Question about conversion to RNY or VG vs. band

Bensmum1109 · September 22, 2006

I wasn't sure where to post this thread, Complications or Life After LapBand, but hopefully I will get my answers here :rolleyes. I will actually post this in two forums (Moderators, I hope that's ok??)

As you all can see by my ticker I am really not that far from my goal, and although I have had some complications, there is currently no evidence of a slipped band. Bear in mind that my goal weight is MY goal weight and brings me into a normal weight BMI. My doc would like to see me at 122 lbs, but he's nuts. I am neither 20 years old NOR a fashion model.

So my question- in the event of a slip, will most surgeons consider doing a conversion to a VG, RNY (something I would NOT consider), or this mini-bypass I have been reading about (something I would consider), if your BMI is no longer in the "danger zone" (ie 35 and up)?? It wouldn't make sense to me if you were, say halfway to your goal and your band had to come out, for you to be REQUIRED to put your weight back on before you could have another procedure done.

I hope it never comes to this for me, but hopefully your answers may help those that are in that very situation!

vinesqueen · September 22, 2006

Hmm, that is a very good question.

Intitivly, I would think that if you are no longer MO then your surgeon would not convert you to a different type of WLS. I'm sure that it would not be covered by insurance companies, since you are no longer MO.

Bensmum1109 · September 22, 2006

I was a self-pay anyway. I got the surgery with (GASP) a 34.9 BMI. But I had lots of co-morbidities.

Hope you are doing well!

vinesqueen · September 25, 2006

I've been thinking about this question the last couple of days.

I would think that in the even of a slip, that they would not convert you then and there. If a converstion was going to be made, I think that it would be made after the slip had healed. I imagine that during a slip that there is some injury to the stomach itself, espeically if the slip goes for any length of time. But I really don't know.