Decision Help - Richmond, VA

[sleevelm 0]

Went to my first appointment on Tuesday. Need sleep study, nutrition visits, psych, EDG and physician visits for 6 months for Aetna approval. BMI is 49.5. Concerned about loose skin, not being able to enjoy family ethnic foods and regretting not trying again on my own. The more I read, the more confused I get. One minute I am all in the next I think it is too drastic of a surgery. Can some one please help me ease my mind? I am tired of being sick and tired and not living life.

[jennycm 15]

Find a local support group. On line is great but no substitute for meeting people face to face who have gone through it. Ask the surgeon if you can talk to some of his patients or staff who have undergone the surgery. Me - I had sleeve on 11/2/16. Down 25 and very happy

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[thejiffer 43]

I'm also in RVA! Getting sleeved next month, finally - I started the process in January.

I waffled for about a year before deciding this is something I really wanted to do. I had the same fears about never being able to eat my favorite foods again. After doing my research, I realized that since I'm doing the sleeve vs. the bypass, there are probably few foods that I will truly never, ever be physically able to eat again (since there's low/no chance of dumping with the sleeve, depending on who you ask.) That said, there are certainly a LOT of foods that I should eat very rarely or not at all, especially while I'm in the losing stage (vs. maintenance.) I decided I'm ok with that. Next Thanksgiving, if I want a bite of stuffing? I'll most likely be able to have it. I just can't have it often, or in large quantities anymore. For me, I look at it like...choosing not to eat carbs/fried foods/ice cream isn't a death sentence - but staying this weight is.

I also had a 6-month supervised diet requirement as well as a bunch of other appointments, and when I started the process, I wasn't 100% sure that I wanted to go through with the surgery. I started the 6 months with my PCP while I was still deciding, and about month 4 I started scheduling the other appointments (psych eval, nutrition, etc.) With my insurance, the PCP visits were the cheapest of the appointments, so I wouldn't have been out a ton of money if I'd decided after 3 months that I didn't want to do this.

You mentioned that you might regret not trying again on your own - could you look at the 6 months of doctor visits as that chance to try again? To see how much you can lose on your own while you're still jumping through the hoops for surgery? Then if you're happy with your progress you can always pass on the surgery, but if you're not happy you'll be that many steps closer to insurance approval and a surgery date.

[RNMomof4 86]

I'm in RVA as well...which surgeon did you choose? I would be glad to chat with you

ETA: totally agree with everything the previous poster said

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Edited November 26, 2016 by RNMomof4

[sleevelm 0]

Thank you both. Yes, I am going to use the 6 months as a way to try to lose weight on my own. I met with Dr. Brengman. He is approved with my insurance but the hospital is questionable. Do you both go to a support group? I would love to come to a meeting.

[RNMomof4 86]

Dr Shroder did my surgery and I have been very pleased. Had a very good experience at Henrico Dr Parham. I have not been to a support group there but only because I live over an hour from the hospital. I think it would be great to talk to other locals

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