RNY Proximal Just Restrictive?

BCBS now lists a proximal (they define as less than 150 cm bypassed) RNY as a restrictive procedure. Noticed that in their latest policy on surgery for morbid obesity. Had heard from my doctor's assistant that ASBS was thinking of taking it off the list of mal-absorbative procedures too. Anyone else heard of it. Am taking comfort from that as my sister the nutrionist was worried about long term implications of the surgery. I know that you must still be very careful to take vitamins daily, but feel a lot more comfortable about the surgery. Illini

Hey chicky I havent heard anything about this...but if its not malabsorptive, why do so many proxes lose hair, have bad labs, etc when not taking vites? Huh....I'll be interested to hear the outcome on this

Hey you! I don't know the answer to what you're asking - but Karen from Dr. F's office the one who told me that they were thinking of recategorizing it (I had been asking her about long term nutrional impacts). I think she said it's because they are bypassing so little of the intestines that they are finding the long term nutritional impacts to be very small. It could be that part of what the body reacts to is the humungous decrease in caloric intake too. Here's what BC/BS said: GASTRIC RESTRICTIVE PROCEDURES Gastric bypass using a Roux-en-Y anastomosis (up to and including 150cm) or vertical banded gastroplasty may be eligible for coverage as an open or laparoscopic surgical treatment option for morbid obesity that has not responded to the required conservative measures. It's the first one listed under restrictive procedures. But is not listed under malabsorptive MALABSORPTIVE PROCEDURES The following procedures are considered experimental or investigational as a treatment of morbid obesity: ? Biliopancreatic bypass (i.e., the Scopinaro procedure), ? Biliopancreatic bypass with duodenal switch, or ? Long limb gastric bypass procedures (i.e. >125cm) Though I think the 125 cm is a typo - since everywhere else it lists long limb as greater than 150 cm (whi*****identally they just changed from 125 to 150 cm as the dividing line for what they would cover). Good hearing from you missy! Illini

Yeah, must be a typo...cause I'm 130cm and proximal Hows it shakin??

He he he...Hey Kathy I'm proximal, 150cm bypassed, AND transected Neener neener neeeeeeener!! I was approved for a short limb but Dr. said I needed 150cm because of my high BMI so that's what he did. Tracy -164lbs

It's shakin all over! Hee hee. Restarted a more formal exerciese program this week! (And then it was really shakin!) Am hanging in there though. Slow but steady. Any more opportunities to meet folks in person coming up? Would love to be able to just chat with you sometime. How you doin?