Good bye old band/Hello new band

[Hope4Jen 0]

Well, I am a little over 3 years out. I have had various illnesses the past 2 months that include a horrendous stomach virus where I had voilent vomiting thus causing my band to slip. :thumbup: I called my band doc a few days ago telling him that I could not stop coughing and puking at night so he had me go in for a barium swallow Thursday. I went and seen him Friday and he verified my band has slipped and that the barium seeped very slowly thru the band.

When I seen him on Friday he told me that my slip is not real "bad" but the way it slipped needed for him to go in and fix it. He said usually on mild/moderate slips can fix itself after an "unfill" for a month or so but the way mine slipped wouldnt work. He also said that my Vanguard band would need to be replaced because this old Vanguard doesnt unsnap, it will have to be cut off.

So, pending insurance approval my tenitive surgery date is March 6th.

Bandsters, please get unfilled if you are going through any type of gastroenteritis until you are well. I also had a URI/bronchitis/sinusitis where I coughed so hard I puked a lot.

I cant tell you how angry I am at myself for not telling my band doc sooner.

So, everyone keep me in your prayers. My 1st surgery was a breeze and I hope this one will be too.

[Linda Lu 1]

So sorry to hear you have to have surgery again. Thank you for sharing your advice with the rest of us. Do you anticipate any trouble with getting the insurance to approve replacement (is your BMI below 40 now?)...not sure how that works when it's a replacement.

[Hope4Jen 0]

Hey Linda,

My BMI is I think around 34 now. The business office told me that they think Aetna (my ins) will replace the band. They said that replacing bands because of slips is usually easier to get away with approvals. I do know that my plan at Aetna will pay for 1 bariatric surgery in the insureds lifetime. Thankfully Pacificare paid for my original band.

[Alexandra 55]

Good luck, Jen! I'd love to hear what Aetna does with your repair/replacement. I hope you have a quick and successful resolution.

[Ray 479 1]

wow exactly what happened to me but they had to go in and take it out and i had a three month wait for healing before replacement.That will be on the 12th May . I was only banded for 7 months but lost 47 kilos. I am stacking it back on and it is annoying the hell out of me.Would like to talk to people who have been second banded. Had it removed 4 weeks ago

[Hope4Jen 0]

Ray,

I wonder how come I see some rebanders having to wait and some get another put back on the same time they remove it? I would flip if I had to wait and have the surgery AGAIN!! I am sorry :thumbdown:

[Ray 479 1]

i was told the area needed time to heal and yes it is scaring the bejeebers out of me scared how much I will put on

[mrp3333 0]

I received my new band when they went in to fix my slip on Feb 15, 2008. So far I don't feel as sore as I did the first time.

[Hope4Jen 0]

MRP3333,

I am so glad to hear you have had no problems rebanding after removal. :thumbdown:

[Ray 479 1]

also some of us get a lot of damage with a slip i got so much reflux i could not take a deep breath and had a little jellied blood spitting up