Re: This whole DS surgery process...

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 7/26/2001 4:33:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

hbstandard@... writes:

<< This is a major big time life deal. >>

Yes, absolutely, it is. I can't imagine anyone going into this thinking of

it as anything less than that.

As for the sick leave, I don't know what state you are in, but you should get

disability while you are off work after surgery.

Dawna

[Guest guest]

,

Many of use disability once our sick leave runs out. If you can get

a late afternoon or early morning appointment you will miss less than

1/2 day.

The wait is not easy - sometimes it seem like forever. You can

probably get the other procedures done quicker, but you have to live

with this choice for the rest of you life. Unless you are on deaths

door it is worth the wait.

Hull

> I was so hyped when I first signed up and now I'm feeling terribly

low and

> discouraged about this whole process. From what I have read here

so far it

> seems that the process of actually getting this surgery is a long

one. And

> the recovery time is not short either. This is a major big time

life deal.

> I wanted to just walk into the doctors office, fill out the papers,

schedule

> the surgery, have the surgery, and loose the weight. LOL. Instant

> gratification.

>

> It's all I can think about, but I only have 3 more days of sick

leave left

> this year. I've used up the other 7 already because I'm so

overweight,

> unhealthy, and get sick all the time. Perhaps I could see Dr.

for the

> consult and then schedule the surgery sometime in January? I'd

hate to wait

> that long, but I don't know what else to do. His office is

probably an hour

> and a half from my work so I'd have to use one whole day just to go

to the

> consultation.

>

> Could someone offer a strategy here? I'm feeling very overwhelmed.

>

>

[Guest guest]

-

Just go through the process, hon.. chances are that you'd have surgery

in January anyway.. Dr. is currently scheduling his October

surgery dates, & he still has folks waiting for surgery, approval,

etc. Don't get discouraged.. it will happen.. just not instantly.

Also- does your job offer short term disability benefits? If so, that

can cover any recovery over what your vacation doesn't cover. Keep

your chin up, hun.. it will get better, OK?

Hugs,

Liane

started my journey in February.. if I'd stayed w/my original surgeon,

I'd be scheduled for August.. so I know what you're feeling, hun!

> I was so hyped when I first signed up and now I'm feeling terribly

low and

> discouraged about this whole process. From what I have read here so

far it

> seems that the process of actually getting this surgery is a long

one. And

> the recovery time is not short either. This is a major big time

life deal.

> I wanted to just walk into the doctors office, fill out the papers,

schedule

> the surgery, have the surgery, and loose the weight. LOL. Instant

> gratification.

>

> It's all I can think about, but I only have 3 more days of sick

leave left

> this year. I've used up the other 7 already because I'm so

overweight,

> unhealthy, and get sick all the time. Perhaps I could see Dr.

for the

> consult and then schedule the surgery sometime in January? I'd hate

to wait

> that long, but I don't know what else to do. His office is probably

an hour

> and a half from my work so I'd have to use one whole day just to go

to the

> consultation.

>

> Could someone offer a strategy here? I'm feeling very overwhelmed.

>

>

[Guest guest]

> I only have 3 more days of sick leave left this year . . .

> Perhaps I could see Dr. for the consult and then

> schedule the surgery sometime in January? . . . His

> office is probably an hour and a half from my work so I'd

> have to use one whole day just to go to the consultation.

>

> Could someone offer a strategy here? I'm feeling very overwhelmed.

>

>

Hi ;

When I had settled on which surgeon I would use, I was also in a big

hurry to be done with everything. I had already been in the process

of researching everything for 9 months. However, it was 3 months

between surgeon selection and surgery for me. I want to emphasize

that this was very fast as my surgeon was new to the area.

At this time, patients who settle on her as their selection can

expect to wait 5 months or more. My point here is that just because

we are ready for a surgeon, does not mean that they have immediate

room in their schedules for us.

Next point, I noticed that someone told you that you would only miss

1/2 day of work. I'm not sure what they meant by that but surely not

for surgery! Heck, even if you have the surgery laprascopically, you

will be in the hospital longer than that!

