Does Medicare Cover If You Switch From Band To Sleeve And You Bmi Isn't High Enuf?

[marfar7 1,533]

Hey everyone,

I've had my band for 3 yrs now and happy with the results (lost 104 lbs). However, my band slipped about 6 mths ago and I still haven't gotten it fully fixed. My Dr says he "treats the symptoms, not the xray" meaning that when he unfilled me partially, my reflux stopped. So he left it alone. Unfortunately, at this current fill level, I no longer have that same restriction. Not to say I have none, I can tell it's there till about 7 pm -then I can graze like a cow. Used to throw up quite often cuz I ate way too fast. Haven't thrown up in 6 mths since my partial unfill. Still have occasional reflux (about 2x a week).

I was banded for a reason: Diet don't work. Hate dieting. When I was banded, I swore I'd never count another calorie or fat gram again - and I don't. Like I said, I've been pretty successful with it but after my slip, I find I can eat tons more - causing a 16 lbs weight gain in the last 6 mths. I was 9 lbs from my goal last Dec now I'm 25. But I know if I have my band removed, I will most likely gain all that weight back.

Does MEdicare (who covered my band) cover revision surgery if there was a problem with my band? Or do they only cover if I gain all the weight back and my BMI is >40 again? My current BMI is 26. But obesity is an ongoing medical condition and it really doesn't matter how much you weigh at any given moment, if I have the ability to gain it back, I probably will. What do you think?

Marci