Search the Community

Hello, I am looking into getting my lap band removed after 3 years and revised to the sleeve. Has anyone had this done through Cigna insurance? Just wondering was it hard for approval.

I ended up choosing RNY because I had severe gerd and the sleeve can make this much worse possibly requiring a revision to RNY anyway. Now, I am 100% thankful that I had the RNY. My gerd is cured as is many other comorbities. I lost 152lbs in 18 months and have been at goal since March.

I was getting Vitamin shots then my hormonal doctor moved so I have been waiting. 4 months later they decide to tell me they are taking tricare prime no longer reserve Select. He was one of my best doctors that listened besides my pain management doctor. So went to my primary and they are sending me to OBGYN which I never heard they can give Vitamin and testosterone shots. I went to spring valley hospital. My Gastric doctor scheduled an emergency revision. When I got in there the ulcers weren't heald and the swelling was bad where my intestines and pouch connect. He said I could die, the Sutures wouldn't hold neither would staples. Due to the swollen tissue. And I don't have enough to cut out. So it got canceled. I fired him for allowing it to get so far beyond fixing at that time. I am still needing a revision but I am trying to avoid it, my ulcers are due to acid reflex The Military ER had to figure it out, then my Gastric doctor tried to swoop in and tried to seem like a Hero. He ruined my enjoyment of this RNY. If I get a revision and I get more ulcers or swelling due to irritation from acid they will take my pouch out along with my old stomach and put my small intestines directly to my esophagus. And I am trying to avoid this. I am scared, and tired and stuck in the house. And just continue to get negative news. And all my appointments even with tricare reserves made us broke. I am fighting for my 2 son's against my ex, I have a 7 year old autistic with ADHD, a 17 year old step son I stood by through heart surgery and 2 knee surgeries while my husband was always gone during active duty. I was on the phone when my husbands camp was attacked in Afghanistan and his best friend died. I got this surgery due to almost having a stroke while raising 2 kids fighting for my other 2, my 17 year old 3 surgeries for my son (step son) and my husband almost dying. Now I am taking care of my 17 year old still fighting my ex while caring for my ADHD/Autistic and my Veteran husband with PTSD. I can't be outside more than 30 min. Can't work, can't work out, I can clean an hour at a time then sleep, if I go to the beach or stay in the heat to long black out or sleep for 3 days at a time. I envy those who surgeries was successful. But everything happens for a reason, just waiting to see what my reason is for.. And pray everything eventually work out. Sent from my SM-N930T using the BariatricPal App

