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Typically, unless there are extenuating circumstances, if they say 1 surgery they mean 1 surgery and rarely make exceptions. That said, my insurance had the same clause, I'm a band to RNY revision. My band slipped after I'd had it for 2 1/2 years, I had successfully kept off a significant amount of weight. My insurance paid for the revision because I had a failed band....if I had gone to my doc and said 'I hate this damn thing, take it out and do RNY' (which I actually had contemplated doing cuz I did hate that damn thing!!!) they would not have paid. As miserable as the slip and emergency surgery were, they were actually a blessing in disguise . So it DOES happen!!!! good luck! Fingers crossed! HW 312, pre-op (lap-band) 294, pre-op (RNY) 255, surgery date 2/11/13, goal weight 154, current weight 219

wishing you well for your planned revision, there are many who have gone through this recently. My friend Ellie 123 from Texas comes to mind but there are many more, if you only look.

It's nervous to have second thoughts with any type of weight loss surgery, it's a life changing event and comes with it so much responsibility. And the lap band has MANY responsibilities in order for you to accomplish your weight loss goals and minimize any complication risk. Here are some things to ponder: 1. Have you thoroughly researched your surgeon? Being self pay you REALLY need to make sure you are in good hands, have you asked about his complication rate, how many revisions has he/she has done from Band to Bypass or Sleeve? If his rate is very low, you are OK, if he/she revises a lot of his lap band patients to Sleeves or Bypass BEWARE. 2. Have you asked about his aftercare? Does he fill the band and follow your progress? Does he perform dynamic fills this is a good method where you drink liquids while the fill adjustment is being perform and it helps you detect the sweet spot more quickly. Can you get fills when YOU need them, or when they be on some sort of schedule. Or will he outsource this to another fill giver, or does he have a qualified PA that assists in surgery to do fills, VERY IMPORTANT, you don't want any unskilled nurse or fill giver performing your fills. Aftercare also includes checking or identifying any lap band problems, Upper Gi's and ordering EGD, when and if necessary to check the health of your band if you have issues. 3. How many lap bands has he/she has done? If over 500 you are ok, if not I would seek another lap band surgeon (especially if you are self pay). 4. If you are financing the lap band will you have money for future upkeep? You have to be realistic here, if your insurance will not pay for the band, fills can get really expensive depending on where you live, they range from $10 with co-pay up to over $1,500 per fill, so you need to ask your surgeon UPFRONT what the fills will cost for you as a self pay at least for a year. Some surgeons will include free fills for 6 months to a year in their package for self pay patients, because it can take up to 3-5 fills or more before you get to the green zone and be prepared if it takes A good YEAR before you get to a restriction level where you don't need any more fills. But many people reach a good fill level fairly quickly. 5. Just because you are self pay NOW, does not mean if you have a complication your insurance will not pay for it, usually MOST insurances that don't cover bariatric surgery WILL cover a complication if it is deemed medically necessary, but again, you should check your insurance policy, and if does not, you need to be prepared for any unforeseen complications, whether if you need a Upper Gi, or EGD or have to have a port replaced, or tubing or worse band replaced, these are things you need to think about because they CAN and DO happen with the band. I will give you an example, I got my band replaced last year, my first band was paid for 100 percent, 7 years later I had a new insurance plan, and it did not cover any bariatric surgery, BUT -- it paid 100 percent to fix a hiatal hernia which was required to remove the old band and place a new one, because I had a complication, it as deemed medically necessary because of the hernia to remove my old band and replace a new AP band because it was medically necessary. Honestly whether you get the Band, Bypass, or Sleeve you can run into unforeseen medical costs from unexpected complications, but again, many people do not have any issues, and sail along fine, but again you need to be prepared especially if you are going to be self pay. The risk is worth it for many people because you end up with a healthier life and better self esteem. Good luck

I had my band removed and sleeve revision done ten days ago. My wife and I are going on a 7 night Carnival cruise from New Orleans to the western Caribbean in October. After I had the sleeve surgery, I freaked out realizing I may not be able to eat and drink and enjoy a cruise anymore. My doctor told me at 4 months out I'm going to be healed sufficiently to eat normal foods and even have a drink here and there, just don't overdo it. That made me feel a lot better. I plan to have a few sips of wine after I get to phase3 and do a trial run from home in case it hits me pretty hard. Dont want to beta test my new alcohol tolerance in public. Lol

I had surgery here in the states about 2yrs ago by a plastic surgeon in BH california.I had a tummy tuck At the time I was only 145lbs. But anyway I was going to have it done in in tj but with all the neg in put everyone was giving me I deciede to do it in the states. It what was so funny everything that people were saying that would happen in tj happen right here. i got an infection an all most died. So what im saying is no matter were you go this can happen. So this time im going to take my chances in mex. and did tell you that the tummy tuck also needs to be revised.

