Re: Could really use some reassuring words here ...

August 17, 2001

One of my switch sisters had complications and had a significant part

of her small intestine removed post DS. They put her back together

without the DS. She has had at least 2 DS surgeons tell her that she

can be revised to a DS despite the removal of a big hunk of her small

intestine.

Check out other DS surgeons. They may be willing to do this. And

armed with that info you may be able to talk with Dr H about changing

his mind.

Just my $.02 yank

in Seattle

> Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

> reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? Maybe Dr. Herron is

just

> overly cautious ??

>

August 17, 2001

Again--I pose the question of perhaps going the " sleeve gastrectomy "

route--the 1st part of the 2 part surgery.

Or perhaps the sleeve gastrectomy with a proximal or medial bypass.

You may be upset--but keep pursuing with other surgeons and pose this

alternative to them.

It's the sleeve gastrectomy---where the stomach that is left

anatomically correct that is the portion you most want. I can't

imagine a doc suggesting a pure RNY procedure over DS because of the

bowel issue, the RNY will raise the same issues with the large

intestine (ie.. colon-)that a DS would.

Hang in there--keep talking to the docs. Get your records together

and your surgical reports as well as an assessment of your current

bowel habits--and send a letter summarizing this to all the DS

surgeons that are within a reasonable distance for you. Pose the

various options and see what happens. Some docs are more

conservative--or just want to filter out possible comps. IBD is an

autoimmune disease and I may be wrong--but a surgeon may be afraid of

waking the sleeping giant with the trauma of surgery.

There are alot of surgeons--and options--don't give up.

Pammi

> I have an appt. with Dr. Herron in November, which was to discuss

his

> doing BPD/DS surgery. Like (another memeber of this group),

I

> have had colon surgery, due to diverticulitis (I had a minimal

amount

> of sigmoid colon removed). Dr. Herron told he would not

> consider doing the BPD/DS on him due to this, so I shot Dr. Herron

a

> note asking if I would automatically be out of the running for the

> surgery. He basically said that he would not do it because of the

> implications of severe diarrhea and suggested I consider a gastric

> bypass with a mid-length Roux limb or possible lap band.

>

> Let's just say that I can barely see through the tears to type this

> note. I don't know of anything good about the gastric bypass, and

I

> certainly don't want weight re-gain in 5 to 8 years and certainly

> won't want to have a revision done to address that when it happens.

> I know I form adhesions from surgeries, and I just visualize myself

> gagging because adhesions will close off the very tine opening from

> the stomach into the intestines .... you know, right before I would

> throw up anyway ...

>

> Like , I question not doing anything and just dying fat and

> miserable instead ...

>

> Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

> reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? Maybe Dr. Herron is

just

> overly cautious ??

>

> I'm absolutely devastated.

August 17, 2001

Again--I pose the question of perhaps going the " sleeve gastrectomy "

route--the 1st part of the 2 part surgery.

Or perhaps the sleeve gastrectomy with a proximal or medial bypass.

You may be upset--but keep pursuing with other surgeons and pose this

alternative to them.

It's the sleeve gastrectomy---where the stomach that is left

anatomically correct that is the portion you most want. I can't

imagine a doc suggesting a pure RNY procedure over DS because of the

bowel issue, the RNY will raise the same issues with the large

intestine (ie.. colon-)that a DS would.

Hang in there--keep talking to the docs. Get your records together

and your surgical reports as well as an assessment of your current

bowel habits--and send a letter summarizing this to all the DS

surgeons that are within a reasonable distance for you. Pose the

various options and see what happens. Some docs are more

conservative--or just want to filter out possible comps. IBD is an

autoimmune disease and I may be wrong--but a surgeon may be afraid of

waking the sleeping giant with the trauma of surgery.

There are alot of surgeons--and options--don't give up.

Pammi

> I have an appt. with Dr. Herron in November, which was to discuss

his

> doing BPD/DS surgery. Like (another memeber of this group),

I

> have had colon surgery, due to diverticulitis (I had a minimal

amount

> of sigmoid colon removed). Dr. Herron told he would not

> consider doing the BPD/DS on him due to this, so I shot Dr. Herron

a

> note asking if I would automatically be out of the running for the

> surgery. He basically said that he would not do it because of the

> implications of severe diarrhea and suggested I consider a gastric

> bypass with a mid-length Roux limb or possible lap band.