If time away from work is a determining factor for you, I would

recommend that you consider having the surgery laprascopically.

The in-patient hospital time is about half and the time needed for

in-home convalescing is considerably less as well. There are some

things that just shouldn't be rushed, especially if you want a

healthy

future.

If you have the surgery laprascopically, you would be in the hospital

2-3 days and I'm generalizing that you'll be at home a minimum of

2 weeks. Personally, I haven't heard of more than 1 or 2 people

return to work that soon and I believe it was part-time.

I would say it's safe to assume one would want to take 3 weeks off of

work at the minimum. One thing you would be prudent to do now, is to

look into what you must do in order to collect disability.

I know this may not be the information you were hoping for but look

at it this way. Once you've had the surgery, it won't matter when you

had it but only that you had it.

Good luck!

gobo

Lap DGB/Dr.

July 9, 2001

307/282 [25 pounds lost so far!]

[Guest guest]

asked:

Did they give you much flak at work for being out for those two weeks?

Depending on the size of the company you work for etc etc have you checked to

see if you would qualify for the Family Medical Leave? It was put into effect

by Pres Clinton so that people who needed to take care of their medical needs

didn't lose their jobs. I don't believe they're required to pay you, but

under certain circumstances they're required to let you off with no penalty,

it's a federal law. I'm sorry I can't give you anymore info, you can call

your federal offices or ask your employer about it. I think it has to be a

fairly large company but I forget how large. I went on it when I worked but

I'm retired now & don't remember the details. You also are not required to

tell your employer the nature of your surgery. If you want to tell your co

workers tho, and they are negative about the surgery, you might want to ask

them what other plan they have in mind for you then to save your life.

Sheryl

[Guest guest]

> Hi ;

> When I had settled on which surgeon I would use, I was also in a big

> hurry to be done with everything. I had already been in the process

> of researching everything for 9 months. However, it was 3 months

> between surgeon selection and surgery for me. I want to emphasize

> that this was very fast as my surgeon was new to the area.

> At this time, patients who settle on her as their selection can

> expect to wait 5 months or more. My point here is that just because

> we are ready for a surgeon, does not mean that they have immediate

> room in their schedules for us.

So it might be January anyway til I could have the suregery and then I'd 10

days of sick leave to use (isn't that pathetic, only days days for the whole

year?!)

> Next point, I noticed that someone told you that you would only miss

> 1/2 day of work. I'm not sure what they meant by that but surely not

> for surgery! Heck, even if you have the surgery laprascopically, you

> will be in the hospital longer than that!

No, they meant for the consultation appointment with Dr. who is 1 &

1/2 hours from my work. Not for the surgery! Although even for the

consultation I think it wouldn't take longer than that - you know how long

docs can make you wait! But maybe as suggested if I can get a late

afternoon appt I might get by with only missing half a day of work.

> If time away from work is a determining factor for you, I would

> recommend that you consider having the surgery laprascopically.

> The in-patient hospital time is about half and the time needed for

> in-home convalescing is considerably less as well. There are some

> things that just shouldn't be rushed, especially if you want a

> healthy

> future.

Yes, I definitely want the Lap DS. I have decided that for sure. And Dr.

is the closest doc who does that. I've heard good things about him so

I have no reason not to use him. Unless he reall makes a bad first

impression on me I'm going with him.

> If you have the surgery laprascopically, you would be in the hospital

> 2-3 days and I'm generalizing that you'll be at home a minimum of

> 2 weeks. Personally, I haven't heard of more than 1 or 2 people

> return to work that soon and I believe it was part-time.

Wow, that is longer than any other surgery I've had. I had a lap procedure

to remove some pollyps from my ovaries and was out for of commission for 4

days - a long weekend. I guess this is just more serious and has a longer

recovery time b/c they are not just removing stuff but also rearranging

stuff and it effects your entire digestive tract?

> I would say it's safe to assume one would want to take 3 weeks off of

> work at the minimum. One thing you would be prudent to do now, is to

> look into what you must do in order to collect disability.

