New to the forums

Joshua, hi and welcome!
    Like Rockne, I would recommend you look into the DS. It works well for the lightweights of the wls world, but is an esp good choice for the SMO, as it provides the highest percentage excess weight loss, best maintainence of that weight loss, and best resolution of comorbidities of any wls presently available. It also provides the most normal style of eating, with no dumping, no food getting stuck, you can drink liquids with meals, you can take NSAIDs. You do need to eat protein first and take vitamins and supplements faithfully, but that is true for other forms of wls also, just a bit more so with the DS.
    Many people are happy and successful with RNY and lap band, but others are not. There is a significant failure rate with both of these operations. You can fail with the DS as well, but the failure rate is much lower. Any wls requires some lifestyle change for permanent success, but the changes are less extreme with the DS.
    And in CA, even if your insurer doesn't cover the DS, you can appeal this, and the DMHC (dept of managed health care) has overturned every denial for the DS for the past 4 years, so your chances for a successful appeal would be excellent.
    Come on over to the DS forum and learn more about it. And if you would like some great articles from the medical literature about the DS, just send me a pm.

Larra

Good luck and welcome the Cali board.   Pick Zorn...Tell him I said what's up!

Hi Joshua!
Welcome to the Cali forum!  There are awesome peeps here to answer  your questions, encourage and motivate you with whatever surgery you choose!  Wishing you all the best and look forward to seeing more posts from you :)

hugs,

Jackie