Danine/Newbie and my intro(LONG)

[Guest guest]

Hi Danine,

It sounds as though you have done your research and made it to the

right place. Welcome! While I am a pre-op and a New Yorker, and as

such, do not have answers to many of your questions, there are many

folks here that should be able to help you out. As far as your BMI

being too low for the BPD/DS, the switch has been recommended for

people with BMIs between 35-40 if they have accompanying

co-morbidities.

My suggestion to you would be to start documenting some of these by

getting them diagnosed and building a medical history that way.

Start getting referrals to specialists. A pulmonologist for the

shortness of breath and a sleep study for the apnea (that is

considered a major co-morbidity if you have it) and maybe a

bone/joint specialist (orthopedist?) for your pains (may be

arthritis, but even if they are simply a result of your excess weight

that is ammunition).

At your leisure, make up a chronological Diet History. List every

weight loss attempt you have made, using what diet, how much you

lost, how long you kept it off and how much you gained back. You

will need this no matter which surgeon you choose. Also, seeing it

in writing like that may show a potential PCP that Diets have failed

you.

Any questions you think of, ask away. If you don't get an answer the

first time you post something, try again. A hint is to ask one

question per post and include a meaningful subject line - some people

only scan the subjects.

I wish you the best of success in your journey. We are glad you are

here. Please post a link to your AMOS site so we can get to know you

too.

Terri Hassiak

BMI 60

http://www.obesityhelp.com/morbidobesity/profile.phtml?N=H980366398

5/19/01 surgery date CANCELLED due to " Out-of-Network " Ins. Denial

email(no spaces): bunsofluff @ hotmail.com

> 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.