I'll go check out my insurance co's web site, but I'm pretty sure I have

some short term dissability.

> I know this may not be the information you were hoping for but look

> at it this way. Once you've had the surgery, it won't matter when you

> had it but only that you had it.

Thanks Gobo!

Wow! I just noticed that you very recently had your surgery! How is your

recovery coming along? And you've already lost 25 pounds. Woo hoo!

Is DGB different than DS?

[Guest guest]

>

> > I only have 3 more days of sick leave left this year . . .

> > Perhaps I could see Dr. for the consult and then

> > schedule the surgery sometime in January? . . . His

> > office is probably an hour and a half from my work so I'd

> > have to use one whole day just to go to the consultation.

> >

> > Could someone offer a strategy here? I'm feeling very overwhelmed.

> >

> >

>

> Hi ;

> When I had settled on which surgeon I would use, I was also in a big

> hurry to be done with everything. I had already been in the process

> of researching everything for 9 months. However, it was 3 months

> between surgeon selection and surgery for me. I want to emphasize

> that this was very fast as my surgeon was new to the area.

> At this time, patients who settle on her as their selection can

> expect to wait 5 months or more. My point here is that just because

> we are ready for a surgeon, does not mean that they have immediate

> room in their schedules for us.

>

> Next point, I noticed that someone told you that you would only miss

> 1/2 day of work. I'm not sure what they meant by that but surely not

> for surgery! Heck, even if you have the surgery laprascopically, you

> will be in the hospital longer than that!

>

> If time away from work is a determining factor for you, I would

> recommend that you consider having the surgery laprascopically.

> The in-patient hospital time is about half and the time needed for

> in-home convalescing is considerably less as well. There are some

> things that just shouldn't be rushed, especially if you want a

> healthy

> future.

>

> If you have the surgery laprascopically, you would be in the hospital

> 2-3 days and I'm generalizing that you'll be at home a minimum of

> 2 weeks. Personally, I haven't heard of more than 1 or 2 people

> return to work that soon and I believe it was part-time.

>

> I would say it's safe to assume one would want to take 3 weeks off of

> work at the minimum. One thing you would be prudent to do now, is to

> look into what you must do in order to collect disability.

>

> I know this may not be the information you were hoping for but look

> at it this way. Once you've had the surgery, it won't matter when you

> had it but only that you had it.

>

> Good luck!

>

> gobo

>

> Lap DGB/Dr.

> July 9, 2001

> 307/282 [25 pounds lost so far!]

Hello ,

I had my DS surgery lap on 3/20/01. I was in the hospital 3days, went home

Thursday morning. I was home for 2 weeks, including the surgery. And then back

to work. I work as an Assistant Branch Mgr at a bank. The first week back, I was

able to fully function. But couldnt bend over to pick things up off the floor!

Getting right back into the swing of things was very beneficial for me. I'm very

independent & live alone. I kept a positive attitude & did not dwell on every

little pain. Every evening I ate a light dinner & got plenty of rest. Each week

things got better. I had no complications & feel as if I never had this surgery.

Best of Luck. DAWN G. LI-NY

[Guest guest]

Dawn,

> I had my DS surgery lap on 3/20/01. I was in the hospital 3days, went home

Thursday morning. I was home for 2 weeks, including the surgery. And > then

back to work. I work as an Assistant Branch Mgr at a bank. The first week

back, I was able to fully function. But couldnt bend over to pick

> things up off the floor! Getting right back into the swing of things was

very beneficial for me. I'm very independent & live alone. I kept a positive

> attitude & did not dwell on every little pain. Every evening I ate a light

dinner & got plenty of rest. Each week things got better. I had no

complications > & feel as if I never had this surgery. Best of Luck. DAWN G.

LI-NY

So, did you tell everyone at work what you were going to be out so long for?

I still haven't mentioned it to my supervisor, although right now it really

is too early to say anything, as I haven't even had a consultation with a

doctor. I'm just nervous for everyone to know. From those I have told so

far I get the " oh that's so dangerous, it's elective surgery, it's cosmetic

surgery, etc. " I dread telling my parent's and co-workers. Did they give

you much flak at work for being out for those two weeks?

