Get the real deal on beauty treatments—real doctors, real reviews, and real photos with real results.Here's how we earn your trust.

POSTED UNDER Gastric Sleeve Surgery REVIEWS

The Gastric Sleeve Road. Seattle, WA

ORIGINAL POST

It's taken at minimum 12 years of consideration...

Rayleen7
$18,000
It's taken at minimum 12 years of consideration and research and not being able to keep the weight off to come to the conclusion I need weight loss surgery.

I'm 51 years old and have had my weight be the front runner of emotions my entire adult life. I've decided, for me, Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy is the way I'm going. This isn't a light hearted, you're weak, lazy or easy way out decision. On the contrary it's the most contemplated, bravest, hardest thing I have had to decide so far.

My pre-op/consult appointments are on February 18th. I am 5' 4" and weigh 230 pounds. I have high cholesterol and osteo arthritis. I'm pre-diabetic and borderline high blood pressure which I know insurance companies don't take into account but I think they should. My primary insurance does not cover ANY weight loss ANYTHING. Medicare however started for me this year and they do cover 80% of WLS with co-morbidities. Hopefully the co-morbidities that I have is on "their" list. ????

This is my last resort. Do or die. I've struggled for years and years. Diets failed me, maybe I failed them. I did have great success with the RX drug Belviq. I lost 33 pounds last year. For the first time in my life I wasn't hungry all the time. But as soon as the prescription ended so did my weight loss. I've gained 20 pounds back in 3 months.
So here I go my WLS Journey. I'm blessed to have found this site. Everyone on here is so supportive and kind. And we all need a little kindness in our lives. Thanks for taking the time to read this.

Rayleen7's provider

Brian C. Sung, MD, FACS

Brian C. Sung, MD, FACS

Board Certified General Surgeon

Replies (12)

User Avatar
January 30, 2016
Bless you on your decision to have weight loss surgery. I had mines done in Oct 2015. I struggled for years and years with my weight. I ended up paying out of pocket because insurance companies just don't seem to understand the struggles we deal with ,with weight. What gets me is they will pay for everything else. I pray you get your surgery done soon. Keep in touch to let me know how your doing.
February 1, 2016
Thank you. I'll update when I know more.
User Avatar
January 31, 2016
I am not sure about the arthritis counting as a co-morbidity but if you have sleep apnea (which they will probably test you for) that counts. Pre- anything doesn't and I agree it should. I too have arthritis in my knee and I can tell you that it has improved significantly since I was sleeved on 12/10/15. I have lost 50 lbs. on this journey and feel so much better! Best of luck - you are doing the right thing! :)
February 1, 2016
Thanks!
User Avatar
February 1, 2016
Thank you for sharing. I am just starting good with my journey. I have done my first 2 visits and have already hit some insurance issues. The insurance is covering most but what they don't I am making up. Good luck
February 1, 2016
Thanks and Good luck to you too. I'm interested in continuing to hear your journey as well.
User Avatar
February 1, 2016

Hi there, and welcome! Thank you so much for sharing your story with us. I hope you'll get lots of support from the community. I'm sharing this popular forum discussion with you and hope you'll find it interesting. Good luck, and please keep us updated!

Top 10 Tips For Before and After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

February 1, 2016
Thank you so much. I'll read it now and keep everyone updated on what I come across.
User Avatar
February 3, 2016
I hope and pray your insurance kicks in and covers it all
February 3, 2016
Thank you so much. I'm trying to stay positive. I'll find out more at the Group of appointments I have on Feb. 18th. I know there's a form my general Dr needs to fill out. They told me to wait on that one until after my initial appointments. The only thing they did have me do is get a referral from him. I guess there's specific things I will need. I don't know. I do know if I have to jump through hoops I will. It's easy to get discouraged but I keep reminding myself where will I be in a year if I don't do anything. Hope and everyone on here encouraging and being so upbeat keeps me going. Thanks so much to you and everyone. You all have no idea how much this means to me. ❤️
User Avatar
February 3, 2016
That's good. Stay positive . Just follow through with every appointment they ask you to do. And all the paperwork. And keep thinking about how much better your going to feel after you get the weight off. Before I had my surgery I went to Walmart and bought me a pair of size 18 pants. I couldn't even get into them. But it was my inspiration that I knew after surgery one day I would get into those pants. Now those pants are to big. So that helped me on my journey. So stay encouraged and prayerful. It's going to happen sooner than you think. Just get ready for the new you!! Bless you
February 3, 2016
That touched my heart. Thank you.