The Doctor said she agreed! - Page 2 - ThinnerTimes

Gina in NY · 01-20-2007, 05:02 PM

Congrats on the success with your doctor. I went with the RNY because, though I am very disciplined in general, I have rough times of the year that screw up all my good work. I love my pouch because it makes me behave. The other day, I was sure that two bites of muffin would be alright - nope - it was like an ejector button but then I was fine. I need that kind of reminder. Many folks who get the band end up converting to RNY down the road - but you know yourself best. If you don't have an issue with sugar, you just overeat at meals and you're ready to hit the gym, band may be what you're looking for.

Get a book and check it out.

Good luck and congrats again on the first hurdle!

brookscn · 01-20-2007, 09:42 PM

Mike:
Pick up a copy of Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies - it's very comprehensive.

Good luck on your journey - I had Blue Cross/Blue Shield, and hit no snags whatsoever. Not sure what state you are in, but do some research before you choose a doctor......there's probably someone on the forum who has used or knows of the doctor in your area.

Squishy · 01-21-2007, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coptergirl

I was goining to do it lap, but decided on open after talking with my surgeon - everyones choice is so personal.

Thank you for the response! If your reasons are too personal, you do not need to answer, but I am curious what the advantages of "open" are? The disadvantages seem pretty obvious, with a longer recovery time, etc. I suppose the doctor can see what they are doing better. I was impressed with the laproscopic procedure I watched on the internet. They seemed to take great care to make sure there were no leaks and that they did not damage anything in the surrounding area.

Just curious if there are other benefits to the open procedure.

Thanks!
-Mike-

Alleusion · 01-21-2007, 10:31 AM

Mike, that's why I wanted open...because I felt they could see what they were doing better. The doctor assured me they could see just fine with lap and that the healing time was so much better with lap then with open. I also watched a lap surgery online and saw that they could in fact see very well.

ceekerr · 01-21-2007, 11:50 AM

Mike - I also have BCBS - although I'm in Alabama - I was told that the only WLS procedure that they will approve is the laproscopic RNY - Check with your insurance - that may narrow your choices. Good Luck!

CeeCee · 01-21-2007, 01:23 PM

...because I can't afford to wait until my surgeon hires a new lap surgeon to assist him. (RNY) (Different reasons why I can't/won't wait an additional 6 months, approx.) My surgeon said the recovery time for open is really not much more for someone in basically good health, such as my buxom self. I've researched my surgeon-you can google them, you know- and he has the credentials, so I have to trust him. Also, for me, RNY over just the band, because if you give me an inch I'll take a mile! The RNY will keep me honest!

Squishy · 01-21-2007, 01:44 PM

This is encouraging, especially hearing the BCBS covered the procedure. I will look for the recommended books too. I didn't know you could Google a doctor. I'll give that a try too!

Thanks all!
-Mike-

Gina in NY · 01-21-2007, 03:02 PM

because my surgeon is so amazing. If he had said he wanted to do it with crowbars I'd have nodded and agreed. His stats are that good. I think he ended up converting so many laps to open he got frustrated and just decided to open. He does plenty of other lap surgeries so it isn't as if he's not trained for it. And I have a theory (but I'm not a medical person) since he makes such a small incision and only cuts connective tissue, that the healing time is about the same. I certainly had less pain than some folks I saw who had it done lap.

When it all comes down to it - you have to reseach the person cutting you up more than anything. Ask for every statistic - what is your hernia rate, what is your infection rate, your death within 6 weeks etc.

Information is power in this journey.

JenBear7 · 01-21-2007, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squishy

This is encouraging, especially hearing the BCBS covered the procedure. I will look for the recommended books too. I didn't know you could Google a doctor. I'll give that a try too!

Thanks all!
-Mike-

The lady in our medical department at work (who had GBS btw).. said BCBS is PRO-RNY's (Wait.. I'm laughing so hard I cant stand it.. was going to try to type this whole thing using just Abbreviations)..

ok.. back to being serious. I am not sure if that was just in our company or not, because we are self-insured (meaning it really doesnt cost BCBS anything).. AND we have an extremely low turnover rate (when we're not laying off 850 people in North America).. but I really thought the self-pay was the reason .. but maybe its a BCBS thing in general.. they are big enough they have probably lost enough appeals so they just give in (they have their hoops though).. I would be curious to see the rules for a BCBS that isnt Excellus, just to compare

Squishy · 01-21-2007, 07:08 PM

I have never tried this before, so I hope it works. I am trying to attach the requirements for BCBS in my company.

-Mike-