New Here
Welcome! I urge you to spend the time between now and your first appointment educating yourself about all four forms of WLS---LapBand, VSG/Sleeve, RNY/gastric bypass, and DS/Duodenal Switch. The Band and the Sleeve are restriction-only procedures, the RNY is a highly restrictive/mildly malabsorptive procedure, and the DS is a mildly restrictive/highly malabsorptive procedure. The Band has the lowest long-term, maintained weight loss stats, the VSG and the RNY are in the middle and have pretty equal stats, and the DS has the best stats, especially for those of us with a BMI greater than 50.
You absolutely DO get to choose! No one, not your doctor, your insurance carrier, your family or friends, should be making this sort of decision for you, because they don't have to live with the aftermath. YOU DO. Only you know enough about yourself to know what sorts of permanent lifestyle changes you can make and be happy with.
Welcome. I am going into my 5th month of pre op dr. visits, classes and evals. I agree that educating yourself is the best advice. Between the valuable info from the classes, etc at the hospital and the info I received from this website, I feel much more confident about which procedure I am getting. Good luck and keep asking questions.
Read, read, read, and then read some more. Visit all the surgery forums: VSG, RNY, DS and LapBand. Also, at the top of the page, read the information under "Resources".
Have you verified your insurance coverage? If your insurance is through an employer, make sure there's no WLS "exclusion". Check our your insurer's requirements - many require a six month (some, 12 month) supervised diet. Make sure you have all your ducks lined up in a row.
If you have questions on a specific issue, use the search function (the magnifying glass on the blue bar).
Feel free to post questions, etc. But remember, too, that medical issues should be addressed to your doctor, as we are not doctors and should not offer medical advice. We can offer general information, and lots of support.
Be patient - there are many steps necessary, and lots of appointments, and hoops to jump through.
Check out Eggface's Blog for a look at life post-op and recipes galore.
Good luck on your journey.
Im glad you mention the insurance question I thought that i just go through the apt and if i got the green light that everything was a go, I was told the sugary and 2 day hospital stay is covered under ohip I didnt know that there is more I had to do, i guess its all about learning at this point. I am anxious about the procedure but i am ok with it taking time cause that gives me time to prepare for everything .
It IS covered by OHIP. You are receiving several answers from folks in the States.
Karen
Ontario Recipes Forum - http://www.obesityhelp.com/group/ontario_recipes/