Endora

Hello, all.... After extensive research, I've decided to revise from band to sleeve in Mexico. I was banded in 2005, and want to know about the issues with scar tissue. I have read some posts here where some people had a lot of scar tissue, but the surgeon completed the revision. While other surgeons didn't complete the revision because of scar tissue. For those of you who had your band over 10 years, and revised to sleeve, what was your experience with the scar tissue? Does it develop because of he length of time the band is in place? Or does it develop based on the person's body? Any insight is appreciated.

Hello there, Guys and Gals! Two weeks ago I started researching everything online about having lap band surgery. In the back of my mind I kept saying, "Could this be it? Could this really be my shot of achieving my life-long dream of wanting to be thin?" After much contemplation and research, I've concluded that it could be. I've always been fat. All of my life. I won't linger on the trite details, but suffice it to say that I've never been thin. Ever. All of my siblings and my parents are thin. But not me. Anyhow........I finally got up enough gumption to call my insurance company yesterday about coverage, and was devasted to find that they don't cover the procedure at all. But I wasn't deterred.......much. I went home and told the hubby that my insurance won't cover it because our group is too small. I have United Health Care. And, from everything I've read on various forums online, I got the impression that UHC is about the only insurance that WILL cover it. But not mine. So, I told the hubby of my disappointment. He said, "Wait. Hold on a minute." Long story short, he got hired on his new job in August, and he now has United Health Care, and his company employs thousands of people, so it's a large group. With crossed fingers, I called his UHC customer service center last night and -- VOILA!!! -- they DO cover lap band surgery if you meet the BMI criteria of 35 or over. I'm at 39.9. I'm not on his plan, however. So, hubby spent all morning enrolling me -- since it's open enrollment for him -- and I'm enrolled and effective as of 01-01-07. I am so excited. It's like everything is falling into place. I've already chosen Dr. Brad Osborne at the Cincinnati Weight Loss Center and go for a free seminar on 11-16-06. I called their office this afternoon and found that he is NOT in network, however. The Cinti WLC is not in anyone's network. So, I called UHC again and asked what they cover for non-network doctors. They cover 70%, and my max payout is $2,400, so the most I would hafta pay is $2,400. I can do that. So, folks...........cheer me on. Clap for me. It's finally MY turn to be the thin person I know is inside of me under this fat. I'll post updates as I get them. I know that there will be setbacks, and I'm hoping to count on you good folks to help me along. 'Til then, I remain, Hopeful in Cincinnati