I was lucky enough for my insurance company to allow them to do the revision at the same time as the band removal. I originally had surgery in August 2012 to have a lapband put in. I had complications beginning almost on the one-year anniversary once I had the “right” amount of Fluid in the band to make it actually do something. I had my lapband removed on May 27, 2016 and had a revision to gastric bypass at the same time. It was, quite frankly, miserable but now that I’m three months out, it’s the best thing I could have done. I couldn’t live with the pain, reflux and inability to eat anything with band in and because of the slipping, I had the fluid out more than I had it in. After MANY long talks with my doctor and his PA, we decided that a revision to bypass was the best bet. My recovery sucked. The surgery was longer and more complicated than they originally thought it would be because there was so much scar tissue from the band. But, they had already decided that they wanted to do the removal and revision in one surgery, so they did whatever they needed to get it done. I had two drains when I came out of it and the larger drain I had for 17 days. The smaller on, the “JP drain” came out before I went home. Generally speaking, that bigger drain isn’t part of a normal bypass but is more common when they do the removal/revision in one step. I was in pain, nauseous, and uncomfortable until it came out. I was in the hospital for about 5 days. Since it was a holiday weekend, I wasn’t in any big rush to get out in case I had any problems. I was nauseous on Sunday when they talked about letting me go home, so they had me stay. They then decided to order “home health care” to change my dressings for me since my insurance would cover a few visits, but no one was available until Wednesday, so they had me stay until Tuesday. I was pretty stir crazy by then but it was nice to have them there to take care of me but shaving my legs in the hospital was a pain! I had to fight with them on Monday to let me take a shower even though I wasn’t going home. I needed it. I came home and took the rest of the week off. My mom came by almost every day to help me make food—not that I was eating much—and to keep me company. I needed more help because of the drain. It was painful and hard to put on any clothing including a bra because of where it was. It’s called a “G tube” which basically was a drain from the part of my stomach that would no longer have food going to it and it needed to be “trained” that it wasn’t going to be used anymore. It was not pleasant but it was “capped” so not draining into anything before I left so at least I could tape it up to my stomach to keep it out of the way and from pulling or banging into things. Jonathan took me to my first follow up on the first Monday in June and then I was cleared to drive and go back to work. The following week, the drain finally came out. It was a long 17 days. The drain removal was no fun either! They just kind of yanked it out and it hurt for a good 24-hours! It took about 3 weeks for the hole to completely close, but I got pretty good at the gauze changes. They didn’t stitch it or anything, they said the skin would grow back together and it did. It was about the size of a dime at first. Now it is a small scar to match the others from the surgeries. The tape was awful. I found that if I used the sensitive skin kind, which was about $8 a roll at Walgreens, it was better. I was so happy when the hole was finally closed so I could stop taping up my stomach and start wearing a regular bra! So, I’d had a lot of tape on me because of the tube and because of the drain hole. It took a few days to get the residue off! I had to travel on June 24 for our annual meeting. It was exactly four weeks from my surgery. I was going to be gone a week and I was a little nervous about getting through it. I still wasn’t cleared to lift anything and I was still getting tired pretty easily. But, by then I was already 20+ pounds lighter since the surgery so I felt good and actually built up my stamina as I was there. I managed to get food poisoning on my last day in Philadelphia, so that was no fun. But, after a few days, felt better. Three months out now and I’m down over 50 pounds from surgery day and almost 80 from when I started the lapband journey. I will tell you, even though I was miserable immediately afterwards and asked myself everyday what the heck I did to myself, three months out, I’m so glad I did it. I’m basically eating normal foods, albeit nothing too high in fat or sugar, and I’ve not really done too much salad yet but have added back most vegetables. I’m careful with fruit because a lot is high in sugar. The first few weeks after the surgery with the various stages of liquid diet was really hard and I probably started to add things like cottage cheese in too fast, but I needed to chew! I have a few friends who have done the surgery and we’ve created our own little support group so it’s nice. We come to the same events as well so it’s nice to know other people in the room understand how we eat!

