JenKapNC

Hi guys, my name is Jennifer and I am new to Bariatric Pal. I was 3/4 of the way through pre-op for the SIPS/Loop-DS/SADI-DS procedure when NC BCBS decided to stop covering it and deemed it an experimental/investigational procedure. My co-worker had SIPS a little over two months ago with the same Dr group and insurance. Talk about frustrating. Looking into regular DS with Dr. Sudan in Durham. He seems to be well-respected for that procedure and the office is still close to me. A little overwhelmed by the Vitamin regimen that the DS will require, but consider it as my responsibility for allowing my weight to get this way. My mom suffers from SMO and co-morbidities and I don't want to be in the same place. I have 4 kiddos, the youngest of which is 13 months and I plan to be around for a lllloooonnnngggg time. I hope Dr. Sudan's office will accept the pre-op testing that I have already completed and allow me to keep moving forward in the process. Thanks for all your stories everyone. You are inspiring. Obese for 20+ years and MO on and off through that period.

@@Seabreeze06 I met with Dr. Enochs (same practice as Dr. Bruce) and he confirmed that BCBS was no longer covering SIPS. Dr. Bruce may be able to do what Dr. Enochs suggested and do a standard duodenal switch with a longer common channel. I had my meeting with Dr. Sudan regarding the DS and he is going to do mine with a standard 100 cm common channel. If I am going to have a DS I want the full malabsorptive process and I just know going in that I've gotta be uber diligent about my Water, Vitamins, Protein and follow-up appointments. Please do tons of research and decide what's best for you. Dr. Keshishian's website has a side by side view of the DS and SIPS/SADI surgery if you want to compare the two. Good luck!

@@Mojo56 and @@SIPSGrammy - United is still covering the procedure. I was at Bariatric Specialists too with Dr. Enochs. He will do a DS with a 300 cm cc so that insurance will approve. I have NC BCBS. I'm still keeping my appt with Dr. Sudan to discuss common channel length and surgery risks, but NC BCBS won't approve SIPS for me, at least not right now. As far as I know all the other insurance companies are still covering it.

I was scheduled to have SIPS with Dr. Enochs in Cary, NC and have been postponed as NC BCBS is no longer covering SIPS. My co-worker, with the same insurance, had it done about two months ago. NC BCBS is now considering SIPS to be an experimental/investigational procedure. I have a meeting with Enochs next week but have already started looking into duodenal switch with Dr. Sudan in Durham.