So, you said you ate a light dinner - does that mean that you didn't eat

breakfast and lunch? I don't think I could handle that! If I skip a meal I

feel terrible. Did you have protein shakes or anything throughout the day?

What about now, how do you eat now?

[Guest guest]

Dawn you are quite an inspiration ! I will be off work

(a desk job) for two weeks including surgery and have

been worried about going back. I know attitude plays a

huge part in how we recover, but do you have any tips

that may ease the process of that first day back to

work ? I am switching on 8/23 and back to work on 9/5.

Right now only my boss knows (and whoever she told)

but I am still unsure about who I will tell and what I

will say. My Mom said when people ask how I've lost

the weight I should just say I eat less food. How are

you handling the co-workers ? Thanks for any input...

Sharon M in NY

> > I had my DS surgery lap on 3/20/01. I was in the

> hospital 3days, went home

> Thursday morning. I was home for 2 weeks, including

> the surgery. And > then

> back to work. I work as an Assistant Branch Mgr at a

> bank. The first week

> back, I was able to fully function. But couldnt bend

> over to pick

> > things up off the floor! Getting right back into

> the swing of things was

> very beneficial for me. I'm very independent & live

> alone. I kept a positive

> > attitude & did not dwell on every little pain.

> Every evening I ate a light

> dinner & got plenty of rest. Each week things got

> better. I had no

> complications > & feel as if I never had this

> surgery. Best of Luck. DAWN G.

> LI-NY

>

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

I can only offer my own experience on this matter. I told my

employer that I would be out for 3 weeks. My surgeon refused to

clear me in less than 4 weeks. I have learned that he surgeon was

right. I am going back this week and I am still a bit concerned. It

has taken 3 weeks for me to learn to deal with my new plumbing and

the bathroom visits that it requires. For the first 3 weeks I woke in

early in morning in pain. Partially it was my fault because I stopped

the pain killers after a week. I was dying to be able to drive and the

pain killers were standing between me and driving. Just a little tip

if you want to be able to return early you have to walk at least a

half hour every day to build up your stamina and get the anesthesia

out of your system.

Personally, I told my boss that I was having a hernia repaired which

is true because the surgeon repaired a hiatial hernia during the

surgery. Because I work for a large company my disability papers were

faxed directly to my HR department and they stay there. So only the

members of my HR department know of my true surgery. This doesn't

guarantee secrecy but it is the best that I could do. In addition to

which becuase of the nature of their jobs they have to sign

confidentiality papers.

> I was so hyped when I first signed up and now I'm feeling terribly

low and

> discouraged about this whole process. From what I have read here so

far it

> seems that the process of actually getting this surgery is a long

one. And

> the recovery time is not short either. This is a major big time

life deal.

> I wanted to just walk into the doctors office, fill out the papers,

schedule

> the surgery, have the surgery, and loose the weight. LOL. Instant

> gratification.

>

> It's all I can think about, but I only have 3 more days of sick

leave left

> this year. I've used up the other 7 already because I'm so

overweight,

> unhealthy, and get sick all the time. Perhaps I could see Dr.

for the

> consult and then schedule the surgery sometime in January? I'd hate

to wait

> that long, but I don't know what else to do. His office is probably

an hour

> and a half from my work so I'd have to use one whole day just to go

to the

> consultation.

>

> Could someone offer a strategy here? I'm feeling very overwhelmed.

>

>

[Guest guest]

This surgery is basically an updated version of a distal RNY. It could also

be considered an updated version of the basic BPD. RNY just means the

intestines form a Y which ours do. Most people are talking about and RNY

with a tiny pouch when they say RNY but even what each " RNY " patient actually

gets (pouch size, amount bypassed, transected or not) varies a great, great,

deal. This is why it is so important to understand what the surgeon is going

to do.

Dawn--Chicago metro---south

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

4/27/00

www.duodenalswitch.com

267 to 165

size 22 to size 10

have made size goal

no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting!

