Lightweight wannabe DSer

I posted this elsewhere, but am reposting here.

Pre-research, I was attracted to the VSG. After reading everything I could find about bariatric surgery options, I realized the DS is a better fit. I have decent insurance coverage, a 39 bmi with insulin resistance and asthma co-morbs, and a supportive husband. I have everything I need, except a doc! I'm looking at Smith in GA, any guidance would be appreciated. I have 2 small kids and we do not allow others to watch them - I cringe at how traveling for bowel surgery is gonna go down for us

I've consulted TWO docs, 1 non-DS doc (Halmi) before I learned about it and 1 local doc (Elariny) whose office threw me for a loop during the consult. I'm now looking into traveling for surgery - not at all what I started out considering as an option for me.

I'm 37 and WILL NOT be obese by the time I'm 40!

There are many folks who have had DS as a lightweight on this board.  Liz (Southern Lady) may be able to point you in the direction of a good doc.

As fyi, my insurance required full-blown diabetes, sleep apnea, or CAD as the only co-morbidities to justify surgery for BMI less than 40.  I recommend that you have them send you their specific requirements to cover the surgery.

Good Luck!

Welcome aboard! I hope we can get you through this surgeon and insurance business.

--gina

before you put tons of time into your dr search, be sure about your insurance.  I had good insurance, but they only covered bands and RNY.  No sleeves, no DS. 

Southernlady and her DH both had DS here in the south.  She can point you towards Drs.

Stick around while you are searching.  Lots of good info here.

My doctor, while not on the dsfacts list is a good one for the DS...his aftercare is not great (most aren't for DS'ers). He's Dr. Stephen Boyce and does the DS on lightweights but only if he knows you are willing and able to handle it...he wants to know why you want it and can you handle the after care that is for life.

My husband went to Dr. Pomp in NYC, *I* wanted to but I had different insurance and while they approved the DS, they wanted me to stay in state. Dr. Pomp does not have a program fee last we heard, mine does.

Any questions, just ask.

Liz

 Thanks all for the info, checking all leads. I love the sense of community on the lightweights board, been reading past threads here all night. Gonna keep trying to find my path to surgery, will update with anything I discover.

My surgery is scheduled for Feb. 15th and I am seeing Dr. Smith in Marietta GA. His office is extremely thorough. You will jump through many hoops and go through many tests before you even get close to scheduling your surgery but it is so worth it. His entire staff is extremely knowledgable and helpful. His office is also a Center for Excellence.