I originally had surgery in August 2012 to have a lapband put in. I had complications beginning almost on the one-year anniversary once I had the “right” amount of Fluid in the band to make it actually do something. I had my lapband removed on May 27, 2016 and had a revision to gastric bypass at the same time. It was, quite frankly, miserable but now that I’m three months out, it’s the best thing I could have done. I couldn’t live with the pain, reflux and inability to eat anything with band in and because of the slipping, I had the fluid out more than I had it in. After MANY long talks with my doctor and his PA, we decided that a revision to bypass was the best bet. My recovery sucked. The surgery was longer and more complicated than they originally thought it would be because there was so much scar tissue from the band. But, they had already decided that they wanted to do the removal and revision in one surgery, so they did whatever they needed to get it done. I had two drains when I came out of it and the larger drain I had for 17 days. The smaller on, the “JP drain” came out before I went home. Generally speaking, that bigger drain isn’t part of a normal bypass but is more common when they do the removal/revision in one step. I was in pain, nauseous, and uncomfortable until it came out. I was in the hospital for about 5 days. Since it was a holiday weekend, I wasn’t in any big rush to get out in case I had any problems. I was nauseous on Sunday when they talked about letting me go home, so they had me stay. They then decided to order “home health care” to change my dressings for me since my insurance would cover a few visits, but no one was available until Wednesday, so they had me stay until Tuesday. I was pretty stir crazy by then but it was nice to have them there to take care of me but shaving my legs in the hospital was a pain! I had to fight with them on Monday to let me take a shower even though I wasn’t going home. I needed it. I came home and took the rest of the week off. My mom came by almost every day to help me make food—not that I was eating much—and to keep me company. I needed more help because of the drain. It was painful and hard to put on any clothing including a bra because of where it was. It’s called a “G tube” which basically was a drain from the part of my stomach that would no longer have food going to it and it needed to be “trained” that it wasn’t going to be used anymore. It was not pleasant but it was “capped” so not draining into anything before I left so at least I could tape it up to my stomach to keep it out of the way and from pulling or banging into things. Jonathan took me to my first follow up on the first Monday in June and then I was cleared to drive and go back to work. The following week, the drain finally came out. It was a long 17 days. The drain removal was no fun either! They just kind of yanked it out and it hurt for a good 24-hours! It took about 3 weeks for the hole to completely close, but I got pretty good at the gauze changes. They didn’t stitch it or anything, they said the skin would grow back together and it did. It was about the size of a dime at first. Now it is a small scar to match the others from the surgeries. The tape was awful. I found that if I used the sensitive skin kind, which was about $8 a roll at Walgreens, it was better. I was so happy when the hole was finally closed so I could stop taping up my stomach and start wearing a regular bra! So, I’d had a lot of tape on me because of the tube and because of the drain hole. It took a few days to get the residue off! I had to travel on June 24 for a big work event. It was exactly four weeks from my surgery. I was going to be gone a week and I was a little nervous about getting through it. I still wasn’t cleared to lift anything and I was still getting tired pretty easily. But, by then I was already 20+ pounds lighter since the surgery so I felt good and actually built up my stamina as I was there. I managed to get food poisoning on my last day in Philadelphia, so that was no fun. But, after a few days, felt better. Three months out now and I’m down over 50 pounds from surgery day and almost 80 from when I started the lapband journey. I’m not sure if you’re considering another type of surgery, but I will tell you, even though I was miserable immediately afterwards and asked myself everyday what the heck I did to myself, three months out, I’m so glad I did it. I’m basically eating normal foods, albeit nothing too high in fat or sugar, and I’ve not really done too much salad yet but have added back most vegetables. I’m careful with fruit because a lot is high in sugar. The first few weeks after the surgery with the various stages of liquid diet was really hard and I probably started to add things like cottage cheese in too fast, but I needed to chew! I have a few friends who have done the surgery and we’ve created our own little support group so it’s nice. We come to the same events as well so it’s nice to know other people in the room understand how we eat! My question to those of you that have had both is what is the daily difference? I feel SO MUCH better! Nothing gets stuck. Nothing hurts. You can have something to drink only 30 minutes after eating which is nice. Doesn't make it so weird when out to dinner with friends. There is still a diet, etc. but it seems much easier to comply. Can you eat in a restaurant? Yes. I find it easier. My husband (or friends/co-workers) and I tend to share things a lot too so I don't worry about having a huge plate of food. What does it feel like when you reach restriction? I imagine what a "normal" person feels like when they are full without being stuffed. If I do completely over do it, I might feel a little sick, but not like before when I thought everything was going to come back up when something got stuck. Can you eat almost anything just very small portions? Limit the high fat, fried, and sugary stuff and you'll be fine. it doesn't mean you can't have ONE BITE of a dessert, but you don't want to do much more because there could be consequences. Sharing is the way to go. I find it much easier to not overdo when I share. How common is it to fail at weight loss after a bypass? This a doctor might better be able to answer but like with anything, there are ways around it. You can stretch your pouch out to take more food and figure out which high calorie foods won't make you sick but will make you fat. It has to be a lifestyle change to really work forever. I know I will need to work at it forever but will bypass make my struggle easier? So far, for me, yes. I'm not hungry all the time. I'm not looking for foods that I can get past my band or that won't make me sick. I didn't eat tomatoes for 4 years because of the acid. I just had a bunch of them on my salad (which was more veggies than lettuce per my note above). I don't get reflux in the middle of the night and nothing gets stuck. It's actually fun to go out to eat again.

Great job! I'm in the "best decision ever" category too. I had my revision surgery on May 27 and I'm down 50 pounds in just barely 3 months. Best I've felt in years. We are leaving for vacation on Saturday and even though I didn't want to buy anything new, I had to get a couple of new bathing suits because my old ones looked RIDICULOUS! Even the ones in the "right size" were so stretched out I couldn't go out in public with them. My surgery and recovery were not easy. I spent a good month to 6 weeks asking why I did this to myself. But, once everything was healed and I started to feel better, I turned the corner.

