My surgeon submitted the paperwork for my band removal and revision on Monday. I heard today I've been approved! The patient cordinator isn't the one who took the message from the insurance company, the front desk did, and according to them I'm approved for either bypass or sleeve. She said she's waiting for the confirmation from them because when she talked to a nurse there earlier this week, she was told they still considered the sleeve experimental. But, on the message they took, they listed both procedure codes. But, either way, it's approved! I'm so relieved. I did not want to have to either come up with a buttload of cash to self pay (again) or try to keep the weight off/lose more with nothing.

So now I have to chose between the sleeve or bypass. I'm pretty sure I want the sleeve. I don't want to deal with malabsorption. But I figured I'd come here and ask why you guys/gals picked the sleeve over the bypass when you had your revisions?

Thanks!

Oh, and I have Blue Cross, Blue Shield Kentucky in case anyone was wondering.

Not on you, but it is so frustrating to hear all thes BCBS's of other states that approve the sleeve. I live in TX, but have BCBS of CA due to my husband's job.

As for me. I chose the sleeve for many reasons.

1. restriction only. I don't like the idea of malapsorption. I want to absorb all the nutrients from a healthy diet.

2. I am hoping to have my hunger reduce with the fundus removal (upper/outer portion of stomach)

3. I am a big eater so I think restriction will work for me.

4. I don't want the complications or a foreign object for my body to have to deal with.

5. I want to eat a variety of foods.

6. I am not a big sweets eater so I don't think the extra incentive (dumping) that you can get with RNY is necessary for me.

7. I want to keep my pyloric sphincter to keep food in my stomach. The RNY is known for the bottom "pinched area" to stretch out over time.

8. the amount of food you can eat is a little more in the sleeve than in the RNY and I think that over time, I can better adjust to healthy eating.

Good news! I hope my approval is just as fast! Did they say how long you would have to wait to have you surgery?:glare:

HOORAY!!! Congratulations MsBug!!

I have to agree 100% with Eureka's list. Those are all the same reasons I chose the sleeve over RNY.

Except for the foreign body thing of course. I had that and had it removed... TG.

Great list.. I agree. I was just very afraid of the dramatic re-routing of my digestive system. Skipping over an entire portion? And fine great not absorbing fat and calories, but what about all the nutrients that also don't get absorbed? I'm NOT a pill taker. I am fine with my chewable vitamin once a day and that's it. The string of vitamins and supplements I'd be on? Not for me. I'm only a week and a day out, but I already LOVE my sleeve. Wish I had gotten it first, not the damned band.

p.s. congrats on your fast approval!!!!! Geez!!! My BCBS sent me around the ringer and all over before finally approving my sleeve 4 days before my surgery date. I had gone through pre-admission testing and everything before I got the approval. I did not give up. But that's another story. I'm relieved you don't have to go through the long waiting! Good Luck!

Congrats on your quick approval.

My reasons for choosing VSG over RNY for my revision:

1) Malabsorption with RNY only last 18-24 months for calories/fats/sugars, but you get a lifetime of vitamin/mineral malabsorption for life. That isn't a fair trade off in my opinion.

2) I had a pouch/stoma with the band, RNY offers the same thing, and my body hated the pouch.

3) I wanted to keep my pyloric valve for normal digestive functions. No bypassing no dumping

4) No blind stomach left behind that can still get ulcers/cancer yet it's very difficult to scope.

5) Pouches stretch. Regain stats with RNY are just scary.

6) Long term complications with malabsorption, and other various issues with RNY just weren't worth the immediate payoff of quick weight loss.

7) stats on VSG vs. RNY for weight loss were neck and neck, and I knew I didn't need malabsorption to get to my goal weight.

That's the short list. Best decision I ever made ! ! !