I would like to know if a patient has had Crohn's disease for 15+ years, and it has never traveled out of the intestine, and is very well controlled with Meds (6mp) that are not anti Inflammatory, is the sleeve a safe procedure?

Long story short I spent almost a year battling with Insurance to get the lap band because my surgeon said it was the only way to go with a Crohn's patient. After months of arguing with insurance, my surgeon says he was lead to believe by the insurance company that they would approve me for the Sleeve. Although my surgeon says it would be a one a million chance that the crohn's would get in to my stomach, he still maintains that, while he will do the sleeve if approved, he feels the insurance company is wrong, and the band would be the best way to go.

Just wondering what another Doctor would have to say about this as medical professional, whether it be just an opinion, or medically proven.

Thanks Doc

I have had Crohn's disease for 23 years, limited to the terminal ileum (the end of my small bowel). I have had two bowel resections (one in 1989 and one in 2005) and have been maintained for the last six years on Imuran (an immunosuppressant similar to 6MP). My last colonoscopy (2-1/2 years ago) showed only one tiny superficial ulcer and was otherwise free of disease.

I am considering the vertical sleeve gastrectomy. I have spoken to a bariatric surgeon, who feels that this is the best choice for me because it doesn't involve the small bowel and does not cause malabsorption. I have asked about a band, but he doesn't believe this works well (he has performed this procedure as well as the sleeve, the Roux-en-Y, and the duodenal switch), and could potentially cause erosion - not a good option for Crohn's sufferers.

My surgery was just approved by my insurance, BCBS. I would like to lose 130-140 pounds.

I would also be interested in hearing from anyone who has Crohn's and has had the VSG.