Charged more than quoted
I couldn't agree more. I had no reflux prior to being sleeved, but developed it after my surgery. I spent close to a year in agony, trying every PPI known to man, and fighting an insurance company both refused to cover the only medication that provided me any relief and a procedure that would have eliminated my reflux, before I chose to convert to RNY. In my mind, that doctor (aside from the cost issue) did you a favor. In my opinion, VSG on someone with diagnosed reflux/GERD is borderline malpractice.
Also, I'd stay away from any doctor who claims he can re-shape a sleeve to eliminate reflux. The only thing that will eliminate reflux is removal of the pyloric valve. The size of the sleeve in combination with an intact pyloric valve creates a high pressure closed system . . . in other words, the acid has nowhere to go but back up your esophagus. that's why RNY is a better surgery . . . no pyloric valve and the acid flows down into the intestines. If the doctor is re-shaping a sleeve by making it larger, what's the point? Doing so may impede your weight loss. I would be wary of any doctor who is making the claims this doctor appears to be making.
If it were me, I'd be very skeptical. I had no reflux prior to surgery, had a hiatal hernia repaired at the time of my sleeve, and developed acid that was 409% higher than normal after my sleeve. My surgeon won't sleeve anyone who has pre-existing reflux/GERD, even if he repairs a hiatal hernia, because of the inherent shape/structure of the sleeve.
Good luck to you.
