Just had my band removed...

[smammas 0]

I did have my lap band removed on Monday and came home from the hospital yesterday. I know I did not have a choice. As I said in my earlier post, the reflux was unbearable. As it turns out, the band and the port were still stitched in the right place, but the stomach had slipped up through the band and part of it was laying over on its side. That is why the reflux and acid was so bad-everything was just staying in the pouch and not going through correctly. To make things worse, I got home from the hospital and found a disconcerting letter from my insurance company. Basically they said, I was authorized for the surgery, but they did not know if they would cover it or how much they would cover until they saw the medical notes afterwards. There's nothing I can do about that right now. I had to have the surgery, so we'll just have to face whatever bills come in when they do. I was glad that I was able to hit the -80 pound mark before the surgery. So, I am thankful that I had the band as long as I did and I'm pretty sad about losing it. The doctor was definite that I should not be rebanded and is hopeful that I can continue my weight loss with the help of an appetite suppresent I was on when I had my band un-filled and with hard work and exercise. Of course, I am very hopeful, but I am also realistic and I'm really scared I can't do it. There are so many people now that know what has happened to me and are going to be watching me and judging me even more. People who don't have a weight problem just do not understand what it is like. Many think having the band is the easy way out and somehow cheating and you are not losing weight on your own. For me, having the band was difficult for the whole 20 months I had it. It was not easy and never worked properly. Most of the time I had no fill in it because I couldn't eat anything when I had it filled. So now I feel like some who know me are watching closely to see how I handle this. I know most of them want to see me succeed but I really think they don't believe I can. I'm not so sure I can, either-because I know I never have in the past (without the help of the band). Anyway, the surgery was much easier than when I had the band put in. Probably the 80 pound weight loss made a difference. I am having the gas pains in the shoulders that I never had before and I'm a little sore, but I have not had pain medication since the recovery room, so that part is better. So far I'm on liquids, except I cheated and had a few saltine crackers, and then will gradually move to regular food. I haven't had anything solid for weeks now and I'm really looking forward to eating again. And that scares me, too, because I'm afraid I'll not be able to control myself. For those of you who are Christians, please pray for me. I know God allowed this to happen for a reason. I just pray that I can be a good witness of His presence in my life and show His strength in my weakness. I'll try to keep my profile updated. It is so encouraging for me to read of others' success after the band. I hope I'll be like that, as well.

[lilly 0]

Hello dear, i also am thinking of removing the band since i haven't really lost the weight and afraid of long term complications..how did you get the insurance to pay for it??

Lilly

[Nanook 2]

I personally had been put in the hospital two weeks prior for chest pains but it was reflux. Saw my surgeon afterwards a few days later and his coordinator put it in for approval and it was approved fairly quickly. I don't know if it was a combo of reflux and the fact that I wasn't losing weight but gaining etc... but it was approved. Good luck to you, Nancy.

[GABANDEDGRL 0]

I had to have my band removed at the beginning of September. I was scheduled for a port replacement and I was having acid reflux. So before the port replacement my doc did an endoscopy which showed that my band had erroded my stomach. So I was devistated that I had to have my band out (only finding out when I woke up). I am such the carb-oholic and so scared that I would just gain all my weight back. I did gain 12 lbs in 1 month. I am having my band back in on December 8th and am counting the days down. I cannot wait to get the "full-feeling" back. Oh and my insurance is paying for the surgery--thank heavens.

[Nanook 2]

Good luck to you GAbandedgirl, it will be here before you know it. Is there any pain with band erosion? I still have my chest pains even with my band out which is reflux but never had an endoscopy done prior to removal just an upper GI. I see my primary next week so we'll see if he'll just put me on meds for the reflux. Anyway good luck to you band erosion sounds like a scary thing! Nancy:smile:

[BandedWrong 0]

My goodness, you have been through a lot with your band too! At least you have achieved a weight loss of 80 pounds already! That is a FANTASTIC start, considering all you have had to endure. I know that if you can do that well with all the problems you had with the band, then you are obviously strong enough and graced enough to do really well without it! If you are a Christian, then you know that Jesus told us NOT TO WORRY about what we are TO EAT or what we are TO WEAR. Sufficient for the day are its own troubles ... in other words, you can truly only live your life one day at a time. You need to simply trust in the Lord and pray because your Heavenly Father knows what you need even before you ask Him! Pray for me too. We can pray for each other.

