RE: Re: M

[Guest guest]

Excellent points , as always!!

Fondly,

Loriann

Re: Re: What to do????? open vs lap

There is another factor to consider here. There are many excellent surgeons

that simply cannot translate their skills to the lap procedure. It is uses

totally different techniques and requires different talents and skills. It

is quite different than just using more modern equipment. A great DS open

surgeon may not be great at laps. Some clearly are, such as in the Gagner

and Rabkin groups. Some aren't. (There are many RNY surgeons who only do

opens as well.)

So not all surgeons who do this complex DS as open are able to make the

switch over. The younger docs coming up are lap trained from med school on

and thus have the training in lap. I know surgeons who do beautiful work

who just could not make the shift over to lap technology, even for

cholecystectomies.

Do you think that open DS ought to be abandoned by the docs who do not have

the experience and/or skills to do the lap? Even if they do outstanding

open procedures? Or who work in hospitals where the support staff is

inadequate for the lap surgical needs? We have so few DS surgeons.. it is

unfortunate that there are not more of them.

I really wanted a lap and couldn't have one due to hospital conditions. And

I certainly recommend the lap to all who can have it. I had to choose

between open and months of delay. I have never regretted my decision.

in Seattle

----- Original Message -----

> Personally, I would never have open surgery if I was medically

> eligible to have LAP. LAP is the newest way to go, less risk of

> wound infections, less recovery, etc... It was not too long ago that

> gallbladders were removed only open with a week stay in the hospital,

> a large scar and 6 weeks recovery. Now, 95% of gallbladders are

> removed LAP, usually 1-2 days in the hospital, and back to work in a

> week. Open gallbladder surgeries are not performed routinely unless

> there is an underlying reason.

>

> Doctors that are not offering LAP surgery haven't learned how to do

> it. It angers me when a surgeon that cannot perform LAP surgery then

> tries to convince their patients that Open is better, they can see

> more, etc... etc... Granted, in certain situations a Lap becomes an

> Open surgery or just has to be an Open surgery because of a

> particular medical reason or concern. My first choice would be the

> more modern procedure with the least amount of stress on my body.

>

> Please do not be upset about my feelings nor think that I am " putting

> down " perfectly qualified surgeons, because I am not. You could

> compare what my point is with this example: You go to a new dentist

> and he wants to drill your tooth with an old-fashioned manual pump

> drill that's slower, causes a little more pain and isn't that exact,

> would you let him take care of your tooth or would you go to a

> different dentist that uses the latest high speed, painless drill and

> can fix your tooth with precision??? Ironically, both dentists

> charge the same fee. Either way, your tooth gets fixed, right????

>

> , have you called NYU? The surgical weight loss director is

> Dr. Ren, she was trained by Dr. Michel Gagner, assisted him

> for a year and has been at NYU just as long. Dr. Ren just published

> a joint research paper with Dr. Gagner. NYU Medical Center is first

> rate. The website is www.thinforlife.org The phone number is 212-

> 263-3166. Just another option if you want to have LAP BPD/DS.

>

> Jane J.

> Pre-OP

> Dr. Ren, NYU Medical Center, NYC

> April 26, 2001

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> > Pros:

> >

> > excellent, experienced surgeon

> > great post-op comments/referrals

> >

> > Cons:

> > Mt. Sinia--heard all bad things

> > Far from home, no one to travel with me, added travel expenses, far

> to travel

> > for follow up care

> >

> > The next biggest road block is insurance. Neither doctor is

> covered by my

> > current insurance. I can switch during the next open enrollment

> season which is

> > SEPTEMBER 2001 : ( Since I work a government job, I have many

> choices of

> > insurance. I'm hoping some of you can tell me the better ones for

> approving WLS

> > with either of these 2 doctors.

> >

> > My choices for September 2001 open enrollment are

> >

> > Aetna U.S Healthcare

> > Capital Care

> > Free State Health Plan

> > Washington Univ. Health Plan

> > Kaiser Permanente

> > MD IPA (which I have now and neither surgeon is covered)

> > BCBS

> > Postmasters

> > Alliance

> >

> > OR I could stick with Dr. Vanguri in Baltimore, MD who does the DS

> open and is

> > covered under my current insurance MD IPA (100 % I believe)

> >

> >

> > What to do????????????????????????????????

> >

> > jvaszil@m...

> > first ever consult with Dr. Vanguri on 5/10/01

>

>

> ----------------------------------------------------------------------

>