Stephaniiee_u

March 11 here! Terrified and excited and would really like to see others’ progress as we go.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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?

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!

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Hi All... Not sure if there is already a thread for March surgery yet, but if not, here’s one and ready to support one another! My Gastric Bypass is scheduled 3/11/2020...working to get my head right for 2 week pre-op?!