mythreechildren2001

Thanks again for everyone's input. This whole thing really threw me for a loop. I was just unprepared because it didn't go down exactly like I was expecting. I thought I knew exactly how it would play out. I have been reading everything I could on these boards and other sources. I did talk to him about seeing another dr in their group, because I know the other dr is a huge fan of the sleeve because he performed it on a friend of mine. I was just not expecting the head of the dept of one of the most prestigious hospitals in the world to have doubts about the long-term safety of the sleeve. I just felt that if HE had questions, I certainly should. I'm not attached to this dr in any way. This was the first and only time I've met him, but I did get the feeling that he was genuine in his reluctance and again, I don't doubt his skill as a surgeon. He has performed thousands of WLS successfully. He said he would do whatever surgery I chose between the 3 they perform, lap band, sleeve, and gastric bypass. He said I was a good candidate for any of them. He just really REALLY favors gastric bypass, and I am NOT having that done not matter what. I've also learned through a lot of tough experiences (infertility) that drs don't know everything, and that a lot of time I actually do know better. If I had listened to some of the drs I've been to, I wouldn't have my two youngest children. I BIG TIME bucked the system to deal with my infertility, so I don't know, maybe I wasn't as mentally prepared for this as I thought. I really don't know. I'm also not saying that I'm giving up on it forever. I'm just going to hold off for a little while, and give it one more try on my own. I need knee surgery because I have 2 torn meniscus in my knee. I was planning to have WLS first and then do my knee this summer when school is out. I think I'll do my knee first, and go from there. I'm not giving up on my Quest for good health and freedom from obesity. I will never give up on that. Thanks so much for your support and input. I'm extremely appreciative of everyone's comments and thoughts.

Thanks for the link. This whole thing scares me so much. I have 3 children. I want to be healthy for them. I want to be a good example for them. But most of all, I want to be here to raise them. I just don't know what to do.

I do believe this surgeon is a competent surgeon. He has done thousands of WLS in his time. I'm sorry that I didn't add more detail. I was afraid people would get tired of reading and move on! lol The reason he has only done 2 sleeves is because he came from UAB. He said that no insurance in the state of Alabama will cover the sleeve, so they just didn't do it there. Now that he has moved to TN, it's a different story. He was extremely supportive and compassionate. I don't even think he realized the doubts he put in my head! I really don't doubt his skill as a surgeon, and I did ask him if there were other drs in the group that would be available should a complication arise. He said absolutely, and that he loves that aspect of his group/practice. Thanks so much for your input. I really appreciate it.

Thanks for your reply. Let me clarify a few things. It's not that he's anti vsg (which is how I guess I made it sound), it's just that he thinks it's too early to hail it as the 'be all, end all' in WLS. His reference to the DS was meant to say that even though it has been done as a part of the DS, you can't look at the same studies and apply them to the sleeve. He is concerned about the long-term ramifications of this surgery that we just don't know about yet because it's relatively new as a stand alone procedure. As far as the $130, that is a 2 year penalty and after that I won't pay anything. Thanks again for your support and input. I really appreciate it.