Thank you:) I had all my surgeries at once. I had a Breast Augmentation, LBL with Butt Lift, Medial Thigh Lift and Belly Button and TT scar revision. I went to Mexico also and my Dr is Dr Victor Gutierrez. I went back to normal activities 8 weeks later. Good luck with your surgery. You will be very happy with your new you right after surgery.

I was sleeved 1/17 I did great. My dr called me a “super acchiever” until my 2 year mark when I had gained 20 lbs back. After his pep talk i gained another 10. Sigh. Now I’m looking at DS and it’s appealing. Especially eliminating the hunger factor. My high weight was 283 lowest 171 current 205. My questions are is it too soon to start thinking about revising and if not would you all do it again. I love my sleeve no complications at all and an easy recovery wondering how recovery is vs the sleeve. Thanks in advance!

No, it is not too soon to be considering this. This is one of the considerations that I discussed with out surgeon - the prospect of doing the second half of the DS sometime in the future if needed, and his position is that it is best to do it before too much regain is experienced, as the "switch" part of the DS is more effective at helping to resist regain than it is to aid in the loss. IOW, as one informal rule of thumb that they often discussed in meetings is that the sleeve gets the weight off, while the switch keeps it off. That's not completely true - the switch does have some loss component to it, but call it 80% true. Also, most revisions aren't as effective at losing weight than a virgin procedure (you are already used to having reduced capacity, etc., and have worked around it...) so switching early plays into the strength of the DS. The down side of "catching it early" is that insurance may not cover the second half if one hasn't regained to the standard 35/40 BMI level, and also the psych aspect of actually pulling the lever to revise rather than "I know I can do it without, just one more try..." That's a tough choice, but no, it isn't too early for best results.

Hi, I had the bypass. I was insulin resistant and took 100units of insulin 2 times a day plus 500mg of Metformin 2 times a day. I lost 132#'s in 6 months, some In contribute to having strictures (like scar tissue in the opening of my pouch) I got down to 117#'s which was way to low I looked horrible. I did gain 8#'s back but I have maintained my 125#'s for 3 years. I used to take 12 different medications, now I take 4 most for my blood pressure, I just don't know how to let the stress go. LOL I stress over everything. Any how when I was making my decision I'm 57 years old and this will be my only chance to at last lose the weight, which I have lost plenty of times but always gained it back plus more. I had great results BTW I am off all Diabetes meds and have been within my first month after surgery. I think this was a great decision on my part. Now you did say you have Reflux I have heard that it does make it worse with the Sleeve. And many need to have a revision to the Bypass. For myself it was "GO BIG OR GO HOME" one of the very best things I have ever done for myself. It rates up there with me getting married and giving birth to 2 children which are grown and has given me 8 beautiful grandkids. Good luck in your choice of surgeries.

Also bypass for all of the reasons above. Mine was a revision from a lap band.

I love my sleeve but my daughter has done really well with RNY. I'm so sorry you had to go thru this and hope things get better and they find a way to revise you to sleeve.

Hi Speedy, I am a former lap bander too. Though I wasn't cursed with the bad scar tissue, which is a miracle since I had mine for almost 3 years. My problem was it was simply ineffective on me. I was never once able to find my sweet spot. .2cc and I was too tight, then .25cc removed and I could eat a horse. Tell me how I'm supposed to concentrate on losing when my find is filled with regrets like that? I initially lost 55 Lbs with it, but honestly I don't give any credit to the band. I did all of that myself while I was constantly being adjusted. I guess I just gave up trying because I gained it all back. I also got those awful night coughs from being too tight for too long. I got tired of all the fills/unfills... LOL I seriously had about 21 adjustements in the entire time I had the band. Anyway, here I am nearly 7 months out and revised to sleeve. I really love my sleeve. REALLY!!! It is everything I wanted out of my band and then some. I will pray for you that your stomach heals well enough for you to get the sleeve, because I know you would do really well with it. I can tell of your motivation. Blessings, and anytime you need a shoulder we are always here.

