Re: Lap DS or Lap RNY or open DS or...(long)

[Guest guest]

Hello Alyssa,

I could totally understand why anyone would pick lap over open. The recovery

time being the key ingredient. A while back someone posted something that stuck

with me who ever you are I would give you credit if I could remember! Someone

basically said lap or open recovery time will be smoother when you pick a

surgeon who has perfected his technique with his chosen method i.e. lap or open.

When I was researching surgery I went through all the doctors that performed WLS

in network through my health insurance only one Doctor performed the DS.

I knew I wanted to have the DS surgery. I looked at my financial situation and I

knew that as much as I wanted to have my procedure performed lap that the money

would be an issue (I am sorry but that was my reality). But to keep an open mind

I also researched the other doctors that were out of network and went as far as

to set up appointments and contacted their Insurance coordinators. I wanted to

know what to expect as far as out of network. The first office I called the

insurance coordinator was RUDE and did not want to bother with me when I said

out of network. The second office I actually spoke with the surgeon who very

curtly said you are out of network for me and said goodbye. I then ended up at

my surgeons office. Dr. Macura only perform the DS open. I was not happy about

that.

When I went into my consult with him. I asked how many DS's he had performed. I

believe that at that time he had done several hundred. He told me I was a " light

weight " (yeah right) and that because of my " relatively " good health that I was

a great candidate and saw no complications for me. So I thought about it for a

while. I asked him why only did it open. He said he felt comfortable doing open

surgery he liked going in and touching and fiddling with everything (hey

whatever rocks his boat who am I to judge I prefer to shop for some shoes). I

thought about it for a while and I was set to go to my consulation with the lap

surgeon when the secretary called me and post-poned my inital consultation for

another 3 months later. That is when I asked myself " well what do you want " the

answer was the DS.

So I had open DS monday. Thursday I was begging to go home. 3 weeks after

surgery I was antsy and 4 weeks after surgery I was bored out of mind and I

couldnt sit still long enough to " rest " I went back to work on my 5th week

because hey why not I was getting paid. But I could have gotten back sooner.

The important thing is to get as healthy as possible before suregery. So if you

smoke please please please quit. And if it is possible (because it may not be)

try and get some excersize. And do deep breathing (I happen to know of a certain

past time that requires that) . Basically anything that will help you

physically, mentally and emotionally prepare you for the enormity of the trauma

(surgery is) on your body well better prepare you for your time after surgery.

Ok I have bored the beejuses out of everyone on this list!

Lisbeth (aka the long winded)

Dr. Macura

June 25, 2001

Alyssa wrote: Sigh...I have a problem, and I

want to know what y'all think...

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

[Guest guest]

Hello Alyssa,

I could totally understand why anyone would pick lap over open. The recovery

time being the key ingredient. A while back someone posted something that stuck

with me who ever you are I would give you credit if I could remember! Someone

basically said lap or open recovery time will be smoother when you pick a

surgeon who has perfected his technique with his chosen method i.e. lap or open.

When I was researching surgery I went through all the doctors that performed WLS

in network through my health insurance only one Doctor performed the DS.

I knew I wanted to have the DS surgery. I looked at my financial situation and I

knew that as much as I wanted to have my procedure performed lap that the money

would be an issue (I am sorry but that was my reality). But to keep an open mind

I also researched the other doctors that were out of network and went as far as

to set up appointments and contacted their Insurance coordinators. I wanted to

know what to expect as far as out of network. The first office I called the

insurance coordinator was RUDE and did not want to bother with me when I said

out of network. The second office I actually spoke with the surgeon who very

curtly said you are out of network for me and said goodbye. I then ended up at

my surgeons office. Dr. Macura only perform the DS open. I was not happy about

that.

When I went into my consult with him. I asked how many DS's he had performed. I

believe that at that time he had done several hundred. He told me I was a " light

weight " (yeah right) and that because of my " relatively " good health that I was

a great candidate and saw no complications for me. So I thought about it for a

while. I asked him why only did it open. He said he felt comfortable doing open

surgery he liked going in and touching and fiddling with everything (hey

whatever rocks his boat who am I to judge I prefer to shop for some shoes). I

thought about it for a while and I was set to go to my consulation with the lap

surgeon when the secretary called me and post-poned my inital consultation for

another 3 months later. That is when I asked myself " well what do you want " the

answer was the DS.

So I had open DS monday. Thursday I was begging to go home. 3 weeks after

surgery I was antsy and 4 weeks after surgery I was bored out of mind and I

couldnt sit still long enough to " rest " I went back to work on my 5th week

because hey why not I was getting paid. But I could have gotten back sooner.

The important thing is to get as healthy as possible before suregery. So if you

smoke please please please quit. And if it is possible (because it may not be)

try and get some excersize. And do deep breathing (I happen to know of a certain

past time that requires that) . Basically anything that will help you

physically, mentally and emotionally prepare you for the enormity of the trauma

(surgery is) on your body well better prepare you for your time after surgery.

Ok I have bored the beejuses out of everyone on this list!

Lisbeth (aka the long winded)

Dr. Macura

June 25, 2001

Alyssa wrote: Sigh...I have a problem, and I

want to know what y'all think...

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

[Guest guest]

Alyssa..

I was going to stay out of this one, but since you're concerned about

time out of work... I say, don't worry about it.. things happen

whether lap or open. I had lap DS on 5/30 of this year.. I was soo

ready to get back to work... unfortunately, my new plumbing was less

than ready.. so here I sit, 11 weeks out from surgery.. and totally

healthy (as long as there is a bathroom withing bolting distance).

