betrthnever

Pink, I understand. Was told 2 bites of Protein, then a bite of veg. But what if you can't even eat the protein? And I'm not saying because the band is too tight...the only foods I was able to eat when I had any restriction at all the wrong foods, or I drank all of my calories. Protein was impossible. Vegetables were only a dream (one of the first things I did when the Dr. took out all of my Fluid was indulged in a salad with chicken breast!! two things I couldn't eat). I even believe my sinuses are being effected by the acid. I see my Dr. soon, too. Btw I call it "involuntary bulimia".

Is this more common with WLS patients who have had plastic surgery? I have a friend who suffers from this and she had brachioplasty, a tummy tuck (or lift?) and surgery on her upper thighs (which resulted in blood clots).

Yes, I have to have a yearly swallow before I can see the Dr. I don't think it was always like that (I am 7.5 years out myself). And I have to have it done at an imaging center off site. Its only 1x a year so not a big deal. I think it's a good idea, to check on the health of the band. We are kind of old timers with the Band.

A peer to peer is when your surgeon calls the medical director of the insurance company directly and speaks with them to make the appeal. Thank you, Losing. I see my Dr. on 8/18. I want my Dr. to fight for me!

What is a "peer-to-peer appeal"? So awesome, losing! Great to hear. I will continue the fight for hope for a revision!

If I could do it over again I would not have told anyone but my family. When I lost weight, people said it was because I had a "crutch" like surgery. When I gained weight, I got the look of shame. I would file this with "ain't no body's business but my own". Its a personal preference but I wouldn't tell.

Hi Stacey! I'm curious how you are doing...its been a couple of months since your last post. ?

Hi Everyone, I would really like to see this thread get up and running again. To all of you original, earlier posters out there - where are you?? I think I have just "ignored" the fact that I'm banded. I have stopped working it, stopped thinking about it (except when I can't eat, which is rare anymore as I'm not filled), stopped seeing it as a tool for weight loss, and have even stopped mentioning it unless medically necessary. I don't even consider myself as a real WLS patient anymore. However, I am just fooling myself. I have joined and quit weight watchers 3 times since I've been banded (February, 2008) and have not lost a pound, been on numerous reduced calorie diets and have not lost any weight, seen a dietitian for years and even currently have a trainer and my weight has even been slightly increasing. Been told my metabolism is shot. I'm trying (again) for a revision with my insurance company. I was denied last October. I remember what happened when I was approved for the band back then - my confidence, motivation and self esteem returned. My drive grew and I found it easier to make better decisions about what I ate. It was a new day! Calling fellow banders for support and camaraderie! Where are you?

It is just a pipe dream at this point, anyway, because the insurance company specifically said that I had to be at a 40 BMI for 5 years. I've been reading that the mini gastric bypass is not as expensive in Mexico. That might be the (only) option if I want a revision.

Hi Everyone, I have the band and am trying for a revision to RNY. My BMI is currently 37.5. I was denied last year as the Insurance company told me that I had to be at a 40 BMI for 5 years (the same rules as before I was banded). This seems a bit absurd that I would have to do the same song and dance for a revision. My only real complications have been GERD and lack of weight loss (I am fortunate). My question is - has anyone gained weight or somehow artificially inflated their weight consistently for approval for a short period of time to realize the goal to a revision? I don't want to gain 15 pounds and have keep it on for 4 more years to have the surgery! I feel like it is almost a bullying technique by the insurance company, esp. as it has been shown that the band is ineffective. I also realize that I sound kind of whinny (lol) and in the end I need to blame myself for my weight gain. I also realize that this is kind of an ethical question...but there has to be someone out there who has at least been in my boat? I think I might be beaten up a bit by asking this question...

