And.....which DS surgeons deserve our business?
Dr. Peter Crookes: Los Angeles, CA (323) 442-6868.
I know, not a hugely popular choice, but he's a very skilled surgeon (& someone who genuinely gives a **** about his patients well being). Unfortunately he leans more towards RNY, but he has his reasons. If you don't want an RNY though, he won't perform one on you.
Won against big bad (SoCal) Kaiser for a Duodenal Switch Haven't heard of DS? Kaiser wants it that way. Come on over & read the truth.
Hit goal (Normal BMI) on 2-10-11! I LOVE my DS!!
My approval process timeline:
02/12/09 - Dr. refused to refer me for WLS
03/03/09 - Vented/whined about it on another board, planned to just wait until next year & switch plans
Let's see what happens!
**updates in blog**
Hit goal (Normal BMI) on 2-10-11! I LOVE my DS!!
My approval process timeline:
02/12/09 - Dr. refused to refer me for WLS
03/03/09 - Vented/whined about it on another board, planned to just wait until next year & switch plans
Let's see what happens!
**updates in blog**
A few others have said "Rabkin" already and I will happily add my voice to the chorus.
Dr. Rabkin and his office rock (www.paclap.com). From the first, exploratory phone call to his program's aftercare, this place gets it right. You never feel like a bother. Your problem is literally their problem. Thankfully, I have not had many problems (just a kidney stone).
He, and his whole office, do not view obesity as a character flaw. They view it as a medical problem. From the waiting room with large chairs to bathrooms with larger stalls to the way they talk to you about your medical issues, they get it. You never feel like a fat ass.
His skill in the OR is awesome. He has done a full DS via lap on truly big people (BMI of 118 is the biggest so far), so I know it can be done. He does so many complicated revisions, too. I believe one week a month he works on a liver transplant team, which is tricky work. BONUS: I also know I can also trust his opinion on my liver!
I had a heartfelt conversation with him the day before my surgery about the age-old DS vs. VSG debate. Malabsorption was scaring me. I know he does do the VSG for people who are insistent upon it, those who are lighter weights, or need it for medical reasons. In fact, he did my friend's VSG that very same day (no, she never got to goal and she is regaining now).
He told me that the VSG would help me lose the weight but I probably would not keep it off in the long-term. I promised him that I would be compliant, etc. He told me he believed me, but that it would not matter after a few years. It would drive me crazy to have to diet and exercise to maintain that weight loss. That was one of the most important conversations of my life. He knew me better than I knew myself.
Dr. Rabkin drags his ass to Chicago almost every month for our support group meetings. He offers newbies an hour-long session and then spends an hour with us vets to answer questions and offer support. He is available via phone and email if we need him, but generally, most needs are easily met by his competent PAs and office staff.
Dr. Rabkin is a man with definite opinions, but he is careful to be open-minded. I spring something new and/or dingy on him every time I see him, and he takes it with aplomb. He is a gentleman. He is not warm and fuzzy (I love to try to embarrass him by giving him a giant bear hug every time I see him), but he is kind and does not talk down to anyone, even though he certainly could about the topics he knows so well.
He is not one to panic about anything or panic YOU about anything, like too quick weight loss or going too low or vites. Every prediction he has made about my body's reaction to my DS has come true. He is calm and assured, which is what I like in a doc.
Barbara Metcalf (Program Director and an RN) and Dr. Rabkin both network with many of the other DS surgeons. Phone calls, emails, meetings, etc. trying to share best practices. They feel there is a lot to learn out there. They talk with Vitalady, as well, AND listen to her (she may wish they listened even more, but yanno no one is perfect!). They are not on some island, unaware of what is going on in the field and their patients' health.
I WISH his self-pay rate was cheaper so more people can use him, but his practice's philosophy is that they offer a full bariatric program for your lifetime. The support groups are free (to all, frankly, as we have several people in our group who had their DSes done by others).
He does not charge a BS program fee like some surgeons. Your price includes everything, from 18 months of follow-up and a lifetime of support group meetings, etc.
And, lastly, results. His focus is on improved health--resolution of co-morbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. However, his patients seem to get to goal, not dangerously low, not stopping in the middle of obese, etc. He does not over-promise, but he DOES over-deliver. My life is so much richer today, after my Rabkin DS.
Here are his latest stats on the practice's first 1400+ patients:
www.paclap.com/pacific-laparoscopy/our-results.cfm
I am hoping one of my very best friends will be going with him for her DS soon.
Nicolle
Dr. Rabkin and his office rock (www.paclap.com). From the first, exploratory phone call to his program's aftercare, this place gets it right. You never feel like a bother. Your problem is literally their problem. Thankfully, I have not had many problems (just a kidney stone).
He, and his whole office, do not view obesity as a character flaw. They view it as a medical problem. From the waiting room with large chairs to bathrooms with larger stalls to the way they talk to you about your medical issues, they get it. You never feel like a fat ass.
