need a pep talk

I was hoping to get a Sleeve gastrectomy this month but for reasons that haven't been explained, the insurance company (Highmark) rejected it. They say I am not heavy enough and want the full blown Roux En Y. Now I am having second thoughts. After planning for so long for a VSG the RxY seems scary. I was hoping to avoid it because I've been told there is less dumping with the VSG. Now I am thinking about calling the whole thing off. Any advice? I could really use a pep talk.

 I had RNY 3 years ago and  I was 61 and went through it with no problems and I'm never sorry I did it.

If I coulda had my druthers, it would have been a sleeve or something like that, but as my insurance would only cover the RnY, that's what I took.

I've only been sorry that I can't use nsaids due to my arthritic knees, but other than that, I'm glad I did the RnY.

If you really want the VSG, fight for it. Go the the VSG forum on this site and get info from folks there.

http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/vsg/

Good luck.

Lynn -
I wanted to respond to you directly since you touched on the issue that concerns me most.
I want the VSG because I am only 45 and arthritis runs in the family. I don't have it now but I don't know what I will need by the time I am 55 or 65.
I will follow your advice (and many others) and fight for it. I have contacted the people on the VSG site as well.
Thanks for the pep talk.
Ann

Well, my 20-20 Future Goggles aren't working very well, but you know, there's no telling what will happen tomorrow, much less in10 or 20 years!

Arthritis may be a problem in your family, as it is in mine, but more and more research is finding that it is an auto-immune disease, so maybe in 15 or 20 years they will know how to avoid it.  My family's problem was arthritis so severe that my ggrandmother was totally bedridden with it at the age of 60.  I'm 65--I have minor touches of it in my fingers and knees.  Nothing like hers.  Is it a result of better health care, less stressful life,less hard outdoors work, or avoidance of allergens in my life which may have triggered her agony?  I'll never know.  But RNY (not RXY) has saved my life.  I was headed for a miserable old age just being fat.

If you want the VSG, fight for it.  It is no longer "exploratory" or "investigational" surgery, but getting more and more mainstream every year.  In 2001, RNY was only done open;  by the time I had it, laproscopically was beginning to be the norm.  Who knows what will be happening with the VSG???  It may yet become the Gold Standard.

I wish you luck.

Believe me, dumping is no fun, but it definitely makes you think twice about what you stick in your mouth once you've done it - LOL! VSG seems to be the big thing in weight loss surgery now, and I really know nothing about it. I had RNY and have never regretted one day of it, even during my worst dumping or foamies episodes. It literally gave me my life back.

Yes, there are drawbacks to RNY - there are drawbacks to any type of drastic surgery - but obesity is a bigger issue and can only lead to more health-related issues down the road.

If your only concern is the dumping, then I would say go ahead with the RNY - your surgeon (and everyone on here) will help you with what could cause dumping (sugars, fats, etc.) and as you get farther from your surgery dumping occurs less and less. You learn what your body will and will not tolerate.

However, if you have other concerns about RNY then take a step back and really do your research on it - attend support group meetings - ask questions out here - gather all the information you need to make a final, informed decision. Any weight loss surgery requires a life time commitment to exercise and eating healthier so be sure you know what you're getting into before taking that final step.

I wish you all the best - feel free to ask any questions - we're a very open forum out here.

Kathy

I had RNY 2.5 years ago, the best thing I did for my health!! It took me over a YEAR to get the surgery. Many loopholes with health issues and insurance issues. I fought it when I was rejected from my insurance company and I WON!

Fight for what you want! If you have to go RNY I don't think you will be sorry....

I know absolutely nothing about the VSG, but I gotta tell you that getting the RNY was an absolute life-saver for me.  4+ years later and about 135 pounds lighter, I'd do it again in a heartbeat.  You won't dump if you eat properly and follow instructions. 

Thanks everyone for their quick responses. It was very nice of you especially since I really needed the pep talk. I am going to try to fight for the VSG because I am concerned that I at 45 I have no idea what I might need as far as medicine is concerned by the time I am 65 or 70.
(My understanding is that there are far more meds off the list for a RXY patient then a VSG.)
If insurance still denies it though - you all made me feel much more comfortable going forward with a RXY
Thanks again,
Ann

I, like Jill know nothing about the VSG and may only be newly postop RNY, but I already know that I have made the best decision of my life! Being 28 and over 400 lbs was not how I wanted to spend the rest of my life.. After many obstacles and roadblocks, I am so happy with my decision!!

The only bit of advice I can give is this.. no matter what happens, no matter what obstacles may confront you, NEVER give up! You deserve the best possible life and no matter which surgery you have..you will achieve just that!! Keep fighting and don't give up!!