Slipped Band, now what?

[GrizGirl 0]

Not really sure even how to begin.

I have been banded since June 2005. Had great success up until about one year ago. I went through a series of fills and unfills which culminated in a slip. I was completely unfilled from October last year until January of this year. I've played around with varying fill amounts since then

Through this all, (from my low last summer) I've gained 16 pounds. Not too bad.

I had a small fill at the beginning of August (went from 3.5cc to 4.5 cc in an 11cc). All has been going great...until yesterday. Had my normal lunch, crackers ff cream cheese, and wham...stucksville. Slimed quite a bit at work (that's always delightful) but felt pretty good by the time I went home.

I took it pretty easy last night...Ice Cream for dinner..yea I know..., but that got stuck as well.

Got up this morning, coffee went down ok. Got to work, had a slimfast, and there it sat, and sat and sat. Finally that came back up.

I called the doc and they got me in right away for an unfill. My doc's office has always been super about getting me in right away. I immediately felt better.

So, this is where I'm at now.

My doc's office is submitting a request to my insurance company for removal of the lap band and revision to VSG. I was fortunate that my insurance covered the Lap Band this first time around. I've been doing some research on VSG and it seems like it might be a route I'd like to go. My doc also has said, that he will do all and anything he can to faciliate approval. Guess I'll have to wait and see what happens.

Thanks all, feel better for having written this.

[Oregondaisy 2,021]

You know, more and more people are having complications later on down the road after having the band for awhile. I would not hesitate to get the VGS if anything went wrong with my band.

[pebbles430 0]

Stupid question...I have not gotten my band yet(still looking for the right doc)....but when you say food get stuck...that mean it literally will not go in your stomach and it comes back up? And what is VGS?

[Nanook 2]

You either eat too fast or you don't chew your food to the right consistency and it sits in your new stomach above the band and you end up vomiting it up. It usually hurts and feels like a golf ball in your esophagus. It's different than vomiting the old way as its not digested.

A VSG is a vertical sleeve gastrectomy which is listed under the other weightloss surgery section of this forum. Nancy:smile:

[pebbles430 0]

thank you nancy. i have been reading and reading, and trying to get the lingo for banding! i appreciate your help.

[Paula08 0]

Dont lose hope. I was banded in March of 08 lost 40 pounds then band slipped. My band had to be removed in June. Now, Sept 8th I had LAP RNY surgery all approved.

Im five days out from surgery and feel fabulous.

If I can help in anyway let me know.

[GrizGirl 0]

I've got an update...

Jumped through some hoops with my insurance company.

Had to get a new psych evaulation and nutritional assessment...No big deal.

Long story short, my insurance company will approve removal of the old band & replacement of a new band. They will also approve RNY. They will not however approve VSG as it's still considered investigational.

My doctor wants me to appeal this decision, but I know that while there may be 1 million reasons why this surgery is best for me, until it's FDA approved my insurance company will not budge. At this point in time, self paying for VSG isn't really an option.

So, now I'm faced with several questions.

1. Appeal the denial

2. New Band

3. RNY

Part of me would like to go the RNY route and just get the rest of this weight off...but then I've done OK with the band. Current BMI is around 32...

I would like to know how people who had their band for a couple of years and have undergone surgery to replace their band are doing.

What to do, What to do.....

[Nanook 2]

I personally didn't revise after my removal but my 20 yo daughter is doing well now with her RNY. I would suggest posting this new so you'll get more responses. Good luck to you Nancy:smile: