Considering Surgery

 Hi,

I am new to this site and trying to find out about bariatric surgery.  I live in Indianapolis, have BC - Federal employees insurance.  I have not met with anyone on the surgery.  

I have a friend that went through St Vincent's Hospital with great results - however we usually go with Clarian for any health care.

I just am not sure where to start.  Did you all go to different doctors at the beginning to see how they were before deciding?  Who and where do you all suggest going to.

I am 52, recently had a bout with atrial fibrillation (fast  heart rate), I am sure I have arthritis, but never officially diagnosed.  My BMI is about 37-38.  

Any information on getting insurance approval, etc, type of surgery, would be appreciated.

First of all, welcome to the board. I think you will find tons of people willing to help and answer your questions. I had my surgery through St. Vincent (was a St. V's employee at the time) and chose my doctor based on a recommendation by a friend. He was the only surgeon I ever met with and I had my surgery 3 months after beginning my journey. I know tons of people on here have used Dr. Mattar at Clarian and had wonderful success also. I think you can't go wrong either way.

First of all, I'd contact your insurance and see what their requirements are for surgery to be covered. Your BMI not being over 40 may be a bit of a problem. But once you have that info, make an appt to attend a consultation with a surgeon (or two or three). By all means, if you could have surgery at either Clarian or St. V's, I'd attend informational sessions for both and see which you get a better feel from. Many people often don't have a choice of hospitals because of their insurance.

Once you attend the informational session, you'll have a better idea of what kind of surgery you want to go with (lap band, RNY, DS, etc). Your surgeon can help you decide what would be best for your specific situation also. Keep coming back here and asking questions too, cause there's bound to be someone who has experienced what you are experiencing.

Welcome again and congrats on deciding to take this huge step to better your life and your health! I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Hi,

Mellissa already gave some great info so I won't repeat any of that. I will add, "Don't be discouraged because your BMI is under 40". Mine was too but I was approved and had my surgery only a little past 10 weeks of attending my first meeting and consultation! I do have/  had several other conditions and had a documented medical history of previous weight loss attempts. Point is, it is difficult to guess what your insurance will decide.
 
I am so thankful I had my surgery! If you are wanting it for health reasons I say go for it! I had terrible GERD. I was right on the edge of having Barretts Disease. I had also had a history of cardiac problems. The constant burning and pressure I had in my chest was always making me fearful I was having heart problems. I was afraid to do anything. The inactivity in addition to all my medications increased my weight more. I also hurt so bad. I have fibromyalgia so I still do still have some pain but it is so much better. Now I just have some muscle pain. My joint pain is gone! My back problems are so much better. I now have discomfort at my tailbone from having less padding but thats OK .

 If your reasons are for cosmetic reasons then give it some more thought. Your weight loss will not reverse aging. Even as a light weight you will still have loose skin hanging. The skin almost looks like the old fat rolls. Also for me as well as others here on the site, the "girls" seem to totally deflate with your weight loss. Mine were always "perky" but now look like too used, deflated balloons . I see whereas many go on to have plastics but from what I see, that cost is seldom covered by insurance so... Not only the cost but I think of the risk of yet another elective surgery and the possible risk of my boys being left without me if something happened. I still sometimes think about it though as my appearance does at times really bother me.
 
I'm sure you have already read, surgery is not a cure all but only a tool for you to work with to help you become more healthy. Take time to consider all your options. I moved quickly because my husband had had the same surgery in 2001. I already had some idea what I was doing. Plus, to be honest I thought the whole process would take longer.
 
Good luck in what ever you decide.

hi lynn
welcome to the board
i was scheduled for RNY @ st vincents in early may of 2009,  i unfortunately had to "trade" my RNY for open heart surgery (also at st vincent)
who i HIGHLY recommend!
i had my RNY on 09/14/09 @ st vincent carmel with rosemarie jones and they were WONDERFUL with dealing with my cardiologist and cardiac surgeon....
check out the latest blog on my profile for more info....
good luck!

 Hi!

Thanks for all the posts.  I am going to get tested for sleep apnea, but I don't think I have any symptoms.  The heart problem I had could have been caused by that according to my cardiologist.  

I want to lose the weight for a combination of cosmetic and health reasons.  I have 3 grandkids that are toddlers & infants and want to be able to do things with them without feeling so  heavy.

I am going to follow Weigh****chers on-line as I go through this process and join LA Fitness when I get paid next weekend.  If I am able to lose weight on my own by the time I'm approved, etc, I will probably just keep following WW, but if I can't seem to stick to it,  or lose weight, then I will do the surgery.  I have joined WW and gyms so many times in the past, but have never been able to stick to anything, but now that I had the heart scare, I am wanting to get 

I do have a question, wouldn't I have loose skin anyway if I lose weight?  I have looked at some of the procedure prices and figured I would plan to use flexible spending account for that if I felt that I needed it.

Thanks for all the great information!  I am looking forward to getting to know all of you.

Lynn