Disappointed by the Surgeon

Hi, I have looked at the lightweight board and posted a hello before I knew what Jossart said.  I'll post over there too and see what I can gleen.

Thanks for the specifics, that really helps a lot!!

Wendy

Many of us lightweights had several comorbidities forcing us to make tough decisions. It's wasn't just about losing weight or living with a few extra pounds. Sorry, but yes, I'm taking offense. 

--gina

 Please don't take this the wrong way Lisa.  Who made you the arbiter as to who should or should not get a DS?

Lisa, your opinion about who qualifies for the DS by weight alone is one of the reasons those of us who ARE LW's have trouble getting it...many surgeons share that opinion and think only those who have a 50+ BMI qualify...

Well, I am sorry but you and those surgeons are wrong. Thankfully there are surgeons who think outside the box and realize that altho we are lw's, we still deserve the same chnace as those who weigh more.

I am 5'4' and weighed 203 when I first say my surgeon. My BMI was 35.2 I only had about 70 lbs to lose but my insurance company AND a surgeon agreed that the DS was my BEST option.

I also take offense about your remark about who qualifies and who doesn't.

Liz

Starting weight is just one of the considerations when picking a surgery type. It's not the be-all and end-all of the discussion.

You have to consider co-morbidities, activity levels, how easily you lose weight, why you gain it back and what lifestyle changes are acceptable to you. I think those things are all more important considerations than starting weight.

The only time I'd consider starting weight as the most important consideration is if your BMI is 60+. You have to have a pretty special set of cir****tances for the DS not to be the best choice for you with a BMI that high. And even then I know someone whose BMI was much higher who has lost all his excess weight with a VSG alone. (He had those special cir****tances.)

So, if a VSG can be the right surgery for someone who weighs over 600 pounds, I don't see why the DS can't be the right surgery for someone who weighs less than 200. It just depends on all those other considerations.

Thanks, I appreciate the response - I know it's bad to 'bash' anyone elses surgery choice and I don't mean to but I just don't want an RNY.  The surgeon who put my lapband in said he would do one but I have heard too many problems arising later from people I know who had one.

Find another surgeon.

The requirements for the DS are the same as any other WLS: 35 BMI with two comorbidities, 40 BMI without. We have many lightweights who have not lost too much weight.

And you obviously already know that restriction alone won't help you or keep the lost weight off

Yes!!  I could even lose more than 30 if I used pills BUT it is not permanent . . . I have lost and gained so much weight in my lifetime - up and down, and then up a little more.

Thank you - I really appreciate the response . . . the lapband was no walk in the park, I vomited, foamed and all kinds of other disgusting things even when chewing 30 times and eating the 'right' food.  Got to where I was afraid to eat chicken, I ate tuna salad chopped up with a vegie chopper as if I didn't have any teeth.  Was done with that for sure.

Thanks again!!

Wendy