I have just started my process and I am faced with a big question.....

**chesapeake girl** · 02-24-2011 10:43 AM

Met with my surgeon for the 1st time. He says he thinks I would also really benefit from bypass surgery because he thinks this surgery has better long term effects???? I didn't really want to go with the redesigning route.
But he is o.k. with either....not a lot of experience with the sleeve though - something like a total of 30 surgeries and no problems....but a very highly rated bariatric surgeon!!!

Now heres what scares me - I am a self payer because my insurance does not have a bariatric rider. they have given my my total price and it covers everything for the surgeon, hospital, and anesthesiologist. But if I have any problems or complications, and have to be taken back to the hospital, my one price that I self pay does not cover any of that and neither would my insurance????
Has any one had any major problems and had to be taken back to the hospital??? this kind of scares me.....

**spaznfrog** · 02-24-2011 11:47 AM

Is it possible to find another surgeon in your area?
If you are close to Southern NJ I totally recommend my doctor. PM me if you'd like more info.

**jerseylocks** · 02-24-2011 12:30 PM

Hello...I have not been sleeved for long but I have had no complications. I was admit on a Monday and discharge on that Wednesday..I stopped all pain meds the day after surgery...I do not advise but I am driving less than 2 weeks post op...only problem is reflux/heartburn but other than that and some sleepiness I am so happy...no problems..Good Luck on whatever you decide and hopefully long time sleevers will add to this so you can benefit from their experiences...God Bless

**cyndieph** · 02-24-2011 12:37 PM

my surgeon here in CT was fairly new at this procedure also, only about 20 or so....but had done numerous of the others. He did a great job and I had no complications. Had it done on 12/27/10

**jno86** · 02-24-2011 08:49 PM

hey i saw you said you were in chesapeake? chesapeake va? im near surry county, getting mine done by dr. terracina, is that who you are going with or dr clark?

**kitsonk** · 02-25-2011 12:49 AM

I hate to argue with any Doctor, because they are obviously well trained professionals, but long term effects of bypass versus sleeve are technically unknown. Personally if you stay with that doctor, I would ask specifically what they mean by "longer term benefits" of a bypass.

The reason the longer time effects are unknown is because the sleeve has not been a primary treatment for over 5 years and there have been no long term studies to date. On the other hand, all the indications are that the sleeve will end up showing favourable to the bypass, mostly due to the lack of mal-absorption, which is something the bypass has.

Also, my Doctor indicated that what current studies show is that more people lose more weight quicker on the bypass, but a lot of that depends on the candidate and in the end, it is becoming a smaller and smaller gap between the two.

Sometimes Doctors do go with their strengths and if they haven't done enough sleeves, they maybe reticent to recommend them, which is a shame. Either way though, WLS for the right people is a good option and I know a lot of bypass people that would easily do the bypass again, but a lot of them would now go for the sleeve when they find out about it and its lack of side-effects in comparison to the bypass.