DixieDarlin2

My date is Jan 8th.. I had the Lap Band for 8 1/2. I had problems all along, but it continued to worsen, back in July. I had it removed and wanted the sleeve. My Dr. told me to heal first. The insurance I have now only covers the RNY Gastric bypass. I really want the sleeve. But I have to do something... have gained 25 lbs, in5 months. I have tried to be good but my lap band prevented from holding anything down. I have a supper slow metabolism and take thyroid a supplement. So I am ready!!! I am 61. Elaine from alabama

I was checking into it. I had a lap band since 2/2008 and just had it removed 7/27/2015. I had severe reflux and throw up most of the time developed aspiration pneumonia, the last 6 months. It is so nice to be able to eat again. But I am gaining wt. fast. Insurance will only cover 1 Wt loss surgery in a lift time. I was looking at Mexico for the sleeve. What worries me is most Docs who don't do the surgery will not take you as a pt. And if you have problems later you would be in a mess. How about you? do you have a Dr. at home??? Lanie

Is BCBS insurance covering the revision from Lap band to Sleeve? and if so how?

How long do you stay in the hospital in Mexico for the sleeve?

Hey, hockeyfan7............... I have had my band since Feb 2007 I have had no fill in mine for 4 years. I have had the slime and throw up problems all along but worsening with Heart burn and reflux for the last year. My dr. told me insurance would cover only one WLS in a life time. It has made me tolerate a lot. But lately the reflux is so bad that it comes up in the middle of my sleep Sitting straight up to sleep, and I have developed and been treated with aspiration pneumonia. Enough of this! I am scheduled to have my lap band out and repair a hiatal hernia in 2 weeks. Scared I of gaining my weight back.....the sleeve has a high risk of reflux according to what I have read. Considering if I start gaining bad...going to Mexico for the sleeve. I have worked to hard to maintain My weight.

This is July 6 2015. So had the band for 8 1/2 years and lost 70 lbs and continued to maintain. Thanks Elaine

I had my band since 2007. I am going to have mine removed because I have so much Gastric reflux even on meds I have a hard time keep food and liquids down a lot of the time. I have had reflux in the middle of the night ,most nights after not eating doe 3-4 hrs before bed, and sleeping with my head up 45 degrees. Tired and run down ...no energy. Over the last month I developed Pneumonia due to aspiration and been on 2 sets of antibiotics. I and scared of esophageal cancer. I have a small Hyatial hernia that needs fixing too. I considered another procedure to keep my weight off but all my friends say NO..just watch it... I am 61 yrs old. I am also a retired RN. I know all the ins and outs ...but doing it is diff. Has anyone had theirs out and kept the wt off for more than a years????? Please respond...I am worried! Elaine

I am out 2/08. I have been having trouble keeping food down for a while now. I have a lot of heart burn. I have had no saline in my band for 3 years. It keeps me from over eating so I have left it a lone. I have lost about 65 lbs total...maintaining. I have not been to the doc in a year and a half. He told me I have one of the small bands and he had 5 pts with it and we had all had problems. He said he could take it out, but Insurance only covers one wt loss surgery in a life time. I choose to keep it cause this is the most I have lost and kept off ever over years. Any suggestions???? EW