What Do I Do Now ??????????????
Wings
than a DS and some of the bandster revisions over there report that they are happier with the sleeve. 'Course, they were having problems other than just not loosing the weight, so that's different than your case. Your insurance will still probably not cover even the sleeve, but it is easier to afford than a DS and it is a step in that direction. "be willing to sit in the middle of the fear and fucking feel it." Lady Raven
www.obesityhelp.com/forums/gay_lesbian_bisexual_transgender
VSG 12/9/08 Highest 278, then lost #30 preop Goal 126
After talking with Dr. Curry the VSG was not an option that he would choose for me due to the amount of wt I still need to loose and you are right insurance won't cover it. But Medicare will cover a DS Go Figure. Anyway, If at the time VSG was offered by Dr.Curry I would have probably done that because the second step if needed can be done later which completes the DS.
WIngs
on 12/18/08 6:21 am
Sally J.
I never once said they were the same surgery.
It is a fact VSG and lapband are only restrictive procedures. I'm not too sure if your figure that 50% of people fail with the lapband is accurate. I could be wrong, though I am sure it's high. It is true that when a lapband has no saline you have no restriction but the point of the surgery is RESTRICTION only; limiting the amount of food you can hold at one time. None of your calories are malabsorbed. RNY/DS restrict food intake (volume wise) and also limit the amount of calories you absorb.. DS more than RNY of course.
I believe you have misunderstood what I wrote. NO, they are not the same surgeries, but they are ONLY restrictive, therefore do the same "job".
Hopefully people are smart enough to research..A lapband is a band placed around your stomach while VSG involves no band but cutting of the stomach. Ultimately only causing restriction.
Katrina
on 12/21/08 3:11 am - Togo
Take charge. Get on the internet and check out the 'eligibilities' for wls. if you fall in the correct range with your bmi and if your co-morbidities fit for wls then you have reassured yourself that - yes, you can have this.
next, call the insurance companies yourself. take control. if you don't get a satisfactory answer pursue them. when i called my insurance company i kept on and on until i actually got an r.n on the phone who finally admitted to me that yes i was eligible.
next, get on the internet and pursue bariatric doctors. get copies of the tests that you have had done and start sending those out - fax, e-mail, mail - get those out there.
if you know you qualift then pound the doctors doors down until you get what you want and need from them.
don't take no for an answer.
but first check to make sure that you qualify. then be relentless in your pursuit. make it happen.
Wings.
