naenae85

Pretend you are already paying for the higher and save that$200 starting now. Then you will have a head start towards the bills.

I had the band in Feb 2011. Had to move the port in September 2011 and everything was good for about six months. Then went in for an unfill at which point the doctor retried for 45 mins to get the needle in and couldn't. He thought the port flipped. So a few days later I have an X-ray which confirms this. And he also did a barium swallow which showed the band had slipped some (I had issues with getting stuck at times. Thought it was because of the fill). Insurance covered the first surgery but in meantime my insurance changed and they wouldn't even cover the removal. I had the option to repair the band or take it out. I opted to have it taken out. I had lost 100 lbs at this point and was somewhat satisfied if I could have kept it there (I still had another 100 to lose but thought it was a good starting place). The band came out in August 2012 ($8k). Since then I have gained about 60 of it back. I just learned that my insurance just started covering bariatrics. I can't have surgery in my hometown, it will be done approx 80 miles away since my local hospital isn't blue certified. I had done research and found that I wanted to get the sleeve. I did well with the restriction and having my intestines rerouted and an extra stomach just hanging out in there kinda freaks me out. I had my first appt on Wednesday with the doctor. I have a list of tests to complete. About a third of the way through. But the doctor told me he strongly recommends by pass instead of sleeve. He said either way I have a higher risk of leakage (I knew that from research) but then he said also people lose better. Stating with bypass you lose 60% of excess where sleeve is 55% or so (even if I needed to lose 200 it's only a 10lbs difference). I do not normally have reflux only on rare occasion nothing needing more than one pill. Which he said is something that's extremely common with sleeve. Also he advised that since the bypass leaves the stomach he has more to work with if complications arise. He did say that he would do the sleeve if I was set on it. (My original surgeon who I trusted moved to Texas and I can't find him for a second opinion) I cannot do artificial sweeteners or colors which limits most of my food anyway. At this point I'm completely confused. I feel more comfortable with the sleeve but he made me have doubts. And I can't wrap my head around the bypass with possible dumping etc. Can any of you tell me your reasoning for going with the sleeve instead of bypass?

Thanks for the reply. I'm hoping my doctor this time can deal with my issues. I have my first appt with him on Monday. Sad my doctor moved to Texas. While his wife is still here my insurance doesn't cover the local hospital. I have to go Almost two hours away.

Blerdgirl, how did you manage not having artificial sweeteners or dyes during your preop diet. I had the band back in 2011 then it was removed for a flip and slip in 2012. I didn't have a liquid preop but for the sleeve it is likely I will. I only find plain Protein which is fine, but what do you mix with it? Any suggestions? I'm allergic to red dye, and have reactions to artificial sweeteners that ranges from a numb mouth to headaches. Thanks

Ask for a different prep. Sometimes they can give you a liquid diet the day or two before and pills instead. Good luck.

I had lap band in February 2011. My work insurance didn't cover it. But I wasn25 and learned my moms covered it. So she added me thankfully. Then during surgery my surgeon aimed a little high and hit my lung cavity. So I had a collapsed lung and had to stay over night. Then because the port was hitting my rib that had to be moved. Thankfully that was under insurance as I lost my parents insurance when I turned 26 in sept. In December things started going down hill with an emergency unfill. I was ver fortunate because my doctors wife was available. Then again in the spring it happened. My dr and his wife were out of town on a weekend but they were coming home that night and I met them at the hospital for an unfil. Fast forward. After a July vacation I came back in for a fill. He couldn't get the port to accept a fill. Kept hearing a metallic sound and bent the needle. He fiddled around and poked me (I gave him permission to keep trying) for at least an hour. Next week I had a swallow test and reg X-rays and the band had slipped and the port flipped. I was the first port flip he had ever had. I had to pay over 7k out of pocket to have it removed. I could have kept it but didn't want to pay to fix then pay to remove if something else happened. I had lost 100lbs since I signed up for the first seminar. So I think that was 70 lbs with band counting the week after surgery. I was miserable and didn't realize how bad it was. Contortion tricks were used to try to get unstuck or throw up. Hanging over the end of the sofa to remove whatever plugged the whole to my stomach. It was horrible and I didn't see how bad till I had relief. I also gained back all but 30-40 lbs. I had pneumonia that required daily outpatient treatment. All my doctors said that all the antibiotics caused such a weight gain. Been to thyroid specialist as I have all the symptoms only to be compared to a cow receiving antibiotics to gain weight. Needless To say 2012 sucked. I just noticed in January that my insurance no longer had the big red exclusion for bariatric surgery and emailed. My company is literally 500 feet from my old hospital but since they aren't blue certified I will be going two hours away. I wish you luck in getting your surgery. Thankfully the sleeve seems to not have the long term complications that the band has. I have submitted my paperwork to the hospital to get the first appointment. My email from bcbsil didn't list the 6 month diet so crossing my fingers.

Looks like I have a long road ahead of me. I had band surgery in 2011 through insurance with the same requirements you had. Then the band slipped and port flipped in 2012. Insurance had changed so had to pay out of pocket to have it taken out. My insurance just started covering bariatric this year.

I'm just starting the process with bcbsil. What requirements did you have to meet? I can't use a local hospital. I have to go two hours away to a blue certified hospital.