>

> Let's just say that I can barely see through the tears to type this

> note. I don't know of anything good about the gastric bypass, and

I

> certainly don't want weight re-gain in 5 to 8 years and certainly

> won't want to have a revision done to address that when it happens.

> I know I form adhesions from surgeries, and I just visualize myself

> gagging because adhesions will close off the very tine opening from

> the stomach into the intestines .... you know, right before I would

> throw up anyway ...

>

> Like , I question not doing anything and just dying fat and

> miserable instead ...

>

> Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

> reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? Maybe Dr. Herron is

just

> overly cautious ??

>

> I'm absolutely devastated.

August 17, 2001

At 12:26 PM +0000 8/17/01, joostema@... wrote:

>...

>Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

>reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? Maybe Dr. Herron is just

>overly cautious ??

>

I could just feel the disappointment that gripped your body as I read

your note. You must be feeling totally awful. But I am glad to see

that you have not given up.

You could try Dr. Hazem Elariny in Virginia (suburban Washington,

D.C.) He is a superb surgeon. I know that he is cautious, but he

might have a different outlook than Dr. Herron.

Hazem A. Elariny, MD, PhD, FACS

Advanced Laparoscopic and General Surgery Associates, PLLC

1635 N Mason Dr

Suite 455

Arlington, VA 22205

(Phone)

(Fax)

Good luck.

--Steve

--

Steve Goldstein, age 61

Lap BPD/DS on May 2, 2001

Dr. Elariny, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Virginia

Starting (05/02/01) BMI = 51

BMI on 08/07 = 42

August 17, 2001

At 12:26 PM +0000 8/17/01, joostema@... wrote:

>...

>Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

>reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? Maybe Dr. Herron is just

>overly cautious ??

>

I could just feel the disappointment that gripped your body as I read

your note. You must be feeling totally awful. But I am glad to see

that you have not given up.

You could try Dr. Hazem Elariny in Virginia (suburban Washington,

D.C.) He is a superb surgeon. I know that he is cautious, but he

might have a different outlook than Dr. Herron.

Hazem A. Elariny, MD, PhD, FACS

Advanced Laparoscopic and General Surgery Associates, PLLC

1635 N Mason Dr

Suite 455

Arlington, VA 22205

(Phone)

(Fax)

Good luck.

--Steve

--

Steve Goldstein, age 61

Lap BPD/DS on May 2, 2001

Dr. Elariny, INOVA Fairfax Hospital, Virginia

Starting (05/02/01) BMI = 51

BMI on 08/07 = 42

August 17, 2001

Pammi,

Wow ... you're right, and what you had to say makes me feel better already.

I have sent

another note to Dr. Herron, asking why he can't just adjust the common

channel to

compensate for potential diarrhea complications (which I guess is similar

to what you're

saying). I would prefer just the sleeve gastrectomy portion with the

malabsorptive piece

before I would prefer the adjustable lap band and all of it's

complications.

I will pursue as you have suggested ... I had already decided I would try

to get an appt.

with Dr. in Georgia (this will take an act of God), but I will try.

There is also a Dr.

Elariny (sp) in Virginia that I am hearing nothing but good things about.

I'd hug you if you were here, Pammi.

Bye,

Donna

psbilyeu@yahoo

.com To: duodenalswitch

cc:

08/17/2001 Subject: Re: Could

really use some reassuring words

09:55 AM here ...

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

Again--I pose the question of perhaps going the " sleeve gastrectomy "

route--the 1st part of the 2 part surgery.

Or perhaps the sleeve gastrectomy with a proximal or medial bypass.

You may be upset--but keep pursuing with other surgeons and pose this

alternative to them.

It's the sleeve gastrectomy---where the stomach that is left

anatomically correct that is the portion you most want. I can't

imagine a doc suggesting a pure RNY procedure over DS because of the

bowel issue, the RNY will raise the same issues with the large

intestine (ie.. colon-)that a DS would.

