And.....which DS surgeons deserve our business?
I'll admit that I'm biased, too. Dr. Keshishian is the bomb. This is a man who has been known to get in his private airplane, go to one of his patient who was having complications in another state, and FLY HER BACK TO DELANO so that he could fix her problem. Hot damn. That's conviction, persistance, and all sorts of good things wrapped up in surgical hands of magic.
What more can you say? Even if you don't like his personality, his processes, his possible cut-happy ways (according to some), his surgical fee, etc., you really can't beat that for knowing how far he is willing to go for his patients.
What more can you say? Even if you don't like his personality, his processes, his possible cut-happy ways (according to some), his surgical fee, etc., you really can't beat that for knowing how far he is willing to go for his patients.
~ Sarah P. 
Ask me about pregnancy after the Duodenal Switch!
They're here! My surro-sons were born July 21, 2009. Welcome to the world, Benjamin and Daniel. We love you very much!
Biased here as well.
Dr. Hazem Elariny offers one of the best information sessions in the Northern VA area and even if you don't choose him as your DS, or revision from band or RNY to DS surgeon, the info session for those trying to decide is very good.
Dr E has been doing the DS laparoscopically since 2000 and has, within the last year, started doing the DS at a COE, Fair Oaks Hospital. His primary hospital is Fairfax Hosp. He is an excellent surgeon and it is extremely rare to hear of a patient with surgical complications...even his revisions.
His office staff is pretty good. I can call the office and have my labs sent to me via email. Established patients have been able to call and get the standard lab script faxed to them without an office visit. Alex is the insurance coordinator and has been with Dr E a long time. She is wonderful.
The dietitians have been turning over often in the 3 years I've been going there and the recent ones really are only trained in RNY. The latest baby NUT is listening to her DSrs but she has a long way to go. She has gotten on board with protein shakes and I take that as a positive.
Dr E always seems to have a young surgeon in training working with him for follow up visits and assisting him in surgery. Of course, some are better than others. Dr E impresses on the young surgeons to learn about vitamins and nutrition. Dr E starts DSrs on 12 Vita4Life multi vitamins but has no problem if we want to go on Vitalady's DS plan. He seems to learn from his patients. "If something is working for you, keep doing it." He is right up front in the info session that he believes low carb for life is the best way for DSrs to avoid intestinal issues and stay within 5-10 pounds of their goal weight long term.
The only issue folks have with him is he is out of network for the DS and charges through a 3d party business for his time and talent. Hospital and other charges may be covered by insurance but he will charge extra. I don't know all the technical terms for this process but I know I had to pay approximately $5,000 for a virgin DS and revisions have been higher than that in the past couple of years.
Oh, and he is very easy on the eyes. lol
--gina
Dr. Hazem Elariny offers one of the best information sessions in the Northern VA area and even if you don't choose him as your DS, or revision from band or RNY to DS surgeon, the info session for those trying to decide is very good.
Dr E has been doing the DS laparoscopically since 2000 and has, within the last year, started doing the DS at a COE, Fair Oaks Hospital. His primary hospital is Fairfax Hosp. He is an excellent surgeon and it is extremely rare to hear of a patient with surgical complications...even his revisions.
His office staff is pretty good. I can call the office and have my labs sent to me via email. Established patients have been able to call and get the standard lab script faxed to them without an office visit. Alex is the insurance coordinator and has been with Dr E a long time. She is wonderful.
The dietitians have been turning over often in the 3 years I've been going there and the recent ones really are only trained in RNY. The latest baby NUT is listening to her DSrs but she has a long way to go. She has gotten on board with protein shakes and I take that as a positive.
Dr E always seems to have a young surgeon in training working with him for follow up visits and assisting him in surgery. Of course, some are better than others. Dr E impresses on the young surgeons to learn about vitamins and nutrition. Dr E starts DSrs on 12 Vita4Life multi vitamins but has no problem if we want to go on Vitalady's DS plan. He seems to learn from his patients. "If something is working for you, keep doing it." He is right up front in the info session that he believes low carb for life is the best way for DSrs to avoid intestinal issues and stay within 5-10 pounds of their goal weight long term.