His skill in the OR is awesome. He has done a full DS via lap on truly big people (BMI of 118 is the biggest so far), so I know it can be done. He does so many complicated revisions, too. I believe one week a month he works on a liver transplant team, which is tricky work. BONUS: I also know I can also trust his opinion on my liver!
I had a heartfelt conversation with him the day before my surgery about the age-old DS vs. VSG debate. Malabsorption was scaring me. I know he does do the VSG for people who are insistent upon it, those who are lighter weights, or need it for medical reasons. In fact, he did my friend's VSG that very same day (no, she never got to goal and she is regaining now).
He told me that the VSG would help me lose the weight but I probably would not keep it off in the long-term. I promised him that I would be compliant, etc. He told me he believed me, but that it would not matter after a few years. It would drive me crazy to have to diet and exercise to maintain that weight loss. That was one of the most important conversations of my life. He knew me better than I knew myself.
Dr. Rabkin drags his ass to Chicago almost every month for our support group meetings. He offers newbies an hour-long session and then spends an hour with us vets to answer questions and offer support. He is available via phone and email if we need him, but generally, most needs are easily met by his competent PAs and office staff.
Dr. Rabkin is a man with definite opinions, but he is careful to be open-minded. I spring something new and/or dingy on him every time I see him, and he takes it with aplomb. He is a gentleman. He is not warm and fuzzy (I love to try to embarrass him by giving him a giant bear hug every time I see him), but he is kind and does not talk down to anyone, even though he certainly could about the topics he knows so well.
He is not one to panic about anything or panic YOU about anything, like too quick weight loss or going too low or vites. Every prediction he has made about my body's reaction to my DS has come true. He is calm and assured, which is what I like in a doc.
Barbara Metcalf (Program Director and an RN) and Dr. Rabkin both network with many of the other DS surgeons. Phone calls, emails, meetings, etc. trying to share best practices. They feel there is a lot to learn out there. They talk with Vitalady, as well, AND listen to her (she may wish they listened even more, but yanno no one is perfect!). They are not on some island, unaware of what is going on in the field and their patients' health.
I WISH his self-pay rate was cheaper so more people can use him, but his practice's philosophy is that they offer a full bariatric program for your lifetime. The support groups are free (to all, frankly, as we have several people in our group who had their DSes done by others).
He does not charge a BS program fee like some surgeons. Your price includes everything, from 18 months of follow-up and a lifetime of support group meetings, etc.
And, lastly, results. His focus is on improved health--resolution of co-morbidities like diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. However, his patients seem to get to goal, not dangerously low, not stopping in the middle of obese, etc. He does not over-promise, but he DOES over-deliver. My life is so much richer today, after my Rabkin DS.
Here are his latest stats on the practice's first 1400+ patients:
www.paclap.com/pacific-laparoscopy/our-results.cfm
I am hoping one of my very best friends will be going with him for her DS soon.
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
I also only have a moment to post, but I'll be the first to recommend Dr. Gary Anthone in Omaha, NE. He's wonderful!
I consider him to be one of the very best in a small group of vetted DS surgeons, and would go to him again in a heartbeat.
FYI, Dr. A only does open procedures, and makes smaller sleeves with longer common channels. If I had any "complaint", it would be about his post-op vitamin recommendations, which I consider lacking. But he's a cutter, not a vitamin guru, and he cuts very well. I simply get my vitamin advice elsewhere.
Unfortunately, I don't have time to go into more detail, but hopefully some other Anthone patients will chime in. Feel free to ask me any questions, as well.
Edited to correct typo.
I consider him to be one of the very best in a small group of vetted DS surgeons, and would go to him again in a heartbeat.
FYI, Dr. A only does open procedures, and makes smaller sleeves with longer common channels. If I had any "complaint", it would be about his post-op vitamin recommendations, which I consider lacking. But he's a cutter, not a vitamin guru, and he cuts very well. I simply get my vitamin advice elsewhere.
Unfortunately, I don't have time to go into more detail, but hopefully some other Anthone patients will chime in. Feel free to ask me any questions, as well.
Edited to correct typo.
Dr. Anthone, absolutely! Fantastic surgical skills and follow up. His office sucks at labs and post-op vitamin recommendations. (I say it here, because I've said it face to face). Their lab work is a CBC, a CMP, and a D level, which was added in the last year. They now tell you to supplement D, but show you a bottle of oil based D as a suggestion. In the "immediately before surgery" meeting they talk about Flintstones and Tums, and they never suggested anything else to me post surgery.
I would recommend Dr. Anthone to anyone, as long as I was talking to someone intelligent enough to take charge of their labs and supplement.
I would recommend Dr. Anthone to anyone, as long as I was talking to someone intelligent enough to take charge of their labs and supplement.
Of course I reccomend my surgeon, Dr. MacPherson.
