rrose1968

Crap I just noticed the age of this thread...

If a doctor tries to steer someone in the direction of RNY, why not just quote statistics and disadvantages, etc... I'm a disabled vet from '91 Gulf War and the VA has offered/suggested twice now that I have it done and they cover it. I think it's done in West Virginia but I don't recall. LIke other surgeries, they won't do it at a VA facility, it's contracted I suppose. For example, if I ever had to have heart surgery I would go to Vanderbilt. They (VA docs) were doing bypass, but recently I was told they opted to go with Lap Banding because of the advantages and fewer complications compared to bypass. I don't have any other health issues, and they are doing tests over the next few weeks (psych, blood, ECG, ultrasound of abdomen) and I have to go to 12 weekly meetings on diet & exercise. But if I were having it done and a doctor tried to steer me to a bypass and I didn't want it, I would just remind them of statistics between the 2 methods. That and maybe check another doctor lol.

I live in Bristol, VA. I haven't had it done yet, but the VA (Veteran's Admin) has now offered/suggested twice that I have it done and they pay for it. Had blood tests done, I already have a ECG, Psych and Ultrasound scheduled for Feb/March. Assuming those are okay, I have to attend 12 weekly meetings and then it's done. I don't have any other complications other than Apnea. BP, Blood sugar are always normal or just slightly elevated. I've been lucky so far. I was in the '91 Gulf War, exposed to low levels of nerve gas and gained since then. I recently weighed the most in my life at 398 and it really sucks. Gained 50 since my mom passed May 2009. I don't recall, but I think they said it would be done in West Virginia. Crap I just noticed the age of this thread...