First of all I'm a lap band revision. I have been waking up every night since surgey at 2 to.3 am sweating around the neck and can't sleep I am fearfully of.losing all my hair and I am doing the most with protien ans water. I actually get 90 grams or more. I have anxiety and I belive depression now and I am just hate.n this

I had my first band in 2008 went from 130kgs to 88, i was happy with that, working out heaps I looked fit and was. Then things started to go bad, reflux, acid in mouth, sleeping on 3 pillows, excessive vomiting and not eating extra food. I had band revision to another band 2014. So they moved it down a bit and took the pressure off my oesophagus. I had Barrets oesophagus and gastritis, all from the band! By this time i am stacking on the weight and ended back up at 120kgs. I was very unhappy. But still trying to work with the band to acheive weightloss, but seriously spitting into the wind! Then after carrying what I thought was a bad back after a fall for 18mths I was diagnosed with bone on bone hip and in need of a replacement! I am too young at 54 for this and my weight put me into a higher risk category as well. I now walk with a stick. My surgeon (he is a very good one that I reasearched and want to go with) told me that I have to be under 100kgs before he will operated, that others would do it, but that it is not the right thing. So then I bit the bullet and back to bariatric surgeon for revision to sleeve. I had the band taken out on 20th August 2016 and sleeved in the same op. I am well trained i managing food limitations because of the band, but I get your nervousness, it is a bigger operation than the band with the permanency. I sit her now, 5 days post op, another day of liquids. ..no big deal, been through this before, my biggest worry is that will it work. After all of the complications with the band and limited food etc, why should the sleeve work any better? I know I am raising these concerns at the wrong end of my op, I was desperate, I really need the hip fixed as my priority. I would love to hear success stories of revisons please, thank you. Melbourne gal here! Sent from my SM-T815Y using the BariatricPal App Sent from my SM-T815Y using the BariatricPal App

Hello, I am so sorry to hear what you have gone through. It sounds like you are on your way to what can be a "normal" life. My sister in law had the RNY a long time ago and she seems to be normal. I too am having issues with my sleeve. I am just over a year out from the original surgery, then I had a second surgery to correct a pouch that formed and a stricture. The dilation gave me relief for about 4-5 months, but now I am back in as the symptoms have come back. I also have started to have unmanageable GERD. It is horrible, enough to wake me out of a sound sleep. I am also gaining weight since I am not able to eat as much as I need to, so my metabolism has shut down and I am in starvation mode so back to square one. I saw the PA yesterday and he wanted to consult with the Dr about the upper GI that was done. In between that and now I had to have a hysterectomy. It has been one thing after another. I am not going to have a lot of time to be out of work, if I do have to have a RNY done. It sounds like that is what they are looking at. If they send me back in for another dilation I will be the first case ever to have to have a second dilation in their history. Makes me feel like I did something wrong. My husband is so worried. I hate to eat and the thought of drinking makes me anxious. Everything that goes into my mouth hurts. Either my stomach starts to cramp or I burp uncontrollably. Even Water hurts. I had my fasting labs today to see how I am doing nutrition wise, and hopefully I will hear back from the Dr. tomorrow. I am scared I don't know what to except from the revision surgery and the cost is going to put a huge dent in my pocket book. I definitely didn't sign up for this, I had hoped I wouldn't be the very small percentage that has the problems. Hang in there it will get better!!

I had my first band in 2008 went from 130kgs to 88, i was happy with that, working out heaps I looked fit and was. Then things started to go bad, reflux, acid in mouth, sleeping on 3 pillows, excessive vomiting and not eating extra food. I had band revision to another band 2014. So they moved it down a bit and took the pressure off my oesophagus. I had Barrets oesophagus and gastritis, all from the band! By this time i am stacking on the weight and ended back up at 120kgs. I was very unhappy. But still trying to work with the band to acheive weightloss, but seriously spitting into the wind! Then after carrying what I thought was a bad back after a fall for 18mths I was diagnosed with bone on bone hip and in need of a replacement! I am too young at 54 for this and my weight put me into a higher risk category as well. I now walk with a stick. My surgeon (he is a very good one that I reasearched and want to go with) told me that I have to be under 100kgs before he will operated, that others would do it, but that it is not the right thing. So then I bit the bullet and back to bariatric surgeon for revision to sleeve. I had the band taken out on 20th August 2016 and sleeved in the same op. I am well trained i managing food limitations because of the band, but I get your nervousness, it is a bigger operation than the band with the permanency. I sit her now, 5 days post op, another day of liquids. ..no big deal, been through this before, my biggest worry is that will it work. After all of the complications with the band and limited food etc, why should the sleeve work any better? I know I am raising these concerns at the wrong end of my op, I was desperate, I really need the hip fixed as my priority. I would love to hear success stories of revisons please, thank you. Sent from my SM-T815Y using the BariatricPal App

