Surgery Redo?

I'm hoping someone here can answer a few questions for me.  I had a Gastroplasty (VBG) in 2001. I have since gained all the weight back plus a little more.  Very depressing.  I can eat as much as I could before the surgery.  Can the surgery be redone?  Will OHIP cover it?  I'm also curious as to why gastric banding isn't covered under OHIP, or is it?  I see lots of private type clinics in Ontario that do it but it costs around $22,000.

My daughter had VBG in 2000, lost 150 lbs.  When she got pregnant, apparently all the staples pulled loose due to vomiting.  She also gained all the weight back.  In 2006, she had RNY.  It was a little more complicated and had to be done open since she has so much scar tissue due to previous surgery, but she lost the 150 lbs and has kept it off since then.

Unfortunately, her insurance would not pay for it, and she was self pay.  I don't know about OHIP, but it would certainly be worth a call to check with them.

Check out the Revision forum, here:http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/revision/

You do not want a Band. Of the four major forms of WLS, the Band is the least effective and the one with the most complications. You're pretty much guaranteed a second surgery, since the manufacturer admits that it's not intended to last for more than ten years.

I suggest you visit the surgical forums for the Sleeve/VSG, the RNY/gastric bypass, and the DS/duodenal switch.

there is an Ontario board on here you may want to post in they may better be able to answer your questions

Hiya,

Here is a link to the Ontario Forum:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/ON/a,messageboard/

Gastric banding or Lap Band is not covered by OHIP because it is not a reliable surgery.  If you want to seek a revision you will need for family doctor to refer you to the Ontario Bariatric Registry:

http://www.bariatricregistry.ca/

Then your case will be forwarded to the nearest bariatric centre for evaluation. 

Good luck with getting help.

Judy (in Ottawa)