DS or Sleeve? BMI only 39.2
I was originally going with the Sleeve, but I am now seriously considering the DS. I have a very hard time losing weight and I also have MS which makes my ability to exercise more difficult. My insurance (BC/BS Federal) keeps giving me mixed information...one time they say Sleeve not covered, the next person says it is. I am outside Atlanta and looked at Dr. Macik but wasn't very impressed and am now looking at Wellstar. Any advice or input? It would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks!
MS Warrior, Wife & Mom. Duodenal Switch Date 12/4/2013
No problem! I love talking about myself...it's my favorite subject...lol!
My DS was 4/29/13. So far, so good....I'm down 60 lbs in 3 months. I never thought I'd see those scale numbers again! I have no problem taking the vitamins and supps, especially since I was off my BP med within the first month. Eating is difficult, but the more I read, the more I find that's par for the course. My biggest problem post op was constant, disabling nausea, which lasted a solid 3 weeks. No vomiting, just nausea. It was horrendous. But once that dissipated, I have felt good. I haven't had any labs done yet, so we'll see how I'm doing in that department when the time comes. Just recently I've been noticing a little bit of hair loss...just strands, no clumps, and that is one of my biggest fears, so I'm not sure if I'm just being paranoid.
My insurance is Independence BC/Personal Choice.
Good luck with whatever decision you make!
My pre-op BMI was 35.2.
As far as what is covered, GET a physical copy of your policy and read it. Do not rely on what others, even at the insurance company, tell you.
As to who...in the Atlanta area, check out Dr. Dennis Smith, he's the closest...or come north to TN...a couple in Nashville and one in Knoxville (mine) that do the DS.
Duodenal Switch (Lap) 01-24-11 | Surgeon: Stephen Boyce | High weight: 250 in 2002 | Surgery weight: 203 | Lowest weight: 121 | Current weight: 135 | Goal weight: 135
My metabolism was busted pre-op and I couldn't lose anything either. Walking is all I do due to back problems from when I was on active duty. The DS was my best bet and it wasn't too much even for someone with a starting BMI of 36.8. Check out Dr Smith in Atlanta, he's a trusted DS surgeon. One of my friends had BCBS Federal and she had no issues getting her DS approved with a lower BMI. She's here in DC, so I don't know if different states have different rules even if it's BCBS Federal. I think all states should be the same. A great place to read and do some research about the DS is www.dsfacts.com.
Good luck!
--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
There is much more to this decision than just one number, like your bmi.
The sleeve works well for some people, but if your metabolism is such that weight loss is difficult, the DS will give you metabolic changes that will help both with weight loss and with weight loss maintenance. And with your limited ability to exercise, this will be even more important for you - most of the people that I've seen reporting the best results with VSG are people who incorporate substantial amounts of exercise into their lives (there are exceptions of course).
My local support group used to have a member who had MS. She moved away recently, so I don't see her anymore. She had excellent results with the DS. Of course it won't fix your MS, but her mobility was greatly improved with the weight loss. It made a huge difference in her life.
And as others have said, read your policy for yourself - the people you speak with on the phone have no real interest in your welfare, they're just putting in the hours on the other end of the line. And definitely Dr. Dennis Smith in Atlanta - excellent reputation!
Larra
ps if you haven't already, head over to dsfacts.com for lots of excellent info on the DS.
