Taunter

Of course!

Hello! I had lap-band installed in April 2009. Lost about 50 lbs total and have since gained back about 30. So net loss = 20 lbs. That's okay, though, because that weight was the difference between being mobile or not (weight at time of surgery was 382 - I'm now in the 358-363 range). The advice I got after the band was not to eat rice, bread or pasta for 6 months after surgery and to go in for periodic fills of the band. I had 3 fills before losing my job, my insurance, and eventually my home to foreclosure. Fast forward to October 2015. I'm diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. I immediately look into getting a revision. While I start seeing a nutritionist and taking all the vitamins/supplements and learning to eat protein first and 3 meals a day, I'm consequently diagnosed with Severe Obstructive Sleep Apnea. Approximately 6 months later, I'm diagnosed with GERD. The local surgeon in my small town was requiring that I lose 40+ lbs before he'd qualify me for surgery and was pushing the Sleeve on me (even though I knew By-Pass was the best route). After struggling to lose (I gained about 9 lbs in the 6 months under that nutritionist), I chose a different surgeon. This one the head of his department and very experienced bypass surgeon. Started seeing a new nutritionist (May 2016) and slowing started losing weight - about 1 pound a month. He only required I lose 15 lbs which was a MUCH more achievable goal in my eyes. I finally qualified in October 2016. Blue Cross Blue Shield declined my request for coverage on 11/30/2016. My surgeon did a peer-to-peer review on 2/1/2017 and I was declined after that as well. After hearing from someone in a Facebook revision support group, I decided to look into Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy. I spoke with Kelley Brown Lindstrom earlier today and just sent over my records and payment. I'm paying for the expedited service (they get my file together and submit it within 3 days). So far my impression has been very favorable. Kelley has been knowledgeable and supportive and I'm impressed with her breadth of experience with different insurance companies. For the first time in a very long time I'm hopeful that I could have this revision sometime this year! Anyway, I'll keep people posted as to how it is working with them. Wish me luck!

Hello! I finally have a surgery date after 2 years of diets, nutritionists, psychiatrists, insurance companies, and lawyers. My conversion from lapband to RNY is scheduled for November 20th. To say I'm excited is an understatement! For the last two years I've been taking a multi-vitamin, B12 (sub-lingual) and Vitamin D3 so I'm in the habit. My issue has been with getting my calcium in. At first I tried the Citracal (sp?) pills but they were hard to swallow with my lapband. Next I tried the Bariatric Advantage caramel chews but they were so chalky I couldn't stand them. Most recently I tried Solaray's calcium citrate which is this huge chewable tablet. I thought the orange flavor would make it bearable but I couldn't stand it. Makes me shudder. Any recommendations on other forms of calcium citrate that y'all take? I'm starting to get a little desperate.

I couldn't handle the CPAP masks - even the nose one. Having something on my face obstructing my nose made me freak out. Totally claustrophobic. So I went ahead and had a dental appliance made. It's basically two molded pieces of plastic that I wear on my teeth. There's a little wedge on the bottom one and an adjustable "catch" on the upper one. It works by moving my lower jaw out so that my airway is more open. Had to have it made by an oral surgeon. Took a while to work it out with insurance because even though you wear it on your teeth and it's made by a dental professional, it's medical-related.

Okay, I will definitely have to give these a try!

Yikes! I guess I'll have to see how things go post-surgery. I do love crystal lite so crushing and mixing wouldn't be horrible. Still, I think the liquid option would be better so I'll try that first. Thank you for sharing that!

Are these the ones sold here in the bariatric store?

Genius. Why didn't I think of that?? This is soooo much better, thank you!

I'll definitely check out the liquid, thanks!

Thank you for the suggestions. The petites are actually the ones I had issue with - I know - crazy! After my revision, though, they may not be as hard to swallow. *fingers crossed* I'll have to give the creamy bites a try!