I am assuming you want advice. Skip the band and go straight to sleeve. Just go peek at the thread of "band to sleeve revision". I personally dont know anyone 5 years out that still have their band. I lost great in the beginning too with my band. But only for one year then nothing. Well slowly, very slowly started to gain. Maybe 1-2 lbs a month. Then maybe 3 or 4 lbs on vacation. With band you are constantly chasing the "sweet spot" where you aren't too tight or too loose. The sleeve eliminates all that. Just food for thought. If I had to do it over again, I would have skipped all the band drama, sliming and fills. Best of Luck, in your decision and process. Keep us posted <3

Following this board, I'm also in the process of looking into a revision. Would love to hear more updates from others that have revised from sleeve to bypass.

According to my surgeon, the weight loss with a revision is all over the place, because of bad habits developed in dealing with the band. Could be? I think as long as you are going in the right direction put a focus on how you feel, rather than all on the number. Good Job on your weight loss!

I finally after 16 months have finished all of the requirements by my insurance company. They are submitting my paperwork for insurance approval (hopefully) as soon as they get my drug/nicotine testing back. I'm not having 2nd thoughts. I am 5'1" and weigh 270. My doctor originally recommended bypass but I am scared (had a friends husband die from bypass surgery, my grandmother had a bypass and was never right again, my mom had a bypass and never lost any weight.) These aren't just random people. They are all people close to me. It just hits too close to home. I said I was more comfortable with the sleeve and my doc agreed. He said if it wasn't successful we could do a revision (which I do not want to do!) I want to do this and do it right. So now that I am days away from working on insurance approval I am worried I am making the wrong decision. How do I know I am making the right choice? Thanks

I was sleeved on July 12 (band to sleeve revision) by Dr. Krause out of Beaumont. He did my original band, band repair, gall bladder removal, and now the sleeve revision. I can not say enough good things about him or the rest of the staff! I hope you are feeling 100% soon! Sent from my SM-G900V using BariatricPal mobile app

What you're feeling is perfectly normal. I'm feeling it too. I was banded in 2009, was successful, but this year I went in for a fill and they suggested for me to have a revision to sleeve instead. I think that's the new way doctors are handling band patients these days, regardless whether they are having problems or stalls. They unfilled it and of course, I gained about 20 lbs. while waiting for my revision surgery. I had Dr. Martinez for my band but have since moved, and am going to have my revision on Sept. 2, 2016 with another doctor. I wish it was with Dr. Martinez as I always had faith in his capabilities and judgment... I guess it's just a long way of saying "I'm scared too." *big hugs* You will do just fine, and so will I, let's just keep reminding each other hehe.

@@gina171 Hi, may I ask which doctor is performing your surgery? I too go to Duke metabolic clinic, and am seeing Dr Yu. Im actually waiting on my insurance approval, they just submitted last week. My BMI is also 49.59. My surgery is revision though, I had my Lap Band (placed 2007) removed 3 weeks ago, and am revising to RNY. When Dr Yu took my band out 3 weeks ago he discovered it had punctured a hole in my diaphram, so we are thinking insurance approval is likley. Maybe we could be buddies

Hello I am 8 days post op and feel that everything I am going through is so abnormal. I am a lap band revision. I feel so regretful and upset. I am looking for someone who may able to guide me though these nest few weeks.

the good thing is that you will likely be successful with the sleeve. if it does not get you where you want to be perhaps you will be low enough to revise to the bypass if needed. I think that's how the sleeve began.

