My biggest fear with VSG

[NikkiDoc 312]

OP- Call your insurance company and ask for a list of psych doctors in your area that take you insurance. Insurance will have a list. Most insurance companies have a bariatric program for the approval process. If they have that ask to talk to a bariatric case manager they may be able to let you know if there are psych doctors in your area that specialize in bariatric patients.

If there isn't anybody close it may be worth it to take a half day from work, get an afternoon appointment and drive to one that is in network.

[bikrchk 1,313]

I think it up to you. I've maintained a 90 ish pound loss for over a year now. I admit, it may be quicker for those of us who have 100 pounds or less to lose as we can get often achieve goal during the first year (honeymoon) period when weight comes off relatively "easy" but there are many here who've achieved 100% goal having lost much, much more. It just depends on you and how you change your relationship with food and exercise.

[AvalonNeeCee 127]

Personally I think it is worth it because if you don't lose the 40 lbs where will you be? and if you do you are 40 lbs healthier. When you lose those first lbs it sets you up for success, you feel better, look better, want to do more for yourself. And it just might help you to lose the rest anyway, get you in the right frame of mind and with a smaller stomach that helps you to eat less. I also think with the pre surgery diet and the post surgery restrictions you get started with healthier eating and smaller amounts and it is easier to continue because you want to continue the success. I am revising from a lap band that I had great success with, if you don't consider that I was basically throwing up everything I ate all the time, and then it slipped and had to be removed. I get my sleeve a week from tomorrow. Can't wait. I was where you are and I have logged every excuse in the book. I ate everything after my band was removed and gained a good 50lbs in 2 months. Now on pre surgery diet and losing again so I feel much better. I wish you luck in whatever decision you make.

I have anxiety too but that should not keep them from giving you surgery.

Edited July 6, 2015 by AvalonNeeCee

[Justme24 69]

My doctor told me that losing 50% of the over-weight was considered successful. I always had the goal to lose more than that, and although my weight loss has always been slow, it has been fairly steady, I wouldn't change my decision to get the sleeve for anything.

I'm really not sure why your doctor feels that something changes after 40lbs. I've lost 90 lbs and throughout the entire time, the sleeve continues to be a major factor in my continuing to lose. Once you pass 40 or 50% lbs the advantage of having the sleeve doesn't change. We have to continue to use it in conjunction with the live style changes (essentially working the program and exercising), but if your committed to losing, I thing the sleeve will assist you all the way to goal! My very best to you.