Vertical Sleeve

[Mariposa Bella 3]

Hello, I used to be very active on this site when I had my lapband. I was in love with my band. It eroded over 2 yrs ago and caused a very life threatening infection situation. I was very scared but it was even more traumatic to know I was losing my band. It took over 100 stitches to repair my damage. I had reached my goal weight of 137 and looked and felt fantastic. Dr Sheih in Ft Myers FL did the removal and said I can never have another band. He offered to do vertical sleeve free of charge, I would only have to pay hospital fees, which are well over $10,000, so NOT an option.

I recently lost my job and applied for Medicaid (FL), which I now have. I have gotten in touch with a Dr who've I've seen for fills before band removal. He takes Medicaid so its ideal, I read somewhere that Medicaid doesn't cover the sleeve because it is not FDA approved. Is that correct? Since the band is not an option I'd have to do A gastric bypass which is scary to me. I am now 200 lbs and climbing...Can't sleep due to severe reflux, I'm always dizzy and lightheaded which my friend says might be high blood pressure and have difficulty walking due to my knees and lower back hurting and on top of that a broken bone in my foot which didn't heal correctly. My grandmother and her daughter passed away due to diabetes complications. My dad has high cholesterol and heart issues, I don't want to go down those roads. Any advice? I really want the sleeve, I wwant to live a long happy life with my kids. Please Help.