I had the band in 2009 and just had it removed Dec '15 due to intolerance, now I'm waiting for the sleeve, hopefully September sometime, and my biggest worry is this same thing! I've already had 1 WLS fail I really don't want this one to fail. Did your Dr specify why you needed a revision to your new sleeve? I'm really nervous I'm going to follow all the rules and won't have any weight loss as this is what happened with my lap band towards the end. Congrats on getting your new sleeve finally working for you! Sent from my SM-G920V using the BariatricPal App

I'm going to be completely honest. I had a band and I also had it removed because it was not working the doctor converted me.to a gastric sleeve. I never felt full I was always hungry and eat normally no restrictions. 2 years later never lost a pound. I didnt give up After frequent visits with my surgeon I told him I wanted to see what the problem was, I've had two weight loss surgeries and I'm still FAT. So he did a revision of my sleeve. I'm finally feeling what every one else is 2 Oz of food and I feel full. A Protein shake would NEVER fill me up. NOW I'm full. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G928A using the BariatricPal App

I didn't have any gas pain. He also fixed my hernia when he was in there. I had revision band to sleeve at the new CER surgery facility. It is super clean and state of the art. Dr Garcia is very caring so don't be afraid. He and his staff do this all the time so everything moves along like a well tuned machine. Just trust in the process and things will go as planned. Honestly the hardest part was doing the barium swallow. They make you down 3oz at once NO SIPPING and after sip, sip, sipping water in the hospital it is super scary downing 3oz and the taste almost made me gag. So if that is the hardest part YOU GOT THIS VERONIKA

Hi all I'm pre-op, due to have band to sleeve revision in October 16. I have a serious sugar addiction. I'll eat really well for 6 months then completely fall off the wagon and eat a whole block of chocolate or a packet of biscuits before bed every night. This has been a pattern in my life for the last 10 years or so. My question is for those who have seriously 'fallen off the wagon'. For those who don't dump, how much sugar can you eat before your body says no? Can you physically eat a tub of ice cream or a packet of biscuits? I'm so scared of getting this operation and having history repeat itself, where my sugar addictions take control. Any info you can give me about this is much appreciated. Sent from my iPhone using the BariatricPal App

I've always had problems w this after my surgery (7yrs ago) I had 8 EGD's done within the first 2 years I gained 74lbs from the 3rd yr to the 7th year not caring about how I ate I ate what I knew I could keep down. This year I finally got to the point I could no longer keep food down and liquids followed. I found a dr who was able to get a revision approved since my new insurance didn't cover weight loss surgery. I've lost 40lbs since my surgery on March 23rd my weight loss has stopped and again I'm struggling keeping food down. 2 bites and I feel like it's just stuck. Hang in there I once again am reaching out to a different surgeon with hopes one day one might get it right.

@@okiegirl1980 - I was actually leaning toward the lapband initially. It seemed like a good "starter" way of seeing if this worked for me. I ended up rejecting it because of need for follow up with the surgeon (who was in Mexico) and revisions and slippage. I was not interested in getting my bowls worked on (the idea of dumping just scared me, since I teach so much). But I warmed up to the idea of the Sleeve when I read about the Cleveland Clinic research where they were following patients for four years. The need for follow up care was low compared to the other procedures. So, it seemed like the most bang for the buck, and cheaper on the back end. All of the procedures are tools. You still must do the work. If you do, it will change your life. Much tougher as a woman than a man. You are 36, which means you will start getting new attention from guys, which will alter your relationships. If you have not dealt with your food issues, you will be at risk of switching from food to alcohol (or something else). But if you work this on the nutritional/spiritual/emotional levels in a couple of years you will eventually find a new normal, if you are serious. I hope you really appreciate the many thoughtful responses here. I was scanning through the comments, and they were first rate and very fair descriptions of the ups and downs of the procedures. My last bit of unsolicited advice is to Google "WLS fails." There are many videos and blogs of those who didn't do well on this (statistically 20% or so). Look at them carefully. I found most of them failed because they thought this was a magic wand. WRONG. It's still work. But it can change your life in very good and profound ways if you are committed. I have done things I have not done in decades and I am still enjoying the ride. I wish you and my fellow Oklahoman's the best of luck on this. Always feel free to reach out if you have a question.