[Guest guest]

This surgery is basically an updated version of a distal RNY. It could also

be considered an updated version of the basic BPD. RNY just means the

intestines form a Y which ours do. Most people are talking about and RNY

with a tiny pouch when they say RNY but even what each " RNY " patient actually

gets (pouch size, amount bypassed, transected or not) varies a great, great,

deal. This is why it is so important to understand what the surgeon is going

to do.

Dawn--Chicago metro---south

Dr. Hess, Bowling Green, OH

BPD/DS

4/27/00

www.duodenalswitch.com

267 to 165

size 22 to size 10

have made size goal

no more high blood pressure, sore feet, or dieting!

[Guest guest]

0

> Thanks Gobo!

>

> Wow! I just noticed that you very recently had your surgery! How

> is your recovery coming along? And you've already lost 25 pounds.

> Woo hoo!

>

> Is DGB different than DS?

>

>

Hi ;

There is no difference between the DS and the DGB. My surgeon found

that insurance companies, reluctant to accept the DS as a procedure,

will accept the following:

" Laproscopic Gastric Bypass w/small bowel reconstruction to limit

absorption & partial gastrectomy w/roux-en-y reconstruction "

They will accept the above because there are CPT codes for it. I

believe that two are used in conjunction with each other.

Someday, there will be a universally accepted CPT code for the same

procedure but by the name BPD/DS.

Thanks for asking how I'm doing. I had my surgery just under 2 weeks

ago. I've lost 26 pounds and am feeling quite good.

I do wish I had aniticipated how many unexpected challenges cam arise

because of being entirely alone. Silly things like replacing the

sheets on my bed were difficult as I had to lift my mattress. On my

first

night home, this was not the smartest thing to do.

I'm blessed with not having a single solitary medical problem to date.

hugs,

gobo

Lap DGB/Dr.

July 9, 2001

26 pounds so far.

[Guest guest]

>

> > There is no difference between the DS and the DGB. My surgeon

found

> > that insurance companies, reluctant to accept the DS as a

procedure,

> > will accept the following:

> >

> > " Laproscopic Gastric Bypass w/small bowel reconstruction to limit

> > absorption & partial gastrectomy w/roux-en-y reconstruction "

>

> I'm confused... that part about " roux-en-y reconstruction " sounds

like you

> had an RNY.

>

>

> > They will accept the above because there are CPT codes for it. I

> > believe that two are used in conjunction with each other.

> > Someday, there will be a universally accepted CPT code for the

same

> > procedure but by the name BPD/DS.

>

> So you had a DS but the doc just called it an RNY?

>

>

;

NO, I did not have an Rny and most especially, NO MY DOC DIDN'T

'JUST' CALL IT AN RNY TO FOOL ANYONE.

One of the list members who are smarter than I can explain better,

but much of the two procedures actually overlap. There are more

similarities between the two than differences.

Hull, would you care to take a stab at explaining this?

Anyway, I can guarantee that I still have my pyloric valve and that

the two parts of the intestine that are supposed to be switched,

did in fact get switched (hence the term 'Switch').

These are the surgical features that are unique to the Ds and we

always focus on the differences between the two. I think the

reason for not dwelling at all on the similarities is, what's the

point? A patient will getthose features regardless of which

procdure. Since we overlook the similarities, we end up believing

that there are no similarities at all. This is not the case.

I know this is a vague answer. I just remember when my surgeon was

showing me graphically what happens with each procedure, thinking how

similar they actually are.

Hope this is a sufficient answer. Anyone else care to jump in?

gobo

[Guest guest]

>

> > There is no difference between the DS and the DGB. My surgeon

found

> > that insurance companies, reluctant to accept the DS as a

procedure,

> > will accept the following:

> >

> > " Laproscopic Gastric Bypass w/small bowel reconstruction to limit

> > absorption & partial gastrectomy w/roux-en-y reconstruction "

>

> I'm confused... that part about " roux-en-y reconstruction " sounds

like you

> had an RNY.

