The first step I took was I told my primary care Dr. He referred me to the Dr. who would perform gbs but first I went to a seminar. They explain the 3 different types of surgeries and answer your questions. You can gain all your weight back as you can stretch the stomach still. I decided against it for now. That is just me though. Good luck.

Before you get your surgery, they want you to eat right... you see a dietician a few times and they want you to work out and lose about 30lbs on your own before surgery. I always thought, losing 30lbs on your own before surgery was pretty sucky cuz if you could do that, you would not be considering the surgery!
I know you can never ever have a carbonated beverage after the surgery, like a soda, cuz the bubbles react bad with your new stomach and it feels like a heart attack.
Also the surgery is not a magic cure. The reason why you overate and all your bad feelings and emotional problems are still there. I know many ppl that had the surgery and gained the weight back because they never fixed themselves before the surgery.
I also know, the surgery is not for me.
There is a DS support group for Gastric Bypass, maybe check that out.

I had a RNY Feb 29th 2012. Changed my life. Depending on your Insurance there are processes to go through. (I know this as I also work with the bariatric office in my Hospital) I personally have Blue Care network, and their criteria was if your BMI is over 50, its an automatic apporval. Mine was 52. If its under you have to go through 6 months of "medical weightloss" Meaning being on a program whicle they monitor your progress. This is really to be sure you are mentally able to handle the GIGANTIC life style difference you are about to go through.
My BMI of 52 put me in the automatic apporval, and I dont have any other co-morbidities.
My highest weight ever was 338 and it was 2 weeks prior to surgery. Im just over a year out and I weigh 211.

There are alot of things that come along with any bariatric surgery. Some are very untrue. It is absolutely NOT a fix. Its a tool that helps you make the progress you wouldnt otherwise have been able to do. PS @Jena-- I can drink soda, just not in large quantities. :)
At 1 year out I can eat everything I used to be able to (with the exception of spiral mac and cheese..... weird huh.... spongebob goes down just fine....)
My brother weighed 657lb one year ago today. He had the sleeve done in April 2012 and has lost a mind-blowing 259lb. He is in the process of having the full duodenal-switch.
I could go on for pages here....
If you have any questions, please dont hesitate to message me.

I had RNY Gastric Bypass 6 1/2 years ago. VSG was not an option then. Having weight loss surgery was a great choice for me. It resolved all the health issues I was suffering with that made exercising dangerous and not as effective. It was my head start. It goes hand in hand though with healthy eating choices (which means saying goodbye to certain things), moving the body every day (though that is so much more enjoyable and safe) and working on the head stuff (most important IMHO) the why's of why you gained (different for everyone) but important to get to the bottom of.

You are welcome to check out my blog I've documented the whole journey from the beginning and my before and current pic are there. www.theworldaccordingtoeggface.com

Best wishes in whatever decision you make. It is a lifelong war this war against obesity... doesn't end when the weight is gone... it's forever, one day at a time.

~Michelle "Shelly"

Thank you so much for everyones kind responses. Eggface and araggs i would love to contact you both when i am closer to my decision and to hear your personal storiess! BTW do eiether of you know if mganacare insurance covers WLS? I couldnt find anything about it.

Hope
I personal would call mangacare, n ask.
maybe they have web site, that has contact them area.
I assume that hospital billing dept, might know. if billing dept doesn't, n personnal feels like it, she/he could find out for you.
I assume that Dr offc could find out too.

I would say call the number on the back of your card and speak to someone regarding your specific benefits. Just because some plans of Magnacare do cover WLS, doesnt mean all do. Some may cover at 100% some 50%, depends completely on the plan.

Certainly... there's an email link over on my blog you can email me anytime. It's a big decision. Research, go to a seminar, ask tons of Q's. There are a ton of different options (RNY, VSG, DS, Band, etc not a one surgery fits all thing) Most bariatric surgeons offer an information seminar once a month... you could call and ask to sit in.

On the insurance... it will depend on what your policy covers. Call and ask if they cover and if they can send you the requirements. In general... it's BMI over 35 with comorbidities (health issues GERD, high BP, Sleep Apnea, Diabetes, etc.) or 40 BMI without and then each insurance company has a set of requirements tests, nutrition classes, psych evals, you have to do.

One more thing... it seems to take up to a year from the start of getting info and appts to when you finally get the surgery... I have gone to most of the appts regarding this surgery... Do yourself a huge favor and keep dieting this whole time if/while you are waiting to get the surgery. I did not do that and gained while going thru the process. In the end, I decided against the surgery but was left with extra weight from the mindframe of thinking the surgery would get rid of the weight. Besides that type of thinking, you also want to feel better now, today, not worse, you want your clothes to fit not cut into your sides and belly. So diet now and up until you decide/get the surgery. And remember, this type of surgery rearranges your internal organs. Thats a huge thing. Dont think about only the positive of this surgery. There are a lot of negatives also. And you are not guaranteed you will be a size 6 when you are done! Its an ongoing fight with food each day whether you have the surgery or not.

But if we can lose 25 or 30 on out own before surgery then I could lose the rest on my own.Heck the first 30 lbs if the hardest to me.

Snippy, The losing X amount of #'s before surgery is generally done by a strict liquids only, doctor supervised diet in an attempt to shrink your liver and make it easier for laparoscopic instruments used in surgery to maneuver near organs.

Some insurances and/or Dr's programs (not all) recommend you attempt to lose a certain percentage of your weight prior to show commitment to the lifelong lifestyle changes you are agreeing too.

I had open RNY (6 1/2 years ago) and I was a self payer so no pre-op weight loss was required.

How much did it cost you?

Hey jen, I had (open RNY gastric bypass) surgery 6 1/2 years ago in Ensenada, Mexico so price quotes are now very different... it was about $13,000 then. I also had 2 rounds of post op plastics in Mexico too about 18 months and 23 months later.

I will say this... surgeon's offices in the US will work with self payers and the price is not what they charge insurance companies. So if that is an option, negotiate.

ok, i was just curious. thanks!

@Jena, I went to my first seminar in Dec2011 and had surgery in Feb2012. The process varies on Insurance requirements, and that clinics policy and process. The RNY bypass does rearrange some things, but the sleeve doesnt. Granted, it does remove a large portion of your stomach but no other organs even come into play.
Agreed, it is not a fix all, I am a year out and 2 blasted pounds away from having lost 130lb. I am nowhere near a size 6. My weight loss will soon slow, and again, it will be a challenge. But, this surgery has given me the motivation and the physical ability to keep up this lifestyle and keep up the progress.
No, it is not the cure for obesity, nor is it the best option for everyone. But for me, it was exactly what I needed to take control of my life and my body.