Im new - Here is the short story

[Mr_Sister 0]

Hey everyone- !

I just found this site today - and I feel like (after months of lurking other places) this might be the right place for me to land.

Im 31- My bmi is around 36 - Im 5-11 and around 257lbs.

My background is familiar - I was a husky pants kid. In Jr. High I started with periods of starvation/binging. I had am unhappy childhood and my teen years were not too much fun either - I was a gay kid in a small town.

For awhile in my early 20's I discovered drugs - I kept my weight under control that way for a few years - then got sober.

I gained weight fast after I got sober - Most recently I was a vegan and lost 30 lbs - I was happy with my eating habits - but could not get below a 35 BMI.

I have high BP, sleep apnea and cholesterol.

I started going through a WLS program in June - I took myself to the informational for my 31 birthday.

I am supposed to be meeting with the surgeon in two weeks - but, do not feel like I want either a GB or a LB - I dont want the dumping and long term malnourishment of the GB. I dont want the upkeep and maintenance (or downright fail) rate of the LB. My Doc only does GB and LB - If I had to choose between the two I would most likely go with the GB at this point - But like I said I have read so many peoples long term stories that I think that is not a good choice.

I called my insurance co. today and found out that they are covering Vertical sleeve! I might be way wrong - but I feel like this is the choice I will go with if it is a possibility for me.

I lurked at the GB and LB sites all summer and am familiar with the pros and cons - and outcomes of each. I have seem people be very happy and people be very unhappy with each.

So, thats the short story - and where I am at -

Hope to get to know you all.

Mr_Sister

[Pink Stella 0]

Right there with ya! I just found a doctor today that will do the VSG - he's 207 miles from home, but I just can't go for lap band or GBP - too risky for me. I've heard too many horror stories. And honestly, I keep looking for VSG horror stories and the worst thing I've found is someone who sprung a leak while eating KFC the day after surgery.

Good luck to you!

[Tiffykins 673]

Hi and welcome to VST. I hope you are able to find a surgeon that performs the VSG. I am beyond happy with my revision after having complications with the band.

Good luck on your journey, and keep us posted.

[Ky.hen 5]

Hello and welcome to VST. You are gonna love it here. You will find lots of info. and alot of people that will share thier story. You are lucky that your insurance will pay. Good luck on your journey.

[Mr_Sister 0]

Hey gals thanks for the welcome - !

I know my insurance plan will cover the GB, LB and VS - Im surprised though that one must go through the entire pre - program b-4 the insurance approval is sent in for review. I fit the criteria with a BMI greater than 35 with 2 or more co-morbids -- so im hoping they will approve me - The program that I am in has said "we would not have accepted you if we thought you would not get approved" -- so Im hoping I will get approved -- and It was nice to have to have a sleep study because I got to learn that I have sleep apena - and Im sleeping like a dream with the cpap! -

The insurance lady said something today about needing to do one of those 6 month diets - but - hopefully that part wont apply to me -- LOL -- (RIGHT!)

I really dont want to have to wait 6 more months - my calander year will time out again by then and the out of pocket expenses will reset for the insurance co pays- !

If anyone has great links or information on how to find good American doc who do this surgery please post!

[onmyway 0]

hi

welcome. i am way happy with my vertical sleeve. 5 weeks post op and i can already eat pretty much what everyone else does just a smaller portion.

keep up posted and best of luck

donna

[Malaika 50]

Welcome Mr. Sister - glad you found us - we're GREAT (and modest too) ... don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have and I hope you are able to find a surgeon that has the experience to do your VSG.

[*susan* 1,709]

Welcome to our forums! We are definitely glad you have joined us. I had the band and revised to the sleeve and have never been happier. You are in a great position, in that your insurance will cover the sleeve. So many of them don't, and most of us end up going self-pay.