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I know all the plans are a bit different but if you have Anthem BCBS, can you tell me about the process for you? My BMI is 40 and I've always had mild sleep apnea. I'm sure they'll do blood work etc when I have my consult on 12/14. I'm hoping to convert from Lap Band to Bypass. Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi everyone, This is sort of déjà vu for me! In 2009 I was on these forums a lot as I prepared for my lap band surgery. I lost 100 pounds in 3 years with lap band. In 2017 I tried to have revision surgery to the sleeve but my BMI was 35 and I only had mild sleep apnea and my insurance would not approve it. Fast forward to almost 2023 and my BMI is now 40. I have a consultation on Wednesday as I now have new insurance (Anthem BCBS) and I'm hoping to have better luck with approval. I am leaning more toward gastric bypass this time. I know a few people who have had the sleeve and a few people who have had bypass and it seems like the people with bypass have had the results that I'm looking for. Also, I don't want another 10 plus years to pass and be back here again. I'm really hoping that all this can be accomplished sometime in the Spring as I have 2 young boys and we spend the majority of our summer camping and I would really like to have all this done before the camping season begins. I'm not sure how feasible that is but I guess I will find out on Wednesday at my appointment! Anyone else out there in a similar position or starting the journey just now? Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Hi All, I had lap band surgery in 2009 when I was 22. I lost 100lbs in 3yrs and had a normal bmi. Over the years I've gained 70lbs back and the lap band is a pain. I have a conversion consult on Wednesday. I've always thought I wanted to go with the sleeve but I now know a few people who haven't had great success with it. I know a couple with bypass who look great and are very happy. I'm wondering if anyone else is in a similar situation or has any thoughts/advice? Thanks! Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I just had an awesome consultation for revision! My doctor doesn't think I'm going to have any issues with approval from Anthem BCBS. I have to do a few classes next week and then she'll submit for pre-approval to see if we're up against any roadblocks. After that I need an upper endoscopy and some nutritional classes but not much else! She said it would probably be 3 to 5 months before surgery. I'm hoping for closer to the 3 months because I'd like to be all healed up and fairly adjusted to the new lifestyle before we go camping all summer! [emoji846] Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

I have a lap-band (since 2009) and I know all there is to know about that BUT, now that I am moving towards revision to bypass I feel a little overwhelmed with all that I don't know. What is the best piece of advice you can give me? Perhaps something you wish you knew about before or something you wish you did differently. ANYTHING!

This is awesome, thank you! I am really looking forward to a more natural feel and it is good to know that I won't feel much during the liquid stage. Were you hungry during the liquid stage?

Literally all the time. There seems to be no rhythm or reason to it. I've had mine for 13.5 years. Sent from my SM-N975U using BariatricPal mobile app

Anyone out there in the progress of getting approved and getting a date? I'm aiming for a January date but would not be surprised if it ends up February. Anyone else out there?

Banded in 2009 went from 252lbs to 149lbs in 3 years. Then I started having problems....... Food intolerance Heartburn Suspected slippage However I began a battle with infertility at the time and didn't care about my band even a little. Now that my son is old enough I need to get my band taken care of. I have a consult Friday for a gastric sleeve revision. I'm a little nervous about the whole idea. Anyone else in a similar situation. Oh and I've gained like 50lbs back. I am currently bouncing back and forth between 195lbs and 200lbs.

Hey all! Not much to report! I met with the dietitian again last Monday. I am doing pretty good at eating 3 meals a day. I am still working on snacking but it's been hard because I've been SOOOOO hungry! She doesn't think I've been having enough protein so I am working on eating more protein and protein based snacks. I am also waiting for a call from the hospital to schedule my upper endoscopy. Fun fun!

