Why is VSG not more popular? - ThinnerTimes - Gastric Bypass Forum, Lap Band Forum, and Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Forum

rudini · 04-04-2009, 05:09 PM

I had my VSG done 9 days ago. It was laparascopic and I was only in the hospital 4 days post op and was able to come home. It was decided by my surgeon and the dietician and the psychologist that I was a poor risk for a gastric band (in the UK if you get WLS on the NHS you have to go through a whole lot of assessments and lose 10% of your body weight before you can even be considered for funding.) The reason banding wasn't considered a good choice for me is I am an emotional eater who does not register the "full" feeling, especially when I am eating for comfort, I binge and people with that pattern tend to have more complications with the lap band. I feel that the bypass is too extreme for me and in any case my BMI wasn't high enough to qualify. Also I have other medical problems which meant that my WLS needed to keep body anatomy as "normal" as possible while achieving a good result in weight loss and general health. It's not been easy by any means, I'm still healing and adjusting and parts of it are hard like any big life change. Only I noticed that only a few surgeons do sleevies in Europe and maybe in America too and I can't understand why. I got lucky and found a great surgeon. I just think the option should be available to more people. Anyone agree?

RebeccaNV · 04-04-2009, 09:11 PM

I am guessing that it is because here in the States not many insurance companies cover the VSG. Mine doesn't.

sassy37 · 04-05-2009, 02:12 AM

Im not really that educated on the sleeve , although I was banded here in the Uk on the Nhs , I was one of the lucky ones that received funding first time around and yes I lost over a stone before surgery as per surgeons orders .
Thats to shrink the liver and to decrease the chances of complications !
I love the band , I dont feel hungry and can only eat small meals , although your right its hard we can eat 'JUNK' slider foods till the cows come home !!!

Best to keep away from all sliders ... but its hard some days and I still fight 'HEAD HUNGER' most days and Im now 6 months out .
I think mentally the fat girl will stay with me forever !!!!!!!!!!!
Wishing u luck and success
Best Regards
S xxx

Claire-in-Texas · 04-05-2009, 06:20 AM

My surgeon told me he thinks the sleeve is excellent and the ONLY reason it isn't done more is because insurance doesn't cover it here in the US.

Renee3846 · 04-05-2009, 10:49 AM

I agree that the VSG should be covered by insurance because of the lower risks and the positive weight loss and less complications. I had to pay for my because my insurance didnt cover it either. I am guessing in the next few short years it will be covered because of the popularity and the results the doctors are getting with it. I am thankful it was a option for me to choose from even though I had to pay for the whole thing, best investment I have ever made! Like any surgery, it is up to the patients to follow their doctors advise to make it work.

baddoggie · 04-06-2009, 08:02 AM

I think it will soon be covered by insurance once the 5 year results come back. it's still considered "experimental' in the USA, even though the 4 year results are promising. Insurance never wants another operation to hve to pay for. Well, they never want ot pay for anything! But once the 5 year results come out, the low complication rate, coupled with no malabsobtion problems and the lowering of obesity related diseases down in the patient's future.. plus it's a much simpler surgery than the RnY. So I think soon this will become very popular.

The Old Medic · 04-30-2009, 08:00 PM

The Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy, as a weight loss procedure on its own, is only about 6 years old. It was originally done as a part of the Duodenal Swith.

I edited this because every post I have made on this site has ended up on another site that has absolutely noting to do with weight loss. It was used in an attempt to humiliate me. It did not work, by the way.