Question regarding WLS requirements
Thank you all for the information and advice. It has really given me a lot to think about. I want to make sure that the WLS I choose is going to be beneficial for me and if the lap band surgery has a lower success rate than the others then I definitely think I need to do more research.
From what I looked at (briefly) regarding the sleeve, it looks like it was meant to be a surgery for those who in the future planned to get gastric bypass surgery and wasn't intended for those who just need a one time surgery. Can anyone who has gotten the sleeve surgery please share their experience?
No. The DS has a Sleeved stomach, and sometimes, on the oldest, fattest, sickest patients, surgeons would do the stomach portion and then close because the patients weren't in any condition to undergo the longer operation. Six months to a year later, they'd do the intestinal part, called the Switch. Originally, the intention was always to complete a full DS.
But some patients lost remarkably well with just the Sleeve, and elected to not complete the DS. Thus the stand-alone Sleeve was born.
Patients with intact metabolisms, and those with relatively little to lose, can often be successful long-term with restriction alone. These are the idea candidates for the Sleeve.
Over the past ten years or so that I've been reading here, I've seen a lot of people do very well indeed with the Sleeve. I've also, in the past, oh, five years or so, seen an increasing number of people who either initially did well with the Sleeve but regained, or who simply never lost enough weight, add the Switch to complete their DS. And I've also seen a lot of surgeons who can't do the DSrevise unhappy Sleevers to an RNY---but this is not the logical alternative for the patient, since statistically the Sleeve and the RNY have pretty much the same long-term results. And once a Sleeve is revised to an RNY, there's no going back---the pylorus is completely removed, so there's no possibility of a further revision to a DS.
I haven't gotten that far yet. I'm still reading about the different types of WLS and then I'm going to talk to my new doctor about it this week. I'm hoping my insurance will cover it I'm planning to call today so I can let you know more after I find out. I'm starting to lean more towards the sleeve after reading about a lot more "band fails."
The sleeve is what I had done, I was a self pay patient. Different doctors and insurances require different things, so that will be a big factor for you. At the time I was researching surgery I lived in Texas, and was sort of amazed at some of the hoops I was expected to jump through, even as a self pay patient. I consulted with a number of doctors while I was in TX, some wanted supervised diets, some required classes, other required post op care with their office...which made it difficult because I travel constantly, and have to relocate often with my company. I next to never go to the doctor, so I feel ya on those that require a year of PCP care before hand. I ended up having surgery in Mexico with the Santa Fe Medical Group, paid $4,000 for everything, and received excellent care. It worked out great because it was 9k less than what I was quoted in the states, and my surgeon worked with a bariatric doctor, and my PCP in my home town, to make sure I received proper follow up. I had considered the band myself at first, but like you, I read so many horror stories, I felt it wasn't a good fit for me, or my lifestyle...I didn't want to constantly be searching for someone to do the fills, every time I had to relocate for work ya know. Good luck with everything, and keep us posted on what you find out. many of us on the forum have been where you are now, and like to help here we can.
Batwingsman · 1 replies · 2932 views