SherriRBGR
Update 8/09
Aug 10, 2009
I wanted to give y'all a quick update. After the barium swallow last year, the surgeon (Dr. Bagnato of Albany, GA) felt like the original band (4 cc) was too small for my stomach (remember that I had a memory of him saying "it was a tight fit, but we made it fit" when coming out of surgery, and I quizzed him about it at my 6 week checkup?) and the guidelines now state that if there is a hiatal hernia, it should be fixed before the band is installed. It used to be that they felt the band would fix GERD and hiatal hernias, now they know it does not in many people.
I fought with the insurance company (Definity) regarding removing the existing band, fixing the hiatal hernia, and replacing with a larger (10cc) band. First they stated it was pre-existing, and once I reminded them that THEY had approved of the original band being placed and they paid 100%, they came back with that they no longer allow bariatric surgery, even if they did originally. Their final offer was they would pay for the hiatal hernia repair, but I had to pay to get the band removed and for the new band to be installed. I finally gave up and changed insurance (Aetna) in January 2009, and fought with them, mostly arguments regarding faxes being received and then that it was a replacement, not altogether new band, so I shouldn't have to go through the 6 mos diet and multi-disciplinary review again. They approved the removal, fixing of the hiatal hernia, and replacement of the band, in late July.
Between the fight with Definity, marriage troubles, and my Mom dying in December, I managed to regain the 60 I lost plus 40 more. I am miserable with all the health issues being back (fibromyalgia with migraines, blood sugar out of whack, and knees and hips crippling me with osteoarthritis) and mad at myself for regaining the weight. If nothing else, it reminds me of why I got the band to start with: to stop the gaining of weight, help me lose weight, and reducing the agony of the hips and knees.
My surgery is scheduled for 8/28/09.
Highest weight before surgery (1/06): 282
Weight at surgery (4/06): 262
Lowest weight after surgery (8/07): 219
Weight now (8/09): 319
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I fought with the insurance company (Definity) regarding removing the existing band, fixing the hiatal hernia, and replacing with a larger (10cc) band. First they stated it was pre-existing, and once I reminded them that THEY had approved of the original band being placed and they paid 100%, they came back with that they no longer allow bariatric surgery, even if they did originally. Their final offer was they would pay for the hiatal hernia repair, but I had to pay to get the band removed and for the new band to be installed. I finally gave up and changed insurance (Aetna) in January 2009, and fought with them, mostly arguments regarding faxes being received and then that it was a replacement, not altogether new band, so I shouldn't have to go through the 6 mos diet and multi-disciplinary review again. They approved the removal, fixing of the hiatal hernia, and replacement of the band, in late July.
Between the fight with Definity, marriage troubles, and my Mom dying in December, I managed to regain the 60 I lost plus 40 more. I am miserable with all the health issues being back (fibromyalgia with migraines, blood sugar out of whack, and knees and hips crippling me with osteoarthritis) and mad at myself for regaining the weight. If nothing else, it reminds me of why I got the band to start with: to stop the gaining of weight, help me lose weight, and reducing the agony of the hips and knees.
My surgery is scheduled for 8/28/09.
Highest weight before surgery (1/06): 282
Weight at surgery (4/06): 262
Lowest weight after surgery (8/07): 219
Weight now (8/09): 319