Hang in there--keep talking to the docs. Get your records together

and your surgical reports as well as an assessment of your current

bowel habits--and send a letter summarizing this to all the DS

surgeons that are within a reasonable distance for you. Pose the

various options and see what happens. Some docs are more

conservative--or just want to filter out possible comps. IBD is an

autoimmune disease and I may be wrong--but a surgeon may be afraid of

waking the sleeping giant with the trauma of surgery.

There are alot of surgeons--and options--don't give up.

Pammi

> I have an appt. with Dr. Herron in November, which was to discuss

his

> doing BPD/DS surgery. Like (another memeber of this group),

I

> have had colon surgery, due to diverticulitis (I had a minimal

amount

> of sigmoid colon removed). Dr. Herron told he would not

> consider doing the BPD/DS on him due to this, so I shot Dr. Herron

a

> note asking if I would automatically be out of the running for the

> surgery. He basically said that he would not do it because of the

> implications of severe diarrhea and suggested I consider a gastric

> bypass with a mid-length Roux limb or possible lap band.

>

> Let's just say that I can barely see through the tears to type this

> note. I don't know of anything good about the gastric bypass, and

I

> certainly don't want weight re-gain in 5 to 8 years and certainly

> won't want to have a revision done to address that when it happens.

> I know I form adhesions from surgeries, and I just visualize myself

> gagging because adhesions will close off the very tine opening from

> the stomach into the intestines .... you know, right before I would

> throw up anyway ...

>

> Like , I question not doing anything and just dying fat and

> miserable instead ...

>

> Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

> reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? Maybe Dr. Herron is

just

> overly cautious ??

>

> I'm absolutely devastated.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 17, 2001

Pammi,

Wow ... you're right, and what you had to say makes me feel better already.

I have sent

another note to Dr. Herron, asking why he can't just adjust the common

channel to

compensate for potential diarrhea complications (which I guess is similar

to what you're

saying). I would prefer just the sleeve gastrectomy portion with the

malabsorptive piece

before I would prefer the adjustable lap band and all of it's

complications.

I will pursue as you have suggested ... I had already decided I would try

to get an appt.

with Dr. in Georgia (this will take an act of God), but I will try.

There is also a Dr.

Elariny (sp) in Virginia that I am hearing nothing but good things about.

I'd hug you if you were here, Pammi.

Bye,

Donna

psbilyeu@yahoo

.com To: duodenalswitch

cc:

08/17/2001 Subject: Re: Could

really use some reassuring words

09:55 AM here ...

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

Again--I pose the question of perhaps going the " sleeve gastrectomy "

route--the 1st part of the 2 part surgery.

Or perhaps the sleeve gastrectomy with a proximal or medial bypass.

You may be upset--but keep pursuing with other surgeons and pose this

alternative to them.

It's the sleeve gastrectomy---where the stomach that is left

anatomically correct that is the portion you most want. I can't

imagine a doc suggesting a pure RNY procedure over DS because of the

bowel issue, the RNY will raise the same issues with the large

intestine (ie.. colon-)that a DS would.

Hang in there--keep talking to the docs. Get your records together

and your surgical reports as well as an assessment of your current

bowel habits--and send a letter summarizing this to all the DS

surgeons that are within a reasonable distance for you. Pose the

various options and see what happens. Some docs are more

conservative--or just want to filter out possible comps. IBD is an

autoimmune disease and I may be wrong--but a surgeon may be afraid of

waking the sleeping giant with the trauma of surgery.

There are alot of surgeons--and options--don't give up.

Pammi

> I have an appt. with Dr. Herron in November, which was to discuss

his

> doing BPD/DS surgery. Like (another memeber of this group),

I

> have had colon surgery, due to diverticulitis (I had a minimal

amount

> of sigmoid colon removed). Dr. Herron told he would not

> consider doing the BPD/DS on him due to this, so I shot Dr. Herron

a

> note asking if I would automatically be out of the running for the

> surgery. He basically said that he would not do it because of the

> implications of severe diarrhea and suggested I consider a gastric

> bypass with a mid-length Roux limb or possible lap band.

