RNY Instead of Sleeve

 So until today there had been no operation but the sleeve for me.  I had my first NUT appointment and she brought up a couple of points that I hadn't thought of.

1) Tricare (my insurance) doesn't pay for a sleeve,  because I'm going through a MTF (military treatment facility) Tricare is not involved so I am able to have it BUT she said I need to check into if there are any complications from the surgery and I can't see a mlitary doctor, will Tricare pay?  

My questions are twofold for that one.  Who the heck would I call to find out if it would be covered and honestly how long post-op are we talking for complications?  I know I will be within the easy use of a MTF for at least 3 months post-op but after that no guarantees.  

2) My major food issue is sugar.  I crave it, I'm obsessed with it.  I am seeing and will continue to see a psychologist(as long as there is one available you never know what will happen at your next PCS) but, with an RNY you may/usually get dumping with excess carbs/sugar.  I'm wondering if that may be a positive to keep me on the straight and narrow.

 I realize ? #1 is best on the Sleeve forum (and this has been cross-posted), I'm really more interested in hearing about how  you used the RNY to get over a sugar issue or if you really wish you'd gone with a different surgery.  

Thanks in advance.

I am having the RNY. I thought to have the sleeve. I have been to a Post OP meeting and from what they say, you have NO choice about sweets. Your body will reject them. Even some sugar free ice creams and chocolates. They have that malitol or sugar alcohol. I think that after a few times of throwing up or dumping you won't desire sweets for a long time. I donate plasma sometimes and I can tell you the feeling you get when your sugar drops, your sweating so much at one time and your stomach feels like someone kicked you in it as hard as possible and you feel like you can't think straight and you want to lay down but you feel that you are simply DYING and then you feel like you are going to throw up and I am sure you will with dumping and have to be on the toilet at the same time. I know if I ate sugar and felt that way often, well I would have no choice but to give it up. You simply won't be able to handle it. It may taste funny or weird. All the ladies in the post op meeting were saying how much they couldn't stand to look at chocolate now. I hope this helps. I have tricare and am going in NC through Village Surgical. A fantastic site to ask these questions, since most people don't know ya from Adam so to speak on here, is Womack Bariatric on facebook. THose people have been through surgeries of all types and some are going through surgery now. Some have had surgery recent and some like 10 years at the longest out and from there forward. I would highly recommend to go visit and read the posts. You have to be added to ask questions. Let me know if you make it there. I am Sandra Locklear. Hugs. Wheres your surgery?

I can't help with your first question although common sense says that if they cover pre existing conditions I don't know why they wouldn't cover post bariatric surgery care.
As for the second question, what this person says is not completely accurate.  Only 30% of post ops dump so there is a greater chance you won't then you will.  Also, most don't dump on sugar alcohols although too many of them will cause gastric upset and diarrhea.  I do dump (found out by accident) but I can eat sugar alcohols in moderation and it doesn't start me craving more like real sugar does.
I agree getting help is good.  For some people, even if they dump they find it decreases after a while.  And some people may think it is worth the discomfort, although I don't see how.
My plan was never to find out whether or not I dumped by totally avoiding all sugar.  But of course that may be impossible.  I accidently bought something with sugar instead of sugar free and boy did I know it.  If I didn't dump I may have never even realized that I had made a mistake.
No matter what surgery you have not dealing with an addiction to refined carbs will cause problems and possibly failure such as happened with my first WLS because I never addressed my issues.

 Thank you very much for the information!  I know I need to get my head right, and I'm trying to take care of that, I just want to keep myself on the straight and narrow as much and as easily as possible.  With many failed weight loss attempts under my belt, I'd really like to make this a success.  

I'm pretty sure you are correct about the insurance.  I see my PCM tomorrow and hopefully she can send me in the right direction just to be sure.

RE Q#1 : Call your insurance company and ask them to send you a copy (they can usually fax it or email a pdf) of your benefit plan.  That document will tell you if preexisiting conditions are covered and if there is a specific exclusion for WLS that they don't cover (which some insurance companies have started including).  You should also be able to speak to a CS rep who can explain it to you (if not ask for a manager).  I would advise agaist allowing the doctor's office to tell you what is and isn't covered.  I've realized long ago after a few surprise medical bills that the doctors offices do NOT know the specifics of each individual plan... so you have to make sure you get your information "straight from the horses mouth"...in this case your insurance plan.

 Thank you so much for the information.  In my case tricare and our dr's office are sort of one in the same.  It's very weird and not like typical insurance.  If my PCM doesn't know they'll have the information handy somewhere to verify.  

I had RNY in April 2010. I lost 95 lbs total and have regained 10lbs. I can eat any type of sugar I want to, I am addicted to it and yes even though it sometimes make me feel like **** I'll eat it again and again and again. Therapy is a great option, get your head straight first. No surgery is going to keep you from eating sugar.

I love my RNY I like being stuffed after a bite of food (slight exaggeration) and I was a total sugar binger before wls and so even though I havent dumped yet, I do get very nauseated when I lose controll and fall off the sugar free band wagon.  I honestly dont miss sugar that much because there are soo many SF options out there now a days. and after being free of sugar for a while you find that things taste alot sweeter on there own. Wishing you the best of luck. And no choice is the wrong wrong one cause its your body and your life that you are changing.

You will definitely have to check with your insurance to see what is and what is not covered. I had RNY 7 months ago and don't have problems with sugar. I have not gone wild on sugar, but I have eaten items with sugar in it and have not had any problems. Yes this could become a problem, but I have come too far to have myself become my worst enemy again. I have made other choices instead of sugar items. I choose fruits to curve a sweet craving or a SF fudgsicle to fix that chocolate craving. You might not be so obsessed with sugar once you have surgery. Once those pounds begin to fall off, you will make a choice not to put the bad stuff back into your body. Definitely continue your support any way you need to. Good Luck.

1. Talk to your insurance company. Unfortunately I have heard cases where the insurance company won't pay if your medical problem is WLS related, so rather be safe than sorry. Complications can pop up at pretty much any time not just immediately after surgery, so yes, this is something you want to know for sure.

2. The dumping people talk about only affects around 30% of people so chances are greater that you WON"T dump than will. There are also different degree's of dumping. for some 12g of sugar is more than enough to dump for others the threshold is much higher. I would dump if I went on a total binge, but other than that for all intense and purposes I do not dump. I can eat cake, ice cream, candy bars, etc. without any problem. however, I don't do that other than the occasional "treat" now and then. IF something is high in sugar chances are it will taste too sweet now rather than tasting good. I can't stand regular yogurt now because it tastes to sweet. I do however like the lower fat/sugar yogurts. I don't really dump on excess carbs either, but if I eat way to many carbs for way to many days in a row I get horrible gas. Other than that the carb intake doesn't really bother me.