Hi Folks, A brief synopsis of my situation. I was banded in 2007 at 210 pounds (self pay) The band was always problematic for me and I lost a great deal of weight because of the huge amount of discomfort I suffered. My goal weight was 120 pounds and I reached it and actually dipped below that to 115 because my band was too tight. Fills were difficult and expensive to schedule so I suffered. In June of this year (2012) I went to the hospital for a fill because the previous fills seemed to have no effect. It was discovered that the band was cracked at the juncture point and had partially opened and slipped down over the bottom portion of my stomach. Emergency surgery was performed and it was removed June 1, 2012. I cried and cried because even though the band was extremely uncomfortable for me for most of the 4.5 years that it was in, it was still my best friend and had allowed me a quality of life never before enjoyed due to my weight loss. My doctor told me that I needed some time to recover due to extensive scarring before they could perform a revision. I told my doctor that I did not want to regain the weight again before I could have the surgery. He assured me that this would not be the case. The records say that a revsion would be considered after a 4 kilo weight gain. Needless to say since I started back on a regular diet of solid foods I have gained 6 kilos (about a pound a week.) I am daily fighting the impulse to eat everything in sight and feel that with help and hope on the horizon that I can stave off weight gain but am also terrified that they will penalize me and say that they will not perform the surgery because I have my weight "under control." Has anybody had any issues with revision because they have not gained weight rapidly since having the band removed. I know all this sounds crazy but my emotions are all over the place and I am terrified of returning to my previous level of obesity. The only reason that I am holding on and able to exercise control is because I know that it is for a limited time only (October 9th) but if I am refused based on the fact that I "appear" to have it under control, I know that the hopelessness will crush me and I will return to the comfort of overeating. I would appreciate any and all feedback on this matter.

Wow, there are so many "lap band gone wild" stories that it makes me wonder if they all aren't ticking timebombs waiting to go off. I wish everyone going for their revisions much luck and you will be in my prayers. I went for my post-op follow-up appoinment today and the doc said (because I keep asking) that the absolute soonest he would consider trying a sleeve would be at 2 months out but that's if I get scoped and there is enough stomach tissue to work with; I will be praying ALOT. And if you are feeling like a failure due to the lap band DON'T the band failed us, not the other way around!

I was told the anything you can eat with out teeth qualifies as soft food, I know a man that can eat a Big Mac and fries and has no teeth, yay me!! So kidding, I am not eating a Big Mac just thought it was a funny observation. I do want texture, just a few more weeks Revision 1/31/13 by Dr Cabrera and Venezuela in MX

I am also anemic and vitamin D deficient. First RNY 2004. Revision RNY 6/28/2012

🙋🏼‍♀️ I had the band in 2008 but didn’t loose significant weight until 2013. I stopped thinking of it as a solution and started using it as a tool as intended. It was hard but I lost 100+ pounds, kept it off for 3 years and had my tummy tuck. Late 2017 I had a full slip and it had to be removed. I chose not to revise at that time because I thought I could maintain on my own. I couldn’t and I gained most of my weight back. 10/22 I had the sleeve done. I am down 36.6 lbs so far (20.22% of my excess weight)

I'm glad someone re-activated this thread. I would agree with it not being fair to give someone a chance when you get thin that wouldn't when you were heavy. But, I will say its not always that easy. When I had my first surgery and I was really starting to see a different and thinner me, I was in a situation through a mutual friendship a guy who was quite overweight, probably about #100. He was as sweet as they come, and I could tell he was just enamored with me- but I pretty much gave him the cold shoulder. If I'm honest, I was scared to date someone heavier at that time because I was afraid of being involved with someone that was living a lifestyle that might put me back in my old world. It wasn't fair to him, it really wasn't. Now, talking about the professional world. I know I projected much more confidence and overall was just a happier person and I saw huge differences in career opportunities at that time. I spoke with more confidence, willing to take more risks and step forward with my ideas not worrying about whether someone will be looking at how fat I was verses how good my ideas were. That being said, I do understand about being resentful of being treated differently when you are thin verses overweight. It isn't fair - it just isn't. I guess we are all human and I just hope that when I have my revision done that I will be able to remember these things and give the compassion to others regardless of their size. Everyone has a skinny person inside, its just a lot harder for some to show it than others (me included).

