BMI 57 and questions

(Background) I was in a car accident in '94 where i fractured T11-T12 of my spine.  Back was fine for years until I started working as a LMT, tweaked my back working on a client turned out it was way worse than just a "tweak", apparently I have the spine of an 80 year old woman. Thus my weight in 3 years due to steriod injections every 6 months and not being able to walk long periods of time like i use to went from 250# to 334#

Okay so tomorrow Im attending my second seminar, the first one i went to was back in August for band did a TON of research on it, was totally psyched about having it done.  Then comes December 4th and my insurance will not cover it because the hospital is not a Centers for excellence >.< After talking with a friend of mine that is having the VSG (hopefully in May), I started researching that.  I am 100% positive that I have found something that will work for me, since I unfortunately have so many different allergies I was willing to take the risk with LB just out of desperate measure to help myself in anyway I possibly can.

I guess my question(s) I have yet to find anywhere the safety of this sugery (VSG) for people with high BMI's.  Maybe it's because Ive gone about this all ass backwards, and i think after this seminar things are going to fly by.  I have already completed the stress test, most of the blood work, 3 YEARS of NUT.  Maybe i am just over thinking the whole thing, and stressing myself out?  Worried about what will happen to my 13 year old daughter if something happens to me....is this normal?!?!?!?

When I had my surgery, I had a BMI of over 65.  I too had the same worries as you about having the surgery and leaving my wife and 3 children without a husband and father.  The research I did showed that while there were risks in the VSG, they were similar if not less than most of the other WLS.  I have been pretty successful.  I am 146 lbs lighter and under 50 BMI is six months.  While the weight loss has slowed I have not gone a week without loosing.  My only regret is I did not have surgery years earlier.  I am now able to more actively in my family's life.

Good luck in your decision process. 

I had Roux-en-Y, but know quite a few folks with high BMI's who got VSG - my boyfriend was approved, and he was over 70 BMI.

Make double sure your insurance will cover it, not all insurance (especially Medicare/Medicaid) recognize the procedure - which will take time.

Without needing any bowel plumbing, your time on the table is shorter.  Your recovery (I believe) is shorter.  Win-win, in my book.  Have you checked for Centers of Excellence in your area?  Maybe you need to rethink programs.  I dropped out of one program, met with two surgeons after that, before I decided who to go with.  Make sure you and your surgeon (and their office) work well together - you'll have a LONG relationship to come!

There is a Forum for VSG - not sure if you cross posted or not.  Good luck!
Brenda : )~

thank you both for your replies, it really puts my mind at ease.

I have no clue what Medicare accepts, every time I call them they read me exactly what is on the .gov website.  However, I dont think they take into account if someone is allergic to the most of the components of the band (if that is all they will approve).  I guess I will find out on the 5th when i drive to El Paso what can or can not be done.  =0)

I was going in for the VSG, but Medicare would not cover it.  Instead I had the RNYand my BMI was in the low 60's.  I decided not to wait for the time it took Medicare to decide to cover it, per my surgeon's recommendation.  It wasn't my first choice, but I am satisfied with the WL and my lower BMI.  Good Luck and Keep putting your goal first in your mind.  It will eventually happen.  Cecelia

Medicare won't cover it at all.

How are you doing? How is your weight loss? How are you feeling since surgery? Did you have the VSG?

Hoping 2011 was great for you in your journey!!

Hey!

I'm doing great!  So far I'm down 77#, feeling awesome since surgery, I have all kinds of energy and can actually run around and chase my daughter and play without any difficulty, it's GREAT!.  The first couple weeks were a bit rough (recovery and then i got a staph infection).  I did have the VSG done...best decision EVER!  I've already hit two of my personal goals (Lose 50# by Christmas and have a regular towel fit around me) =0)  It's amazing how quickly I run through clothes lol I've already donated 12 garbage bags of clothes that didn't fit anymore, I loved that feeling.

How are things going with you?

This is great news!! How exciting to see the weight dropping but even more so the abilities you had lost to be regained back. This journey will be life long! Embrace each and every thing no matternhow small!! They are all big to us! You own this and sounds like your new year will be full of blessings! CONGRADULATIONS and I am so happy to hear that you are happy with your decisions!! Makes itnallnthe better! Happy that you are over the infection also! Getting rid of your old clothes that are to big is fun... Getting one tonreplace them is fun to. Remember to save at least one big one that you have a picture of you wearing and then when you hit your final weight goal.... Put it on and have your picture taken.... As a comparison!! Just an idea if you did not already think of it.

Hugs

Oh also... Would you friend me? I tried to friend you but it says you do not share or something like that. I enjoy keeping contact and hearing successes and people's story!! If not I can understand.


Thank you and wishing you well!