Revision from band question

[Nanajoy 14]

Will I likely need all of the same pre- testing ( endoscopy, ekg, psychiatric screening etc) before having my band out and sleeve done? My dr does them at the same time.

[Lizbeth926 3]

I had my band removed last June and am now going through the process for my revision to a gastric sleeve. My insurance is making me jump through all the hoops again as if I never had the lap band. Very frustrating and now surgery is at least another 6 - 7 months away. They are requiring 6 months of nutritionist visits. Sigh. I suppose it will depend on your insurance company. I have BCBS.

[deltagirl93 79]

Yes, you have to do everything again. I had the band as well. My insurance, Aetna, required four months of requirements. I didn’t want to wait and did self-pay.

Let me add, for the surgeon I still had to get medical clearance, psych clearance and cardio clearance. However, one shot and done.

[Nanajoy 14]

Is that even if the band is causing problems and that’s why they are taking out and doing sleeve?

[deltagirl93 79]

I can speak to my situation and what others have shared previously. I had my band removed and the revision done in the same surgery. I still didn’t get any bonus points for previous things I had done in the past.

[SIPS in Seattle 345]

I have Aetna, I still had to jump through hoops for my revision. More testing than with my band but that is my surgeons requirements. I did the 3 nut visits and 3 mo supervised diet.. the usual Aetna stuff. But approval was quick and easy.