I visited with the doctors this past week. They are putting into insurance to authorize band removal. I'm so happy about that. I just need to wait 2-4 weeks to hear from them if insurance will approve. Then we will wait 3-6 months for everything to heal and try for revision. Not sure if I will go for a sleeve or bypass yet. One step at a time though. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I have battled with my weight since I was young but pretty much kept it under control with working out and diet. Late 2009 I started having issues with my hips and was unable to walk more then just a few feet, so the weight just piled on was at my heaviest 312 I'm 5"7. My doctor recommended I have a bariatric consultant. At the time the way things went with the bariatric doctor it seemed like the magic pill we al dream of. Just one consult and I was underway to my upcoming surgery I had to lose 10% of my weight. Took me about 3 months and had my surgery January of 2011. I was outpatient surgery and was home by dinner. I have to say it was fairly easy very little pain, some shoulder gas pain I walked off. Being on the liquid diet the weight came off quick and I followed the liquid diet to a T. No issues weight came off and I was back to my normal activity within 2 weeks. Solid foods in the beginning where great small portions and chewed everything very carefully. Fast forward to 2014 I am down to 220 total weight loss 92 pounds feeling and looking great. Went from size 24 to 16. I had to watch everything I ate because the weight was creeping back so I went on weight watchers at this time I had put on about 25 pounds but back down to around 220. I never lost anymore weight. When I went back to my bariatric doctor for fills I was almost full...that's when things went down hill...after that I threw up every day every meal and still not weight loss but weight gain, then came the reflux...so bad I was taking medicine and eating bottles of tums every day, had to sleep with a wedge..but worse then that was my asthma was so bad, I was taking tons of prednisone my immunity was going down, I had thrush for five weeks...I was a mess, not to mention my weight was up to 263. My bariatric doctor said just go back on liquids I did but who can live on liquid for ever...finally my primary doctor got me a consultation with a different bariatric doctor and he was amazing ran test found out I had an ulcer around my band. I will not even do bands do to 50 % of patients having issues, I am no awaiting my insurance to authorize a band removal and revision to full gastric bypass...the band was a nightmare for me.., my band is open all the way now, my reflux and asthma is great! I've lost 8 pounds and going to meet with the nutritionist next month.... Sent from my iPad using the BariatricPal App

Hi Bugaboo, I feel what you are going through. This is the catch about getting the band removed: you either pay for it out of pocket,,,not an option or if your BMI is still high the insurance company will only cover if you have a revision which means they take out the bad and give you a full bypass! But my doctor showed me what needed to be done to remove the band and do the repairs wi h you end up having part of the stomach removed so I'm going to get the full bypass I wish you much luck on your journey! Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I had a lap band for 11 years had it taken out October 1 I’m now scheduled for a sleeve on February 5 I have been told that it is a much slower weight loss after a revision I would like to hear from people who have had this revision and let me know your outcome See ya lighter

I just joined this group. I have just started the process for revision from a lapband.. The band slipped and I have only lost 60 lbs. since 5/09. I saw a new surgeon last week and wanted a bypass, but he thinks the sleeve will work for me. I am glad since it is less surgery. I have been getting alot of good info on these message boards. Seems like most people are having good luck with the sleeve so I am looking forward to getting it. I know it will be a while. It seems to take forever to go thru the process, but it will be worth it.

Oh my, you have a wonderful attitude! I just had a revision, myself. Thank God, no complications, no removal of band, etc. I feel great, except, I have no restriction. that should be taken care of on Wed. You keep your spirits up! With your attitude and a great surgeon, you will come out on the right side of weight loss! Good luck! Karen

There has to be an issue as to why it would warrant a revision , as my insurance coordinator explained to me they won’t approve it unless there is a medical reason for it , I had tried to get a revision from lapband to sleeve last year but I didn’t have enough documentation for medical necessity so i got declined . This year a lot happened and I was diagnosed with Sleep Apnea , GERD, Esophagitis so it made me eligible , but because of my GERD and Esophagitis I will be getting RNY instead due to reflux issues with Sleeve . As far as switching insurance companies just because you didn’t get something with one company would it void the ability to get a revision with a different company , it’s all about the companies Bariatric guidelines and how they measure medical necessity .