Ball's (Finally) Rolling - Band To Sleeve Conversion

[Daisalana 33]

Howdy howdy howdy. I have a few questions, and I fell from moderator at LBT to a newbie over here =)

5 years post-op of original Lap Band Surgery, when the band worked, it worked perfect for me, Lost and gained 120lbs a couple of times.. but my band broke every year that I had it. Self-Pay ALL THE WAY.

I was busy having kids (and trying to pay medical bills, ahem), so I knew eventually I wanted to convert to the sleeve. Joined this forum, but the sleeve seemed like a distant reality due to $$$ and not really knowing where to go. Well right on track, my band has broken again as of February this year. My goal was always 180lb, I was down to 212 before pregnancies, and back to 219 after 2 pregnancies (as of Feb this year)... and today I am 262 with my broken junk of a band.

In the past year my insurance changed to a policy that doesn't hate obese people. So on a whim, I found a new lap band doc to fill locally (I was having to drive quite a ways), and find out if in fact my band was broken or if I just needed a fill. Found out my new insurance covers the fills, which is good because we tried several till he realized it's leaking again. He mentioned me converting to sleeve, which is what I wanted, instead of fixing; but still didn't want to get my hopes up, not use to insurance covering anything.

Yesterday the office called, and said my insurance has 'no limit on bariatric surgery' and all I need is 'preauthorization' from the doc. She said the nurse will talk with the doctor and call me back. This is all new information to me, does 'no limit' mean they would cover the removal & conversion? The lady got defensive thinking I was asking permission from her to get it done, and said I'd have to talk to the doc, the insurance told her (repeated what she said). I'm afraid I'm only hearing what I want to hear: No hoops to jump through, Doc just has to say OK; and insurance will cover both. Anyone have experience with being told this? I patiently waited for the nurse to call me back yesterday, she didn't, so on Monday I'm going to start being a squeaky wheel.

I hope everyone moves fast so they can get $$$ in their pocket, and I can get back to losing before I gain all this back.

Next question--I am about to go peruse the forums again, I remember there's several LBT'ers that have moved over, and last I checked (though it was when the forum was new) everyone was happy; how is the recovery from a conversion? How long should I expect to be out of work realistically? (Note: I went back to work 1 week post c-sections, twice, on my own decision) I'm a pretty tough cookie.

Everyone who converted from lap band happy/still happy with the decision and if so, how far out?

I hate to say I absolutely loved my band..... if it didn't keep breaking. I was a great success story, when it wasn't broken I was losing 3-5lb a week on average without trying.

Took a lot for me to open this forum, I had to wait until I felt it would really happen... now I feel like it really will...

[Texarkolina 201]

I was told something similar by the insurance company but still had to do a few things to get approved. I had to see a psychiatrist, nutritionist, go to a class (did mine online) and have my PCP clear me for surgery. It wan't too bad. What they probably mean is that they don't require a pre-op diet. Good luck on whatever you decide!

[Daisalana 33]

Today they said they are writing a letter to insurance to cover lap band removal now with sleeve procedure 90 days later. Asked if I needed to do anything and they said nope. Woohoo. Slightly bummed it is two surgeries but long term it doesn't matter, just my impatience...and 20% cash. I am hoping that means easier recoveries for both surgeries and less risk of leak.

[iwannabslim 67]

I have wondered about the "limit" thing. I have a friend that currently has lapband. She was trying for revision through her new insurance. She found out that they have a "1 per lifetime" limit on bariatric surgery even though THEY didn't have anything to do with the original surgery. It would seem to me that it would be cheaper on the insurance company to go ahead and cover the surgery rather than paying for the multitude of specialists that she would have to see to deal with the affects of obesity on her body.

As for recovery, it is VERY similar to getting the band. I am on lifting restrictions for 4 weeks. I work at a pretty physical job so I am actually off work on short term disability for the entire time. I have heard of people going back to work soon after surgery (like less than a week). The hardest part, to me, is getting my fluids in. It is very easy to get dehydrated post op. I struggle to get in 5 cups of Water a day. I working on it, but it can be tough.

I'm in contact with a few revisioners. They still VERY happy with their decision to revise. They inspire me daily. I will admit that it was their sucess that made me finally talk to my doctor about revising.

[Daisalana 33]

Well if everything is approved, nothing I read or hear will talk me out of it... I'm just trying to prepare myself! So I don't mind the bad with the good. I did just look at a 30pg long of a girl who regretted doing it. Sounds like it can be hard to get liquid in, so I'm already putting it in my head that I need to make sure to be drinking a lot!