Please no one take offense

Ok, I have got to get this out ~~ cause if I keep it in I am going to EAT!! and I don't want to do that.

All through all the Pre-op and informational meetings, Everyone talked about the RNY being the gold standard of WLS. And I was really excited and looking forward to being healthy again.

I have all the co-morbidities and Chronic Kidney disease ~~ I need to get off this diabetes medicine because of my kidneys and the other medicine they but me on darn near killed me so the put me back of the one that affects my kidneys with the kidney dr. blessing because I was waiting to have the RNY and would not need to take it.

So then I failed my psych eval and had to take the behavior modification group therapy for 8 weeks saw the nutritionist for 6 month every thing is done and ready to go.

Then they call from the surgeons office today and are talking about no RNY and doing the VGB and the code they use does not require prior authorization whatever the Heck that means.,

What??? I have wasted 6 months of weight loss time and now if I can't have the Gold Standard of RNY I am suppose to settle for second best!!

That is exactly what I have done all my life and one of the biggest reasons I am single and weigh 350 lbs.

Talk about a trigger boy am I in one!!

I specifically decided to have RNY WLS so that I would be healthier. Dance and I mean really Dance and my Grandchildrens wedding, be able to walk the dog more than 1/2 a block, swim a lap at the pool. without feeling like I was going to explode.

I did not decide on this surgery to look better, to be more attractive, to attract the opposite sex, to try and impress people. But for my health and fitness.

So now I am suppose to settle for sloppy seconds!! Why bother why not stick with the stomach stapling from 1980 or so that the staple lined failed on and just go on the old stand-by High protein low carb diet??

If I am doomed to fail why bother???

Sorry not tryiing to hurt anyone's feelings but I just feel like I have had the rug pulled out from under me. I just need some input

I'm sorry you're feeling so frustrated.
I don't know much at all about the VGB. Have you researched it? Can you get the names of some who have had it so you can get their thoughts?
I hope things will look up for you and you'll be able to have whatever is the best procedure for you.

Sorry I had the VGB years ago (stomach stapling) now they are talking about the Vertical Gastric sleeve

Ika,

From other post it sounded like he's planning on doing both procedures. Without knowing why, he must think that's what would be best for your situation. I know that doesn't make it any less frustrating for you right now, but he does have to consider your health and the procedure he thinks you can tolerate the best.

Tomorrow is another day. Perhaps going ahead with another weight loss plan in the interim would be good. there have been studies done that people who lose the most weight prior to surgery lose more weight and tend to be more successful overall. It's just a thought.

For tonight right now, try to get some rest.

Wow, I can imagine how frustrated you must be feeling. The people I know who've had the VSG say that they are SO GLAD that they don't have the malabsorption issues that RNY people have. They just aren't as hungry anymore. Ok, I don't know what the long term stats are for the surgery. But I do know several people who had great results from this surgery, so don't get discouraged. There is still plenty of hope.

And I agree with Lee: let things rest for tonight. Hope that you get some great news soon.

One of the positives about this surgery is the vertical new stomach does not stretch as with a horizontal cut of your new stomach. With this surgery you also will not have the malabsorption issues of the RNY. Forge ahead, be brave, You have so many people around to support You , along with the health care of Your physician. If diets worked, we'd all be healthy and thin.

Let us know how you do, ranting, or otherwise.
*hugs*

Take a deap breath in and let it out real slow.... do that a couple of times... I know it's frustrating when your heart is set on one thing and it then gets shot down but hang in there the Dr must know what is best. Hugs

Dear IK! WELCOME!

I am sorry that you have jumped through hoops and gotten excited only to be let down.

Here is MY 2 cents:

First off...take a DEEP BREATH!!! I would speak with your surgeon and find out EXACTLY WHY he feels this one should be the one...and ask him to explain the procedure and how it works.

Also, research the VGS ro VGB...I dont have any idea what it is.

So far you have gotten a few positive responses as well. You may want to change your thinking too.

