wwqueen31

Thank you both for your input. I'm so ready to do this. I would love to see this happen within the next 45 days.

I meet with the dr tomorrow for my first consult. I got my MRI results this morning and I do have a torn meniscus in my left knee but my right knee is worse in arthirtis. I'm only 35 yrs old and the orthopaedic is behind me 100% in doing the VSG because my option with him would be to do a knee replacement and he thinks I'm to young for that. His daughter had it done a yr ago and is so glad she did it. I already know my insurance will not pay for the surgery. I am a cash pay and fine with that. I have filled out all the paperwork for the dr tomorrow. My question is do you have to lose any weight on your own before they will operate? The reason I'm asking is because now with my knees bummed, I'm not able to exercise:(

Wow, I lived in Alexandria for couple of yrs and graduated from NSU in 2001. I have BCBS and they won't cover me. I think it's ridiculous. But anyway, I originally was going to Gonzales, LA to Dr Drake Bellengar but have decided to go to Dr Gary Stevens in Lafayette, LA. He has operated on 2 people that I know and they have done remarkably well thus far. I do know that there is a Carson Cunningham and a Dr Chu as well. All 3 of the doctors from what I gather also go to Lake Charles as well.

Sparkle that is great. Glad you made it through the first consult with no problems. Good luck to you and your DH with whatever dr you decide to choose.

Hi Krystal! Yep, I'm from Opelousas. Do you live in Shreveport? I wish you well with all of your testing and seeking approval. I'm sure everything will be just fine. It's nice to find someone else around here to talk to. I'm a little nervous as I don't like Dr's to begin with but I'm so ready to get on with my life. Good luck and keep in touch!

Sparkle.... I started a 3 ring binder about a month ago when I started looking into the surgery. I printed off several pages and made notes as well to ask the doctor. I know next Tuesday I will see the nutritionist first, watch a video then see the DR. Good luck with your consults:)

Hello All...... I've been lurking your site for a couple of weeks and I finally took the plunge to see about having the VSG surgery. I've been fighting w/WL for years. I have been on Weight Watchers for the last 5 yrs (on and off) and I did lose 100 lbs but unfortunately I have put most of it back on. I'm so sick of fighting this. What bought me to look into the sleeve surgery is that I've been having trouble with my left knee. I'm only 35 yrs old. I met with my orthopedic a week ago and found out that I have athririts and both the insides of both knees are rubbing bone on bone w/a possible torn meniscus. I had an MRI today and will see my dr again on Monday. At any rate, I finally submitted my registration last week to a dr in Gonzales, LA to see if I could get my insurance to cover the surgery when I found out that I had a medical necessity. Unfortunately, the insurance will not be paying for the surgery so it will be out of pocket. Since that was the case, I decided to hand pick my own doctor and I wanted it done in Lafayette, LA. I am a little nervous but excited @ the same time. Are there any tips that I should be aware of for my first consult? I do know 2 people (who are person friends of mine) who had the surgery done w/this particular doctor and have done great. Thanks for reading!