ds surgery long distance?

Trish06
on 5/26/12 5:26 pm

Hi all,
I have been lurking around this site for a while and have posted very little. I started a weight loss program here in Maine I've gone to the semiar and have my nut and PT classes booked into June. When I first thought about having wls I thought I wanted the band but decided quickly I didn't want that. I really like everything I'm reading about the DS but there are no surgeons in NE that do ds surgery. I'm just wondering if anyone else travel a long way to have ds surgery and how they went about it. Did you have all your test, do your appointments and classes all local then just go do the surgery in another state, with after care being back at home?

BTW i weigh 255 and i'm 5'6" have a BMI of 40 with High Blood pressure. I've been over weight my entire life my first diet was at 8 years old i'm now 54, sure i've lost weight over the years and gained it back over and over again like many. I'm just so scared I'll have the sleeve lose the weight and down the road i'll be gaining it back. I do stay active even today all though it does hurt more then it use to. I even have a job where I'm on my feet and walking 8 hours a day.

appreciate any input thanks,
Trish

juliew
on 5/26/12 5:45 pm - Manteca, CA

Hi Trish,

My mom had her DS done by a surgeon about 3 hours south of her. And I've heard of other people going out of state to have their surgery done. Sorry I don't really have any specifics, but someone else who has done it should answer. I just wanted to say it has been done.

Julie

smileyjamie72
on 5/26/12 6:41 pm, edited 5/28/12 9:18 pm - Palmer, AK

DS on 12/29/11 with

Trish,

I traveled from Alaska for my RNY in 2002, and last December, traveled again for my revision surgery, down to California, RNY to DS. You probably will not have to travel as far as that, but yes, it is doable.

Have you looked at DSFacts.com website to look for a vetted DS surgeon near you? It is in your best interest!!!! Also, check out this website/messageboard: http://weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=talk

RNY 2/26/2002
HW 317
SW 298
LW 151 in 2003 TT 4/9/2003

DS 12/29/2011
SW 263 BMI 45.1
CW 192 BMI 32.9~60% EWL

Normal BMI 24.8 is my GOAL!!!

GBP (RNY) 2/26/02 298 lbs, TT 4/9/03 151 lbs, DS 12/29/11
HW 317 SW 263 BMI 45.1/CW 192 BMI 32.9/GW 145 ~ Normal BMI 24.8
**Revision Journey started 3/2009 Approved 12/12/11**

Granny_Rue
on 5/26/12 11:00 pm - LINCOLN, NE

Just a clarifications -- do you mean DSfacts.com? Not DSFcats.com?

smileyjamie72
on 5/28/12 9:20 pm - Palmer, AK

DS on 12/29/11 with

Yes, DSfacts.com .............. Just corrected my poor spellng!!!!
http://www.dsfacts.com/

RNY 2/26/2002
HW 317
SW 298
LW 151 in 2003 TT 4/9/2003

DS 12/29/2011
SW 263 BMI 45.1
CW 192 BMI 32.9~60% EWL

Normal BMI 24.8 is my GOAL!!!

GBP (RNY) 2/26/02 298 lbs, TT 4/9/03 151 lbs, DS 12/29/11
HW 317 SW 263 BMI 45.1/CW 192 BMI 32.9/GW 145 ~ Normal BMI 24.8
**Revision Journey started 3/2009 Approved 12/12/11**

teachmid
on 5/26/12 7:17 pm - OKC, OK

Revision on 12/15/10 with

I traveled from Oklahoma to California for my revision. I did my prep labs, etc with my PCP. My nutrition and psych consults were on the phone.

There are people who travel out of the country. It's doable.

-Gail-
SW 257 CW 169 GW 165

Trish06
on 5/27/12 3:22 am

Thanks for your replies. I have checked out dsfacts.com there is much information there. I looked for a doctor there and about the closest to me is in NY I'm in Maine. I guess I would have to go back to my pcp and start over at this point so not sure what i'm going to do. I will continue to research.