Sometimes now I wish I hadn't been so determined to have a lap

procedure.. cuz it hasn't helped me get back to work any sooner. If I

went back in time, would I do it again? Yes.. but I'd choose the

surgeon I liked most.. not the procedure I wanted to get. And the

surgeon I would choose if I could have any of them would be Hess or

Keshisian.. and they both prefer open.

Besides.. a good friend went with Dr. K... her " huge " open incision

was all of 4 inches long.

Good luck in making your decision-

Hugs,

Liane

[Guest guest]

Alyssa..

I was going to stay out of this one, but since you're concerned about

time out of work... I say, don't worry about it.. things happen

whether lap or open. I had lap DS on 5/30 of this year.. I was soo

ready to get back to work... unfortunately, my new plumbing was less

than ready.. so here I sit, 11 weeks out from surgery.. and totally

healthy (as long as there is a bathroom withing bolting distance).

Sometimes now I wish I hadn't been so determined to have a lap

procedure.. cuz it hasn't helped me get back to work any sooner. If I

went back in time, would I do it again? Yes.. but I'd choose the

surgeon I liked most.. not the procedure I wanted to get. And the

surgeon I would choose if I could have any of them would be Hess or

Keshisian.. and they both prefer open.

Besides.. a good friend went with Dr. K... her " huge " open incision

was all of 4 inches long.

Good luck in making your decision-

Hugs,

Liane

[Guest guest]

Re: Lap DS or Lap RNY or open DS or...(long)

>could remember! Someone basically said lap or open recovery time will be

smoother when you pick a >surgeon who has perfected his technique with his

chosen method i.e. lap or open.

Wow...that makes perfect sense. Better a doctor who is comfortable with

open than new or uncomfortable with lap?

> The important thing is to get as healthy as possible before suregery. So

if you smoke please please

Aside from the possible sleep apnea and high cholesterol (and the extra 130

lbs), I " m pretty healthy. Yesterday, I did 40 minutes on the treadmill

without any problem. I saw one post from someone recommending that pre-ops

work hard on drinking enough water and eating plenty of protein to speed

recovery...that made sense, too, so I've been working hard again at drinking

more water than Diet Coke.

Thank you, Lisbeth, for sharing your journey!!

alyssa

[Guest guest]

Re: Lap DS or Lap RNY or open DS or...(long)

>could remember! Someone basically said lap or open recovery time will be

smoother when you pick a >surgeon who has perfected his technique with his

chosen method i.e. lap or open.

Wow...that makes perfect sense. Better a doctor who is comfortable with

open than new or uncomfortable with lap?

> The important thing is to get as healthy as possible before suregery. So

if you smoke please please

Aside from the possible sleep apnea and high cholesterol (and the extra 130

lbs), I " m pretty healthy. Yesterday, I did 40 minutes on the treadmill

without any problem. I saw one post from someone recommending that pre-ops

work hard on drinking enough water and eating plenty of protein to speed

recovery...that made sense, too, so I've been working hard again at drinking

more water than Diet Coke.

Thank you, Lisbeth, for sharing your journey!!

alyssa

[Guest guest]

Alyssa,

You are doing the right thing by being proactive i.e. the treadmill, water and

protein. I have the feeling you are going to have a much easier time post opt as

a result! Please keep us posted.

Lisbeth

Dr. Macura

June 25, 2001

Alyssa wrote:

Re: Lap DS or Lap RNY or open DS or...(long)

>could remember! Someone basically said lap or open recovery time will be

smoother when you pick a >surgeon who has perfected his technique with his

chosen method i.e. lap or open.

Wow...that makes perfect sense. Better a doctor who is comfortable with

open than new or uncomfortable with lap?

> The important thing is to get as healthy as possible before suregery. So

if you smoke please please

Aside from the possible sleep apnea and high cholesterol (and the extra 130

lbs), I " m pretty healthy. Yesterday, I did 40 minutes on the treadmill

without any problem. I saw one post from someone recommending that pre-ops

work hard on drinking enough water and eating plenty of protein to speed

recovery...that made sense, too, so I've been working hard again at drinking

more water than Diet Coke.

Thank you, Lisbeth, for sharing your journey!!

alyssa

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

[Guest guest]

Alyssa,

You are doing the right thing by being proactive i.e. the treadmill, water and

protein. I have the feeling you are going to have a much easier time post opt as

a result! Please keep us posted.

Lisbeth

Dr. Macura

June 25, 2001

Alyssa wrote:

Re: Lap DS or Lap RNY or open DS or...(long)

>could remember! Someone basically said lap or open recovery time will be

smoother when you pick a >surgeon who has perfected his technique with his

chosen method i.e. lap or open.

Wow...that makes perfect sense. Better a doctor who is comfortable with

open than new or uncomfortable with lap?

> The important thing is to get as healthy as possible before suregery. So

if you smoke please please

Aside from the possible sleep apnea and high cholesterol (and the extra 130

lbs), I " m pretty healthy. Yesterday, I did 40 minutes on the treadmill

without any problem. I saw one post from someone recommending that pre-ops

work hard on drinking enough water and eating plenty of protein to speed

recovery...that made sense, too, so I've been working hard again at drinking

more water than Diet Coke.

Thank you, Lisbeth, for sharing your journey!!

alyssa

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