Dr. Roslin and revision from VSG to DS

I have been reading about Dr. Roslin and I like what I see. He's the first surgeon with published articles that I have been able to readily find--and read! I'm sure all the docs are published, but there is something about Dr. Roslin that I like. He seems very approachable in both his written and spoken words. (I feel like a stalker, I've been watching his videos on his website)

What I don't like, of course, is having to travel. I don't know why it seemed so easy when I went to Mexico, yet now I feel like I am being put out. Hmm...gotta think on that one.

Anyways, I will have Anthem BCBS in just a few days and I am ready to start this process asap. My favored doc at the Cleveland Clinic is leaving for a teaching position. Sad to see him go, but glad for him. Regardless of my revision options, he was the doc I wanted to evaluate me and help me in my journey. Dr. Schauer is also excellent, but I hear he pushes VSG to RNY and I don't want to be bullied into something that isn't right for me. That's why I was so initially defensive here on this forum. I want what is right for me! (Ok, PMS rant done! LOL)

So now, what I would love to hear is experiences with Dr. Roslin. Did any of you have a revision to DS from VSG? How far did you have to travel to see him? Will he work with your docs if they are out of state? (I would love to do pre-op stuff in Cleveland since NY is an 8 hr drive and I would like to save flight money for after surgery-comfort, you know)

Any input, as always, is greatly appreciated. I am going to cross-post this on the DS forum as well.

Post this on the DS board for better feedback, they can tell you who the best surgeons are. Best of luck to you!

I did! Thanks :)

 I've known Dr. Roslin for 10 years as I had my RNY done at Lenox Hill in 2002 with his then partner, Dr Leitman. I considered using him for my BOB revision but was unable due to some issues with my insurance.  However, he is a good man.  Has a bity of a God complex, but, well, he is!

Good Luck.

I, unlike the previous poster do not have that many good things to say about him. I do not feel he is a God. Yes he has a God complex but far from a God. I was in CT and went to see him. I heard he was not very personable or likeable but that didn't matter to me because I didn't need a new friend I needed a qualified surgeron. I went through his hoops only for him to deny me in the end and told me to come back in a year and we can see what he can do then. I didn't understand what waiting a year would prove but I cried so hard leaving that appt it was horrible. I am almost 2 weeks out of RNY to DS revision and all his excuses for not doing it; excuse my language, were BS. My surgeon took an extra 30 mins to remove scar tissue, my surgery was 2 hrs, and he said it was text book. So you can see I do not have warm and gooey feelings towards the man. He is belittling and in many cases a waste of people's time. 

Like I said I only came from CT but the 2x/week appts to get things down was a hassle. I know they give u the choice to do all your pre-op appts near you but they urge you to get them down at their hospital due to it being faster and easier on them. I believe he prefers you go to him for f/u. 

Like I said I never got to the stage about knowing about his program but just keep in mind he is picky. 

Sorry you had such difficulties - you were the one with the micro-pouch RNY -right?  Glad you were able to find someone to take a chance doing your very risky revision - not everyone is will to that.

I've been lucky enough to have Dr Roslin since 2005.  In 2005 my surgeon abandoned his patients.  I was obstructed for 8 days and I this strange women called Dr. Roslin's office troubled (in 2005 it was almost impossible to get a surgeon who did not do your surgery to touch your band).  Dr. Roslin called me from the road - me a complete stranger.  He said if you are having a slip, I'll turn this car around (he was headed to the country) but he said I think you just need an unfill.  He called my doctors office and shook things up - the office called me up and arranged for me to go upstate and have an unfill.

Then with some urging from my therapist (eating stuff), I got up the nerve and asked Dr. Roslin if I could be his patient (again, with the bands it was a different world in 2005).  He said I know you are a good person and what they are doing at that other place is deplorable - of course I would take you.  I wept!  His hand has been unchanging since. he has gone through the fire with me - I had lots of issues with my band not working.  He would come down to Xray to do the procedures that  the radiologist should be doing - even in xray they were surprised he was there.  I remember once he put on the radiologist lab coat with a foreign name - it was funny at the time because I didn't see his face first.  I worried that the xray would hurt his very special hands as they were exposed and working.

I can't say that I know many better people in my lifetime.  He's been good to me - I know for sure.  He may not be God but surely he is his child.

Glad you had your revision and I wish you all the success in the world.

 No micro pouch here. Just a regular ole RNY. 

I do believe that some people you will never click one and for me he is one of those people. I am happy he was able to help you out but I have read many stories about him agreeing to go ahead with surgery and changing his mind at last min. I know I may come off as bitter in posting but I just want others to know revision isn't about jumping through hoops to show your surgeon how dedicated you are to this and to show there are other options available. 

 "In 2005 my surgeon abandoned his patients.  I was obstructed for 8 days and I this strange women called Dr. Roslin's office troubled (in 2005 it was almost impossible to get a surgeon who did not do your surgery to touch your band)."

I had the Sapala-Wood Micropouch in 2003, have had issues for three or four years now, culminating in the need for fistula repair an a possible lesion in my "old" stomach, which cannot be viewed due to the micropouch surgery.  I contacted CORI/Ambi a few years ago and was told Dr Woods was no longer seeing his CORI patients.  I don't understand why, but you seem to have had that same experience.  Can you elaborate?

I have been searching for weeks for a surgeon to help me, but nobody will touch me cause THEY did not do the original surgery.  I now live in Buffalo, and am trying to get an Appointment with Sapala in Long Island, and have my fingers crossed.

Any ideas?

I really don't know what happened with the CORI Centers.  The originally got off with huge marketing strategies.  They had lots of press and advertising!  During orientation, their presentation was so convincing. I had done so much research on the DS and the Lap Band and I was sold by my surgeon.  He was the one, confident, skilled, and caring.  Promised he'd b e there at a drop of a dime if I needed.

Anyways, a couple of months (maybe 3 mos) after I was banded, their spacious& plush office began to shut down in SoHo and the Hospital they used dropped their group and closed several years later.  When I had port replacement - 5 mos after my initial surgery  I had to go to a rinky dink hospital and for follow-up, their new office space nearby.  I would be scheduled and the doc wouldn't show -up.  He would get stuck in the hospital doing up to 9 surgeries that day (no exaageration!!!). I never knew he didn't live "in town" but found out that he was travelling from Michigan several times per month.  Well in his case, there was not consistancy - he told me he was negotiating a contract.  Everything was in the air.   People weren't getting paid so peope weren't cooperating.  It was one huge mess and patients were caught in the middle of it.  

Times are so different.  In NYC we have many revision specialist.  If I were you, I would probably not go to Dr. Sapala (well maybe a consult since he did the work) and then I'd see an expert revisionist.  post on this forum, the DS (duodenal swi tch) forum, RNY  for any Micropouch RNY's to exchange information with.  Dr. Mitchill Roslin in NYC is definately wise council  - you can review film/testing with him and he will give you his take on things.  Be aware that he is not as sweet as I  describe him (think he just had a soft spot for me  ) He is however somewhat of a genius, excellent surgeon, ethical, caring.  What can I say, I love the man.

We have many great surgeons & hospitals in the city.

Good luck with everything.

Best,
Zee