This is overwhelming :)

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this site and am currently researching my options for surgery. My insurance company sent info for what it will cover and I'm researching those options as well as the ones offered by the surgeon I hope to use. There is SO much to learn. And the more I learn, the more I'm thinking there may be a fight/appeal with the insurance company in my future. They cover the vertical BAND, not the vertical SLEEVE. They also cover the sleeve/DS but only for people with BMI > 50 (which I'm not), but there are only 2 surgeons within a 200 mile radius who perform the DS in any form. The only two options that match with most of the surgeons around here are the RNY and Lap Band...and the more I learn, the more I think the sleeve or DS would be better for me. Ugh.

I've gone through KNOWING I need the surgery and back to wondering if I can lose the weight on my own...knowing I need to lose NOW before anything else goes wrong with my health and wondering how my work would respond if I told them I need however many weeks off to have surgery...

It's gonna be an interesting ride. :)

I'll be quick but there will be more folks soon. If you are leaning towards a DS or sleeve....DO NOT SETTLE! People get the BMI requirements overturned all the time!

And dont be afraid of a little travel especially for the DS. Go to dsfacts.com for the best list of good surgeons.

Pick a surgery THEN a surgeon.

My insurance did not cover the DS but I easily got the decision overturned by the state board of insurance. In CA the board firmly believes that the DS is the superior choice. I have been very happy with my decision.  Take a look at my profile for more of my information and before and after photos. I started out trying to get the RNY, and thank goodness, learned about the DS. It saved my life-literally.

Do *not* settle for the RNY!  I almost did, but once I found out another surgeon in the practice was the one who performd the DS, I waited another six months to get her, and the DS.  If you have any co-morbidities, like high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, there is REAMS of research online that found the DS cures all of these!
You can use this as justification for this procedure with the insurance.  Most staff at surgeon's offices know how to get around the insurance loopholes, but it has to be a surgeon who performs the DS in order for them to push the right buttons and get you approved.
  
I no longer have high blood pressure, I got rid of my CPAP machine ( it's going on eBay shortly), I can walk 95 percent of the time caneless, hell I can WALK, period!
You will likely not need a revision for weigh loss with the DS.   

Read everything you can get your hands on regarding the DS.  If your surgeon doesn't perform it, be willing to travel to a surgeon who does. 

It involves a lot of supplements and healthy eating, but you will not have to give up any of your favorite foods once you're healed.  And if you're a carnivoire...this is the surgery to have!  Meat choices for  RNY's are fairly limited to finely ground meat pablum, if that,  or easy to digest fish. Variety is the spice of life and key to good health!  The weight loss results  will astound you!   You will continue to eat normally, rather than having to avoid foods that might get stuck in your stoma or stretch your pouch, because you will still have a real stomach, smaller, but still functioning as intended.

If you want to sentence yourself to a lifetime of dieting, and more than likely revision surgeries, choose the RNY.

If you want to live and eat like a normal person, choose the DS!

I had RNY and have not given up any foods that I used to eat.  Your statement is patently untrue.  Please make sure you know what you are talking about.  I am not advocating RNY over any surgery, but the misinformation you provide could hurt someone at some point.  Please stick to what you know about DS not what you do not know about RNY.

Thanks
steve

Her statement isn't patently untrue.  You're only a year out for one thing.  Come back in 5 and see what you think.

Also I have many family members and friends that have the RNY and they fit that statement to a T.  My mother in law can no longer have beef of any kind because it gets stuck.  My good friend is on weigh****chers to lose the weight that she regained once her malabsorbtion wore off.  And my cousin never got to goal, and she was compliant.  I have other examples, but I feel these are a good sampling.

You are a lucky one and I hope you are successful.

I'm 7 years post-RNY and can eat ANYTHING without issue.  Well, except full fat, full sugar ice cream.  Big deal.

Am I up 15 pounds from my lowest???  Sure, but Diana, the biggest advocate of the DS on this board (whom I love & respect) is up 20.  So, DSers can, and do, gain weight.

Sorry your family & friends are not having an ideal RNY experience.

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Am I happy about it.  No, not really.

Am I slitting my wrists over it.  Not so much.

I'd rather weigh 150 than 285 any day of the week.

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