WARNING TO PRE-OPS: Think twice, cut once -- or else!

Some of us don't have a choice on which surgery we get, I could not afford to do it myself so I picked the best option for me, if I had a choice I would have looked into the DS, but there was no choice so I had the Rny and am so far happy with it!!  I wish everyone luck and happiness with what ever surgery they can have!!!

Not sure how it works in Canada, but for those of you newbies in the US, where there's a will, there's a way for many of us to get the amazing DS.

My first insurance policy did not cover the DS, so my husband switched jobs so he could get us health insurance that covered the DS. While he was job-hunting, I deliberately interviewed for a part-time job with Starbucks, which covers the DS in its insurance package. I was offered the job and then my hubby got his new gig, so I did not need to take the Starbucks job. Yes, I was willing to pay a babysitter $15/hour to watch my kids while I worked an $8/hour job, just so I could get preemo insurance to get the surgery I wanted! (God forbid I had had any complications, etc.)

Even with insurance, I had to pay some money out-of-pocket to get the DS surgeon on the globe that I wanted, John Rabkin in San Fran.

If my insurance could not be worked out, we were prepared to take a loan to pay for the DS out-of-pocket.

The DS (and Dr. Rabkin) is THAT good.

I believe that with the DS's cure rate for type 2 diabetes (98.9%) and spectacular long-term EWL results, more insurance companies will start covering it. Even since I started hanging out here on OH, many, many insurance companies (inlcuding my original one who denied me, BC/BS of IL) have begun covering the DS.

Newbies, don't give up!

Nicolle

Another Rabkin patient here, and I'm so happy I ponied up the cash to get him; I would do it again in a heartbeat. 

Kerry

Hijack --->   Kerry, I just LOVE your new avi!  You are so handsome!!!!    (And I'm speaking from the "other team" if ya know what I mean!)  Barb is one lucky girl!!!  

LOL! Laura, I've always thought we were on the same team! We may have different likes and dislikes, but I'm pretty sure when you get right down to it, we're on the same team!

But thanks anyway, I'll try and remind Barb how lucky she is; that should go over like a turn in a punchbowl.

Kerry 

LOL!!! You're right Kerry, the bottom line is we absolutely are on the same team!    

And, from all the heat you've stirred up with that new avi, if Barb ever wants to turn you loose, you'll be snapped up in a nanosecond!!!  Love ya lots! 

Yes, that is often true -- I understand some Canadian provinces have become very rigid about not allowing their citizens to go elsewhere to obtain the DS.

But I always emind people who have insurance that says there is no coverage of the DS, at least in the US, that by appealing that inappropriate restriction to external or independent medical review, more often than not, the denial can be overturned.  If people learn about the DS and decide they want it, in general they should consider that there are multiple ways to go about getting it, including appealing, filing an ERISA suit or self-paying if possible.  Especially with these new insurance restrictions, people need to consider that the surgery they pick is likely to one they are going to have to live with for the rest of their lives -- no do-overs will be available.

 Sweetie couldn't said it better myself ..hugs Red in TX . I told my brother and sister in law about the DS and there insurance well cover it ..I'm so happy for them ..

YAY! I remember you talking about this a little while back.

Surgeries other than the ds alternative are not less effectve surgeries.  Every post op should investigate all options and eliminate each procedure based on their own personal considerations.  Discover what is right for you. 

You can suceed or fail or require revision for every procedure including ds.  Pre ops understand your curent habits.  Know what you want in addition to loosing weight as far as lifestyle and resolving long term food related issues go.  Know which surgeries include factors that will promote your personal success or provide you a means of becomming self defeating.  Know what you personally see as a pro or a con. 

Explore the ds thoroughly but also explore every other procedure thoroughly.  Beware of anyone who tells you their own chosen surgery is the only right option.  The 'right' option for someone else may not be right for you.  Insurance aside, we all only want to do this once and the overwhelming majority of wls patients do not ever need revision.