Question:
How many years has the RNY procedure been done?

How many years has the RNY procedure been done? My mother-in-laws claims that she had this procedure done 13-15 years ago. She is now a very large woman and claim that It didn't work for her. I do not think it was the Rny that she had done. 2nd question. has anybody had experience with cobra insurance. My husband is switching job and we will need to go on cobra insurance until we can start the new insurance about 30 days. I need to know if we can have cobra insurance and another insurance at the same time for double coverage???I would greatly appreciate your input!!!    — Paula G. (posted on April 19, 2000)

April 19, 2000
I am happy to say that the RNY surgery of 10-15 years ago is NOT the same as is done now. Like anything else in medical science, they find a better way of doing things. Your mother-in-law's response is typical of someone who is not up-to-date on their WLS surgery methods. Good luck!
   — Paula G.

April 19, 2000
I applied and was approved while under cobra. It is the same policy you have always had and nothing changes except what you pay. Just do not miss a payment. That will cancel you and then you will run into problems.
   — Courtrina Amur W.

April 19, 2000
It is possible to have the insurance through COBRA and another insurance, but why would you want to...... COBRA generally comes into play when you've lost your job, cut down your work hours, etc. It's the same exact insurance you had with your employer, only instead of them paying 100% or what ever percentege they paid......you are now paying for it 100%. You can have it for up to 3 years under certain requirements. Visit this site for further information. http://www.insure.com/health/cobra.html
   — PrettyHotAndTempting

April 19, 2000
Hi Paula, The RNY has been done for several years but I believe it has been much improved in the last 7-10 years. The Cobra insurance will be the same policy as you have now, you just have to pay a much higher rate for it when you leave the company because your company does not pay in on it. It would be nice to have double coverage but, unless your wealthy, you probably will not be able to afford it. Cobra is VERY expensive in most cases. Hope this helps!
   — Laura P.

April 20, 2000
Hi there - the RnY was developed in 1959, so it's very possible that your MIL had one. However, the techniques used today are a lot better than they were "back then", and less prone to failure. They now use up to four rows of staples to restrict the stomach, and many surgeons transect the stomach at the staple line, which further prevents staple line disruption (and subsequent weight regain). You may want to suggest to your MIL that she look into having her old RnY revised to one of the newer, more successful techniques!
   — Kim H.