>

>

> > They will accept the above because there are CPT codes for it. I

> > believe that two are used in conjunction with each other.

> > Someday, there will be a universally accepted CPT code for the

same

> > procedure but by the name BPD/DS.

>

> So you had a DS but the doc just called it an RNY?

>

>

;

NO, I did not have an Rny and most especially, NO MY DOC DIDN'T

'JUST' CALL IT AN RNY TO FOOL ANYONE.

One of the list members who are smarter than I can explain better,

but much of the two procedures actually overlap. There are more

similarities between the two than differences.

Hull, would you care to take a stab at explaining this?

Anyway, I can guarantee that I still have my pyloric valve and that

the two parts of the intestine that are supposed to be switched,

did in fact get switched (hence the term 'Switch').

These are the surgical features that are unique to the Ds and we

always focus on the differences between the two. I think the

reason for not dwelling at all on the similarities is, what's the

point? A patient will getthose features regardless of which

procdure. Since we overlook the similarities, we end up believing

that there are no similarities at all. This is not the case.

I know this is a vague answer. I just remember when my surgeon was

showing me graphically what happens with each procedure, thinking how

similar they actually are.

Hope this is a sufficient answer. Anyone else care to jump in?

gobo

[Guest guest]

Re: This whole DS surgery process...

> ;

> NO, I did not have an Rny and most especially, NO MY DOC DIDN'T

> 'JUST' CALL IT AN RNY TO FOOL ANYONE.

Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I know that my doc has sometimes

" rephrased " things so that the insurance company would cover the cost. I

didn't think that your's lied or anything. I am just having a hard time

understanding all the different terminology. I didn't know that the term

RNY term would come up in a report about a DS is all.

> One of the list members who are smarter than I can explain better,

> but much of the two procedures actually overlap. There are more

> similarities between the two than differences.

See, I didn't know that. I thought they were really different.

> I know this is a vague answer. I just remember when my surgeon was

> showing me graphically what happens with each procedure, thinking how

> similar they actually are.

>

> Hope this is a sufficient answer. Anyone else care to jump in?

I think what you are saying is that the BPD/DS is basically the same thing

as an RNY *except* you keep your stomach and it's just made smaller, and you

keep the duodenum and pyloric valve, but with the RNY you get a " pouch " and

don't keep the duodenum and pyloric vavle. Is that what you are saying? If

so, then a doc could technically call a DS an RNY, but could not call an RNY

a DS. Does even come close to what you are trying to explain to me?

I really didn't mean to imply that your doc was dishonest or that you had a

different surgery than the DS. I'm just confused. That's all. Please

forgive my bumbling questions/statements. K?

[Guest guest]

Re: This whole DS surgery process...

> ;

> NO, I did not have an Rny and most especially, NO MY DOC DIDN'T

> 'JUST' CALL IT AN RNY TO FOOL ANYONE.

Sorry. I didn't mean to upset you. I know that my doc has sometimes

" rephrased " things so that the insurance company would cover the cost. I

didn't think that your's lied or anything. I am just having a hard time

understanding all the different terminology. I didn't know that the term

RNY term would come up in a report about a DS is all.

> One of the list members who are smarter than I can explain better,

> but much of the two procedures actually overlap. There are more

> similarities between the two than differences.

See, I didn't know that. I thought they were really different.

> I know this is a vague answer. I just remember when my surgeon was

> showing me graphically what happens with each procedure, thinking how

> similar they actually are.

>

> Hope this is a sufficient answer. Anyone else care to jump in?

I think what you are saying is that the BPD/DS is basically the same thing

as an RNY *except* you keep your stomach and it's just made smaller, and you

keep the duodenum and pyloric valve, but with the RNY you get a " pouch " and

don't keep the duodenum and pyloric vavle. Is that what you are saying? If

so, then a doc could technically call a DS an RNY, but could not call an RNY

a DS. Does even come close to what you are trying to explain to me?

I really didn't mean to imply that your doc was dishonest or that you had a

different surgery than the DS. I'm just confused. That's all. Please

forgive my bumbling questions/statements. K?