: Re: Another show on obesity surgery

[Guest guest]

ruisha@... wrote:

>The one recently on MSNBC that discussed 'WLS and Dr. Ren here in NYC did not

>even really discuss DS from what I've heard (didn't get to see it) and every

>other show I've seen only talks about 'gastric bypass' as if it were one

>generic surgery and NEVER mentions the DS at all. It's really frustrating!

>

You're right. They never even mentioned the DS even thou the dr's they talked

to do alot of them. One thing that bugs me is taht I really think everyone

should be educated in all the procedures available to make the right decision.

I started out looking to the RNY and found DS by accident as many have. I am

currently beginning a support group that includes anyone that has or thinks they

want WLS and my big stress (in my opinion) is nothing is wrong with your choice

as long as you know what your choices are. Other than Tiger, I'm the only one

sofar that is opting for the DS. I personally feel its a better long term

surgery and while its invasive, leaves parts alone that we don't have to do

without. We should all go to the web sites for 48 hours, MSNBC, 20/20, Dateline

and ask them to do a show on the different ones. Maybe if enough attention is

given to it they will. Just a thought.

AJ

[Guest guest]

I know we would all like to diagnose and make recommendations for

major surgery to our fellows, but consider the fact that surgeons are

already overwhelmed with demand for Bariatric surgery. If we got much

more publicity, people whose lives depend on operation, (like me),

might go un-treated.

This is not a consumer product, a convenience item, nor a cosmetic

procedure. It is massively traumatic, intrusive surgery, with many

mortal risks. I would think it wildly innapropriate to commercially

promote such a thing.

Doctors know about it, or they should. The only promotion that is

called for is education of PCP-type doctors through medical journals,

etc. That way, all the people who need it will find out about it

through their doctor, as is appropriate.

>

>

> <<<

[Guest guest]

-

You're right -- it is really frustrating that we don't have exposure for the

DS. I don't have a lot of details yet, but there is a possibility that we

will be able to get some national television coverage in the not too distant

future for the DS. This is being worked on through the non-profit

organization I am in the process of starting. Along with submitting

requests to the talk and news shows, I have someone on the Board of

Directors who is friends with a couple Hollywood producers and there is a

possibility of a DS special -- keeping fingers crossed. If anyone is

interested in learning more about the non-profit, the URL for the website

(VERY under construction) is below in my sig line.

Kris G

Cincinnati, Ohio

5'7 " , 40 years old

8/22 - 283 - BMI 44.3

05/22 - 152 - BMI 23.8

ciao to 131 lbs. & 134.25 inches in 9 months

Open BPD/DS 08/22/00

Bowel obstruction surgery 4/21/01

Dr. Maguire, Kettering OH

HumanaFreedom Plus Plan

iwillbefit@...

http://www.newlifeteams.org

: Re: Another show on obesity surgery

|

|

| <<<

>>>>

|

|

| Liane: This very well could be true, I know nothing about the details

except

| that Carnie had a lap RNy with Wittgrove.

|

| However, other shows that have highlighted WLS have similarly omitted the

DS

| or only mentioned it in passing as the 'other surgery'. So, I think this

| discrimination goes beyond contracts and Carnie as a spokesperson

(although

| what you mentioned above could very well have been a reason for not

| highlighting DS on that particular show).

|

| The one recently on MSNBC that discussed 'WLS and Dr. Ren here in NYC did

not

| even really discuss DS from what I've heard (didn't get to see it) and

every

| other show I've seen only talks about 'gastric bypass' as if it were one

| generic surgery and NEVER mentions the DS at all. It's really

frustrating!

|

| all the best,

|

|

| ----------------------------------------------------------------------

|

[Guest guest]

If there are enough patients asking for the DS, enough PCPs having

successful post op DS patients in their practice, and enough folks banging

at the insurance co doors for reimbursement at a decent rate, then probably

*more * surgeons would do the DS.

I'm not really into the scarcity model.

in Seattle

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

> I know we would all like to diagnose and make recommendations for

> major surgery to our fellows, but consider the fact that surgeons are

> already overwhelmed with demand for Bariatric surgery. If we got much

> more publicity, people whose lives depend on operation, (like me),

> might go un-treated.

>

> This is not a consumer product, a convenience item, nor a cosmetic

> procedure. It is massively traumatic, intrusive surgery, with many

> mortal risks. I would think it wildly innapropriate to commercially

> promote such a thing.

>

> Doctors know about it, or they should. The only promotion that is

> called for is education of PCP-type doctors through medical journals,

> etc. That way, all the people who need it will find out about it

> through their doctor, as is appropriate.

>

>

[Guest guest]

Do you really think more people seeking benefits to cover WLS will

" loosen the insurance companies up " ? Insurance companies are businesses.

The more claims and payments they make, the less their profits. The more

popular this operation becomes, the more they will restrict it. It is a

fact that those whose lives depend on getting Bariatric surgery are

victims of this phenomenon already.

Consider that many use this operation for self-esteem and cosmetic

purposes. This makes it easy for the insurers to justify restriction of

the procedure. The fact that you can eat normally after DS is also a

double-edged sword. We all know why this appeals to us. But the

unpleasant reality we have all faced is that non-morbidly obese people

don't understand, and are judgemental. The insurance companies cynically

use this mindset to tighten the noose and limit their claims liability.

I restate my thesis: the less publicity the better.

Montgomery wrote:

>

> If there are enough patients asking for the DS, enough PCPs having

> successful post op DS patients in their practice, and enough folks banging

> at the insurance co doors for reimbursement at a decent rate, then probably

> *more * surgeons would do the DS.

>

> I'm not really into the scarcity model.

>

> in Seattle

>

> ----- Original Message -----

>

>

> > I know we would all like to diagnose and make recommendations for

> > major surgery to our fellows, but consider the fact that surgeons are

> > already overwhelmed with demand for Bariatric surgery. If we got much

> > more publicity, people whose lives depend on operation, (like me),

> > might go un-treated.

> >

> > This is not a consumer product, a convenience item, nor a cosmetic

> > procedure. It is massively traumatic, intrusive surgery, with many

> > mortal risks. I would think it wildly innapropriate to commercially

> > promote such a thing.

> >

> > Doctors know about it, or they should. The only promotion that is

> > called for is education of PCP-type doctors through medical journals,

> > etc. That way, all the people who need it will find out about it

> > through their doctor, as is appropriate.

> >

> >

>

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

>