I had a large amount of weight to lose and I didn't want to "fail". I was originally looking at the RNY because a co-worker got it (this is back in 2002) and seemed to be doing well - she lost 100 pounds. She unfortunately never changed her eating habits and ultimately gained back all her lost weight (and then some). That wasn't going to happen to me.

When I started researching and heard about the DS I knew that this was the right surgery for me. I was a "gorger" meaning I tended to eat the majority of my food at "meals" which could be 2-3 times more than the average person. But of course I also grazed. Based on that and the success of the DS long term, I made the commitment, because IMHO that's what the DS (or really any other WLS) is. Making a commitment to yourself to follow the rules to take full advantage of this new tool I was given. I did my research and I have never looked back. I was also incredibly lucky to have one of the premiere DS surgeons in the country right in my neighborhood.

I have experienced some issues over the years primarily with iron deficiency anemia (controlled with infusions) and I've developed osteoporosis (trying to find the right treatment). But I'm still at my goal weight after more than 17 years. I love food and enjoy it more now than I did pre-op.

The DS is a lifetime commitment - to eating right, to taking vitamins, to getting your labs done regularly, to staying healthy. If you're not willing to make that commitment, then the DS isn't for you.

Do your research. Make sure your surgeon is skilled at the DS. Many surgeons either don't have the skills for the DS or are reluctant to do the procedure (see paragraph above) - it's the commitment thing.

I had very little pain after surgery. I was on the pain pump for one day, but up and walking most of the time. I had surgery on a Tuesday, went home on Thursday, and was driving and doing light housework by the weekend.

i went back to work at a desk job on Monday. I had taken six weeks of paid sick leave, but felt fine and bored not working. I have had dental work that was worse than weight loss surgery.

Of course everyone is different. The biggest nuisance for me was staying hydrated. I had to sip about one ounce every 15 minutes. I got dehydrated while sleeping so kep****er next to the bed and kept getting up and sipping during the night for a few days.

Remember to sip, sip, sip, and to get up and move at least once every half hour to keep your system from forming a blood clot.

the pain shouldn't be any worse than what you had with the gallbladder surgery.

no one will be able to answer your question of chances getting approval, as your subscriber agreement is yours, it is what your employer has purchased and your BCBS or FL is not the same as other BABS of FL. You have to read your subscriber agreement, pay attention to the exclusions, etc.

One thing that is difficult with the DS is this VSG standalone and DS. This has become more difficult getting the intestinal bypass after you had the VSG via insurance approval as it appears as a 2 surgery bariatric procedure. If you had the VSG due to surgical issues....in other words you went in for a DS and the surgeon could only perform the VSG, that would be easier to argue, I have noticed the get the VSG and wait and see then request the DS have been more difficult to appeal, as the argument can be made as this is the 2nd procedure. good luck!

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