I've been on the road to revision from Band to RNY since October 2015. It's a loooong story. Here are the best parts: After finally qualifying with my surgeon for revision surgery in November 2016, I was denied coverage by my insurance carrier (BCBS IL) on 11/30/2016. My surgeon did a peer-to-peer review on 2/1/2017 which was denied as well. Since I only had 180 days from the original denial to file an appeal, I knew I had to do something drastic. In April I hired Kelley & Walter Lindstrom from the LINDSTROM OBESITY ADVOCACY group. They're lawyers who have specialized in WLS appeals. From April to June we had to go through a 2nd level of appeals which was again denied. At the end of July, my case finally went to an external review board. I received my official approval on September 1st, 2017!! Throughout this whole process, Kelley has stayed in close contact - keeping me apprised of each step and calming my fears. When I first applied to them she told me they would only accept my case if they thought they could make a difference. Both her and her husband were so helpful and caring. They have a real passion for helping people get the WLS they need. If you're having issues with your insurance company, please consider them. I think you'll be very happy with the results! http://wlsappeals.com/ https://www.facebook.com/LindstromObesityAdvocacy/

Hello there! They have a couple of rates depending on how quickly you need something done. I can tell you what they quoted me but can't guarantee the rates will stay the same. To me it was completely worth it to get the Insurance company to pay. It was $900 for regular service (which covers going through all internal appeals with an insurance company and any external reviews) and $1200 for expedited service (which I needed because I was close to the end of my 180 day appeal period). Again, HIGHLY recommend!

It had to go to external review but I'm now APPROVED for revision from Band to RNY!!!! I can't say enough positive things about Kelley & Walter Lindstrom at Lindstrom Obesity Advocacy. If you find yourself stuck with denials from insurance companies, I highly recommend them!

I am 3 months into my 6 month pre-op period. I met with the surgeon on Tuesday because I currently have a lapband I want revised. Given my diabetes (diagnosed 10/1/2015), my severe obstructive sleep apnea and being morbidly obese (361 lbs on Tuesday), I've been focused on gastric bypass (RNY). I thought for sure my doctor would recommend that as well. But I could tell from our meeting that he advocates for the sleeve. He says nearly 90% of the surgeries he'll do this year will be sleeve and that sleeve patients are less likely to have future complications and that their labs are "boring" because they don't have nutrient malabsorption issues like bypass patients. Now I'm torn. He says it's up to me - that he'll do the bypass surgery. But I'm wondering if I'm being a polyanna in thinking I won't be one of the ones that has complications. I just feel like the sleeve is a fad - it's what everyone is doing now. But there are only 5 years of available data whereas bypass has been around for 20+. Anyone else have a similar issue? I'm also concerned because I'm a revision patient. I lost about 30+ lbs with the lapband and have kept it off (which the surgeon says is actually successful!!) and I really don't want to do the sleeve and then find myself losing only a fraction of what I need to lose. Any other revision folks out there?

Latest update... I've completed my 6 month pre-op with the nutritionist and the psych eval. The only thing holding up the process is me losing weight. I started doing Meal Replacement about a month ago. The first two weeks I lost a total of 4lbs. Then started retaining Water due to TOM (Time of the Month) and gained back 3. That continued into the next week with a further gain of 4lbs and then last week with a loss of 4. So in a month I've netted 1lb lost. I need to lose 40lbs before they'll perform surgery. My diet the last month has been: 1 Premier Protein shake for Breakfast 1 can of Soup with 20g of unjury Protein powder and 2 cheese sticks for lunch 3-5 ozs of lean protein with some sort of side for dinner No Snacks, plenty of water. After seeing many people qualifying for surgery without having to lose a significant amount of weight ahead of time - beyond a period of liquid only right before surgery - I'm having a hard time being patient with this process and this program. I'm heading south (200 miles) to another clinic in a neighboring state that doesn't require a significant weight loss prior to surgery. I have an appointment with a nutritionist, a PA and a surgeon (all three in a row) on Friday, May 13th. I've forwarded them all of the records from my current program so I'm hoping (fingers crossed) they won't make me go through another 6 months to qualify. Wish me luck!