If I had known then what I know now about my DS...

[jessgnc 167]

16 hours ago, nyseness said:

I wanted to do the DS but I was too scared. Ended up doing the Bypass instead.

I'm close enough to the surgery that I'm scared to ask...but what was there to be scared of for the DS more than a traditional bypass?

[jessgnc 167]

12 hours ago, ChaosUnlimited said:

Wow, how exciting that this is getting closer for you! Do you have a date yet? I hope we do have opportunity to meet at a class or support group! I have not gotten an invitation to the fb group yet, and I've heard from others that it takes a long time even when requested.

I am scheduled for my 3rd nutrition class on Monday 4/10 and as of tomorrow when I get my official sleep study results I am done with all my requirements! Hoping to have them submit to insurance after my nutrition class. I really want to have a date set because it drives me crazy to have it up in the air.

I have decided on the DS. I've researched it extensively and I think this is the best option for me.

I still don't have a date. My insurance packet is out there as of early last week, I'm not sure how long it takes to hear back. I'm hoping to know something by the end of the week!

I'm super excited that you made a decision. Did you get the same sense of relief? When I finally finished all of my research and realized that the DS was the best choice for me, I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders. I could go stress out about other things, this was finally decided.

I think getting a date will be the same way. I have been warning my job that I'll be out for medical leave. Originally I said end of March/early April. At this rate, it's looking like it'll be closer to May. As much as I want a date, I just want to give them a straight answer!!

[ChaosUnlimited 559]

13 hours ago, jessgnc said:

I still don't have a date. My insurance packet is out there as of early last week, I'm not sure how long it takes to hear back. I'm hoping to know something by the end of the week!

I'm super excited that you made a decision. Did you get the same sense of relief? When I finally finished all of my research and realized that the DS was the best choice for me, I felt a weight lift off of my shoulders. I could go stress out about other things, this was finally decided.

I think getting a date will be the same way. I have been warning my job that I'll be out for medical leave. Originally I said end of March/early April. At this rate, it's looking like it'll be closer to May. As much as I want a date, I just want to give them a straight answer!!

When I asked the coordinator she said it can take around 2 weeks to hear back from insurance. When I submit I plan to call my insurance company every single day until they send the approval!

Yes, I did get a sense of relief when I finally made the decision. It wasn't an easy choice for sure. The reality of having to take so many Vitamins throughout the day is a bit scary, but it can be done.

I can relate about not only wanting a date for my own peace of mind but also to let my job know what's going on. July is a big month for us, and I'm really stressing out that I won't be back in work in time. I started this process in late November and had no idea it would take this long!

I hope you find out soon, I would think it shouldn't be much longer. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you to get a quick surgery date once it's back. Will you let me know when you get it about how far out it is? I am curious how far out they are booking their surgeries.

[KrisZ 23]

My surgeon also discussed the stats with me, which is what gave me pause about just doing the sleeve. This is hard work, for any of the surgeries, and I want it to be a one and done kind of thing. I lost a lot of weight by doing weight watchers and high impact exercise several years ago. I thought I would never let myself backslide like I have, but I did. So I don't rule it out with the surgery either, but the DS gives a little more security against weight regain. I do realize that any of the surgeries will require a high level of compliance with the diet and exercise to be successful long term.
I'm leaning toward the DS, but the thought of changing the way my gut works by moving my intestines around is terrifying to me. My husband is worried about it too and is hoping I choose the sleeve only. I still have time to research and decide, but for right now, I waffle back and forth as to what to choose.

Use your bmi as a guide. My insurance deems DS medically necessary if 50+.

[KattattaK 45]

12 minutes ago, KrisZ said:

Use your bmi as a guide. My insurance deems DS medically necessary if 50+.

I've often wondered about this. The DS isn't a good option for me due to pre-existing conditions. However prior to knowing this, back when I was asking surgeons about it as an option, I was constantly told no due to my weight (I'm 5'4, 220 poinds). So, I guess it depends on the surgeon? Also, seems like there are surgeons out there who make the common channel longer so as to avoid major Vitamin deficiencies and too much weight loss? I could have this wrong. I've been researching sooo much stuff and tend to get things mixed up a bit lol

[KrisZ 23]

Use your bmi as a guide. My insurance deems DS medically necessary if 50+.

I was originally enticed to DS due to the post up success statistics but worried about the possible problems. I asked my surgeon if he felt this was my best option, considering my current health issues and the amount of weight I had to lose and he looked over my file and said it was. That made me feel better about my choice.

I still had to meet with the nutritionist, so I did some research with my insurance company and learned that they consider DS to be medically necessary if BMI is over 50. Mine is 53 and that sold me! I'm committed to doing what is required post op. Now just waiting for answer back from insurance.

I also figure that the supplements that I'll need to take post op have far less negative effects than the medications I'm currently taking.

[nyseness 76]

On ‎4‎/‎5‎/‎2017 at 6:36 AM, jessgnc said:

I'm close enough to the surgery that I'm scared to ask...but what was there to be scared of for the DS more than a traditional bypass?

