Lap band to gastric bypass revision info

[kstein01 14]

Hi group. My

Story is similar. I was banded in 2007. Lost 163 pounds. Was doing great until last year. I went to a surgeon in town and he sent me for an upper GI. I had a severely enlarged esophagus. I also had vomiting and bad GERD. The surgeon removed all my Fluid and I gained 35 pounds in 2-3 months. I inquired about the sleeve or GB. He was on board with removing the band because he absolutely hates them. I am in the waiting time frame for insurance to see if they pay for removal and revision. I have benefits with United health care but it comes down between them and the surgeon. He is gonna pull thru for me, fingers crossed. Keep me posted on your journey.

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[josiek1988 70]

iwanttobethin brought up a great point that most people are unaware of. If you get an insurance denial, call the insurance company and ask them who is reviewing your case. Most companies don't want you to know that is nothe someone qualified to make that decision. These people get paid to say NO!!! BUT if you call and question them on it, you will almost always get an approval!!!! I work in a specialists office and we see this all the time. NEVER TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!!!

[lolarose13 147]

Great info! Thank you guys! Same story here. Banded 3 years ago, lots of compilations, band got deflated and I gained most of the weight back.

I have a question about BMI. Mine is 32 right now and I'm afraid I need to keep gaining weight (!) in order for a doctor to take me. Anyone had this experience? Also I have Blue Cross of CA PPO.

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Edited March 17, 2016 by lolarose13

[suepro 39]

My story as well! Except I am a little further along. I had my band for nearly 12 years. Banded in 04. Lost 90 lbs. Trouble began. I converted to bypass on 9/15/15 and have been at my goal weight of 165 for 6 months. Life is good! This surgery is night and day from the band. My dr. still places bands and I scold him about it all the time. Success rate is much too low. Good luck!

To be honest I am surprised that bands are still being fitted, despite the huge number of people requiring revision surgery. I think that more people are researching and going for sleeve and bypass but how long will it be until bands are phased out?

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[happymamak 8]

My story as well! Except I am a little further along. I had my band for nearly 12 years. Banded in 04. Lost 90 lbs. Trouble began. I converted to bypass on 9/15/15 and have been at my goal weight of 165 for 6 months. Life is good! This surgery is night and day from the band. My dr. still places bands and I scold him about it all the time. Success rate is much too low. Good luck!

To be honest I am surprised that bands are still being fitted, despite the huge number of people requiring revision surgery. I think that more people are researching and going for sleeve and bypass but how long will it be until bands are phased out?

The surgeon that, originally, dos my band doesn't do them anymore. That was in Chicago. We live in Orlando, now, and the surgeon that is doing my revision no longer does bands either. He, essentially, told me that they're crap. I would have to agree lol!

[Notinks 91]

The surgeon that, originally, dos my band doesn't do them anymore. That was in Chicago. We live in Orlando, now, and the surgeon that is doing my revision no longer does bands either. He, essentially, told me that they're crap. I would have to agree lol!

I know! When i did my nutrition education, it was in a group setting and there were a couple of people in there getting Crap Bands and it was all i could do to not take them aside after and tell them! What my dr says is that he thinks it is okay for people who don't have a lot to lose, but that doesn't make sense to me because I don't think the amount to lose has any correlation to whether it works or erodes or causes reflux, etc.

[happymamak 8]

I completely agree!

[josiek1988 70]

I just got a letter from the surgeon's who did my band in 2014. They are no longer doing Lap Band at all! That was in Indiana and I now live in Ohio. When I got the band I was very limited. I lived in a very small town and my insurance only covered 1 hospital. And they only did bands there. So it was that or nothing!!! When I got to Ohio and went to the surgeon here, he said that the doctor never should have agreed to do the band on me. He said that the band is really only good for people with lower BMI's who need to loose let weight. I was surprised to hear that! I think if things were explained to me more clearly and honestly, I would have made a different decision. Anyway, I'm h and working it out for the second and last time! No more pain and discomfort in my future!!

[Stacylynn1982 13]

The surgeon I am seeing told me the same thing!!! He said that too many of his patients and the patients in the practice are having too many issues with the band. I went for a fill to my first surgeon (who moved out of state) last year and the nursing staff had to go find the needle for the fill because there were none on hand. They also called other medical staff in the room to see what a lap band fill looked like because no one has them anymore. I panicked immediately because what do medical professionals know about the band that we don't? I am so over this lap band lol

[MKJohnson15 29]

I'm in the same boat as you were.

