Newbie and my intro(LONG)

[Guest guest]

I am Danine, I have an AMOS site too. I have researched tons and want

the DS. When I started my research I was 255lbs and BMI 44, my co-

morbids are " lighter " than some, but draining and too much for me

personally. They are: Hypertension, high triglycerides, possible

apnea, deffinate shortness of breath upon MINIMAL exertion and joint

and back pain all day (what joint doesn't hurt?) Social withdrawal,

loss of self esteem, unable to play much with my toddler, guilty

about eating anything, obsessed about body image....

I recently moved from NY to live in Arizona. I didn't know

there were no surgeons doing the DS here! I also do not have any

medical records because I never had a PCP or lived anywhere long

enough to get one. I always went to a nearby clinic if I had a

serious cough or cold or something. Anyway, I have been to 3 PCP's in

this state and none of them approve of any type of wls surgery,

unless the BMI is really high (around 60) and the age is high (not

over 50 though) and the comorbidities are extensive (insulin

dependant, unable to be mobile, needing oxygen..) I finally found one

who would consider it only after a year on Xenical. UGh! Found

another who wanted at least three months on the Xenical. I don't want

to take it! I have read tons about it and the permanance of it and

actual loss for the average client is TERRIBLE. I have done too many

trials with weight loss and am sick of them. They do NOT work!! I

left info from the Duodenalswitch site with my NEW pcp, hoping to

educate him to help with an approval process. My insurance in BC/BS

PPO (Federal Employees). I do not need a PCP referral just a

documented medical history. A statement of necessity from the surgeon

and wala! All but a copay or deductible should be covered. But I want

a PCP who will provide me with ongoing support/suppliments etc, keep

my blood work up you know?

While waiting to get a PCP who will go to bat for me and my care

I have LOST weight. Stress maybe? Now I am 230 lbs and my BMI is 39.

Which would normally make me happy, but now that I am considering

surgery I am unhappy. I found a surgeon that might take me but not

for the DS procedure because I am not heavy enough. I DON'T want the

RNY. I am also struggling with finding a competent surgeon that

doesn't require thousands of dollars up front etc. My research has

led me to several NY surgeons, which would be a 2000 mile flight, a

hotel stay of maybe ten days etc... too expensive!! While researching

surgeons I read about Deb's experience with Dr. Ren. While Dr. Ren

was my first choice that experience was horrible. I do not debate

truth here, only that one person really had a screwed up experience.

I missed all the bickering on the board as I am BRAND NEW TODAY, but

I signed the petition because as a newbie I want all points

expressed. Deb's terrifying descriptions only made me think harder

about the surgical option, about my surgeon selection, but did not

scare me away from the surgery itself. It did not scare me away from

this list. I hope all good posters come back so I can benefit from

their experiences.

That said.

Now I want to know what to do about ME. Am I too light for the

DS procedure? Does anyone recommend where to go when one lives in

Arizona? How about an Arizona DS FRIENDLY PCP?? What do I do without

actual PCP records?! I know, probably all " Boring newbie questions. "

But they are the ones I have. Anyone can write me personally or reply

here, I should start getting the digest version as of tomorrow. Thank

you for reading this far, if you are still here, I really appreciate

the help.

[Guest guest]

> Now I want to know what to do about ME. Am I too light for the

> DS procedure?

Nope. BMI of 35 plus comorbidities works for most DS docs.

Look at it this way, I waited until my BMI was nearly 64 before I

finally motivated myself to have the surgery. So I essentially threw

away another five years of my life and made both the surgery and the

recovery much more dangerous for myself.

The question you have to ask yourself is, if you don't have the DS

now, will you (honestly) weigh MORE or LESS five years from now than

you do today? How about 10, 20, 30 years from now?

> Does anyone recommend where to go when one lives in Arizona?

That's easy. Los Angeles is just a hop, skip, and a jump, (okay plus

a few hours by car), from Arizona. So, just bop on over to LA, where

not one, but two FANTASTIC surgeons await -- Dr. Anthone and Dr.

Crookes. Both have about everything one could want in a DS

surgeon: they are highly skilled, with world-class training,

extensive experience, (both in general surgery as well as in the DS),

AND, both are also very kind and caring individuals as well.

I tend to give the edge to Dr. Anthone, both because he's MY surgeon,

as well as because he has done more of the DS procedures than Dr.

Crookes, but you really can't go wrong with either one. About the

only negatives are that their office can be chaotic and rather slow

on the day-to-day communication, and it can take a while to get that

all-important first consultation. But, once you're in the program,

things tend to speed up pretty quick.

Oh, and speaking of distance from the hospital and travel issues. I

drove down from near San Franciso for my surgery, (350+ miles) and I

know of another patient who drove down from Sacramento, (400+

miles). Plus, I can give you all the info you would need about

motels, getting to and from the hospital, where the airport is if you

want to fly, etc. So, don't let the distance deter you.

Sorry I can't help with the Arizona-specific questions.

Here's a question for you. What type of insurance do you have?

Welcome to the first step toward a new life!

Tom

Panniculectomy, Dr. Anthone, 11/10/2000

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

11/10/2000....384

03/30/2001....360

04/19/2001....338

04/22/2001....334.5

05/03/2001....328

05/14/2001....319

05/18/2001....316

68 Ugly Pounds, GONE FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!