ok..so I had my band removed in November. I thought it was all out....well, I get an xray done last week only to find out that they left my port in place. Hmmm, at first I was a little PO'd but I remembered that I was supposed to be a replacement surgery but do to the scar tissue damage, they couldn't do anything. I WANT IT OUT!! My doc and I are supposed to be discussing other options, maybe this was his way of ensuring that I would come back....IDK

I had mine removed in November. I know its too late to be your buddy but I'm here if you need anything!

I understand how you feel. I had my band removed in November and have gained about 25+ lbs since. I am currently looking into being rebanded or being sleeved. I was mortified last night when I went to try on my summer clothes for an upcoming vacation and couldn't get most of them up my legs, I must have been in denial. I cried myself to sleep.....

Honestly its the only "diet" book that I have remotely made it halfway through. I liked it because it didn't really push a DIET on you, it just tries to make you think about your behavior and why you do the things you do. I suggest you get the workbook to write it, that way you can write down your thoughts as you go.

I think it worked for me, it was just a torture device at times :wink:. I don't miss taking acid reducers everyday. But I can say now since I don't have a band or anything anymore that I miss restriction of any type. My doc wants me to get a sleeve but for the meantime, I'm calorie counting and working out and have still managed to gain weight. My removal was covered by my insurance as a revision (I was supposed to be rebanded, but it didn't work out).

I'm still waiting!! Went to the doc last week and he isn't feeling very confident in getting the band in...he wants to wait 3 more months just for another appointment. He is leaning towards the sleeve though...I'm not really keen on cutting organs.

I think I'm going to have mine put back in as well. I go back to my surgeon on Friday to tell him my decision. I looked at the VSG but getting 2/3 of your stomach cut off for a surgery that has not been studied long term is a little much for me. I have always been against cutting my stomach open....

I'm in the same boat as you. I was scheduled to have my band replaced and instead they took it and didn't replace it. I was down about it for a while. I have been given the choice to try the band again, VSG, bypass, or nothing at all. I have to make a choice next week. I had the band out in November and he told me to give myself a few months to heal. I will let you know what my doc says next week on when I can be rebanded.

Can you go to Mexico and have it removed? I know several people have recommended Dr. Aceeves(I think thats how you spell it) I think he will even remove your band and do the sleeve for 5k(USD).

Can you get a lap-band placed with the bypass? I'm sure its possible, my friend who had the GB was looking into getting it placed on her stomach as she is gaining weight from a GB she had back in 2001.

I had mine in '06 as well. I was supposed to have my old band out and new band put in in Nov'09 but they could only get it out and couldn't get another one in. It was supposed to take an hour but my surgery took a little under 2 hrs only because once they got the old one out, a couple surgeons tried in vain to put another one in for the next hr. Everyone has different pain levels but I definitely work up in much more pain than the 1st time. I was walking and talking withing a few hours of my originally surgery, this time around if felt awful and I keep passing out and distinctly remember wanting to punch the nurse in the eye because she was talking on the phone and had not given me my pain pump yet. I'm hoping that if I go back to be re-banded that the pain will not be as bad.

And I think thats my issue. I didn't hear any problems with the band in the beginning, then gradually complaints started to arise. I don't want to jump on the VSG band wagon and then kick myself three years down the line, like I am right now.

I thought about doing this. My doctor offered it as a option now that I'm not banded anymore but my insurance doesn't cover it yet. I'm a little apprehensive about having my stomach cut. Do you fear that the passageway that they cut will gradually expand? This is one of my fears if I go through with it.

I had mine removed unexpectedly last month. I have been maintaining my weight, granted, its not what I want it to be but I don't want to gain anymore. I think I'm going to get rebanded though.

I'm back on the program...starting from day 1. It was really a struggle at the half way mark but I finished it. Quick question, when your on the treadmill, what do you consider a running pace and a walking pace? Right now, my walk is 3.5 and my run is 4.5, but my run has always been others peopled walk :scared2:

I wanted to know if anyone had any luck with insurance approvals on revisions, specifically those that do not include removal of the band. I'm asking because I have AETNA POS and they approved my revision but when I went in for surgery all the surgeon could do was remove it. They plan on trying to do the revision later. Will I have to apply again? Do the diet all over again? I'm confused, especially since it was too difficult to do both at the same time.

Let me know how it goes. I looked at my insurance coverage for wls and it says that a revision is always covered, so I didn't have any problems with that part. I'm worried about having to get approval to get the original surgery again though.

Speaking as a person who recently had her band removed 3 weeks ago, I am thankful for the weight that the band helped me lose while I had it after having it for 3+ years. My band was supposed to be replaced but the scar tissue that was caused by getting the band the 1st time was so awful (what my surgeons told me) that they could not replace it. I don't think its a lifelong solution, it wouldn't surprise me if you have to get that thing replaced every 8 - 12 years. Having said that, I do miss it (like a abusive relationship), I have been given 6 weeks to consider what my next move is going to be with me doctor. (VSG, RNY, or another band). Would I do it again, yes. The band....I don't know....I would like to look into the VSG but I don't want to have any organs cut....

Why would you re-schedule? He isn't going to perform any service for you tomorrow right? If its just a consult, then meet with him, if something comes up with your GI and you need to cancel anything planned further out than thats okay. Don't cancel unless you fear you will make someone else sick or your surgeon is really easy to get a consult with.

Yumm, cream of wheat :wink2: I was just looking at my book (yes my doc gives you a 200 pg binder on the dos and don'ts of surgery. I will be doing an overnight stay again) He does required a liquid diet pre-op though.

Get back on that wagon!! Its like getting second chance at it..most people never get that chance!

I am getting a revision next Monday. I had what I believed to be an Allergan band placed in 2006. Well I have had a slip and the doc wants to replace it (the port is fine). He was going to just change it out for a Realize band but at my pre-op appt he asked me what I wanted. 1. Replace the allergan band and reattach the old port. or 2. Put in a Realize band and new port. Originally I thought I should just go with the 1st option, seems less painful(less stitches) and I'm not a doctor but a lower risk of infection maybe?? Now I am having second thoughts....I have read up on both bands and don't really see a difference..should I just stand by my decision or call and have it changed?