I know what you are saying about feeling like everyone is watching you. I fortunately chose NOT to tell MOST of my friends and family when I did get the Band. I did choose to tell my Bible Study group and a few close friends and family, who I trusted would support me and not judge me. It is very important to surround yourself with people who are positive and supportive of all your efforts, AND who can also hold you accountable in a loving way. I personally, have also been blessed in the past to find that kind of support in an Overeaters Anonymous H.O.W. group, and also at Weight Watchers, and also with a wonderful Christian Counselor (who has since retired). I highly recommend Christian Counselors with M.S.W.'s or Ph.D.'s, who also have a C.A.C. (training in addictions, and codependency). Maybe others on this thread will be able to support us in our journey towards health and wholeness as well.

May God bless you with health, happiness and holiness!

Best regards,

BandedWrong

[Just Jess 6]

So I was devistated that I had to have my band out (only finding out when I woke up). I am such the carb-oholic and so scared that I would just gain all my weight back.

this was my exact situation!!!!!!! i can SO empathise with you! i was just crushed when i found out IN RECOVERY that my band was removed. i cried, but it hurt to cry - they gave me pain meds and i went out. i woke up and cried some more. my husband was beside himself with how to deal with me - i was grieving... like someone had died - but my "someone" was "something". it's nice to talk to people who UNDERSTAND!!!!!!

i had a follow-up with my surgeon last thursday and he said that after 3 months, he will reband me. i am SO excited. he said at the 2 month point they'll submit it to insurance to see if it gets covered and if they deny it, he said the office will appeal it since it was not my choice to have it out!

Oh and my insurance is paying for the surgery--thank heavens.

do you mind my asking what insurance you have?

[lilly 0]

For me my insurance paid for the surgery except for co-pays and insurance paid for the removal except for a smaller co-pay because I was out-patient and the bill was about 1/3 smaller than the lap band surgery.

Dear All,

I am seriously thinking of having the band removed due to severe stomach pain, acid reflux, and constant vomitting..I live in chicago, and have Blue cross blue shield as insurance provider..Do you think the removal is covered??

Lilly

[Nanook 2]

I was told because I was put in the hospital because of the chest pains that was why I was approved so quickly for removal. I was going to have it removed further down the road but this sped up the procedure. I would speak to your surgeon about it. I met with mine prior and he said when I was ready to go through his surgery coordinator. They handle all the insurance at their office but he knew if it wasn't covered I wasn't interested.

I think it's best to start a trail with your surgeon since you're having problems. I had mine removed after having it for 14 months. Good luck to you Nancy.

[Just Jess 6]

i have no idea how that works when you "request" to have it removed. i certainly did not!!!!!!! it all came as a surprise to me - the doc didn't know he had to remove it until he looked inside my stomach! so definetely call your doc and explain your symptoms. i wouldn't go in "asking" for removal... wait and see what he suggests, bc it will probably be different if it "medically necessary" vs "patient requested" -- you know?

i'm currently fighting to get rebanded and praying i get approved. i miss my band SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO much!

[ras141414 0]

LIFE goes on without the Band as I found out.. and GOOD OLD GOOD DIET AND JOGGING 4.5 MILES A DAY HELPED ME OUT... 2X SLIPS BAND REMOVED, AND I AM HAPPIER NOW.. GOOD LUCK TO YOU AFTER SURG:thumbup:

[tondavi719 0]

how much does it cost to have it removed if you are self pay? any ideas?

[WASaBubbleButt 41]

how much does it cost to have it removed if you are self pay? any ideas?

It depends on several factors. Do you want a revision to something such as a sleeve at the same time? Are you going to your original surgeon?

I'd go to MX. It should run about $3500 to 5K I would imagine. But the more important question is one of revision. Very few of us can maintain without some sort of surgical intervention. I know I wouldn't have maintained on my own.

Bands are verrrry hard and loaded with complications such as slips, infection, erosion, etc. I can't say I would ever get one again.

[SJK 0]

Hi all. I was banded in January 2008. I was filled three times and lost some weight. I always had problems with my port, it never stopped hurting and in September the area around it got red. My doctor was a louse and could not get him to see me so in November I got another doctor to see me. An endoscopy confirmed severe band erosion and I went into surgery for removal on Nov 12th. When the doc went in it was a disaster. He had to cut me open, the band was too close to the esophagus, was halway into my stomach, I had a hole in my stomach and the band had started to adhere to my liver. Anyway he got it out and repaired my stomach. I spent a week in hospital. I was on liquids for a week and am now eating but small portions. I actually cannot eat that much at a time. Im still off of work and still have pain and am recuperating. I'm sad my band experience was terrible but am so happy I am ok.

[Nanook 2]

how much does it cost to have it removed if you are self pay? any ideas?

I had mine removed by the same surgeon who put it in and it cost $10,000 which was a combo of the surgeon's fee and the hospital charges. I have insurance so I don't know if it would be cheaper without, good luck Nancy.