Where to begin?

Mar 26, 2009

I have a nice long story to tell and only a few minutes to share at the moment.  As you can see I've been a member here since 2001.  In that time I have done plenty of research on the different types of WLS and have monster resources in the form of friends who have been through the major 3 versions, RNY, DS and LapBand. 

I am in my 2nd round of surgery prep for the RNY.  I didn't follow through with the first round for a myriad of reasons, so here I am again.  I chose the RNY because, and ONLY because, that is what my insurance will pay for. I don't believe this is the best choice for me and if I had the resources to self-pay I would be going to Spain or Brazil to get the DS as I know people who have taken that route with wonderful successes.  If my insurance would pay for stateside DS, I would likely go to the Drs. Rabkin in San Francisco.  But that is all a mute point because they won't.  Period.  And my Sugar Daddy has yet to appear!  I could always try the lottery, but I'm already broke, thankyouverymuch!

I attended the orientation at OHSU on 10/3/08 and finally was set a pre-op appointment on 1/22 (3 months later) and was told then that my insurance (Providence PEBB) required a 5% weight loss (22lbs, minimum) before the surgery would be approved.  Okay - so I did that in 3.5 weeks - 25lbs!  Record time!  I am a determined person, for sure.  So 5 (yes, FIVE) weeks later OHSU finally gets around to make my appt for the surgery consult.  I'm also advised that Dr. O'Roark has decided that I must lose an additional 50 - 75lbs before he'll do the surgery.  WHAT?  She said the doctors don't 'like' to do the surgery on someone who's BMI is over 60.  Well guess what?  Mine is 60.9 at this point and another 10lbs would bring it under 60.  *insert frustrated profanity*  I could easily do another 10lbs - I'm good at short-term goals.  It's keeping it OFF that is the problem.

I'm going to go to see him on 3/30 and find out what is on his mind, and quite possibly give him a piece of mine. 

If I could lose that much weight on my OWN (by then it would be 100lbs), then WHY would I bother with the surgery?  Also, all of my insurance paperwork names Dr. Deveney - NOT Dr. O'Roark, so I may request him instead.  I've heard good and bad about both, but in my 1st round of this process it was Dr. Deveney who did my surgical consult and didn't seem to have ANY problem with doing the surgery then and my weight was comperable.

There is so much more I could tell about this process and my philosophy, but I just don't have the time. 

I would like to hear from anyone who's had experience with either of these 2 surgeons with a BMI over 50?

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