How Do You Start This Conversation With the Doc?

[reachbree 140]

Hello-

I will TRY to make this short: I had vsg June 2016-I initially went from 229 to 160ish then got pregnant a year later. 3-4 months postpartum I was at 143 (I tend to loose weight during my pregnancies and loose after) but that only lasted a few months. Fast forward to today, I am at 185!!! I am only about 45 lbs from starting weight....that's scares me, I don't feel well physically...emotional, as I am back to carrying all of this weight around. I had an appt with my surgeon almost 2 months ago and I explained to her and the nurse that I am always hungry. I STILL focus on Protein, ....my diet is mainly protein but I also make sure I get my veggies in. I was referred to the nutritionist I saw before my surgery. I am puzzled by that because my issues are not what I eat, ive gathered the info I need prior to my surgery. Prior to surgery I had NO comorbidities. Now, I am on medication for blood pressure, and my recent blood test show that my cholesterol is high...first time ever....this is not how this experience was supposed to pan out.

The point of my post is, I've done research and want to know if I would be a good candidate for a revision. The revision I am looking at is sleeve to Duodenal switch which I know was originally a part of the sleeve procedure. Just wondering for those of you who have had revision, how exactly did the conversation with your Dr start. Did you have to ask about it or did the Dr tell you it was an option?

I have an appt coming up on 11/11. When i made the appt I asked if I could possibly have a scan to see if the size in my stomach have even changed. I was told most like they would not do a scan because YES the stomach does naturally increase in size about 2 yrs after vsg. Now what??

[ms.sss 14,781]

Well, if you are self-pay, you can have whatever surgery you want. But if you are looking to get insurance to cover it, you may have some hurdles to jump, as your BMI at your current weight/height is only 32.4. I believe you need to be at least BMI 35 (for your height that would be 211.7 lbs) with co-morbidities.

Maybe just straight up tell your doctor what you want. If he/she isn't down, keep looking until you find one who is. Good Luck!

Edited October 24, 2019 by ms.sss

[reachbree 140]

Thank you for your response!

I have an appt with my surgeon on next week. I realize they are trying to use another surgery as the absolute LAST resort but I simply don't think anything else will help at this point. My pouch is stretched (I cant imagine it not being) and I am waaaay passed the restriction phase which I was told only has effect the first year or so.