Latest Information

I talked with my surgeons nurse to make a plan and get a full explanation of what needs to get done to re-apply for approval from my insurance for my revision from Lap Band to the Sleeve.

I am going to need to have 3 months of documented supervised weight loss with my primary care doctor. Don't miss a month, or it will have to start all over again.

Make an appointment and see the psychologist for another evaluation. I say another, since I had to see her when I had the Lap Band.

I made my appointment for the primary care doctor for tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting this started, so that we can get the process going again.

Insurance response

I received an email today from my surgeons nurse telling me that the insurance company wants me to complete a 3 month supervised diet and another psych eval.  I am waiting for a phone call from the nurse to discuss exactly what this all means and how it needs to be accomplished.

Request Submitted

I found out yesterday that the surgeons office has submitted for approval to perform a revision from Lap Band to Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy.  The wrote a strong letter supporting the revision due to the complication I suffered when my band slipped.

I have seen where some people were able to get the revision approved without any trouble, but I've seen otherwise as well.

So, here's hoping for a positive response from Blue Cross Blue Shield.

Revision Surgery Update

I suppose the best way to say this is there really is no update yet. I've been working my Doctors nurse to compile a compelling case to present to the insurance company.  Since BCBS Federal doesn't seem to want to approve VSG surgery, she is trying to build a strong case, so that I don't have to go through a lot of other complications.

The crazy thing is that the insurance company would easily approve revision to gastric bypass or to reconnect my lap band, but will resist the VSG surgery. I don't know why, but that is the case.

Hopefully we will get what we want on this, or I will have to come up with a new plan.

Revision attempt

Dr. Taddeucci's nurse, Christy, called me the other day to find out if I could help her find information on my insurance plan. It has been difficult in the past for Blue Cross Blue Shield Federal to get approval for revision surgery for the Vertical Sleeve Gastronomy. Since my surgeon believes this to be the best option for me, they are going to try and get the approval.
I have provided them with a copy of the insurance plan, and several pieces of information that I found all over the web where others have been successful in getting the approval from BCBS FEP.
Wish me luck.

Consultation

I met with Dr. Taddeucci, my bariatric surgeon last Friday to discuss my future options. He is recommending that if my insurance will approve it, I should have my Lap Band removed and have a revision to the Vertical Gastric Sleeve.  We discussed the gastric bypass, but he feels I am a better candidate for the sleeve.
Now we wait for another 2 months for a full healing from the band unbuckle and the gallbladder removal. Hopefully the insurance company will approve the revision.

Pictures of the Weight-loss Progress

.
The picture on the left is from June 2008 when I weighed 335 pounds. I eventually gained up to 355 pounds before I finally had the Lap Band surgery. On the right is a picture from July 2013 at 275 pounds.

Research

I've been doing a lot of research lately to determine my best course of action for the future of my weight loss road. I have found out that there are a lot of people that have had complications from the Lap Band, so my wife and I are not alone. Did I mention she had complications and had to have hers removed last winter?

I don't really know the answer for me. Do I get the band re-buckled, get it removed and get the vertical sleeve, or do I go all the way for a gastric bypass?  I just don't know. I do know, that I'm not excited to deal with future complications from the Lap Band. I also know there are risks and complications with any bariatric surgery.

By the way, my pre-surgery weight in March of 2010 was 350, the lowest post surgery weight was 250 and now I'm back to 275.  I am scared that I won't every get this under control. 

Doing more research and praying for guidance.

Band Complications

Just over two weeks ago I was having a lot of pain in my stomach area. I couldn't keep any food or liquid down. It started on Saturday night after I got done teaching a class. I just couldn't keep anything down and started feeling uncomfortable. The next morning, I thought I could "gut it out." (no pun intended.)
I went to work thinking that things would get better, but it actually got worse. I left work to go home, I was sure that my band was blocked. On the drive home, I called my doctor, and he met me at his office to remove the fluid from my band.
When he did the xrays, he noticed that it looked like my band had possibly slipped, but even after all the fluid was removed my stoma (whole which food travels thru) was very restricted. He told me to stick with liquids for a few days to see if it got better.  Well, the next morning I felt worse, and couldn't get anything through still.  The pain in my abdomen was worse. I called the doctors nurse and let her know what was going on.
She called me later in the morning to tell me that the doctor was ready to admit me to unbuckle my band, but I wasn't ready for that as I do not want to regain my weight. I've come too far with my weight loss to want to give it up now.
After a couple more hours of worsening pain, no fluids making it through, and my urine getting much darker, I knew I needed to do something.  I knew I was getting severely dehydrated, and it wasn't getting any better. I called the nurse again and told her what was going on.  The doctor told me that I should go to the hospital to be admitted for IV fluids.
Once in the hospital, the staff told me that I was scheduled for surgery the next morning to have my lap band unbuckled. The thought of having the band unbuckled was a little saddening for me. Not going to lie.
The next morning my doctor did the surgery to unbuckle my Lap Band, and while inside, found my gallbladder severely inflamed and decided that removal of that was the best course of action. Once I woke up, and was able to eat and drink I began feeling much better.

Yesterday I had my follow-up with my doctor. We talked about getting the Lap Band reconnected in a few months and about the gallbladder.  Since I have done some research on the Gastric Sleeve procedure, I asked if that could be possible. He said that it is possible, but it might be a fight with the insurance company, but he is willing to try and get it worked out. We will have to see what the future holds on this.

Nutribullet

I've been using the nutribullet for a few weeks now. I really love being able to take in a lot of leafy greens and fruit in the amounts that are needed for good health. I personally have noticed a difference in how I feel.
I whole heartedly endorse the use of the nutribullet.

The best part is my weight loss is moving again. Done a few more pounds.

Juicing

I decided to trying juicing to increase my vegetable and fruit intake. Anyone with a lapband knows how hard it can be to eat some fruits because of the fiber. The Nutribullet is my tool of choice for this. It breaks down all the fiber and skins down to very manageable sizes.
I did a bunch of research on the YouTube to see what others had to say and since almost everyone had something positive to say about the Nutribullet, I decided to take the plunge and spend $100 at the WalMart. Just a quick note, I'm not a big WalMart fan, but they had it instock and the price was right.
I will let you know how it goes, but the first week of using it has been great.

I feel like I'm back on track

Feeling like I'm making progress again since the last band fill. I've dropped some pounds, and I'm feeling like things are going well. Looking forward to fitting in my closes again.

Yesterday...

I really need to make sure I don't let my pouch expand again. I really focused on my meal size yesterday. Today will be no different.

It is amazing how powerful the "head hunger" can be. Even though I know that I have eaten enough for a meal, my head tells me I should eat more. It isn't like I'm actually hungry, it just seems like my brain wants me to eat. Weird! Anyway, the point is that I am really going to work on making sure that I am hungry before eating.

A small amount added to the Lap Band today.

I went into the doctor today to get some fluid added to the band today. It wasn't very much, and I will need to make sure I follow the program. I can't believe that I have allowed my weight to creep back up. I WILL FIX THIS!

Frustrated with my LapBand

It has been since November that I last posted about my band adjustment.
 I have not lost any weight, despite working out pretty intensely at least 3 times a week, and most of the time 4 or more times.
 I cannot tell you how frustrated I am. I have not lost any weight since last seeing the doctor, in fact I've gained 5 pounds. I know that I am eating too much, but still not eating as much as my skinny friends. How can it be possible?
Anyway, I have an appointment for next Monday with my doctor to see about a band fill. I really need to get back down below 260. My knees will be thanking me for it. In the mean time, I am doing a mostly liquid protein diet to make sure my pouch is not stretched.
Wish me luck.