Thanks again,
Trish

southernlady5464
on 5/27/12 5:54 am

DS on 01/24/11 with

Trish, my husband went to NYC from where we are in TN...would do it again in a heartbeat! Our PCP handles all his follow up.

Liz

Trish06
on 5/27/12 3:28 pm

What doctor did he see in NY if you don't mind me asking?

Thanks,
Trish

southernlady5464
on 5/27/12 3:47 pm

DS on 01/24/11 with

He had Dr. Alfons Pomp at NYC/Weill Cornell. I wanted to use him too but MY insurance company insisted I stay in state if possible.

Liz

Trish06
on 5/27/12 4:45 pm

I checked out the website thanks. He certainly has many good reviews. Do you mind me asking how you went about all your appointments up to the surgery date? Did you have to travel there for each dietitian, consultation etc?

southernlady5464
on 5/28/12 7:00 am

DS on 01/24/11 with

No problem, ask away!

We did most of the appts needed here with the help of our PCP who was more than willing to be the go between.

By the time we had to travel to NYC it was the weekend before surgery so he could get all his appts in in one day (a Monday)...the nut, the surgeon, and the hospital pre-op. Then we waited around and wanted to sightsee but it was too blasted cold that Dec. His surgery was on Thursday...and we left one week later.

Then we did go back for a 6 month checkup since we were traveling up to NY state anyway...so we did a day in NYC to take care of the follow up. The other followups he's had have been with the nut over the phone and thru email...they send what needs to be done and we tote it off to our PCP. Mostly lab work. The surgeon doesn't do actual follow ups over the phone so the only ones he's talked to are the nut and PA that way. But we COULD have done the 6 month follow up on the phone and thru our PCP if we hadn't already been going that direction.

Having a cooperative PCP in your corner makes it easy to handle long distance.

Liz

JazzyOne9254
on 5/27/12 8:11 am

I traveled two hours by car/non-emergency medical transport to have my DS. I just lucked out and had a surgeon within my state who accepted Medicare/Medicaid. The DS is part of my plan to get off disability.

Traveling for it is OK, but I would try to limit the distance to a reasonable trip if you have complications early out. Also key is having a PCP who will allow you to educate him/her about your procedure and your specific needs.

I worry about the people who go to Mexico or Canada from thousands of miles away, or even great distances within the United States.

HW 405/SW 397/CW 182/GW 160
The DS is *THE* solution to Severe Morbid Obesity! Check the stats!

Sandra C.
on 5/27/12 11:35 am - Kalamazoo, MI

I found a D.S. surgeon and in house team to cover all the insurance requirements an hour drive away. Its very doable for me. Be sure to find a surgeon at a "Center of Excellence" with lots of D.S. experience. There are "Top" Docs in the East, Middle, and West of the country. No need to travel too far from home. Labs and follow up care can be done through your PCP.

Duodenal Switch- lap
Dr. Paul. Kemmeter Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr. John Renucci, Plastics, Body contouring,Grand Rapids, Mi.
Start 255/ Surgery wt 235/ Current wt. 117

BMI-20, 135 lbs lost, 5'3"

Trish06
on 5/27/12 3:25 pm

I really appreciate all the input. I had read about the ds surgery and couldnt find anyone that did it around me and figured I'd have the sleeve but the closer I get to all my appointments through this program the more I feel like I'm doing the wrong thing. I just want to have one surgery and I really feel like the DS is for me. I think what I will do is call my pcp on Tuesday and go in and talk with her about this and how I feel.

I tried looking for doctors closer to me but the closest I see is in NY which for me I'm looking at 10 to 12 hour ride by car :( but you are all making me feel like this is doable. I do have insurance Aetna they do pay for DS but who knows if they will think its necessary enough for me to have that they will pay for it in another state.

