Hi

August 24, 2001

Hello, All--

My name is Cathy. I've been reading all the posts for about a week

now and really appreciate the information you all so willingly share.

I'm pretty bummed out because after deciding to have wls and

learning of the various types available, I've realized that DS seems

the only logical one to have. Now, this decision has happened

recently but began after having a " consult " with a local wls surgeon

that took me 2 months to get in to. This consult was 8/16 and I was

sooo excited until he explained how wls worked -- he does only

vertical banded gastronomies -- and I heard that after Major surgery

I could expect to lose only 40%-55% of my excess weight and vomit

after roughly 2-3 bites of food........HUH?? I thought!! There had to

be a better way. Anyway, I decided that perhaps I should do a little

research which is when someone referred me to several websites, which

led me here ( among others). The referrer has had RNY and talked it

up as well as mentioning DS but cautioning me that it

caused " uncontrollable diarrhea and flatulance, with EXTREME odors "

(seemed like a negative thing to me!)

I'm rambling, sorry. Anyway, I learned on the duodenalswitch.com

website that there was an experienced DS surgeon right here in Omaha

and emailed Dr. Sudan asking how soon I could get an appointment to

see him and he responded the next day saying " perhaps very soon " and

asking for some bio and where I was located. After my answering

email his nurse emailed me that the earliest she could get me in is

April, 2002. Isn't that a little excessive?? or is that the norm

for all of you. I wanted to ask him what the problem was..aren't I

fat enough (270 at 5'6 " ), or ill enough (only asthma and knee

problems and major water retention and a minor valve thing from 4 yrs

of phen-fen) or young enough (51) or what???

I would really like to get going on this so I could have surgery in

January, 2002, since that works best for me at work. Also, I quit

smoking 6 wks ago (for the 5th and FINAL time) and am now gaining

wait steadily and may pop by April. LOL. I've gained 50-60 lbs. each

of the last 3 times I quit. May be why I started again.

So..........suggestions?? I could travel if I could find a

competent surgeon who would see me in a reasonable time. Is it

feasable to be out of town and away from those who would help me out

right after surgery? Would I have to stay in a motel for some length

of time?

I'll check in again tomorrow night and will appreciate any advice.

Anyone out there who's used Dr. Sudan or heard anything, good or bad,

about him? I can't wait until the day that I'm post op and posting

loss results and breathing easy again.

Thanks, Katz

August 24, 2001