For those considering the VSG---

I noticed we have a few here these days-- would you also be having the duodenal switch? Why or why not?

Hi Shari, Nope, I wouldn't consider having the DS due to the malabsorption issues.  The "sleeve" (VSG) part of the DS is working fine for the majority of folks, and if they choose to, can go back for the 2cd stage of the DS which is the re-routing of the intestines.  I'm on the VSG forum here also, and there are people who have lost over 150lbs.  It is now an accepted "stand alone" procedure.  Insurances are acknowledging it, and paying for it. Just last October when I started my research, the ins. companies were calling the VSG "experimental".  Almost a year later, after it becoming so popular, ins. companies are getting on board. Yippee...

So true-- my insurance said exactly as much as recently as 8 months ago. It makes a lot of sense to me!

Oh Shari, and for those of us whose employers didn't purchase bariactric coverage with thier health policies...The VSG is not an expensive surgery. In Calif, at my surgeon, its 16,500.  Mexico is 10 to 11k, A surgeon in Michigan is 11k.  I think there are low costs in the southern states too.  Costs are also kept down due to there isn't much follow up needed.

I would only be having the sleeve and not the DS part.  The reason is the same as Gael's, I don't want the malasorption.  I took a long hard look at all of the surgeries and given not only my medical history in needing NSAID's, but also my families medical history, I feel the malasorption could cause so many problems in the future. Right now my insurance doesn't list the VSG as being covered, however, I'm going to try anyway as it does approve the RNY, Lapband, and DS.  If they say no, then I will just keep doing what I'm doing and hopefully by the end of next year I can get it done.  My DB has great insurance that covers the VSG and we're hoping to marry late next year.   Melinda

Well, Melinda, the   is good news eh? And he come WITH ins? lol...

Yes it is good news.  He's traditional in some ways so he won't officially ask me until he has the engagement ring.  He's a romantic at heart...love that.  Having good insurance is pretty rare, so it is good one of us has it. 

I too am going to do the VSG without the DS part. Yep, the malabsorption scares me, and I love that the ghrelin is removed (hunger causing hormone). yeahhh...cut that sucker off and throw it in the garbage!!   I chose the VSG because it fits my need of controlling hunger.  Thats all I want, lol.  In doing my research, I was comforted by the low rate of complications, as well as the fact that it is a less invasive procedure (compared to other procedures).   Dumping scares me too. I couldnt go through that, as I am a wuss.  Same with strictures. Too scary for me.  Yikes.  I actually had the RNY in mind when I first went to see my surgeon.  He told me about the VSG and DS and I was taking notes lol, I had never heard of these procedures before.  I went home and began my research. VSG appealed to me pretty early in the game. I ended up going back to surgeon and signing up for VSG and feel very confident with my decision.    I have a very close friend who had her "stomach stapled" about 21 years ago...I watch her STILL having problems because of it.

 

Hey Blue, good to see ya!  Hey, exactlly what did your friend have done?

Gael   She had what I consider to be an RNY, but I was told by forum members (not this site) that its not an RNY because they do it differently than they did 21 years ago. My friend calls it "stomach stapling" and after she explained to me what was done to her, I really cant find any differences??   She had the procedure done at 19 years of age.  She is now  40 and still has problems :(  She lived with a hernia for so long, just had it removed recently, still gets vitamin injections,  abdominal bloated, "stuck" feelings of food in her chest, heartburn, ulcers, abdominal bloating, she usually suffers some type of gastric malais and her docs say it stems from her surgery. Sighh.  She says that before her WLS, she had a stomach of steel.  To make matters worse, she gained back every single pound that she had lost!  Crap, eh???