Revision?
Unless there is something physiologically wrong with your original surgery, it is unlikely an insurance company will pay for a revision.
Lots of us have lost significant regain. I lost 60lbs last year.
How much have you regained in a year?
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
Losing that is completely doable. It took me about 9 months of getting back to basics, but if I can do it, anyone can!
If you're willing to pay, you'll find a surgeon to do one of the procedures outlined by White Dove, but you probably won't be as successful as if you change your lifestyle and do it yourself, which is crazy, no?
Anyway, good luck with whatever you choose
Proud Feminist, Atheist, LGBT friend, and Democratic Socialist
I too paid for my gastric sleeve out of pocket. My sleeve was done 13 years ago and I lost over 100 pounds and I've kept it off. However, recently I have had major complications with GERD and my doctor says I need to convert to RNY in order to sustain life. I am underweight and malnourished at this time.
I have had probably over $200,000 in test and surgeries and I haven't even had the RNY yet. My insurance will not cover the RNY because I didn't go through the protocol that is normally required to have weight loss surgery. I wasn't even covered by my current insurance carrier when I had the sleeve. At first they even talked about recouping money where my doctor repaired a large hernia, preoperative exams, multiple scopes, heart caths, etc.
I become eligible for Medicare on 12/1/19 and Medicare has told me that if it is medically necessary they will cover. My surgeon says it is definitely medically necessary. I have labs and test to back up the necessity as well. When I told my retirement plan that I was dropping them and going with Medicare they didn't recoup any monies and even paid for an anesthesia charge that was pending. I'm telling you this because when I had my sleeve I though I can afford $15-$20000 and I could, but I can't afford $200-$300000 or more.
I don't regret my sleeve because I had a stroke in 2015. If I had been overweight I probably would have either died or had serious complications. I do regret not going through my insurance. I was impatient and wanted to lose my weight right then. I'm not trying to scare you from proceeding with a revision, but wanted you to be aware of things that may happen.
If you are a 100 pounds overweight I would talk with my insurance carrier and go the right way to ensure I couldn't possibly be held responsible for future charges. Just something to think about.
Weight loss with any revision will be mostly from eating fewer calories. That magic that you had in 2007 is a once- in-a-lifetime gift.
They can tighten up the stoma at the bottom of your pouch so food stays in longer. They can make the pouch smaller. They can do a procedure called distal RNY where they lengthen the bypassed intestines. Surgeons used to out a lap band over the RNY, but I don't think they do that anymore.
I also had RNY in 2007. Through the years, I have regained and lost again several times. I have never considered revision. I have seen many people come on here, find a surgeon, get revision, lose about 20 pounds and then never post here again.
Real life begins where your comfort zone ends
I had my surgery in 2011 I lost a total of 200 lb. I gained a total of 70 lb back in the last couple of years. I went to see a nutritionist I've continued to see my weight loss surgeon for yearly check-ups. I decided to pretty much reset my stomach. By that I mean back to the basics I have lost 45 lbs since February. I still have another 15 pounds to go to meet my goal believe me if I can do it anyone can do it. Go back to protein shakes drink a lot of water start walking eat slower and for me I actually did calorie counting and continue to do so today. You don't have to put yourself through another surgery you have the tool already you just have to make it work for you. Good luck!
