I was approved today!

[former_vbg 198]

Alas.... I had the VBG almost exactly 13 years ago. I was 305# at the start before that surgery and got down to 167. I didn't reach my goal weight, but I was feeling so much better about myself, was wearing size 9 jeans, receiving lots of compliments from friends, getting attention from men (something I was not used to), was able to enjoy all the outdoor activities I so love to do. I would have even been happy if I hadn't lost anymore but the problem was it didn't stay off. In the early years, I did pretty well sticking to low fat, low sugar for the most part. Then, I had some low points personally and I got off track- but while I gained some, I would bounce up and down doing the yo-yo thing. This past year has been the worst in terms of my gain, am up to 251# and HATE it. It affects how people view me at work, my personal life, family, the list goes on.... Not to mention how limiting this weight is for all the activities I love to do!

There wasn't NEAR the amount of information out there about WLS then, like there is now. There was no such thing as the 5 day pouch test, no liquid diets before surgery, very little post-op support once you got off liquids. I don't think surgeons can be blamed, there just wasn't enough information to know what or how to educate their patients.

I actually maintained for several years, had learned to "deal" with the dumping issues when eating dense food (regardless of how well it was chewed). To be honest, I never thought there would ever be a "second chance" because I remember vividly to this day when I had my original consult that he said this was a "ONE SHOT DEAL". It was only because I happen to accidentally run across an article last November of someone who had had a revision WLS that it made me sit up and pay attention. I immediately made a request to get a copy of my medical records from that surgery. It turned out I was lucky to get them because in that state they are only required to keep them for 10 years.

I became obsessed with researching all the changes in the realm of WL surgeries, the pros, the cons. Then, learning surgeons have come up with these stupid program fees which seems to me like that at the very least unethical because if they had contracted with various ins. companies, they were agreeing to the amount they would be paid and this was their way to circumvent the process. Given that the sleeve has no maintenance like the lap band and the surgeons were still demanding it for out of state patients that likely would never set foot in their office seemed like quite the racket.

So, then it was onto why some people chose one surgery over another, complications. And, then all the DRAMA around the various Dr.'s and all these accusations of fake posters to bolster reputations or attack/ report on those bad mouthing other Dr.'s was just unreal to me. This quickly turned into what felt like a cloak and dagger mission to figure out where the truth was in all this information. I found myself staying up into the wee hours of the night wanting more and more information. Then, realizing given my original surgery that having a revision surgery would be a bit more complicated than I originally thought. Very few surgeons even have any experience with VBG's, and as a result if they would do a revision on me they tried to steer me to the RNY. After all, it would be easier to do a revision to that, than take on something that required greater technical finesse and expertise. I never thought I would have to leave my local area living in a large metropolitan area- but I did. I went to a few seminars and personally they are a joke. For the person who doesn't do their homework beforehand it can appear to be informational- but as someone who already had studied all the pros and cons of all the procedures out there (more than just the mainstream), it was comical in some regards because you can tell based on how they talk about the different procedures where their surgical skills are at based on which procedure they push the hardest, ESPECIALLY if they couldn't really answer the hard questions on the other procedures or gave you non-answers. What really annoys me though is these Dr.'s are claiming success when their patients loose 50% or more of the excess body weight. So, if someone starts at 450# and assume her excess body weight would be 250#- so as long as she looses 200#, that procedure would be a success? Give me a break! Have they changed it so that if they get at least 50% of their tests right to get their medical license that they would be a success? Sorry, that just doesn't fly with me.

So, back to the journey.... I remember calling Aetna to see if my policy would cover WLS, what types, revisions, etc. Even though I had coverage, I became concerned whether I would meet their criteria for having a revision because the policy bulletin was a bit generic and their customer service could offer no specific advice except to refer me to their policy bulletin. So, I went ahead and did the psych eval, the nutritionist visit, PCP records, and I also had an endoscopy done which was good because I learned I have a Grade C esophogitus (sp?) which the only worse level is D. That explains the increasing issues I have had with dense foods of almost any consistency causing them to get lodged and make my body want to repel it back out like a rocket. Talk about embarrassing in public situations. So, the slider foods became the path of least resistance. I didn't put two and two together until I started reading about others who experienced these same problems and realized what was happening.

Sorry for the long story here, but I don't see too many post who have had revisions- much less from a VBG and wanted to share. I will be calling to start figuring out a surgery date, and making preparations to be out of state. I am single and w/out family or friends that can travel with me- so that does add some anxiety to this. Getting care lined up for the horses, a handicapped dog, and a few others will be a challenge- but I'll get it figured out. Then, letting my boss know I will be out for a few weeks. He will only be told I am having surgery to correct a surgery from years back and requires a specialist out of state. I'm sure he will want me to share more, but he will not prod if I don't offer. I could probably go back to work sooner, but it will be easier to go back sooner than to extend it.

So, that's my story. I expect I will have my surgery the first part of May. Now I will get to go and get my post-op supplies in order. I am so thankful the insurance approval went so easy!

[MICHELLE LEE 19]

Thank you for sharing your story. It will be interesting to follow your progress. Best wishes for your new journey, dont forget to keep us all posted...

[former_vbg 198]

Thank you for sharing your story. It will be interesting to follow your progress. Best wishes for your new journey, dont forget to keep us all posted...

Thank you. I'm just glad to have a 2nd chance now!

[Tiffykins 673]

I pretty much just teared up a little on this post. I'm so flippin' elated for you, and your revision being approved. Just elated ! ! ! Please keep me posted, and of course, if you need anything, I'm here for ya ! ! !

[former_vbg 198]

I pretty much just teared up a little on this post. I'm so flippin' elated for you, and your revision being approved. Just elated ! ! ! Please keep me posted, and of course, if you need anything, I'm here for ya ! ! !

.

Thank you so much Tiffykins!! You are a godsend to so many people on this board, including me. Even though we might be about the same age, I kind of see you as the godmother around here offering such helpful advice and encouragement to everyone, and at the same time calling it as you see it when appropriate.

The surgeon wants to do another EGD before I can schedule surgery since I had a Grade C diagnosed. I need to find someone in the Plano, TX area who might be able to "check me out" this Saturday. It's an outpatient procedure, and well, they won't release me on my own. I can't be the only single person who has medical procedures done that can't have someone at their side everytime they get checked out of the hopsital.... Yeah, I know- liability. Sigh....

So, if anyone in the Plano, TX area might be willing to check me out around noon Saturday- I sure would appreciate it. Figure it's a long shot asking on here, but worth a shot anyways.

But, again Tiffykins, thank you for all your support! This forum wouldn't be the same without you!

[meggiep 57]

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Thank you so much Tiffykins!! You are a godsend to so many people on this board, including me. Even though we might be about the same age, I kind of see you as the godmother around here offering such helpful advice and encouragement to everyone, and at the same time calling it as you see it when appropriate.

The surgeon wants to do another EGD before I can schedule surgery since I had a Grade C diagnosed. I need to find someone in the Plano, TX area who might be able to "check me out" this Saturday. It's an outpatient procedure, and well, they won't release me on my own. I can't be the only single person who has medical procedures done that can't have someone at their side everytime they get checked out of the hopsital.... Yeah, I know- liability. Sigh....

So, if anyone in the Plano, TX area might be willing to check me out around noon Saturday- I sure would appreciate it. Figure it's a long shot asking on here, but worth a shot anyways.

But, again Tiffykins, thank you for all your support! This forum wouldn't be the same without you!

Welcome and congratulations!

You might want to post about the help you need in a separate post saying it in the title. I am not in Texas but I would love to see you get the help you need!