VSG Anyone got one????

I am leaning toward a VSG I think ........I know my insurance may not pay for it I was just wondering if anyone had one and if there are any doc's that have done several in TN I have been talking with Dr. Husted's nurse Lori and she is awesome I am a little concerned with the 4 hour drive but will make it if I can't find a qualified Dr. closer to home or if I decide to go with the DS instead I will def. make the drive but wanted to keep my options open....and do some comparisons thanks

I had the VSG last Dec. and have lost 188 pounds so far.  It really has been the best thing for me.  Scott my brother had the gastric a week after I did and has lost about the same.  I was in surgery for the-gastric when they discovered that my intestines and Colon had grown into some mesh that was placed there from another surgery.  SO they came out talked to my husband and they agreed to do this instead of nothing.  If I can answer any more questions let me know. 

I had the RNY however I am a surgery sister with a Sleeve girl and she has lost no more than I have they too dump and get frothing and have same /simular issues as a RNY so I guess my suggestion to you is research the long term results and challenges as well as the risks, I found RNY had less risk and better long tern results but good luck I hope you find someone closer.

Thanks for both you responses and I will keep what was said by both in mind but I haven't read anything about VSG'ers dumping or sliming that is interesting I will have to check into that thanks

Have you been to a seminar at Baptist Metabolic Surgery Center in Nashville? Dr. Spaw does the DS and VSG and is very good.

I had my surgery when Dr. Husted was still at Baptist in the same clinic as Dr. Spaw...I chose Dr. Spaw and I am very glad I did.

All three of our surgeons at Centennial perform vertical sleeve gastrectomy. At present, the outcomes have been very similar to gastric bypass - weight loss is very similar, dietary advancement is the same. Some sleeve patients do have dumping, it occurs through a different mechanism and is typically not to the degree a gastric bypass patient would experience. If you would like to call the office next week, we do have some sleeve patients who have agreed to share their experiences with those trying to determine which procedure to have. We also offer laparoscopic duodenal switch. Have you attended a seminar in Nashville? Most of our patients will tell you that the surgery itself is a very small portion of the overall experience/success of bariatric surgery. The aftercare is a most essential component.

If you would like to discuss further, feel free to call 615-342-1231.

I have been to a couple of seminars one at vandy and one in huntsville al but neither really talked much about the VSG or DS because I don't think either did them.  The insurance and out of pocket is my biggest concern right now I need someone to find out for sure what they will pay and if the VSG is covered before I move on. Also my DH works in the auto industry and it is not doing great right now along with the rest of the economy and knowing my luck I will keep putting it off trying to find info out and he will lose his job but I am trying to have faith and figure if he does it wasn't meant to be.

Our website has the criteria for many of the insurance plans out there, here's the link: http://www.cmcwls.com/default/affordability or you if you would like, you can e-mail your name and insurance information to our financial counselors at [email protected] and let them know you talked to me through the OH site and we'll be happy to check your benefits for you. I would encourage you to attend additional seminars, we have one Tuesday night at 6:00 http://www.cmcwls.com/default/seminar-schedule.

Thank you for all the great info and I will be in touch