Serious doubts after visit with surgeon (long)

[w2ben 3]

I looked into 5 surgeons before I made my choice. I knew I wanted NOTHING rerouted and wanted no complications from the lapband. I was pleased when this surgeon said the sleeve was his favorite of all the WLS. He began by telling me the newest statistics on WL through surgery and that the sleeve people have less complications and WL comparible to bypass patients. He said his experience was that sleeve patients actually kept it off. So don't give up but DO find a different surgeon. I read so much I was kind of frustrated before I found this fella and when he started mentioning some of the newest articles I had read I knew he was for me... haven't regretted that decision. When you meet a doctor who is up to date it gives you a lot of confidence in them.

[mythreechildren2001 7]

I looked into 5 surgeons before I made my choice. I knew I wanted NOTHING rerouted and wanted no complications from the lapband. I was pleased when this surgeon said the sleeve was his favorite of all the WLS. He began by telling me the newest statistics on WL through surgery and that the sleeve people have less complications and WL comparible to bypass patients. He said his experience was that sleeve patients actually kept it off. So don't give up but DO find a different surgeon. I read so much I was kind of frustrated before I found this fella and when he started mentioning some of the newest articles I had read I knew he was for me... haven't regretted that decision. When you meet a doctor who is up to date it gives you a lot of confidence in them.

Thanks for sharing your story. I'm 3 weeks on weight watcher's again and I've lost 9ish lbs. I'm going to give weight watcher's one more serious try. If things don't work out, then I am going to find another surgeon and go with. Either way, I'm not ruling out the sleeve or weight watchers. I'm just going to give this one more good, honest try.

Thanks again!

[cwalker 12]

I met with the surgeon, insurance specialist, nutritionist, etc. I went to the appointment with everything (I thought) and was ready to get my approval and get the process going! If they had told me they could take me that day, I would have RUN to the operating room. After meeting with the surgeon, I was so disheartened that I don't think I'm even going to pursue this anymore.

First of all let me say that I was given the opportunity to have insurance that covered the surgery through my employer which covers WLS. I jumped on it, even though I have to pay a penalty of $130/month for 2 years because I didn't take the insurance when I first hired on 21 years ago (teacher) or during a major life change (birth of my children). When you're a teacher (in Tennessee anyway) you can't add on to the state insurance policy unless you're getting married, divorce, have a child, or spouse loses insurance. TN did an open enrollment for the first time EVER so I JUMPED on it...knowing I would be paying a penalty. The insurance took effect Jan 1. I knew what they required so I had been preparing for months prior to that. I completed the 6 month medically supervised visit Jan 3 and met with the bariatric surgeon, etc on the 6th.

The surgeon was very nice and compassionate BUT he is not a huge fan of the sleeve and has only done 2. He said he would completely understand if I wanted to switch surgeons, but he thinks the sleeve is being prematurely dubbed the be all end all. He said that even though the procedure was done along with duodenal switch, you can't compare the two in terms of long term safety, results, etc. He thinks there is nowhere near enough data for this surgery in regards long term results/complications. He really favors gastric bypass...REALLY favors it. This surgeon is the head of a MAJOR university hospital...world renowned hospital. He did say that the sleeve is by far a less complex surgery than the gastric bypass..he repeated how 'simple' it is in terms of complexity of the procedure itself.

This completely threw me for a loop, and I left completely disheartened and devastated. He wants me to do a sleep study because I told him that I sometimes SOMETIMES snore when I'm congested. He wants me to have an endoscopy done because I have felt reflux at times (when I've been pregnant and when I've really overeaten) and even though my insurance doesn't require a psychological eval, he wants me to have one. He tried to reassure me and told me I was the perfect candidate for surgery, and he would gladly perform whichever one I chose (lap band, sleeve, gastric bypass).

I was so disheartened when I left, that I REJOINED weight watchers for the 500th time. I am not interested in having my intestines rerouted (no offense to anyone who has had this. I have just not even considered it for me) BUT I do have high blood pressure, diabetes waiting to happen, have horrible knee pain, just plain miserable, and I certainly look horrible. I'm 47 years old and I'm at my all time high of 270 lbs.

I'm still numb from the experience because I really thought I good to go, and now I don't think I will even go forward.