I was banded in 2007. Lost 97 lbs and kept it off for 6 years. Then I got pregnant (after years of fertility treatments! So happy!) , had to get the band unfilled due to severe morning sickness. After I gave birth, I tried to get fills again but oh. My. Gosh. Horrible pain. Burning severe reflux. I couldn't sleep. I couldn't eat anything healthy. Even Water made me sick. I would reflux so bad I would cough and vomit. I felt like I couldn't leave the house!

I ate what I could, which we all know as "slider foods". I gained back the 97 lbs, plus another 37 on top of that. I was heartbroken and I'm horrible pain.

As soon as I weaned my daughter (she nursed for 28 mths) I started the process to get a revision to RNY.

I had my surgery last week on March 10th. Through the preop diet process and my first week, I have lost a total of 54 lbs already.

I'm so happy. Gaining that weight so fast was really hard on me physically and mentally. I'm so glad to be taking it off now.

I'm excited about the future again!

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[MKJohnson15 29]

By the way, I forgot to mention that when my dr removed my band, it had adhered to my liver. She said it was only a matter of time before the band would have HAD to come out, as they're realizing that they only last about ten years now.

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[jnt1 37]

Wow. Its so interesting reading all your stories from USA. In Australia your Doctor decides whether you need a procedure...and the Insurers cannot refuse ANYONE.

By law the private health insurers must cover everyone without prejudice. And on top of that we have the free public healthcare service "Medicare" that covers all emergency medicine, hospital etc.

The idea of an insurance company deciding what medical care i need is just shocking and would make me so angry!

I have a similar story to you Stacylynn. GB in 2009...list a lot of weight initially and has gradually crept back on. Today i am the same weight as pre GB all those years ago????

I met with my surgeon yesterday and he has schefuled me to remove band and do a mini gastric bypass in 4 weeks.

I hate my band. Had so much trouble but i am terrified about the MGB.

I'm worried about dumping and never being able to eat a piece of French cheese ever again.

I would love sone feedback on what bypass patients can actually eat, and do you feel hungry?

Is it true you just dont feel like eating?

The worst thing about the band is hunger that is always there due to the empty stomach just waiting for food.????

Any feedback on whst you can eat and how you go when dining out would be much appreciated ladies! ☺

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[jnt1 37]

The surgeon I am seeing told me the same thing!!! He said that too many of his patients and the patients in the practice are having too many issues with the band. I went for a fill to my first surgeon (who moved out of state) last year and the nursing staff had to go find the needle for the fill because there were none on hand. They also called other medical staff in the room to see what a lap band fill looked like because no one has them anymore. I panicked immediately because what do medical professionals know about the band that we don't? I am so over this lap band lol

I am currently waiting for my revision from band to bypass in 4 weeks time.

What really shocked me was finding out that way back in 2010 a Swiss study on gastric bands found that 80% would be removed within 10 years of initial insertion!

So the manufacturers of these bands have been pushing a medical product that they know is dodgy for 6 years. Almost as bad as the tobacco industry!

Having said that I'm still terrified of the bypass because it is so permanent. Any tips or advice on the bypass? How has it impacted on your life...especially when going out with friends?

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[UsernameTaken 283]

The surgeon I am seeing told me the same thing!!! He said that too many of his patients and the patients in the practice are having too many issues with the band. I went for a fill to my first surgeon (who moved out of state) last year and the nursing staff had to go find the needle for the fill because there were none on hand. They also called other medical staff in the room to see what a lap band fill looked like because no one has them anymore. I panicked immediately because what do medical professionals know about the band that we don't? I am so over this lap band lol

I am currently waiting for my revision from band to bypass in 4 weeks time.

What really shocked me was finding out that way back in 2010 a Swiss study on gastric bands found that 80% would be removed within 10 years of initial insertion!

So the manufacturers of these bands have been pushing a medical product that they know is dodgy for 6 years. Almost as bad as the tobacco industry!

Having said that I'm still terrified of the bypass because it is so permanent. Any tips or advice on the bypass? How has it impacted on your life...especially when going out with friends?

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I am also in process of revision to RNY and I am also terrified which is why I went with the band but after all these years of suffering and still being overweight I am facing my fears. I cannot let fear stop me this time around, I have had it :)hope your fear goes away, I hear it's so much better without that annoying band

[Stacylynn1982 13]

Thank you all so so much for all the information and support!!!! I have been really upset and nervous that I was having the issues and no one else was ......the study you jnt mentioned....shame on these band manufacturers for making people go through this! 80% is beyond ridiculous and just plain scary. I agree with UsernameTaken, the scary part is the permanency of the bypass but I am sick and tired of this weight. Hey....we got this right?!?

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