Confused

Hello, I am new to this site and I am trying to research weight loss surgery options.  I liked what I read about the VSG, but I was told that most insurances won't cover it. RNY scares me with "dumping" syndrome and all the vitamins you have to take and I have heard that the Lap Band does not allow you to lose very much weight.  I am 5' 11" and weight in at about 295, any suggestions?

I would call your Insurance company and find out what they approve, and what is needed to be approved..

WLS is not the "easy road" no matter which surgery you decide to have.. You are going to have ups and downs with any of them.. (my opinion)    My insurance approved me for either the Lap Band, or RNY. I have researched it a lot and for ME, RNY was the way to go.. 
I am 2 weeks out from having RNY..

The best advice I can give you is to do your research.. Talk to people who had the different  surgeries, get a feel for what life "may be like" (remember each and every one of us is different, but you can get an idea of how things would go) after the different types. (RNY Vertical Sleeve, DS, Lap Band, etc)  

You have to be comfortable with your decision, no one can make that choice for you.. So do lots of research, check with your insurance company, and I wish you the best of luck in your journey...

Hugs,
Jenn

I considered my RNY as life saving. I thought that I would die from if I did not have it. I have been careful since my surgery, and I have dumped only once and it was milder than some. I don't overdo the vitamins; I take 2 chewable Vitamin c's each morning and 3 chewable multivitamin-minerals. I get both of these at Trader Joe's. I put a B12 under my tongue right after I chew the Vitamin C; it helps the B12 dissolve quickly for me. I take an Iron every night, and now I only take calcium if I do not eat/drink enough of it during the day. I don't think this is much more than I would take if I hadn't had the surgery. The B12 makes me a nicer person; I wish I had known about it before. It also helps with my 'senior moments.'

Life is so much better as a thin person. Do not let fear get in your way. I breathe easier all the time, I move easier and I fit in things so much better. I would do it again in a second.

nancy

Call and talk with your insurance company and make sure what they will pay for.  Also there are ways to have the surgery that you prefer by fighting the insurance companies too.  My cousin had the VSG and loves it, but she went down to Mexico, and has had nothing but a great experience with it.  While I have lost alot of weight,I did go through 8 months of hell till I found what I could eat, but the dumping thing doesn't happen to all of us.  I have problems sometimes, others have never had it, so it's not something you can count on.  Just make sure you do your homework on all that is available for surgery and choose the best one for you.

Good luck, Diane

 Have you looked into the DS? It is not considered investigational, Medicare covers it, the DMHC (Dept. of Managed Health Care........a state agency who oversees HMOs overturns insurance denial most if not all of the time).

The DS has been performed since the 80s. The DS consists of the VSG and the duodenal switch. The VSG offers restriction and the switch offers malabsorption so you lose more of your excess weight and keep it off.  Since you have a smaller yet fully functioning stomach with the DS you don't have dumping. You can take NSAIDS. The switch portion of the DS is performed in other countries on patients with diabetes because it is known to have a 98 % cure rate for type 2 diabetes.

There are many misconcepts and bad information about the DS so I welcome you to come over to the DS board and post questions and see if you think the DS is right for you.There are pros and cons to every surgery out there. So please research all your options. If you need insurance help, I'd be more than happy to help you. I have Health Net, they said they didn't cover the DS for patients with a BMI < 50 but I just recently won my IMR (independent medical review) with the DMHC. Best of luck. Neely

Edited to provide link to DS board:
http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/DS/a,messageboard/board_id ,5357/

Also ask your insurance to send you in writing exactly what you need for approval (6 month doctor supervised diet, psych exam, 24 week courses, etc).  I have the letter I used to formally ask my doctor and insurance for surgery on my blog. Feel free to check it out.  I selected RNY because I knew I would be too tempted with slider foods if I did Lap Band. I also had 100 pounds to lose and wanted to make sure I kept it off.  I didnt like the idea of fills.  I will admit I was not as educated in the DS as I am now and I actually second guessed my surgery choice after reading posts from the DS'ers but in talking to several surgeons I am glad I chose the RNY.  I was scared of dumping too but found out most people dump when they are eating things they shouldnt. Well duh!  I dont dump per se but I do get really nice dia...... if I eat anything with too much fat like 1/2 piece of bacon!

Bottom line, I would do it again in a heartbeat!