Hello Everyone, In 2009 I underwent Lap Band surgery with a starting weight of 252lbs. I slowly lost over the course of 3 years weighing in at 149lbs (103lbs lost). I literally had never felt so good in my entire life! Around this time I started noticing that some things felt “off” with my band. However, my focus was then on my struggle with infertility so the band was put on the back burner. Fast forward 4 years later and 2 rounds of IVF I gave birth to a beautiful baby boy! Now that my son is a year old I’ve been focusing on my health a bit more. During my struggle with infertility I gained around 50lbs back and am pretty upset about it! I actually just got a letter from my hospital about revision from the band to the sleeve. The letter stated that greater than 50% of their lap band patients were having complications and undergoing revision surgery. My consultation is this Friday 9/15/17! I’ll be back to update you on how it goes!

I want to create a place for those either waiting on their surgery date or insurance approval to chat about the types of lifestyle changes we're making pre-vsg whether that be food and/or exercise and offer each other support! I'm one week post my first dietitian appointment and she wanted to work on first and foremost eating 3 meals a day since I usually only ate 1! It's hard for me. I am down 4lbs, but I am so hungry! Should I up my protein? What are you eating throughout the day? My days have been pretty basic this last week as I'm trying to figure this all out..... Breakfast - 4oz cottage cheese & 2 plain rice cakes Lunch - Lean cuisine (I try to pick a high protein one) Dinner - Chicken Salad Snacks - 2 pieces of fruit throughout the day Exercise - walking 1 mile per day at the least. I have not done all of this perfectly but I'm doing better than I thought! I am still drinking 1 soda can a day (compared to like 3-4). I've cut my coffee intake down by about 1/2 as well. Slowly but surely I will get there!

No answer from insurance yet. I called them just now and they stated that my Dr.'s office left some info off of the paperwork. It's all small stuff like is it inpatient/outpatient, provider info, place of service, tax id ect. Once they get that info back from my Dr.'s office it'll take another 5 business days to hear back.

This is a great idea. I think I am going to try 5-6 smaller "meals" so that I'm not so hungry all day!

Ugghhh!!!!! What the heck?!

I called my insurance last night and they confirmed that they got my paperwork! Nervous!

Yay!!!

I just got off the phone with my insurance company and they confirmed that my paperwork was received late yesterday! They said they have a 5 business day turnaround time so long as all the paperwork has been receipt. So, I'll probably just give them until next Wednesday before I call. I know it's not coming back with an approval because I have some other things to get done but this is the first step at least.

Yes I imagine it will feel very different. I have many many food intolerances and major restriction. It's not a full or satisfied feeling at all. It is basically a stuck feeling. It's more in your chest and then in your stomach. I can't wait for that to go away. I drank all my calories to gain half my weight back so believe me LOL I'm already starting to work on eating real food trying at least with the band and being better in general.

You know, I use to say that about my lap band. However, having gained 1/2 my loss back I now know that it's a lot more of yourself than you think! Give yourself credit! You can drink lots of calories and eat lots of things that will "slide" right on through! YOU have to make the choice not to do those things in order to be successful. I know it's just the beginning but you are already do that and you deserve some kudos!

Ugh I had a fitbit long ago but it broke and I have just recently been thinking about replacing it! I walk about 1.5-2 miles 5 days a week. I have a circuit training DVD I also do whenever I can. I meet with the dietitian on the 27th. I'll see what she has and recommends for tracking.

Oh gosh I have Cigna too.

Oye, what insurance company if you don't mind me asking?

Losing gets harder the smaller you get without exercise. It took me a lot of exercise with the band to get to 150. I probably ate too much though. I am hoping the sleeve helps in that department.

Working on Lap Band to VSG revision here! When I had the band in 09 I gave up soda for an entire year and then I just had one periodically. It never hurt and all the tests I've had to get the VSG have not shown a stretched pouch. I think the bubbles may upset the stomachs of some. I think the biggest reason is drinking your calories is not a good idea. Believe me I gained like 50lbs on liquids alone. The sugar in sodas caused me to crave more sugary things that would also just slide right through the band. I feel like the same could happen with VSG if I don't cut them out.