Sandra C.
on 5/27/12 7:25 pm - Kalamazoo, MI

Hi Trish,
I am glad you are taking the time now before any surgery to look at all your options. Driving 10 hrs seems more difficult than flying. If you stayed in a hotel in the city where your surgeon is, you could choose your surgeon from a wider group of established D.S. surgeons. Who ever you choose needs to have lots of experience with the D.S., if you go with the D.S. I am very happy I didnt have the VSG or any of the others. The D.S. has ben the best for me with quick weight loss, and being able to have all the protein I ever want any time. With the VSG they have to watch carbs way more closely, and portion size and calories. I never have to count calories ever again.

Back to the long distance Surgery. Post surgery I was sore, but with a laparoscopic procedure I could have taken a plane traveling with my husband, or someone to accompany me. You would be able to walk, and be taken around the airport in a wheelchair. My daughter used one while recovering from hip surgery. A car ride is more difficult with stop/start, curves, sitting so many hours. I found the 1 hr drive home a bit uncomfortable, but I did have good meds for pain. We drive a lot long distance. I dont think I could do it for 10 hrs the day or two after surgery. You could stay a few more days in a hotel, then drive 10 hrs. that way you would be close for any post op problems.

The D.S. is the best, I love mine. I never thought I could get to 126 today. My surgeon said I could lose a bit more because I am 5'2". Check out my before and after pics on this site, click on "Patient Stories, mine is first. Dr Kemmeter is a terrificly tallented surgeon, and GHP is a "Center of Excellence". Dont go to any surgeon who doesnt have this award. I would fly to him if I had to for the D.S.

http://www.grandhealthpartners.com/default

Duodenal Switch- lap
Dr. Paul. Kemmeter Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr. John Renucci, Plastics, Body contouring,Grand Rapids, Mi.
Start 255/ Surgery wt 235/ Current wt. 117

BMI-20, 135 lbs lost, 5'3"

Trish06
on 5/28/12 2:37 pm

Thanks for sharing Sandra, I read your story wow and grats on a great job of getting the weight off. I'm still searching programs and doctors. I'm calling my pcp tomorrow for an appointment to talk to her about it all. I know I shouldnt think this way but I"m so worried I'll have the sleeve then 5 years down the road gain it back I think it scares me because of all the diets I've done over the years and gained my weight back. I only want to do this once! :)

Sandra C.
on 5/28/12 2:59 pm, edited 5/28/12 3:09 pm - Kalamazoo, MI

Trish,
Picking a surgeon, and his pre and post care is the most important part of all. Take your time, research, read, read, read the boards and info sites. I printed everything I could find, for a notebook to help me decide. Then something majical happened, after the second surgeons intro seminar. It all came together for me, and I knew it was the D.S., and Dr. Kemmeter I wanted for my surgery. The reason being that he was the kind of person I would be comfortable working with on my health. The presentation of all the surgeries was detailed, and he took his time to teach us all the fine points. This was so opposite from the first , impersonal seminar I attended the week before in my home town. As I look back now and see all the care GHP has given me over these 9 months, it was a truly unique experience, I wish everyone could go through WLS with this kind of personal attention.

Sandra ;-)

Duodenal Switch- lap
Dr. Paul. Kemmeter Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr. John Renucci, Plastics, Body contouring,Grand Rapids, Mi.
Start 255/ Surgery wt 235/ Current wt. 117

BMI-20, 135 lbs lost, 5'3"

southernlady5464
on 5/28/12 7:03 am

DS on 01/24/11 with

We did the trip by train to go to NYC....would have been a 12 hour drive and it was easier on the train...my husband could get up and walk any time he felt like it without us having to find a spot, pull over, and take the time to actually stop.

And depending on your insurance, they MIGHT pay for the trip (after the fact). Ours did.

Liz

Trish06
on 5/28/12 2:40 pm

Thats an idea to keep in mind Liz but I can only do the train from Boston to NY from Boston to my house I would have to do car or bus. I can check into flights also. I never thought about it buy maybe my insurance would pay for some of it where there are no doctors here that do the surgery. I will have to give Aetna a call. Thanks :)

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ds surgery long distance?