>

> Let's just say that I can barely see through the tears to type this

> note. I don't know of anything good about the gastric bypass, and

I

> certainly don't want weight re-gain in 5 to 8 years and certainly

> won't want to have a revision done to address that when it happens.

> I know I form adhesions from surgeries, and I just visualize myself

> gagging because adhesions will close off the very tine opening from

> the stomach into the intestines .... you know, right before I would

> throw up anyway ...

>

> Like , I question not doing anything and just dying fat and

> miserable instead ...

>

> Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

> reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? Maybe Dr. Herron is

just

> overly cautious ??

>

> I'm absolutely devastated.

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 17, 2001

(((Hugs))) to you as well!!

Get all the portions of the anatomy clear in your mind--then you'll

be able to discuss this with a clear understanding of what parts are

affected by what. I think if you type in " anatomy " in the search--

you may be able to get some pics of the intestines for you to get

your bearings.

Pammi

August 17, 2001

(((Hugs))) to you as well!!

Get all the portions of the anatomy clear in your mind--then you'll

be able to discuss this with a clear understanding of what parts are

affected by what. I think if you type in " anatomy " in the search--

you may be able to get some pics of the intestines for you to get

your bearings.

Pammi

August 17, 2001

Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? >>>>>

Why not give Dr Welker a try and see what he says? Hes pretty open, and

will explore all the options you might have.... If you send him an email he

will get back to you!

Judie

August 17, 2001

Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? >>>>>

Why not give Dr Welker a try and see what he says? Hes pretty open, and

will explore all the options you might have.... If you send him an email he

will get back to you!

Judie

August 17, 2001

As always, thanks Pammi ! I will do this.

psbilyeu@yahoo

.com To: duodenalswitch

cc:

08/17/2001 Subject: Re: Could

really use some reassuring words

10:20 AM here ...

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

(((Hugs))) to you as well!!

Get all the portions of the anatomy clear in your mind--then you'll

be able to discuss this with a clear understanding of what parts are

affected by what. I think if you type in " anatomy " in the search--

you may be able to get some pics of the intestines for you to get

your bearings.

Pammi

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 17, 2001

As always, thanks Pammi ! I will do this.

psbilyeu@yahoo

.com To: duodenalswitch

cc:

08/17/2001 Subject: Re: Could

really use some reassuring words

10:20 AM here ...

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

(((Hugs))) to you as well!!

Get all the portions of the anatomy clear in your mind--then you'll

be able to discuss this with a clear understanding of what parts are

affected by what. I think if you type in " anatomy " in the search--

you may be able to get some pics of the intestines for you to get

your bearings.

Pammi

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 17, 2001

Judie,

Hi, and thanks for the info. I have heard of Dr. Welker (in that I've seen

his name

mentioned in the group). Where is he located ? Do you, by chance, have

his

e-mail address ?

Thanks,

Donna

" Judie Hensel "

<jhensel@cybrq To:

uest.com> cc:

Subject: Re: Could

really use some reassuring words

08/17/2001 here ...

10:53 AM

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? >>>>>

Why not give Dr Welker a try and see what he says? Hes pretty open, and

will explore all the options you might have.... If you send him an email

he

will get back to you!

Judie

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 17, 2001

Judie,

Hi, and thanks for the info. I have heard of Dr. Welker (in that I've seen

his name

mentioned in the group). Where is he located ? Do you, by chance, have

his

e-mail address ?

Thanks,

Donna

" Judie Hensel "

<jhensel@cybrq To:

uest.com> cc:

Subject: Re: Could

really use some reassuring words

08/17/2001 here ...

10:53 AM

Please respond

to

duodenalswitch

Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? >>>>>

Why not give Dr Welker a try and see what he says? Hes pretty open, and

will explore all the options you might have.... If you send him an email

he

will get back to you!

Judie

----------------------------------------------------------------------

August 17, 2001

I have heard of Dr. Welker (in that I've seen

> his name

> mentioned in the group). Where is he located ? Do you, by chance, have

> his

> e-mail address ?>>>>>>

Dr Welker is in Eugene, Oregon. Even if you dont use him, it is worth

discussing with him what your options might be in this situation. Hes one

of the most kind and understanding surgeons I have ever met....no, I take

that back.......he IS the BEST and truly cares about his patients! He also

lets you be a part of your treatment plans.....he values your input.

