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Bariatric Surgery/Band the sleeve

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Expert: - 11/11/2008


Question
Hello, I have a DR that is telling me he will do a sleeve and put a band around it. Have you ever heard of this?
He said he does it this way to work around the insurance, since they do not cover the sleeve.


Answer
Angie,
I had heard of it, though to be honest I had not understood that it was a way to work around insurance blocks.

Medically speaking, putting a Band around a Sleeve does not seem particularly dangerous, although there is some concern about the plastic "belt" rubbing up against the fresh sleeve staple line.  I don't believe that the Band on a Sleeve adds much benefit in terms of weight loss or appetite control, though it does not sound as if that is actually the goal.

On the insurance/administrative side, I have not had experience with that workaround so I would have to defer to the surgeon with whom you are working.

Best of luck!
Dr JP

Bariatric Surgery

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Volunteer

John Pilcher, MD

Expertise

I can answer medically oriented questions about bariatric surgery including: patient selection, preparation for surgery, differences between types of bariatric surgery, aftercare following bariatric surgery. I can answer detailed questions about gastric bypass, Lap-Band, gastric sleeve, and revision bariatric surgery. I am only somewhat familiar with Biliopancreatic diversion. I am not prepared to answer insurance or other financial questions related to bariatric surgery.

Experience

I have been a practicing bariatric surgeon since 1995. About 85% of my current practice consists of bariatric surgery, including all of the above procedures except biliopancreatic diversion. I am the senior surgeon of a 5-surgeon group. I am recognized among surgeons and other medical professionals as the most experienced bariatric surgeon in my region.

Organizations
Fellow of American College of Surgeons Member, American Society for Bariatric Surgery

Education/Credentials
BA in Biochemistry - University of Virginia Medical Degree - University of Virginia Surgical Residency - University of Virginia

Awards and Honors
Alpha Omega Alpha

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