Had Orientation today
I went there thinking I wanted the RNY, but I left thinking that the Vertical Sleeve would suit me better.
Thankfully the VSG is covered by our insurance (BCN), as long as you have a BMI of >50. My BMI is 57. I also found out that because my BMI is higher, I don't have to do the 6mth supervised diet.
My insurance covers 100%, but they mentioned I'd still have an out-of-pocket cost of around $1,000. THank goodness its tax return time! lol
I'll also have to buy their food to eat for the two weeks prior to surgery and the 2 weeks after.
It looks like this whole process won't take too terribly long for me.
Dawn
Congrats on insurance covering your surgery!! What a relief, right?!!
My insurance will cover all but $1,200 and I agree on being grateful it's tax return!!
Hopefully you will get a date for your surgery soon!! It took me a little over 7 months from the day I went to my Seminar/Consultation to the day of my surgery (March 3rd)!!
TTFN,
Highest weight: 309 pounds ~ October, 2009
PATS ~ Monday, February 22, 2010
RNY ~ Wednesday, March 3, 2010 ~ weight morning of surgery: 279 pounds
7 Months out to the date ~ Total loss of 100 pounds!! October 3, 2010: 179 pounds
February 1, 2011 ~ weigh 146 pounds
Glad you are on your way. I had RNY with Dr. Foote back when it was the only option available through MMPC and Spectrum Blodgett. It was still a good decision. Unfortunately, it took nearly a year for their office staff to get my insurance stuff through; otherwise the experience was great. My insurance was approved after I sent them my card for the second time and had a cardiac stress test. I have lost 180 pounds in 5 1/2 years and kept most of it off.
Things have changed a bit there since I was there, so I can't comment on specifics. But Dr. Foote is great. Good luck to you!
Jessyka..sorry to hear you couldn't get approved there (at Grand Health Parterns). I wish everyone had the option to go where they choose, wouldn't that be great?!
Tari..I sure hope this process for me is quicker than the 7 mths you had to wait. I have very little patience. I want it now..LOL
Eileen..wow..a year to get all your paperwork around..I'd go mad! Happy to hear how much you have lost and that you're doing a great job at keeping it off! Congrat's!
Robin...I'd love to chat! I think it's cool that you live so close. How old are you and your husband, do you have kids? I'm 39 and my husband is 42..we have 3 boys (9, 15 & 17).
DAwn
GHP is awesome, arent they?????
im almost 2yr out from my Sleeve and im having issues finding insurance for part 2 ( duodenal switch)
individual policies no longer cover BS :(
damn insurance companies are screwin us again!!!! lol
im sill over BMI 50, so im tryin to find SOMETHING that will work ...
congrats, you will LOVE your sleeve!!! :) i do!
I am going to be very blunt, so take what you want from this... you are far too heavy to be considering the VSG as a long term option to your obesity. Yes, you will lose weight, but you will likely still be obese when all is said & done. Opinion? No. Long term studies are not available on the VSG (as it is a recent stand-alone procedure), but the 4 year studies are grim. Educate yourself. Dr. Foote pushes the VSG. If you find yourself in the position of needing the switch portion for a full DS down the road, YOU will be paying for it (not insurance) and it is almost as expensive as a full DS to begin with. On top of that, you will not have the added benefit of having the two parts working synergistically together, and any weight you were to lose with the addition of the switch would be slow and likely not get you to a normal BMI.
Be very honest with yourself.... has restriction only (which is what VSG is) worked for you in your past diet attempts? Was it enough to sustain weight loss long term? I think we both know the answer to that, given that your BMI is at 57. You need the malabsorption that comes with the DS to sustain long term weight loss. That IS your reality.
You need to have a consult with Kemmeter.
~ I am the proud wife of a Guatemalan, but most people call me Kimberley
Highest Known Weight = 370# / 59.7 bmi @ 5'6"
Current Weight = 168# / 26.4 bmi : fluctuates 5# either way @ 5'7" / more than 90% EWL
Normal BMI (24.9) = 159#: would have to compromise my muscle mass to get here without plastics, so this is not a goal.
I my DS. Don't go into WLS without knowing ALL of your options: DSFacts.com