Opinions on Surgery Please, I need help

Please do not ask me to explain what I am about to tell you as it is VERY painful for me and I am having a hard time dealing with what all has happened to me.  I have had the lapband which almost killed me.  I revised to the sleeve which I had for 2 years before I developed acid reflux after a severe case of the flu in which I had severe vomiting which gave me a hiatal hernia along with ulcerations the size of dimes from the back of my throat down to my intestines (despite being on lab proven TOXIC amounts of PPI, antacids, etc that were prescribed by one of the top GI specialists in the U.S).  I LOVED my sleeve.  I was leading a normal life at goal.

 

The only solution to my severe GI problems was to convert from sleeve to the RNY.  It has been 3 months now.  I am just now off gatoraide, broth, vitamine water, etc.  Have had 2 dilations for strictures (the first one had me closed completely up).  I still feel like I am at death's door every day.  I am having trouble not vomiting on creamed soups even though I eat the tip of a baby spoonful and wait 2 min between bites.  I am down in weight to looking like a skeleton.

I guess, you could say, that since I have had 3 of the weight loss surgeries that I would NEVER, NEVER, NEVER have anything but the sleeve. I wish I could go back.  I  hate the RNY almost as much as I hated the killer lapband.

 

Just my two cents worth..........   I would fight for the sleeve with everything you can and settle for nothing else. 

 

I am not trying to start a surgery war.  Just stating my experience with 3 different surgeries.  Good luck

I am so sorry for all you've been through and are still going through currently, greenolive.

I understand some of what you've experienced. My lap band "journey" was one that nearly killed me, too.

Really and truly, I hope that things will get better for you. I'm going to be keeping you in my thoughts.

Thank you Nic!  I will someday, be able to talk more in detail about what all has happened.  I just can't talk about it now.  I will hold you in my prayers also.

 

To the original poster:  Fight your insurance for the sleeve.  If they won't pay, consider paying for the surgery out of pocket.  I saved so much money after I had the sleeve by being able to go off all my prescription medications that the savings made my payment on the money I borrowed for the surgery.  Something to think about!

There are really only two ins co's that appeals do no good if the surgery isn't covered.  Welfare and TriCare.  Ins co's other than that and you merely appeal and get what you want.

Yes, I have Welfare Medicaid. I don't think I can fight for the Sleeve since it is State Medicaid.
We are living off of student loans from my husband going to school, so I have no income to pay out of pocket for surgery.
I'm so sorry for what you have been through, greenolive and others.
I can't decide if getting the RNY is better then nothing.

What if you get a job?  Working at Starbucks even part time offers insurance and it does cover WLS.

I have looked into working at Starbucks and you must work weekends. I wouldn't be able to because I have to watch our children so my husband can do homework.

Uh...I think your health is worth your husband finiding a way to both watch the kids and do his homework. If you were the husband and he the wife, it'd be a no-brainer.

Of course, we women are so much more calable. (*grin*)

There are 24 hours in a day, including weekends. ;)  You'd only be working 1/3 of those.