Re: Looking for a doctor

[Guest guest]

Hi :

Congratulations on choosing the best surgery there is!

> 1) Can you get DS done LAP?

Yes. Check this link, and look for the docs with the *

by their names.

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Surgeons/surgeons.html>

Just curious, why do you want lap, rather than open?

Dr. Baltazar, who performs both open and lap versions, says this

about the difference:

" Laparoscopic surgery gives better cosmetic results, less pain and

discomfort, almost no hernias post-op but IT IS NOT EASIER NOR SAFER

than the open techniques. Long-term good results should be the aim of

Obesity Surgery, measure by the % EWL (percentage of excess weight

loss), good QOL (Quality of Life) and cure of the co-morbidities. "

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Surgeons/Surgical_Scars/surgical_scars.

html>

> 2) Why are there so Few Doctors? I live in Chicago

> there is one of everything in Chicago but no doctors

> willing to do DS? Why is that?

The DS is a technically difficult surgery to perform.

Most weight loss surgeons simply don't have the skill,

qualifications, and experience to perform it safely.

Don't let this turn you off though. For the most part,

the surgeons who DO perform the DS are among the finest

surgeons in the world, IMHO.

Look at it this way, your chances of being messed up by

an average surgeon performing a more simple operation

are probably much higher than your chances of being messed

up by an excellent surgeon performing a difficult surgery.

> 3) What have you all found that are negative side

> effects?

The biggies are nasty gas and stinky feces. But, there are things

you can do and/or products you can take to control both of these.

Too many carbohydrates will contribute to the gas and the smell, and

can also slow down your weight loss.

Too much fat will give you diarrhea, but can speed up your weight

loss.

You have to be willing to take vitamins (and any other supplements

your particular doc orders in your particular case) faithfully.

You have to eat a lot of protein.

You have to get off your duff and exercise, (walking will do), after

the surgery or you could get a pulmonary embolism. (This is true of

the aftermath of any surgery, particularly for very heavy people.)

> 4) If I get a referral from my PCP to a doctor that

> only does RNY, do I have a choice? Or do I have to

> self pay all of it?

Get a new PCP!

Get out your insurance company booklet and start dialing until you

find one who is willing to work with you, rather than against you.

> 5) Whats the catch? Reading up on this, it seems

> hands down DS is the way to go.

Yep, it is. Check out these links to see why:

http://www.surgery.usc.edu/foregut/bariatric/>

http://www.drbaltasar.com/i_default.html>

http://www.pacificsurgery.com/Obesity_Surgery/DGBDS_Surgery/dgbds_sur

gery.html>

http://www.mini-surg.com/duodenal_switch1.htm>

Remember, most weight loss surgeons just aren't qualified to do this

surgery, even if they would never admit it. And, since they do

perform other surgeries, and make their livelihood thusly, they have

a vested interest in talking down the DS.

> ... if you eat a piece of wedding cake on your wedding

> day are you gonna be in the bathroom for the next 3

> hours?

No, but you might be sending your hubby out for a gas mask.

(Sugar makes a lot of us VERY gassy.)

> Can you handle meats?

The more the better! I cooked myself a half a pound of bacon for

breakfast this morning. YUMMY! Remember, after the DS, you have

very limited capacity to absorb fat, so the higher the percentage of

fat in your diet, the better, (provided it doesn't give you killer

diarrhea, that is).

Hope this helps,

Tom

Open DS, Dr. Anthone, 03/30/2001

41 pounds down as of 05/14/2001