New and confused!

Update: After speaking with someone at the University of Virginia, I proceeded to my PCP to be placed on a diet and exercise program which will have to be documented for 6 months before Medicaid will approve the procedure. My PCP placed me on  Phetermine, a 1960 calorie diet, and 30 mins of brisk walking every day. We'll see how it goes!

Good luck with the 6mo documented diet.  You'll do great!  My doctor always told me the lower my weight at surgery time the safer the surgery.  :)  And the smaller the liver.  They are very strict about a two week living shrinking liquid diet two weeks prior to surgery, but my best guess is less food for 6mo would also help with that!

I agree with Jilly about the band making your GERD worse (not to mention it's complication rate and failure rate are really hig).  I'd take this 6 month dieting time to reallly research all of your options (band, RNY, VSG and DS) independently and then choose a surgeon who does all 4 procedures to give you an unbiased opinion on things.  I'm not sure where in VA you are, but Dr. Elariny in NOVA is a good place to start for that. 

Good luck!

Thanks for the info and encouragement...I've lost 6 lbs but its not quite what my doctor is hoping for......I'm sticking with it and so I hope it will be successful!