It was the malabsorption rate for me. I was worried of suffering from malnutrition, and with the Bypass it's not that bad. I have a bad habit of skipping meals esp when I'm stressed out. I will just curl up in my bed and sleep for hours/days if possible. food is not a priority and with the DS I could serious cause some damage. I'm doing a lot better now but in the beginning I swear it was a struggle. If it wasn't for my daughter who knows where I would be. My Water, food, Protein intake was low. I lost the weight with no problems but my stomach was constantly in pain. Now I'm eating 3 meals a day <900 calories and I'm almost 9 months out.

[ChaosUnlimited 559]

5 hours ago, KrisZ said:

Use your bmi as a guide. My insurance deems DS medically necessary if 50+.

I have been worried about this. My BMI was 44.3 when I started seeking information about surgery. That's not the highest it's ever been, but that's what it was the first time I was seen at the bariatric specialist. My doctor feels the DS is the best surgery for me - I have diabetes and the DS has the best record for resolving it - but I'm worried that my insurance won't approve it. I'll be devastated if after researching and trying to decide for the past several months which surgery to have, I'll have to switch to one of the others.

[MarkieZ 11]

9 ft common channel here. 2 Multivitamins, 1 2000mg vit D and 4 500mg calcium/d3 chews per day and my labs are fine. I do usually have at least one Premier Protein or a MyProtein shake per day, too, which 25% of daily vits, too.

[ChaosUnlimited 559]

4 hours ago, KattattaK said:

I've often wondered about this. The DS isn't a good option for me due to pre-existing conditions. However prior to knowing this, back when I was asking surgeons about it as an option, I was constantly told no due to my weight (I'm 5'4, 220 poinds). So, I guess it depends on the surgeon? Also, seems like there are surgeons out there who make the common channel longer so as to avoid major Vitamin deficiencies and too much weight loss? I could have this wrong. I've been researching sooo much stuff and tend to get things mixed up a bit lol

My friend and I started out by going to an info session for a local bariatric group, but due to insurance coverage reasons, we each ended up with different hospital programs. We are still comparing notes and doing this together. We are about the same BMI, but her doc would not do the DS for her and advised the GBP. Mine recommended the DS for me, and said I should qualify. The only difference I can see is my diagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes. Hoping my insurance agrees with the doc.

My DS will have a longer common channel, but not as long as the new "SIPS" procedure. Because the SIPS is new, even thought it's a kind of modification of the DS, insurances are refusing to cover it because they deem it experimental until there is more info on it.

[MarkieZ 11]

My bmi was 35 and my insurance paid for mine due to my diabetes, sleep apnea, blood pressure and choslestorol. Weight was 226 at 5'6". The DS is really the only surgery that about a 98% cure rate for diabetes. I have been holding at 173-75lbs for the past two months, which took away the "I am going lose so much i'm going to look sick" fear. I still want to lose 20 more lbs. and at least 5 by my 57th birthday, so I started going to The gym class my doctor provides.

[MarkieZ 11]

6 minutes ago, ChaosUnlimited said:

My friend and I started out by going to an info session for a local bariatric groupinsurance agrees with the doc.

My DS will have a longer common channel, but not as long as the new "SIPS" procedure. Because the SIPS is new, even thought it's a kind of modification of the DS, insurances are refusing to cover it because they deem it experimental until there is more info on it.

Which is super!!!! The DS is a proven procedure. There has been a few complications with the SIPS going retrograde, not common but enough. Also, with your friend, not a lot of surgeons do the DS. It takes a lot of skill and extra training, so he may not offer it because he can't do it.

[ChaosUnlimited 559]

Yes, I had researched the SIPS vs DS and I'm glad my surgeon does the DS. Any surgery has potential problems but I would prefer to have one that has been around for a while.

It's possible my friends doc doesn't offer it, I'm not sure if she asked. She is happy with her choice of surgery and with her surgeon, so that's important.

Congrats on your success so far MarkieZ! Have you noticed a difference in your blood sugar numbers yet? It will be nice to be on less meds!

[MarkieZ 11]

My 3 month a1c was 5.1 and day 2 after surgery was my last medication for diabetes. When I check I am usually 97-100! God's Blessing. Not fear of blindness, kidney failure or aputation of feet or any other diabetetic complicarions.

[ChaosUnlimited 559]

On 3/10/2017 at 8:03 AM, jessgnc said:

Woo! Rex Bariatric represent! We should track each other down at one of the support groups! Are you on the FB group yet? I'm still trying to get my invite.

I actually chatted with a post-op DS patient for a while on Tuesday while waiting to get my surgery set up. I'm getting nervous now that it is almost there. She looked fantastic and she was talking about her life and how it has changed for the better and how happy she is she picked this option. It almost felt like she was set up to be there, to quell my nerves. Now that I have a surgery picked out and my packet is off for insurance approval, this is all getting real!!

@jessgnc

I came back to this post because I got an invite to the fb page today. I asked the secretary at the first window about it, she had me write my info down for her, and a few hours later I got the invite. If you haven't gotten one yet, they want the email associated with your account, name, and what your profile photo looks like so they know they have the right person.

BTW: My packet is ready for insurance submission as of today, woot woot!