Got approved to have vsg surgery but I want the gastric bypass now! Can I switch.. my surgery date is March 11, 2020 help

[Stephaniiee_u 1]

My pre op appointment is feb 28, 2020 and I’m thinking of my surgeon if I can have the gastric bypass instead of the sleeve.. I’ve just done more research and I think I would benefit more from it rather than the sleeve.. what do you guys think? Has anyone switched last minute or am I living in fairy tale land hoping for something that isn’t going to happen?

[Briswife15 890]

Just ask your surgeon as soon as possible. Don't wait until February 28th because they will need to submit the change to uour insurance company (unless you are self pay.) Good luck!

Sent from my SM-N960U using BariatricPal mobile app

[JRT Mom 919]

If you have a surgeon that insists on one type of surgery over the other without involving you in the discussion then you have the wrong surgeon! Yes, they are the doctor, but they need to listen to you and you should have a say in the decision. But I agree with Briswife 15 that you need to have this discussion as soon as possible. If your doctor is well practiced at both procedures then he/she shouldn't have a problem with you switching procedures. And of course be sure to jump through the insurance hoops--don't want any unpleasant surprises when the bill comes!. Keep us posted, OK?

[catwoman7 11,214]

that would be up to your insurance company, but yes, I've read posts of people who switched. But as others have said, let your surgeon know ASAP so they can contact the insurance company for authorization.

[catwoman7 11,214]

P.S. and do have the surgery you want to have provided you don't have medical issues that would favor one over the other. A lot of surgeons prefer doing sleeve these days because it's a quicker, easier surgery (for them, that is), but insist on bypass if that's what you want.

[Shawna Jones 2]

After reading everything I thought I wanted the gastric bypass as well because it seemed like it would work better and I dealt with horrible reflux, gastritis issues. While I can’t remember now what the Dr said in response as to why he thought the sleeve was the better option for me, I believe it involved higher risk, bigger chance of More reflux issues, dumping and possible greater Vitamin absorption issues and I know there was something he told me about it that made me decide to keep the sleeve. So I highly encourage you to discuss with your surgeon your reasons why you want bypass and let him explain why he feels the sleeve is the better choice for your specific medical needs. The sleeve has been great for me, I’m down to 23 BMI.

[Stephaniiee_u 1]

Thank you for all your responses I will let you guys know how it goes on my pre op appointment this Friday 28th feb ❤️

[StarlaK 9]

My surgeon at first suggested the sleeve because of my age, I’m 66. But I told him I would prefer the bypass and he really had no problem going with it. I had the feeling he left it up to the patient unless there was a major reason for one over the other.

[ahillig 136]

Mine was switched last minute at my pre-op appointment. I was going to have the sleeve but my surgeon wasn't comfortable doing the sleeve with the level of acid reflux I had. Since my was done robotically they just had to call and verify the robot was available during the time my surgery was scheduled. He said it wouldn't affect the insurance approval and they just submitted the reason for the change to my insurance company and I got a letter a few days after my surgery approving the change. The biggest ordeal was the robot availability.