My DS Experience

Jan 27, 2011

Like many others, I have been heavy all of my life. I have made a multitude of weight loss attempts, always gaining back lost weight and remaining obese. I initially began research on WLS in 2003, attending a RNY surgeon's seminar. I decided WLS was a viable option, however I wanted to continue trying other methods first. I have tried and tried and ultimately failed, so here I am back on the surgery track.

At the beginning of January 2011, a lady in my water aerobics class asked me if I had considered WLS? She must have seen my pain and frustration along with my determination to excercise. She opened up to me and told me about her experience losing 70+ lbs with Lap Band and shared that another member of our class had lost over 150 lbs via RNY. The way she talked to me was just what I needed at that time. This is amazing since most of my experiences with others recommending weight loss methods to me felt preachy or condescending. She shared that before the surgery, she was shopping around for a mobility scooter. I thought about my mother and her own obesity-related health decline, loss of mobility and untimely death from Diabetes and Congestive Heart Failure. I decided during the class I would have weight loss surgery. If this wonderful senior citizen lady could do it, so could I!

Over the next week, I conducted exhaustive internet research on the various WLS procedures, ultimately settling on Duodenal Switch (DS). The positive long-term outcomes including the greatest excess weight loss and long-term weight loss maintenance made it attractive to me.

I talked to my husband about my decision. He and I had been casually discussing getting Lap Band. Looking at the outcomes and the history of my weight loss attempts , I don't believe Lap Band would provide enough weight loss to take me out of the obesity weight range. At first, my husband was hesitant since this is such a large surgery. After reviewing some DS facts, he said he could understand why I would choose this and said he would support me in getting it done.

I researched various DS doctors, desiring the most experienced Dr. I could find and a Laparoscopic proceedure if possible. I narrowed it down to two choices - Dr. Paul Cirangle in Hawaii/San Francisco an experienced Laparoscopic surgeon who now specializes in WLS and Dr. Ara Keshishian in Glendale, CA, an experienced WLS surgeon who now does Laparascopic as well as open procedures. I contacted both via phone and email on 1/9/11. Dr. Keshishian personally answered my email the next day answering some of my questions and putting me in contact with his staff to see about insurance coverage. I had decided that I would have DS surgery even if I had to pay for it, I had assumed my insurance would deny me.

1/12/11 I sent Dr Keshishian's office my insurance card to look into insurance coverage.

1/17/11 I heard back from his office - my insurance - Anthem Blue Cross Blue Sheild PPO, would cover an office consultation with only a $15 co-pay. They also cover DS surgery. Initially the amount quoted me was 80% coverage with up to a $2000 deductable. Diana from his office will be double checking this since I don't have a deductible with my insurance unless it is out of network, and Dr. Keshishian is "in network". We set an appointment at his Glendale office for the next week on Wed 1/26.

Over the following week, I made some attempts to get others used to the idea without fully disclosing my plan. I called my sister who is also morbidly obese and confided in her about my life-long weightloss struggles, and current health problems including the chronic back and joint pain I am in. I told her I didn't want to have an untimely death like our mother and didn't know how I could prevent that for myself. My sister was not too sympathetic. In fact, she felt like I was disrespecting our mother for bringing up her health condition and death at age 63. She said no matter what I decide to do about my health, don't have WLS since those she knows have gone through a "complete personality change" and have not been successful in maintaining their weight loss or have lost too much and are ill. - So no support there.

I also called my best friend (also morbidly obese) and told her about the pain I am having and how my weight is affecting me. We didn't talk about "solutions" but just talking to her made me feel a little better.

To be continued...

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