You can reach him via email at:

jkwelker@...

If he is busy he will surely get back to you as soon as he can......

Hugs, Judie

August 17, 2001

I have heard of Dr. Welker (in that I've seen

> his name

> mentioned in the group). Where is he located ? Do you, by chance, have

> his

> e-mail address ?>>>>>>

Dr Welker is in Eugene, Oregon. Even if you dont use him, it is worth

discussing with him what your options might be in this situation. Hes one

of the most kind and understanding surgeons I have ever met....no, I take

that back.......he IS the BEST and truly cares about his patients! He also

lets you be a part of your treatment plans.....he values your input.

You can reach him via email at:

jkwelker@...

If he is busy he will surely get back to you as soon as he can......

Hugs, Judie

August 17, 2001

Judie,

I have just shot Dr. Welker an e-mail and will wait patiently await his

response.

(Well ... not really 'patiently', but I will wait.)

Thanks again,

Donna

August 17, 2001

Judie,

I have just shot Dr. Welker an e-mail and will wait patiently await his

response.

(Well ... not really 'patiently', but I will wait.)

Thanks again,

Donna

August 17, 2001

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Donna}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I understand your dilemma.. has your previous surgery caused you to

have chronic diarrhea? Do you currently have normal BMs? It does

seem to me that while on paper yes, it increases the risk of diarrhea,

so does having a shorter common channel- but everyone is different. I

suggest that you contact other surgeons and tell them the details, and

ask about possibly doing a longer common channel to make up for the

other surgery. Ask them what they think. You might have more preop

testing, but in the end, you also may successfully have your

chosen surgery. It can't hurt to ask, right?

(BTW.. same deal to - get a second opinion).

Hugs,

Liane

> I have an appt. with Dr. Herron in November, which was to discuss

his

> doing BPD/DS surgery. Like (another memeber of this group), I

> have had colon surgery, due to diverticulitis (I had a minimal

amount

> of sigmoid colon removed). Dr. Herron told he would not

> consider doing the BPD/DS on him due to this, so I shot Dr. Herron a

> note asking if I would automatically be out of the running for the

> surgery. He basically said that he would not do it because of the

> implications of severe diarrhea and suggested I consider a gastric

> bypass with a mid-length Roux limb or possible lap band.

>

> Let's just say that I can barely see through the tears to type this

> note. I don't know of anything good about the gastric bypass, and I

> certainly don't want weight re-gain in 5 to 8 years and certainly

> won't want to have a revision done to address that when it happens.

> I know I form adhesions from surgeries, and I just visualize myself

> gagging because adhesions will close off the very tine opening from

> the stomach into the intestines .... you know, right before I would

> throw up anyway ...

>

> Like , I question not doing anything and just dying fat and

> miserable instead ...

>

> Does anyone know of anyone else who had colon surgery and found a

> reputable doctor that would do the BPD/DS ? Maybe Dr. Herron is

just

> overly cautious ??

>

> I'm absolutely devastated.

August 17, 2001

Lian,

Hi )

I'm in a somewhat better frame of mind than this morning. I have

sent Dr. Herron an e-mail asking why we couldn't make some

minor revisions to the traditional DS surgery and still accomplish

good results. I asked him about a shorter channel, and maybe

even the possibility of just the sleeve gastrectomy. I don't anticipate

hearing from him again until Monday morning.

In the interim, with the caring assistance of so many wonderful

people out here in the groups, I have decided to pursue other

opinions in the event Dr. Herron remains too 'cautious' to

proceed. I lost a very small amount of bowel and can't see that

this should hinder the surgery. I don't have diarrthea now and

never have ... go figure ...

I am hoping to hear from Dr. Welker and Dr. Hess's offices and

am also going to contact Dr. Elariny. Any others you would

suggest I contact ?

Thanks so much, Lian ... I'm feeling a little better.

Bye,

Donna

" Lili F. "

<LiliFrench@ev To: duodenalswitch

1.net> cc:

Subject: Re: Could

really use some reassuring words

08/17/2001 here ...

02:43 PM