GypsyMom

So... I have been going back and forth about this until I get details back from the surgeon about what exactly my insurance will cover. I have researched VSG and RNY online as well as talking with people who have had weight loss surgery. I am scheduled to attend a seminar this month and I am sure I will get all my questions answered there by the surgeon. However... in the meantime I keep hearing so many different opinions about the two surgeries that it is making me question my choice a tiny bit. I had someone ask me why I wanted the VSG over the RNY. (They had RNY done). I explained how I felt worried about some of the complications associated with RNY and also the malabsorption issues. Also Not sure how I feel about not being able to take certain meds and being on vitamins the rest of my life. Also... I would like to think I could enjoy a cookie once in a blue moon without issues or dumping. I have also heard that people get the max results from RNY vs VSG. On the other hand... I have been told things about RNY patients having a higher chance of gaining the weight back after 3 years or more and I noticed on the RNY board... several postings about people feeling very hungry all the even though they had surgery. This is something that also worries me. I don't want to be hungry all the time or feel like I am starving, I am pretty set on the VSG procedure.. that is IF my insurance will cover it, which I hope they do. But some people keep telling me RNY is best. I am starting to get alittle confused now. Did anyone question themselves and if you could change which surgery you had done would you and why? Thanks so much!

Thank you ALL for your wonderful replies. It really eases my mind when I get to hear experiences from other who have had it done or were in my position before. So it is greatly appreciated. I should hear back today or tomorrow about the details of my insurance coverage. The Dr. Office is calling them to find out specifics since they don't want to seem to give me much information when I call. They have been rather vague with me. I almost feel like, as soon as I mentioned weight loss surgery, all of a sudden their attitudes changed. Oh well... I don't care what they think. As long as I get approved I am fine. lol Oh and I have 3 kids. But never got my tubes tied because I was still young and wasn't 100% sure how I felt about having one last child. Still not sure. My husband and I jump back and forth on that subject. But it is nice to know that just in case we did want another child or had an unexpected pregnancy that I wouldn't have to worry much with the VSG after 18 months. Well.. I am excited for this journey. Just wish I didn't have to wait 6 months! I know they will go fast but when you are actually waiting for something they tend to feel like they go slower then usual.

Wow... thank you very much for your reply. At this point I know I want the VSG. I am just so scared that insurance won't cover VSG and I will have to get RNY as an alternative since I can not afford to pay out of pocket. That is my main concern now. So I guess I have to wait and see.

Hi all! I am brand new to this site and to weight loss surgery. Alittle about myself... I am turning 30 this year. Married, Mother of 3 beautiful children. Been overweight since I was a teenager. Got worse when I started taking birth control. Then I got heavier as I started having children. Tried every weight loss thing I can think of. Everything from Weight Watchers to Atkins to Curves. Most I was ever able to lose was 30 pounds which I ended up gained back plus some. Been a struggle for me for years and at this point in my life I am tired of the cycle. I am over 100 pounds overweight and BMI is 41.1. I want to be healthy and happy for my family and kids. Want to be able to run around with them and not get out of breath. Want to be able to fit into normal clothing. So after researching weight loss surgery for quite some time, I decided to see if my insurance would cover it or at least most of it and I just found out that they do. So now I am on my journey to finding the right weight loss surgery for me and the right Dr. I am looking into the VSG and the RNY at this point. Not sure which would be best. I still need to double check with my insurance to see if the VSG is even covered because I heard that some insurance companies won't cover that specific procedure. Any info and advice is greatly appreciated. Thank you!

WOW! Amazing! Congrats.

Thanks so much! Yes I figured they would try their best to make it as difficult as possible for me. But I am very persistant and I will annoy the crap out of then if I have to LOL!

Thanks for replying. I have been on the phone all day today trying to figure out what to do next. My insurance company is giving me the run around. I called and spoke to 3 people and each one told me something different. I asked them what the requirements were that they needed in order to approve a weight loss surgery. They basically told me that there wasn't a specific list of requirements listed which I find rather strange. They told me that I needed to have letter from Dr. stating that I was morbidly Obese and listing any health issues or risks I have. When I asked more they told me that I needed to have my Dr. call them and they could give more information. So I called several Bariatric offices and set 2 appointments for seminars. One lady was extremely nice and went above and beyond to explain everything to me as best as she could and gave me some good advice. I scheduled an appointment to see my primary Dr. but honestly I am bit concerned because the last time I was there to see her, she tested my thyroids and gave me a physical. Everything came back ok except I had low Iron. I explained to her I was having extreme fatigue, muscle pains, leg pains etc.... I told her all the diets I have tried and was wondering if maybe she would recommend some type of weight loss medication or something. She said she didn't like giving weight loss pills to patients. Then she recommended I try a low carb diet which I have done several times with no long term effects. Then she told me about a weight loss clinic so I went there. I met with them. Paid a crap load of money to get started. Spent money on all these Vitamins and supplements they recommended for me. Then I couldn't afford to keep going and had to stop. It is hard for me as a stay-at-home Mom and only my husband working. Can't afford hundreds of dollars for these diets that are not working. And the ones that have worked I only ended up gaining the weight back. Most I have ever been able to lose on any diet I have tried was 30 pounds and that was on Atkins. Ended up reaching a plateau and then gained it all back and then extra. I have been dealing with my weight issues for years! Since I was a teenager. I am turning 30 this year and am just tired of the same old story. I need to be healthy and fit for my kids and my family. Now I am concerned that my Dr. will not write a recommendation letter for me because she doesn't seem to agree with pills or surgery. So I am hoping that she will do this for me. But not sure. Frustrated!

Thank you! I have heard from some that it takes 6 months or more and I am really hoping it won't take that long for me. I have to call insurance tomorrow morning to find out what they require so I can get started on this as soon as possible. I wish you the best of luck! Hopefully you can get yours sooner than later.

Hi.. sorry I am know I am not much help as I am brand new myself. To this site and to weight loss surgery. Just found out my insurance covers wl surgery but need to find out what they require of me. How long did it take you to get all your requirements met? I guess I am trying to figure out the amount of time it can take from your first initial decision to have surgery to the actual surgery date being given. I am excited and nervous at the same time.

CONGRATS!!! Very happy for you! I am just starting my journey so hope I get approved as well.

I am new and wondering the same thing.