I'm going through something similar with a once good friend of mine (doesn't have anything to do with weight loss) who accused me of keeping her away from her other friends, keeping her from making other friends, etc. Crazy accusations. The trouble started when I met a man (who is now my fiance). Since my divorce I hadn't dated but she had had several relationships since her divorce (we were actually divorced within a month of each other!) and I had to listen to her go on and on about these guys. And once I found a man she bails on me. I mean the day I was telling her about him, and about how serious we were becoming, she cut ties with me! Good by and good riddance! Life is too short!!!!

Wow I honestly didn't realize that this was so common! Thank you for sharing all of your stories!

Agreed!

Was just curious as to what others have gone through with this. Not overly worried any which way...thanks for the levity

My appointment is in 2 weeks. I'm ready for a fight with the insurance company. Thanks everyone!

I have heard of people actually gaining weight to make it work. I don't want to go that route!!

Thank you - I feel like this is bordering on an ethical question but one I needed to ask.

I can tell you that my Dr. no longer does lapbands unless the insurance company insists. That speaks louder then perhaps the statistics themselves.

I should also add that now that I'm seeking a revision I'm going through a Renaissance period once again. Last year I started journey #2 down the path of switching from a band to the RNY which ended in my first rejection. I'm going for round two. Yahoo! I'm up for an adventure!

Long story short - lap band in 2008, lost 80 pounds gained 60 back. Was denied by BCBS for a revision to Gastric Bypass back in November of last year with a BMI of a little over 35. BMI is now at 37. I did not contest the denial as I was just having an unrelated surgery and was also told that I had to have a BMI of 40 for 5 years before I would even be eligible again. I will call my Dr. to go in again for another consultation to see if they will resubmit to my insurance company. My question is, has anyone been denied by their insurance company for a revision but then was successful a second (or third) time around with insurance at a BMI of 37-38 with no other morbidity issues? I am not even sure if my lap band Dr. will even service my band anymore as it was deemed a "failure" and the insurance won't pay to have it removed (and I'm not having any complications from it so i'm OK with it staying in). Thank you

losing_the_band thank you very much for sharing your story. I believe I gave up easily because I was literally going into another surgery (prolapsed bladder) and just wanted to put my energy into healing. But now, 9 months out and recovered from my surgery, I'm ready for a fight! My surgeon is well experienced with revisions and I was told last year that mid-year they did more band revisions then actual bands. I believe in their skill but will they fight for me? I'm not sure. I've suffered from GERD when my band was tight, and I was told that I was STILL suffering from it even tho I had no clue that I was. My band was like everyone's band - a foreign object wrapped around my stomach. I believe that there are some for who this works well (and for a couple of years I worked my band well and was considered a "success", too). Question for you tho - what was your BMI at the time you appealed?

My ex wouldn't have sex with me too at my biggest, but then he wasn't crazy about sex with me in the first place!

In the end I'm not worried. I need to do what I need to do for myself, this is true. And he says he would love me no matter what! I'm not really worried, I'm just wondering if anyone had experiences. Lust/sexiness/looks - these things change over time. Love is the constant. Thanks ladies!!

Dehydration is common with any WLS, but probably more so with the band as it is harder to drink when too tight. That's when it gets scary - not eating is one thing, but not being able to drink is very real. I almost ended up in the emergency room for dehydration - I live in Phoenix and it is already a struggle to keep up with liquid intake. Puking up Water is a sure fire way to have the body shut down. I'm unfilled and can drink water again.

Thank you for sharing your journey. If I could do it over again i would have gone with the RNY too. I warned my mom against the band but she went with it anyway a year after I did and ended up having to get it removed 3 years later. Even my weight loss provider has admitted that the band doesn't work in the long run and they don't do many of them at all anymore. At least I'm still 20 pounds from where i was at my highest weight (2 years to lose 80 pounds and 1 year to regain 60) and I still have my band (fortunately I never had as many damaging issues with my band and I'd rather have it then be without it). Was denied for a revision back in October of last year and am going to start trying again. I suppose nothing is perfect, in the end. I just think that for me the RNY would have given me a better shot at success.