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I have had a Lap Band since 9-2008. I have not had the best of experience with it. The port sticks out and I keep bumping it. I would like to have the Band removed and get a sleeve.
What is the recovery of a Lap Band removal?
The insurance that I currently have will not pay for a Gastric Sleeve, I have a HMO. When I had the Lap Band put in I had a PPO.
Shouldn't my insurance cover the change, because of failure?
???
Love to hear your input.
My cousin had the band to sleeve revision. The band was fused to his liver and caused a lot of scar tissue on his stomach where the band was placed. His surgery took 4 hours (entire procedure of removal and sleeve) because of his 2 problems. They had to actually trim off the liver to remove the band. He was sore. More so than most because of his issues, but he started to feel better soon after. Now, he is so happy. He says he can eat more things than with the band. Food would plug up and now it's more natural. Just gets full quick. No food stuck feeling anymore.
Best of luck. Get that junk outta ya!
I had a lap band installed in 2008 and lost 50 pounds. Unfortunately I lost my job right after that and the stress caused several slips. Finally my doctor said that I need to have it out and then have sleeve surgery. I was 1 day out from surgery until the Dr cancelled due to my thyroid level. It ended up being a lab error but I decided at the time not the have the surgery. Now I wish I had had it.
Fast forward to today - I am 26 days out from surgery and I'm anxious, excited and scared all at the same time. I gained all the weight that I had lost plus some and feel very miserable right now. If your insurance doesn't cover it look for clinics in your area that will self insure.
To your question about recovery from the removal, the removal was as uncomfortable as the install but was quicker. My recommendation would be to do it all at once and start your new life.
If you have any more questions, ask away.
My band is coming out soon and I will be getting sleeved the same day. My insurance is covering everything so I cannot give you any advice on coverage, I have BC/BS PPO.
I just want to say that I had the Lap Band lost 180 pounds and two and a half years later I had to have it removed to the slippage.6 months later had the gastric sleeve very happy had a few setbacks but it is worth all the efforts.I would never recommend the Lap Band knowing what I know today.
I started running a fever after gall bladder surgery and for nearly three weeks my surgeon ignored my complaints and pleas for help. By the time an ER doc took a serious look at me I had a huge abdominal infection, sepsis, and my band had cut into my stomach 75%. I came close to death, seven weeks hospitalized, cut from breast bone to belly button, left to heal open with a wound vac, IV nutrition for 5 weeks, C-Diff colitis, multiple organ involvement. That was after I was assured the band had a 1% failure rate. Do what you have to to get it out. It can kill you-my nurses kept telling me how lucky I was and I finally asked one day "how can this mess be lucky?". The nurse said, "You are lucky because you lived." I am now looking to be sleeved, but my husband is not thrilled with the idea. I am not even sure a sleeve surgeon will consider me eligible for another WLS. I am not sure if the band was the culprit in this disaster or the fact I was ignored for nearly three weeks after the gall bladder removal, but either way, I lose.
Good grief, drvndrm. I think you're lucky, too.
The forum here has several post-band, sleeving patients.
Is it the same insurance that covered your lapband? And is it private insurance, or insurance obtained through your workplace?Quote:
Originally Posted by Pangie82
I also need lapband removal, port is disconnected. My ins. states only 1 Bariatric surgery in a lifetime...WTF!!! they consider lapband removal another bariatric surgery. I have had the band 14 yrs, never really worked for me, or it could be I never worked with it.... I was always hungry. I am seeing a surgeon next week.... in a perfect world he will tell me that he can repair a hernia, remove the band, & do the sleeve...& code it as complications.
Good Luck to you..
Insurance is really tricky, and private insurance is more likely to pay because they are set up for more long term benefits. There are a lot of really great people on this forum that might be able to tell you more about the insurance, how to file etc. Once I got into researching my surgery I ran into the same problem, most doctors that I met with had really long pre-op processes that I didn't feel I could complete because I relocated a lot for work. I have known a number of people that have had problems with the band. I have a friend from my home town that is getting revision surgery in Mexico this June, she has had a number of issues with the band and the port. I wish you the very best in getting your revision. Good luck!Quote:
Originally Posted by Pangie82
My lapband was wonderul and I lost 80 pounds, but a different doctor did a fill on me and he punctured it, so I gained all the weight back again. 4 yrs ago I got the sleeve and it did absolutely nothing for me, so I'm considering going back to mexico and getting the lapband again for I had 6 yrs of great success with it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Pangie82