At the Crossroads - revision?

[Snufflegus 80]

Long story Short -- I had VSG 5/2013. I successfully lost 125 pounds. Not giving excuses just giving background, I was a self pay patient; and my surgery was scheduled and about two weeks later found out my step-daughter was taken from her mom and put in foster care. Everything was paid and I could not back out, so I proceeded with surgery. I stuck to my guns through all of the stress and changes, it took us nine months to get her out of foster care and into our home. Life changed at that point as well going from an us, to we have an 8 year old in the house, which is fine! She loved to eat the food I prepared and is not a picky eater by any means.

I had to have my GB removed right around the 110 pound loss mark, i though okay this is my restart moment. Took the momentum and was in an epic stall for about 6 months. Got the scale moving again and it stopped.

We have now moved closer to home and family, and I have maintained my eating.

I am now considering revision, at my HW of 470, losing my 125 has given me a start but is no where close to where I need to be.

My insurance will cover part of the surgery, and am going through Rehab to see if they will cover the remaining portion. I have a general practitioner here, that many years before my VSG was my doctor and saw my struggle with weight; I know he will support my decision and be helpful in any way.

My biggest question is does any one have experience with Rehab OR insurance covering revision? I'm sure I will have a lot of explaining to do regarding WHY the first surgery didn't "work." When in reality I don't think it was the best surgery choice for me at the time.

Any thoughts or ideas would be great!

I appreciate all of the support that has been given over the years, ready to get get healthy and stay that way!

[VDLT 244]

You don't mention what kind of revision you are seeking. Are you thinking of just redoing sleeve or converting to a DS? I am also in Florida. I live in Orlando but had my band and revision to sleeve in Miami. My insurance (BCBS FED) covered my revision from band to sleeve even though I self paid for band.

There is a new doctor in Celebration doing the DS if that is what you are looking for. Best of luck!

[James Marusek 5,244]

I am a little confused so perhaps you can clarify. In May 2013 you underwent a gastric sleeve surgery. Then after 110 pounds loss, you had the gastric sleeve removed. In gastric sleeve surgery as I understand it, part of your stomach is cut away permanently so a revision to restore is not an option. Maybe this is a misunderstanding on my part, since I had a RNY and not a sleeve.

Generally when a person has a revision from a sleeve, they either re-sleeve the stomach, have a revision to RNY or to duodenal switch.

Since you successfully lost (and maintained) a weight loss of 125 pounds, I wouldn't exactly call that a failure. It may not have achieved your expectations but it was a success. I guess that when you talk to your insurance, I would not say that the first surgery didn't work. It is just that you need to drive your weight lower.

[VDLT 244]

She had her gallbladder removed not the sleeve which as you noted, cannot be removed.

[Snufflegus 80]

Yes I apologize! I had VSG in 5/13 and my GB removed in 4/14. My weight loss is not a failure by any means. I just need to reconsider my choices. I am considering RNY or DS. Yes 125 lbs is HUGE and a big deal but still at 345lbs not where I need to be.

[Snufflegus 80]

VDLT - I have moved from Florida....guess I need to update my stats. Haven't been on in a while. I now live in Arkansas.

[James Marusek 5,244]

Yes I apologize! I had VSG in 5/13 and my GB removed in 4/14. My weight loss is not a failure by any means. I just need to reconsider my choices. I am considering RNY or DS. Yes 125 lbs is HUGE and a big deal but still at 345lbs not where I need to be.

Yes acronyms can cause confusion. GB could be gastric bypass, gastric banding. I didn't think about gallbladder.

[liannatx 897]

I agree with @@James Marusek that you should not say that the sleeve didn't work. You have in fact proven that WLS will work, and that you can follow a plan and have success with it. With the amount you still want to lose it seems that a bariatric surgeon would agree that the malabsorption aspect of the RNY might be the boost you need to lose to an even healthier weight.

Be positive and be proud of your success so far.

[Snufflegus 80]

I am so proud! That is for sure, I've never felt like a failure just feel like there needs to be a next step. I know I can do it, because I have

[Daisee68 2,493]

You have done really well especially considering the stress you have been through! Well done!

I have only had gastric bypass so maybe my thoughts don't fully apply, but as I understand it, the sleeve has been done many times as a first step on folks with a high weight for whom the full bypass would have been dangerous. So maybe now gastric bypass is really just the next step you are looking for. I would certainly meet with a surgeon (original surgeon if you can and if you liked them) and get their thoughts. Don't be afraid to reach out for that help and congrats to you for wanting to keep moving on!