From what I know he will only do the DS now because of the superior results, but has done multiple other WLS in the past...never the band though. If I remember correctly he started doing the DS in 1993 (I know it was the very early 90's) and learned directly from the DS godfather himself...Dr. Hess. So makes him one of the longest DS practicing surgeons in the state...if not the longest.
The office staff is great and they will help you fight every step of the way. Bi-monthly meetings and good follow up. Needless to say they will call you out of the blue if they have not heard from you recently or if you moved out of state just to make sure things are still going well.
Why there are not many of his patients on here that often or listed, couldn't tell you but there are alot of them. I've met 15 year post-ops that look fabulous and like many DSrs don't look like they ever had surgery. I've been in great hands with him, and a serious old school surgeon. Not a "its not in the book so I don't know what to tell you type".
I also suggest Dr. Lutrzykowski. As he and Dr. Mac are in the same office and he learned the DS from him.
My out of state picks have already been listed.
Editied for my own screw ups
From what I know he will only do the DS now because of the superior results, but has done multiple other WLS in the past...never the band though. If I remember correctly he started doing the DS in 1993 (I know it was the very early 90's) and learned directly from the DS godfather himself...Dr. Hess. So makes him one of the longest DS practicing surgeons in the state...if not the longest.
The office staff is great and they will help you fight every step of the way. Bi-monthly meetings and good follow up. Needless to say they will call you out of the blue if they have not heard from you recently or if you moved out of state just to make sure things are still going well.
Why there are not many of his patients on here that often or listed, couldn't tell you but there are alot of them. I've met 15 year post-ops that look fabulous and like many DSrs don't look like they ever had surgery. I've been in great hands with him, and a serious old school surgeon. Not a "its not in the book so I don't know what to tell you type".
I also suggest Dr. Lutrzykowski. As he and Dr. Mac are in the same office and he learned the DS from him.
My out of state picks have already been listed.
Editied for my own screw ups
DS Aug 15th,2005 @ goal, living life and loving it.
"An Arabian will take care of its owner as no other horse will, for it has not only been raised to physical perfection, but has been instilled with a spirit of loyalty unparalleled by that of any other breed."
Add Dr. John Maguire from Premiere Bariatrics in Dayton Ohio. Yep, I'm biased as hell, but believe me, this man knows his DS ****; he is a founding member of the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, has performed over 700+ DS surgeries, and has been in the WLS business for 30 years. He is an excellent advocate for the DS and I couldn't be happier with his professionalism and dry sense of humor. This man truly cares about his patients well-being and expects you to be compliant. Dr. Maguire gives his patients a DS Emergency Card with graphics of our DS anatomy; and even has his home phone number to boot. He works famously with my PCP here in NC and they share information about my status to keep me as healthy as possible. Dr. Maguire's after-care is for life...he's in it for the long haul!
His office staff are fantastic. I had no trouble whatsoever scheduling everything from NC. They are very prompt at returning calls and never hesitate to contact Dr. Maguire about a question I may have. They are very kind and caring people and I just can't say enough about them.
Here's the website if you are interested in more info:
http://www.premierbariatricassociates.com/default
Yep, Dr. Maguire ROCKS! He gives out VitaLady vitamins too.
ETA: forgot about the vitamin freebies!
His office staff are fantastic. I had no trouble whatsoever scheduling everything from NC. They are very prompt at returning calls and never hesitate to contact Dr. Maguire about a question I may have. They are very kind and caring people and I just can't say enough about them.
Here's the website if you are interested in more info:
http://www.premierbariatricassociates.com/default
Yep, Dr. Maguire ROCKS! He gives out VitaLady vitamins too.
ETA: forgot about the vitamin freebies!
I'll throw in for Dr. Inman. She's highly competent, is an advocate of the DS (as long as you fit what she considers the right profile for it), and her patients do well.
Other surgeons I considered to some degree or another and would not have had a problem choosing: Anthone, Rabkin, Keshishian. All well-liked by their patients, among other good characteristics.
Other surgeons I considered to some degree or another and would not have had a problem choosing: Anthone, Rabkin, Keshishian. All well-liked by their patients, among other good characteristics.
I know my surgeon has gotten flak for his high program fee, but he is an excellent surgeon. I immediately felt comfortable with him. His office staff is great and answered any and all questions I had.
He thoroughly explained everything and even wrote a long letter to the insurance explaining why I needed the DS.
I had wonderful care in the hospital and not because I was an employee there. They truly took fabulous care of me. Dr. Jossart called me at home after surgery to check up on me and is available via email all the time.
My weight loss has been stellar so no complaints there!
Maya
He thoroughly explained everything and even wrote a long letter to the insurance explaining why I needed the DS.
I had wonderful care in the hospital and not because I was an employee there. They truly took fabulous care of me. Dr. Jossart called me at home after surgery to check up on me and is available via email all the time.
My weight loss has been stellar so no complaints there!
Maya
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