Aurelia

Mine came 2 days after surgery. Fun times.

So I have a bit of a complex issue. I had the Lapband put in 2009 and had great success. In 2015 I developed an antibiotic resistant port infection and had to have my band removed. I’m trying to get approved for the gastric sleeve but my insurance has denied saying I’m only allowed one surgery per lifetime. Has anyone ever successfully got them to approve it with peer to peer review. Trying to arm myself with as much info as possible.

I'm so disappointed. I've had great success with the band and I'm so scared of gaining weight.

He hates the band and is weary of all the complications he's been seeing lately. He's had to remove a lot lately. He's also concerned about this spontaneous infection and says that the band could be encouraging it. He says a film grows on the band and bacteria can grow on it. I've also been on 4 different antibiotics and none of them seem to be working. This is the first major issue I've had with it. I wanted a revision to sleeve but my insurance says my BMI of 20 doesn't qualify me for more bariatric surgery.

Kate, I'm having the band removed on thursday. I had an EGD and Catscan done. EGD showed no erosion or slippage but the CT Scan showed a lot of Fluid around the port. The swelling around it has worsened and its bruised. I just wanted to know if the port can spontaneously get infected without the band slipping etc. I'm interested so see what he finds when he goes in on thursday.

Weirdest thing, I was banded in March of 2009 and never had any issues and had great success with the band. I've lost over 100 pounds. About two months ago my port started getting tender it got progressively worse. I started running fevers and the pain was bad but not unbearable. I went to my band doctor and he said the band needed to come out. He put in the request for band removal surgery but my insurance denied it. He appealed and they finally approved it. It's started getting bruised and now I can't even tolerate the sensation of anything touching the area. Has anyone else experienced this?

My bandiversary is on 3/18 and I'm happy. I've passed my goal weight and I now weigh 125 pounds and I'm continuing to lose. My mom has been so impressed by my results that she got banded last week. Don't give up ladies!!

I totally understand your hesitation. This surgery is a big deal. You're having someone cut into you so it's something you should approach with caution. Dr. Cohen is awesome...I'm about to hit my two year anniversary and I'm very pleased with my results...over 105lbs lost and counting. As I've said before, they really prepare you for the surgery and life afterward. Do your research and make the decision of what's best for you. If I had to do it all over again...I would in a heart beat!

It depends on the type of coverage you have. I have Choice Plus and everything was covered for my surgery.

6 months and I absolutely hate it. I have lost a lot of weight but I've been in pain and no one really knows why. I maybe getting it removed. My mom was thinking about getting the surgery but after she's seen how much I've endured she changed her mind. It's not for everyone and everyone's body reacts differently. I'm grateful for the weight loss but the price has been too high in my opinion.

You're not alone. I hate the band and wish I had gotten a bypass or a sleeve.

Are you ladies exercising? I started out at the same weight that you did and I've lost 65 lbs. I can't stress how important it is to get moving. Even if it's just 15 minutes of walking it does help. Also, if your doc has a support group try to find a buddy and exercise with them. You'll give each other positive support. Are you also watching the fat and calorie content of the food you're eating? Last but not least get a fill if you're not losing. You got this operation to lose weight so be persistent with your doctor about getting your weight loss going.

Violet, Thanks for understanding where I'm coming from as an aviator. No offense to the responses that I've received but business or leisure flying is not the same as working a flight. I'm glad I got a FA to respond to my question. I have spoken to my doctor about adding my issues to his case studies and so far he's given me a cat scan and an upper Endoscopy but all seems well with the band. I still have ridiculous port pain and I think it's shifted and lodged up by my ribs. He's not really sure what's going on and seems to just be scratching his head. I have a work colleague who had bypass and he has no issues. I really think doctors shouldn't recommend the band to pilots or flight attendants. It's just pure hell!!