I met with the surgeon, insurance specialist, nutritionist, etc. I went to the appointment with everything (I thought) and was ready to get my approval and get the process going! If they had told me they could take me that day, I would have RUN to the operating room. After meeting with the surgeon, I was so disheartened that I don't think I'm even going to pursue this anymore. First of all let me say that I was given the opportunity to have insurance that covered the surgery through my employer which covers WLS. I jumped on it, even though I have to pay a penalty of $130/month for 2 years because I didn't take the insurance when I first hired on 21 years ago (teacher) or during a major life change (birth of my children). When you're a teacher (in Tennessee anyway) you can't add on to the state insurance policy unless you're getting married, divorce, have a child, or spouse loses insurance. TN did an open enrollment for the first time EVER so I JUMPED on it...knowing I would be paying a penalty. The insurance took effect Jan 1. I knew what they required so I had been preparing for months prior to that. I completed the 6 month medically supervised visit Jan 3 and met with the bariatric surgeon, etc on the 6th. The surgeon was very nice and compassionate BUT he is not a huge fan of the sleeve and has only done 2. He said he would completely understand if I wanted to switch surgeons, but he thinks the sleeve is being prematurely dubbed the be all end all. He said that even though the procedure was done along with duodenal switch, you can't compare the two in terms of long term safety, results, etc. He thinks there is nowhere near enough data for this surgery in regards long term results/complications. He really favors gastric bypass...REALLY favors it. This surgeon is the head of a MAJOR university hospital...world renowned hospital. He did say that the sleeve is by far a less complex surgery than the gastric bypass..he repeated how 'simple' it is in terms of complexity of the procedure itself. This completely threw me for a loop, and I left completely disheartened and devastated. He wants me to do a sleep study because I told him that I sometimes SOMETIMES snore when I'm congested. He wants me to have an endoscopy done because I have felt reflux at times (when I've been pregnant and when I've really overeaten) and even though my insurance doesn't require a psychological eval, he wants me to have one. He tried to reassure me and told me I was the perfect candidate for surgery, and he would gladly perform whichever one I chose (lap band, sleeve, gastric bypass). I was so disheartened when I left, that I REJOINED weight watchers for the 500th time. I am not interested in having my intestines rerouted (no offense to anyone who has had this. I have just not even considered it for me) BUT I do have high blood pressure, diabetes waiting to happen, have horrible knee pain, just plain miserable, and I certainly look horrible. I'm 47 years old and I'm at my all time high of 270 lbs. I'm still numb from the experience because I really thought I good to go, and now I don't think I will even go forward.

I am going through Vanderbilt, and I have a friend who is about 6 months out from her sleeve who used Vanderbilt. I'm very confident in the program they have there, and I can't wait to be sleeved (hopefully next month!!)

That's fabulous!! Congratulations!!

Thank you so much for this post! It is filled with so much information and excellent advice. I'm hoping to be sleeved in late January if all goes according to plan. I think the hardest thing for me will be the not drinking while I eat. I don't even know if I CAN do that! I need to start being more mindful of that now as I eat. Thanks for all the advice!!

Thanks for your input. That certainly sounds reasonable to me, but I didn't know if it was only my wishful thinking! :thumbup: Thanks again!

I went to the dr today for my 2nd out of 6th medically supervised dr visit. I had an mri on Wednesday and it showed several problems (meniscus tears, cysts). Is it possible that my insurance (Cigna) would make me fix my knee before they would approve surgery? I'm hoping to have my weight loss surgery in Feb and knee surgery in June. I'm a teacher and I would need more time off for my knees than for wls.

Yes you're right. My in-network is $1350, and out-of-network is $2700

My plan has an out-of-pocket maximum of $1350, so that should be the most I have to pay right??

Thank you both for the information. I appreciate it so very much!

Thanks for you reply. I'm so anxious for the next 5 months to pass quickly. Is there anything I will have to do for cigna other than the 6 months of medically supervised diet? I appreciate any and all information you can offer. :biggrin0:

Does Cigna require a certain amount of weight loss during the 6 month medically supervised diet? I started this process a couple of weeks ago, and I've actually gained weight. I won't actually have coverage until Jan so I'm trying to get ahead of the game. Thanks for your help!

How long does it take for self-payers (which I will be) from consultation to surgery? I can't go down for the consultation until the 19th. I hate that I have to wait that long without knowing how the process works. :smile2:

Thanks for sharing your experience. Best wishes to you! I have another question, and I realize it's different for everyone...but how long does it typically take from consultation to surgery (I have 6 mos of documented attempts at weight loss in case that is a factor) TIA!

Anita~Thank you SO MUCH for responding! That is good news! I really appreciate you for asking just for me! I've decided to go down for a consult on the 19th when I'm off work for spring break. I'm really looking forward to it! Thanks again :smile2:

I'm new here and just getting started in this whole process. I'm leaning towards Dr. Morton, and will be self-pay. Can you tell me how much he charges for fills? Thank you!