Frantic - please help!!!!!!!

[chubbydiva 0]

Hi I haven't posted in awhile but I need you guys help please. I was banded in Nov. 2007, I've lost almost 60lbs, I'm pretty much at goal. Over the last several weeks I'd noticed the band becoming tighter and tighter. I had major surgery 4 weeks ago, so I put the band on the backburner. Today I went in for an unfill and they said the band had slipped!! My doctor wanted to revision surgery tomorrow. I was and am in hysterics. First and foremost, I was self pay and in no way can afford to pay for additional surgery. Now they did say that my insurance "should" cover this emergency surgery.

I am still not healed from my surgery on Aug. 1st and it was horrible. My surgeon did call me back and say it was ok t ohave the band repaired. This is my dilemma. Should I just have the band removed? I know I will gain every pound back but I'm afraid of this happening again and if my insurance decides not to pay we are sunk financially. How hard will this revision surgery be. Having the band placed was ruff, I don't want to go through that again. My doctor stated he just needed to go in and reposition it and stitch it back down "most likely" or he may have to replace it.

Anyone with insight on this please post. I am crying as I write this, I'm trying to calm down. Ironically, today I told my husband, was the first day that I've woken up pain-free since my surgery on Aug. 1st. Now this:cry_smile:

[hoosierpoms 0]

FIRST OF ALL...ughhh I had the whole reply submitted and the site timed out....

But anyway.

First of all and my main point is this

YOUR HEALTH IS THE FIRST AND UPMOST IMPORTANT THING HERE.

why are you not in surgery right now????

I had a friend who's band slipped, and they told him before he went in that there was a chance they would be taking out the band depending on the outcome when he got in surgery.

It was being held on with 1 stitch and he was able to save the band.

Of course they are re doing it a little at a time, and taking it slow....

So...my question to you is this....

How have you changed your diet? How has your lifestyle changed since you first got the band? Are you able to continue with the habits you are currently doing and maintain a healthy weight?

With that being said......if it is your health, and your band comes out..than you work it out and stay positive and stay active to keep the weight off.

Now, about the financial part.....IF you end up having to pay a part of the surgery or whatever...than you work a payment plan out with the doctor or the hospital. But, this should not stop you from getting this surgery...even if it is getting a new band and owing money for it......You are the only one that can answer the tough questions.....

You know what you can tolerate and what you cant.

I wish you the best of luck, and please keep us informed of your choice....

Traci in Indiana

[gilliebean 1]

you have to settle down cause you can't make good decisions when your emotional. I know its hard and scary. I am sure you will be fine. I know if it was me i would want to keep my band cause i don't want to gain back my weight. Or i would want them to do the bypass. But gaining all my weight back would not be an option i would pick if i had a choice.

[wwalsh 0]

Hang in there, you have done too well to give this up now! Talk to the doctor about the $ issue, especially since you were self pay. Hopefully he will work something out with you if your insurance won't pay (which I really think they will). I didn't find my surgery that bad, but wasn't it worth the pain etc. to lose the weight!? With the weight that you have lost, the revision or even replacement may be much easier. Good luck to you! Wendy

[thughes113 0]

As others have said, your health is number 1. If it were ME, with all the work I've done, and you know, this isn't easy...it isn't a quick fix, but the lap-band is a VITAL tool in "our" success. I would have the surgery to re-affix the lap-band. IF it were me. All the best to you. Take good care. Breath in, breath out.

[Andrea20405 0]

You need to have surgery, no matter what. You cant have a slipped band. Since he is going to be in there anyway, he might as well repair it.

[flowers 0]

I dont know where you are having the lapband revision, have you gotten a cost estimate? Have you considered having it done in Mexico. I had my original surgery done there and if my band slipped I would be going back to have it fixed. I see no reason to pay U.S. prices and afraid of all the add on costs of U.S. surgery. I have no insurance.

Hopefully, you are not in the same boat I am, and if your doctor says the surgery you had caused the band to slip, you will be covered. Let us know how it goes.