The only issue folks have with him is he is out of network for the DS and charges through a 3d party business for his time and talent. Hospital and other charges may be covered by insurance but he will charge extra. I don't know all the technical terms for this process but I know I had to pay approximately $5,000 for a virgin DS and revisions have been higher than that in the past couple of years.
Oh, and he is very easy on the eyes. lol
--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
My glowing reference is for my surgeon, Dr. Spaw. I'd wasted almost a year, waiting for a yes/no from Dr. Smith. I called the office several times every week and was told that Dr. Smith had my "application packet" and was looking at it tonight and they'd let me know tomorrow. After a change of staff, I got the big no for the DS, but the offer of a lap band.
I spoke with Dr. Maguire and went to Ohio to attend their seminar and have an appointment with him. I dealt with his office for quite a while and they were always very helpful and very prompt with any answers. I found out that my insurance would not cover surgery out of state if a surgeon in state did the procedure.
So right here in Nashville, Dr. Spaw did my DS. He didn't have a huge number of DSs under his belt, which is why I had thought to talk to Dr. Smith and Dr. Maguire. Now, I'm glad it worked out this way. He's obviously a very good surgeon and has been well known in Nashville surgery for years even before he went into WLS. He didn't feel I was in good enough shape to do the DS in one step, but agreed to try. I did get the sleeve first, and then the DS about a year later. My recovery from both surgeries was almost miraculous. My weight loss was not slow, I lost kind of the average 10# per month. I've lost *almost* to my goal, and the reason I haven't lost those last 8 pounds is I've discovered carbs. OMG There's a box of raisins in my cupboard right now, singing my name. Still, I've lost a total of about 200# since my first appointment with him. My results are more than I could have hoped, better than I dared to dream and my former life is beginning to fade from my memory, which I NEVER thought would or could happen! Oh and my DS was open, but I went home from the hospital a day earlier than I did for the lap sleeve, and now at 18 months postop, the scars are all almost invisible.
His staff have been very helpful and I've never had any problems getting any questions answered or felt rushed or anything like that. When I had the DS, he called me at home a couple of times to make sure I was doing well. There have been some recent staff changes as far as program manager and nutritionists, but I've felt like my meetings with the nutritionists have been reasonable and not full of misinformation. There was a monthly DS support group, but it was held at a time that was pretty much impossible for me to attend. I understand that the numbers were small and now it's a quarterly meeting. It's still after work-ish and I still won't be able to get there, but so far, so good even without it.
Dennie
I spoke with Dr. Maguire and went to Ohio to attend their seminar and have an appointment with him. I dealt with his office for quite a while and they were always very helpful and very prompt with any answers. I found out that my insurance would not cover surgery out of state if a surgeon in state did the procedure.
So right here in Nashville, Dr. Spaw did my DS. He didn't have a huge number of DSs under his belt, which is why I had thought to talk to Dr. Smith and Dr. Maguire. Now, I'm glad it worked out this way. He's obviously a very good surgeon and has been well known in Nashville surgery for years even before he went into WLS. He didn't feel I was in good enough shape to do the DS in one step, but agreed to try. I did get the sleeve first, and then the DS about a year later. My recovery from both surgeries was almost miraculous. My weight loss was not slow, I lost kind of the average 10# per month. I've lost *almost* to my goal, and the reason I haven't lost those last 8 pounds is I've discovered carbs. OMG There's a box of raisins in my cupboard right now, singing my name. Still, I've lost a total of about 200# since my first appointment with him. My results are more than I could have hoped, better than I dared to dream and my former life is beginning to fade from my memory, which I NEVER thought would or could happen! Oh and my DS was open, but I went home from the hospital a day earlier than I did for the lap sleeve, and now at 18 months postop, the scars are all almost invisible.
His staff have been very helpful and I've never had any problems getting any questions answered or felt rushed or anything like that. When I had the DS, he called me at home a couple of times to make sure I was doing well. There have been some recent staff changes as far as program manager and nutritionists, but I've felt like my meetings with the nutritionists have been reasonable and not full of misinformation. There was a monthly DS support group, but it was held at a time that was pretty much impossible for me to attend. I understand that the numbers were small and now it's a quarterly meeting. It's still after work-ish and I still won't be able to get there, but so far, so good even without it.
Dennie
"It's so beautifully arranged on the plate - you know someone's fingers have been all over it. ~Julia Child"
Most Active
Recent Topics
