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The referral is for which ever doc you decide to go to, not the insurance company. Most Bariatric Surgeons have seminars. Call several local offices, say you would like to go to a seminar. They will probably ask you your insurance, to make sure they take it. You can go to more than one docs seminar, start there.
Cynthia 5'11" RNY 7/23/2014
Goal reached 17 months. 220lb Weight Loss
Plastic Surgery Dr. Joseph Michaels - LBL and Hernia Repair 2/29/16, Arm Lift, BL, 5/2/16, Leg Lift 7/25/16
#lifeisanadventure #fightthegoodfight #noregrets
I started at 420lbs. I decided on the sleeve for many reasons - the reality of weight loss surgery is that early out its pretty easy to lose weight regardless of the surgery type. Stats for WL of sleeve vs bypass are pretty close. Yea - bypass gives you the malabsorption component for a max of 18mo-2yrs. That's it. After that you end up with a restrictive only tool. For me the possible complications of the RNY weighed heavily against the small bonus. I have several friends with both RNY and sleeve who have gained most of their weight back. Success depends on the person and habits they build and how well they deal with the WHY in terms of their eating.
I didn't want to have surgery just to fail so preop I meet out to lose as much weight as possible to prove I could do it - I ended us losing 85 lbs before I had surgery. Plus I read during my research that people with a BMI 50+ are at greater risk for surgical complications, so I decided to push for a BMI under 50 I think my BMI was 49 at surgery time.
I ended up losing a total of 232 lbs. now I didn't have huge success in keeping it off bc I never found the right tools to keep it off. I gained 90lbs from my lowest bc of SUGAR (which no surgery not even the DS would have helped with). I have been successful at losing 45 lbs of that regain at 5 years out because I did find the tools I needed.
I joined Overeaters anonymous and got the tools and direction and help I needed. That was the only thing that worked to help me get the regain off. My only regret in this whole process has been ignoring OA for so long.
If you want to chat about it, send me a PM - I'm willing to chat anytime about my experiences.
www.sexyskinnybitch.wordpress.com - my journey to sexy skinny bitch status
11/16/12 - Got my Body by Sauceda - arms, Bl/BA, LBL, thigh lift.
HW 420/ SW 335 /CW 200 
85 lbs lost pre-op / 135 post op
~~~~Alison~~~~~
on 3/19/16 9:22 pm
Your friends may have other things in mind as well, as you mention back and knee pain, which you may need to take NSAIDs for the pain at some point in your life, which you aren't ever supposed to again with gastric bypass (RNY).
I love the sleeved stomach, but your BMI is high, and restriction alone may not be enough for you. There is another surgery called the DS (short for duodenal switch, not to be confused with mini-DS, SIPS or SADI) which you did't mention, and it has the sleeved stomach so you can take NSAIDs if necessary, but also has malabsorbtion similar to (but not the same as) RNY. The DS does not have the high rate of dumping syndrome or reactive hypoglycemia that RNY does. It also has the best statistics on weight loss, maintenance of that loss, and resolution of co-morbs for all BMIs, but especially for those over 50 bmi.
It takes more time and training for the surgeon, so many only do the RNY, and if you first go to a surgeon that does RNY, that is all that will be recommended. Sort of like going to the Kia dealer and asking for a Lexus. They won't sell or recommend that and lose a customer.
The drawback with the DS is that you MUST be proactive with taking and tracking vitamins (yes, you do with RNY as well, but you may have to take even more with the DS) and it's non-negotiable.
I have the DS, and am happy to help with questions that I can answer, or help guide you to medical studies or other information if you want. I'm 8 years out, and am thrilled with the loss of my weight and co-morbidities, and you may have noticed that you see some of my RNY or sleeved friends on the revisions and failed weight loss boards. No surgery is a guarantee, but the DS is the closest we have, so far.
Hello. I'm a newby to Obesity Help. Just had my routine doctors visit this past week and had gained 6 lbs. Doc was not happy and has given me a referral slip for bariatric surgery. I had looked into it several years ago but my insurance back then wouldn't cover it. So with my insurance now I am covered. So my journey begins. I would greatly appreciate any information that will help me in this journey. I am 5'3" and weight 383 lbs. Through my research I would like to get down to 130 lbs. that's a 233 lb drop. My BMI is 57.3. I am wondering if I can do this. I am setatary and don't move much due to fatigue, back and knee pain, I know I need this surgery. I want to walk again and move. I would love to go horseback riding again, do gardening, and wear normal clothes. I admit surgery scares me. Complications scare me.....
So where do I start from here.... I have a cardiologist appointment next month. I guess I need to send this referral slip into my insurance company or do I go the the local Bariatric office........ Please someone tell me where to start before I loose my nerve. I am leaning towards rny but friends advise me to go with the sleeve. The sleeve to me seems too easy to revert back to old habits. With the rny it seems to be a no turning back type of surgery. Decisions decisions! I best get use to it and make the best ones I can. Will post again later. Thanks for listening!
HW 335
LW 224.9
TW 221
next goal: onderland
next fitness goal: unchanged, 3.5 mile run, among my other activity.
i had an interesting appointment with my surgeon today. He asked what I was doing for activity, and I proudly rattled off my routine. He then asked me what I was doing for relaxation. Blank stare, felt like I was just handed a pop quiz. He stressed the importance of not over doing things and trying to conquer the world one pound at a time. he cautioned me about push, push, pushing to do more and more; cause life will inevitably throw us a curve ball and we need to be able to balance those curve balls and activity and diet etc. basically the journey can't take over your life, because your life is well, your life. I Loved that he grounded me.
I'm now especially glad I'm taking a mini break with the family for a 2 day getaway.
5'6.5" High weight:337 Lowest weight:193/31 BMI: Goal: 195-205/31-32 BMI
Highest: 350+
Program Start: 328
Surgery Weight: 299
Last Week: 167
This Week: 166
Feeling o.k about the 1 lb. But, I did realize my surgeons goal of 164 will be exactly half. So, when I get there, it will be a double victory!
Next Goal: 164 (Surgeons original goal and exactly half my weight)
I can also gain a lot in a week, but I always think of it as "temporary" weight (weight that hasn't really stuck yet), so when I get right back on track, I lose it quickly. I know you will, too!!
Laura in Texas
53 years old; 5'7" tall; HW: 339 (BMI=53); GW: 140 CW: 170 (BMI=27)
RNY: 09-17-08 Dr. Garth Davis
brachioplasty: 12-18-09 Dr. Wainwright; lbl/bl: 06-28-11 Dr. LoMonaco
"May your choices reflect your hopes and not your fears."
Down to 315, for a 2 pound loss. That's actually the lowest loss in 8 weeks on Optifast, but it's also what my 'normal' loss was under Weigh****chers. (Plus I'm pretty sure that my monthly cycle has me retaining a bit of water.)
HW: 380 SW: 351 CW: 295 GW: 135 -- Third goal 277
Finally on the upswing from my surgery. Lost more weight from the surgery...but my appetite is coming back so I think it is stabilizing. I am OK with that...
Highest: 420+
Consultation: 383
Last week: 182
This week: 178
Cynthia 5'11" RNY 7/23/2014
Goal reached 17 months. 220lb Weight Loss
Plastic Surgery Dr. Joseph Michaels - LBL and Hernia Repair 2/29/16, Arm Lift, BL, 5/2/16, Leg Lift 7/25/16
#lifeisanadventure #fightthegoodfight #noregrets
HW 368
LW 168.8
TW 173.6
Next goal 150
I went away for the weekend so I didn't eat the best things.
The best NSV is crossing my legs. It still amazes me.