I am 4 years out and have NEVER heard that the RNY is the "GOLD STANDARD" of procedures. That doesnt mean it isnt...I just have heard many positive things about ALL PROCEDURES!

For me..I didnt know I had a CHOICE in the matter....maybe I was just SO desperate at that time..I dont know. Shame on me for not thoroughly checking out my options. However, I've been very fortunate to have been successful.

With any of the surgeries..the outcome is the same...WEIGHTLOSS and they are all the same also in the aspect that we MUST change our lifestyle for every in order to REMAIN successful.

I see the positive side of the VGB/VGS...one being there is no malabsorption....that sounds good to me!

Try to find the positive but for me I would want to find out the surgeons reasoning FIRST! Is it an insurance thing? If your NOT satisfied with the answers then maybe find a new surgeon.

Just food for thought and my 2 cents...I'm sure this is VERY frustrating for you....but keep on keeping on!!

THIS TOO SHALL PASS and soon you will be on the losing side and on your way to a HEALTHIER YOU!

Sending lots of Cali HUGS!!

Julie aka: Sunshine of the hood!

My WLS center offers three procedures: the gastric bypass, the lapband and the vertical gastric sleeve. The way they explained it, VGS was initially developed for severely obese people (over 350 lbs.) who are at a greater risk for complications during bypass surgery. They would first get the sleeve (which is a simpler procedure than the bypass) and when they lost some weight, they would then get the bypass.

What the surgeons were finding, however, was that some patients were doing so well with the sleeve that they didn't need to get the bypass. So they began to offer it as an alternative to the bypass and lapband.

I wanted to get the sleeve, but my insurance company would not cover it because it is considered experimental. It's a relatively new procedure and there are no long-term statistics on it. There are a few people in my group who have had it and they are pleased with the results so far. No more (or less) complaints than the rest of us. And, like everyone else has stated, you don't have the malabsorption issues (a big plus).

I wonder if your doctor is suggesting VGS because of your kidney and other health problems. The malabsorption of RNY may actually create more health problems for you, not solve them. You need to discuss this further with your doctor. --Kathy

I know your frustrated, but give it time to clear up! Research and find out if there is a better or best. With any wls it only works as well as we work it~!!

Kathy,
Good information!

What a mess this has turned out to be.

First I read everyones advise here and on my other board and decide everyone is right my body my choice need more research.

Besides had a lot of questions about how this will impact insurance approval for later surgery.

So I pulled my self off the ceiling, out of the well, and did a thought record (cognitive therapy stuff). Got my head out of my butt took the bull by the horn. Ya da ya da~~

Called the doctors office.

First why do I have to wait till April 10 to talk to him. He is on vacation.

Did you get my email regarding insurance. Yes but can not give you any difinative answers yet.

We are checking how ________________________ proceedure will affect things.

What proceedure?? I say

The one the doctor talked to you about (we discussed the VGS if RNY was not viable.)

That wasn't even the friggin' proceedure they were talking about some kinda new endoscopic proceedure that removes the old staple line and makes the stomach more like normal. Then after that heals couple of weeks then they do the RNY!!! or the VGS they will know which they have to do after the proceedure.


AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGHHHHHHHHHHH!! Feeling like an idiot!!!

Does that mean we can send for insurance approval and have it back by the time this proceedure is complete.

Good question I will ask and let you know.

Moral of the story don't jump to conclusions!! Watch the blood pressure!!

I am sooooo sorry if I offended anyone with my rant

But I feel so much better being proactive not reactive.

Lesson Learned :duh:

What a friggin' rollercoaster ride you're on. Sorry that you're going through this, but geez, just think--by the time you've finished this, you'll have "nerves of steel" and nothing will be able to ruffle your feathers, no more, no more!

Thanks for the update. Maybe tomorrow we can all squeeze out a little chuckle about it all, but for now, just know that we're all rootin' for you!

hugs.

Rollercoaster, indeed. Whatta trooper you are! I teel ya dealing with anything medical has gotten soooo complicated anymore. I hate just going in for a standard physical.