My daughter had a lap band done in 2008 when she was a 21 year old student on our insurance. Last month, she was visiting Scotland and got really sick. At the hospital in Scotland they did tests that showed her band had slipped and she was totally blocked. 2/3 of her stomach had slipped up over the top of the band and they told her she had to have it out immediately. The did laproscopic but could not safely take it out that way. So they just cut it in half. They also cut the tube leading to her port. She was told that when she got home to the US she had to have it removed. She has been having horrible pains where the tube to the port is now poking her in the side. She is home and we went see a doctor. She is now a high school teacher and has her own insurance. Her insurance does not cover bariatric surgery and the doctors say that her insurance will not pay to remove it because it's bariatric. The doctor here says that by cutting the band where they did in Scotland, they have left rough edges that are going to erode into her stomach and cause major damage. They say it's medically necessary, but that they don't think her insurance is going to cover it. Does anybody have any suggestions? She doesn't have the money to pay cash for an operation (and neither do I), it's going to cost a fortune.

I am sorry you are having so much trouble, Karen. I agree you should definitely have the issues looked at closer. No reason to risk permanent damage to yourself. :(

Take care!!

In your case its good to get a sleeve. Do you know DS is very complicated.

My cousin had a conversion of band to a sleeve. There was no reason to remove the band, the problem she was flat on the wt loss curve, but she was not working with the band. She was grazing and drinking milkshakes.  The nutritionist mentioned to her that if she does not change her lifestyle, even the sleeve or bypass will not help. Well she got the sleeve and she has terrible leak which has cost her a lot $$ and also bad health. I did all the research on the procedures and asked 7 opinions from accross the country. The DS procedure is very difficult and if complicated, you are out of options!!

GOOD LUCK!

With the band it seems you get to a point where no matter what you do nothing happens and it stays that way. I did that for a couple of years and that's when I started looking at the sleeve myself. If I could revise I know the sleeve is what I would go for or the DS they would be my first choices.

I do remember Tonnabug!  That is wonderful that she has done well with the sleeve.  I feel like I have done all I can and work so hard and get nowhere.  I am exercising my ass off every day, measure my food and am careful about what I put in my mouth.  I will have a talk with him and see what he thinks.  Thanks!