Find another surgeon! My daughter had RNY and has had problems, Fainting and is below her goal, she constntly eats and still loses, The $ they make onthe "Gold Standard" is alot more than the sleeve, just my opinion. I'm 53 , Idecided on surgery Feb 1st of last year and 2 months later I had it bcause I was like you, I had the 6 months done, I had to do a pys eval and heart check up but iy sounds like your Dr is trying to delay you. Hope that doesent offend you but there are ther Dr's out there with more sleeve expierence. Good Luck!

[pumpkin07 32]

Best wishes to you!! Your decision should be your own. No one could have ever talked me into a surgery I did not want myself. BC it is a risk.

You got one life here, and you get to decide.

Take care.

[Polly2 0]

I live in the TN as well, and am having the sleeve done with the new State coverage. I live in Murfreesboro which is quite close to you if you live in Nashville. We have a Bariatric Center of Excellence here with surgeons who have extremely experienced. They highly recommend the sleeve. If you are interested in a second opinion, this Center of Excellence might be a good choice where you could hear a different perspective. It is the Middle TN Medical Center Bariatric Center of Excellence on Medical Center Parkway.

Thanks again for everyone's input. This whole thing really threw me for a loop. I was just unprepared because it didn't go down exactly like I was expecting. I thought I knew exactly how it would play out. I have been reading everything I could on these boards and other sources. I did talk to him about seeing another dr in their group, because I know the other dr is a huge fan of the sleeve because he performed it on a friend of mine. I was just not expecting the head of the dept of one of the most prestigious hospitals in the world to have doubts about the long-term safety of the sleeve. I just felt that if HE had questions, I certainly should. I'm not attached to this dr in any way. This was the first and only time I've met him, but I did get the feeling that he was genuine in his reluctance and again, I don't doubt his skill as a surgeon. He has performed thousands of WLS successfully. He said he would do whatever surgery I chose between the 3 they perform, lap band, sleeve, and gastric bypass. He said I was a good candidate for any of them. He just really REALLY favors gastric bypass, and I am NOT having that done not matter what.

I've also learned through a lot of tough experiences (infertility) that drs don't know everything, and that a lot of time I actually do know better. If I had listened to some of the drs I've been to, I wouldn't have my two youngest children. I BIG TIME bucked the system to deal with my infertility, so I don't know, maybe I wasn't as mentally prepared for this as I thought. I really don't know. I'm also not saying that I'm giving up on it forever. I'm just going to hold off for a little while, and give it one more try on my own. I need knee surgery because I have 2 torn meniscus in my knee. I was planning to have WLS first and then do my knee this summer when school is out. I think I'll do my knee first, and go from there. I'm not giving up on my Quest for good health and freedom from obesity. I will never give up on that. Thanks so much for your support and input. I'm extremely appreciative of everyone's comments and thoughts.

[wareagle40 3]

He is incorrect about no insurance in alabama covering wls. I know several people who had it. Of course mine doesn't. UAB is good but I would get a second opinion if your insurance will cover it.

[mythreechildren2001 7]

Well after trying and again failing on Weight Watchers, I decided to meet with a different surgeon. This surgeon is very experienced and an advocate for vsg. I've completed all the requirements on my part (to my knowledge). It's now in the hands of the review team at Vanderbilt and then the insurance company. I don't know how long this process will take, but I'm comfortable with my decision to pursue this procedure. I want to thank everyone again for your support, advice, and encouragement. I can't wait to start my new life!

[M2G 1,836]

Well after trying and again failing on Weight Watchers, I decided to meet with a different surgeon. This surgeon is very experienced and an advocate for vsg. I've completed all the requirements on my part (to my knowledge). It's now in the hands of the review team at Vanderbilt and then the insurance company. I don't know how long this process will take, but I'm comfortable with my decision to pursue this procedure. I want to thank everyone again for your support, advice, and encouragement. I can't wait to start my new life!

Congratulations for searching until you found someone you are comfortable with...(and kudos for giving WW another shot, even though I was the one who said you couldn't pay me enough to try another lousy diet...lol...hey, you gave it one more try and that is what matters!!)

Best of luck to you with your surgery, and you are so right about a new life! I always tell people I wasn't sick before (no co-morbidities, health issues, I exercised regularly, obesity was the only ding in my health) and I feel amazing now! I hope everything works out perfect for you!

[KellyL 173]

Congrats on your decision!!