ottawa area VSG info needed.

Hi all!
I am occasionally on this forum for info, but the closer I get to receiving my info packet in Oct the more I want to know.
Being in the Ottawa area I will be at the Civic Hospital. BMI = 38%, have lost 100lbs x 2 only to regain. I am an emotional eater, used Phen/ Fen with great results as well. Have type 2 diabetes with no meds, low BP and under heart doctors care, cholesterol which I will have to be medicated for soon , my gall bladder was removed for "fatty disease" , large fatty liver as well, anxiety and depression related to my struggles with my wt for the past 30 yrs. For the last 6mth I have changed my eating habits with therapy help and now use RAW eating to help keep me healthy.
Whew!! Ok, now questions.
I really want a sleeve and not a RNY, I am aware that it is " the gold standard" but after knowing the potential life long problems, not for me. Ottawa pushes for RNY, how do I make my case strong??!! Also I work at the hospital and would want to be done at HRRH.
Guidance please, also do patients see a behaviour therapist fir the work up and what about after, more behavior therapy?

I wanted a sleeve but my insurance wouldn't approve so I ended up with RNY and could not have been happier.  With your issues, an RNY or DS may be a better answer for you.  Yes, either of those can have lifelong issues with vits/mins and staying healthy but I think regain is easier with a sleeve.  I have friends who have never lost their weight or gained it back with the sleeve.  Not that you can't overeat any surgery, you absolutely can.  I just think long term success may be better with one of the malabsorptive surgeries.

since you have already identified your issue with emotional eating, you are correct in seeing a therapist.  Surgery is on our tummies, not our brains.  If those issues aren't addressed, you may lose the weight, but regain is pretty assured. 

One surgery or the other, keeping the weight off is a life long committment.  Maintainance is not easy and although we have a tool to help us, it is daily, sometimes hourly work to stay healthy. 

Hope you will stay on this board with us.  We really do have a great group here.

Do your research on the different types, list the reasons you want one over the other.  My insurance did not cover the sleeve when I had RNY.

My insurance did require 6 months of therapy or 6 months of support group meetings.  I did the therapy and am glad that I did.  I am also an emotional eater.

Keep us updated on your progress.

Linda

Thanks you very much for the info and support. I will keep on this site for sure! Knowing that this sx is  a tool and not a "fix" is a real important fact to remember and that the work is up to me and me alone day/day forever. Being a Mom to 2 wonderful kids I want and need to stay healthy/promote good eating habits to help reduce any behavior that they might learn from me. My Dad died with complication from wt at age 62. I don't drink nor smoke, I gave up pop and caffiene almost 5 mths ago. Working shift work with days/eve and nights in each week, every week-I am always confused when and what to eat as I get nauseated or tired , then reach for something not as good as I know it is and then regret it!! :(       My Mom and hubby are on board with my decision and are as nervous for me as I am.

I have several friends that had the RNY in the USA/Mexico, some with good results and 1 wt NO wt loss, 1 with a bowel obstruction and severe low iron with 2 of them, intial trouble with 3 friends with dehydration for the 1st month or so.   Severe trouble with "foamies".                                                                                                                                                                                                                  I take Celebrex for my knee pain (OA), Pantaloc for GERD and severe reflux. Being in CANADA I hope to connect to ONTARIANS in  a lot for their insights and experiences. All other folks are welcomed to share as well, all info

complications can happen with any surgery and we sure do always think they are going to happen to someone else, not me.  some of those issues could have been related to folks not getting good information in the beginning.  It is so important to go to a surgeon and group that believes in education.  I didn't have to do a 6 month diet with my insurance but my Dr required 12 support/education meetings before the 4 week pre-op diet with a meeting each week and then each of our diet phase change was a meeting/educational program.  I felt very prepared ahead and all the way though.  It amazes me that some folks get sent home with a few papers, no labs and are expected to wing it.  Not sure how things happen in Canada but hopefully they will take good care of you, including education.

They had some info pre/post but pretty much winged it. Labs were done but having lab values and not acting quickly got 1 friend in the Emerg frequently.

Some other concerns are all the supplements RNY folks need to have. I am not good with pills at all, let alone timing them out up to 4-6 x/day the way 3 friends do to optimize absorption.