Any Other Hurley VSGer's??

I am very lucky to have chosen surgery when I did. On Feb 9th is when they were done training for the VSG and started the VSG program at HUrley. On the 10th was my initial Surgeon appointment to discuss surgical options.

At the time I assumed I would only get the RNY based in the information here at OH, insurance and the docotor's listed training. So when he asked which surgery I was thinking about I sai d I knew which one I wanted but knew I couldn't get it because they didn't offer it. That she he pressed me on which one I wanted and I told him I wanted the VSG.

Dr. K got really excited and said 'Really?' and then went on to explain how they were just starting the VSG at Hurley and asked me why I wanted the VSG. I told him it was because I liked how my intestines would be intact and there would be less malabsobtion issues, knowing I have issues with extremely low iron and because I wanted to have more children later on too. But I also said how I didn't think my insurance would cover the VSG and when I told him I have BCBS he assured me it would cover it and that nothing would be a problem.

I didn't believe him at first but I am sitting here with an approved VSG from insurance and am just waiting for Hurley to secure a surgical date for me before the end of the week.

I was talking to J at HBC and she was telling me how Dr. K was really excited that I wanted the VSG and was helping to push this surgery along as well and requested this get done ASAP as well. He wanted things moved through within a month. So far so good with the approval and everything, but the surgery won't be until pobably the first half of April or so. They have to bring in another skilled doctor to help, even though Dr.K is trained in the VSG, but the hospital still doesn't consider the VSG as a stand alone WL procedure, so they are still securing paperwork and legal rights and what not before they can move forward with the surgery and everything.

She also said there are others who want the sleeve done too and who are waiting so I wanted to know if anyone else here is planning on having the VSG (aka sleeve) done at Hurley too?

I so can not wait for my surgical date!

People are probably not trying to ignore you??????????'s.I will give you my opinon (you know what they say about opinons).I would not be the first for something like this. Although Hurley's staff is second to none,being numero uno would scare me.

I'm not THE first, just one of them. And I wouldn't be numbero uno, as Dr. K had already done this procedure before while training and the person I spoke to said she's sat in on a few of the sleeve surgeries. Also they are bringing in a supervising doctor from another practice/hospital.

This is actually LESS complicates than the RNY. I get the first half of the RNY & DS basically and I don't need my intestines rerouted.

Even still, ALL doctors had to start somewhere, and if I am one of the few patients to help bring the sleeve to Hurley and Mid-Michigan, I am for it.

Plus, you know these doctors do not want to screw up right out of the gate either.

I know it's a personal preference. Some prefer traveling to Mexico to a doctor who has done these WLS thousands of times over. But even those doctors had to start somewhere and had a FIRST patient somewhere too.

I'm perfectly okay with being ONE of the FIRSTS. As the nurse said they have several sleeve patients and so I am wondering if any are here on OH with me.

But I don't mind being ignored either. I am used to it. ;)

I like that attitude!  I was #9 for RNY at U of M and everyone said I was crazy.  Well, my surgeons had tons of experience, but just not with that program.

Someone has to be there in the beginning is right!

It's all personal preference, and as long as you have done your research and are comfortable then go for it!

Hey girl I am very happy for you and proud of you as well.
Let me tell you something....To say Hurley is second to none is not a joke. They are the best!!!!!!!
When 1800 pounds, yes I said eighteen hundred, pounds of STEEL fell from a height of about 25 feet at Chevrolet Metal Fab Plant on Bristol Rd. in Flint when my father, a Millwright there for 30 years, was bent over working on the machine that broke and left that massive press hanging in the air,crushed him to the floor.....they said he would never walk agin. HURLEY fixed him and never gave up on him. He did walk again. And though he suffered greatly in pain etc...till the day he died. He walked...Because of Hurley. My whole family including myself has history with Hurley. They may look rough on the exterior and have a few looney tunes in billing, but they rock.
They also saved the life of my little grandaughter who got into some diabetic and heart pills some asshole laid down in one of those 2 week pill reminders that is not child proof~!I wanted to kill that man.
Any way sorry to run at the mouth but I almost feel jealous that I don't get to have my surgery there. And I too thought about the VSG.
But the doc says RNY so I guess that's what to be.
Good luck to you my friend. YOU'LL BE IN GOOD HANDS!