DS as "Part Two" to VSG?
Hi everyone! I had a vsg just over four years ago and was very active on this wonderful site. My first 2 years post-op were fantastic but I regained 40 lbs by taking Abilify. My psych prescriber didn't tell me weight gain was a side effect. Stopped that med but later began taking Seroquel for sleep and gained 20 more lbs. Nothing else worked for me for sleep. I'm very nervous about visiting my surgeon and am afraid she will see this as my failure... which I guess it is. :( What do you all think are the odds of my getting a second surgery or a DS to "finish" the VSG?
My BMI is 42.5, I have high blood pressure and sleep problems. Here is my insurance company's policy on repeat bariatric surgeries:
Repeat Bariatric Surgery: Aetna considers removal of a gastric band medically necessary when recommended by the member's physician. Aetna considers surgery to correct complications from bariatric surgery medically necessary, such as obstruction, stricture, erosion, or band slippage. Aetna considers repeat bariatric surgery medically necessary for members whose initial bariatric surgery was medically necessary (i.e., who met medical necessity criteria for their initial bariatric surgery), and who meet any of the following medical necessity criteria: Conversion to a sleeve gastrectomy, RYGB or BPD/DS is considered medically necessary for members who have not had adequate success (defined as loss of more than 50 % of excess body weight) 2 years following the primary bariatric surgery procedure and the member has been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the procedure; or Revision of a primary bariatric surgery procedure that has failed due to dilation of the gastric pouch, dilated gastrojejunal stoma, or dilation of the gastrojejunostomy anastomosis is considered medically necessary if the primary procedure was successful in inducing weight loss prior to the dilation of the pouch or GJ anastomosis, and the member has been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the procedure; or Replacement of an adjustable band is considered medically necessary if there are complications (e.g., port leakage, slippage) that cannot be corrected with band manipulation or adjustments; or Conversion from an adjustable band to a sleeve gastrectomy, RYGB or BPD/DS is considered medically necessary for members who have been compliant with a prescribed nutrition and exercise program following the band procedure, and there are complications that cannot be corrected with band manipulation, adjustments or replacement.
It sure does sound like you should be covered for the 2nd part of the DS (the switch) since you've
already got the VSG done and haven't realized your goals. I think the malabsorption would help a lot. Are you organized enough to
keep on top of the extra vitamins you would have to take? I think that is the biggest question to answer for yourself
before deciding.
no,true dumping only occurs with the RN y. Sometimes sleepers have a bit of something like dumping,but if you didn't have that prob with a sleeve you likely won't after the DS.
Sorry, Holly, but this isn't correct. Anyone CAN dump, even people who've never had any sort of WLS. Also, having any sort of surgery on the digestive tract increases your likelihood of dumping at some point. Of course, it's much more likely for RNYers, since they aren't using their pylorus.