And.....which DS surgeons deserve our business?

 Hi Diana,

As I said, I love Dr. Rabkin!  That being said...  Here are my issues with the after care:

I had a perfect dexa scan right before my DS.  I had great labs at 3, 6, and 9 months.  My 12 month labs showed a decline in my calcium numbers and Vit. D numbers.  I have always been very vigilant about my supplements (I was on 2,400 mg. calcium citrate daily.)  I began 50,000IU dry vit. D a day and added another 630 calcium citrate daily.  I called Rabkins office and asked if this made sense.  They said that it was overkill and I should just stick to the 2,400 mg of cal. citrate.

Fast forward 6 months...I have a new dexa scan.  This is 18 months after my perfect one and 18 months after my DS.  It showed osteopenia in the femur and hip.  I called Rabkin's office and reminded them of everything above so that we could be on the same page.  Their answer was that I needed to make sure and get 2,400mg calcium citrate every day.  I explained that I had done that (and more) every day since a few weeks after my DS.  That obviously wasn't enough for me.  Their answer?  "Well, just stick to the 2,400mg calcium citrate."

I found this frustrating and kind of scary because if I just listened to them, I would be in a lot of trouble.  I know that I am responsible for my health and am my best advocate.  They contacted me when I didn't call them for my 3 year follow up.  They explained that they could not help me stay healthy if I didn't report my labs to them.  I didn't because I do not think they are helpful regarding supplementation/fixing issues due to malabsorption.

Has your post op experience been better than this?  Thanks.

My experience has been VERY different than this, so far, at 2.5 years out.

That said, they did have a staff change a little while ago--new PA joined when an old PA moved out of state. Maybe you got stuck in the shuffle?

I would contact Dr. Rabkin yourself and ask him for help. Do you have his email? I have it, if you need it. Let me know.

Nicolle

Does anyone know of or have experience with Cirangle and the DS?
(ducking in anticipation of EN's response ;-))

Should I be meeting with Jossart instead?
I would love to be able to go with Rabkin but I can't afford the $36,000 OOP.
I am scheduled to meet with Dr. C on the 24th just to find out what options are available to me (due to several pre existing conditions, Colitis, Barretts, severe anemia etc....).

Dr. Keshishian (:

Dr. Jossart was mine. I met Cirangle briefly  post-op. You really need to be knowledgable about the DS cause they talk the VSG up and down!
I love Dr. Jossart, but be insistent about you wanting the DS!

Maya,
thanks for the info. I have been forewarned about this. I'm hoping the fact that Dr.C was the one who informed me I was NOT a good candidate for VSG due to a medical condition will allow me to sidestep that agenda.
By the way...you are absolutely beautiful!!!!!

Dr. Keshishian or Dr. Jossart.

You might be the "odd duck" for whom the DS is not a medically sound decision. But don't just believe a known VSG pusher for that judgment, k?

Thanks...at least I am in the right office.
I'd have an ethical problem if the tune were to suddenly change.. ya know?

I really hope I am not that odd duck. I am nearing the end of my rope here. It's been 7 years in the making and I have nothing to show for it but onset of Diabetes and worsening of pre-existing conditions. At 43 I really don't want to cut twice. I want the surgery that will eradicate my now out of control diabetes,   allow me to continue to enjoy food and not feel starved all the time, and give me back my life. It's my sucky ass luck that I suffer from chronic severe anemia and need most of my stoma*****ase of esophageal cancer. I am also hoping the colitis won't be a deal breaker.
I am trying not to get depressed about my limited options here.

 

I am going to say Dr. Marchesini in Brazil.  Surprise, surprise!

He is an awesome skilled surgeon and an awesome person.  You will leave there with his office phone number, his cell phone number and his home phone number with instructions to call him night or day if you need to. 

I have had numerous surgeries in the US and the care I received in Brazil was by far the best I have ever had.

However, I want to add a caveat.  IF you are a RNY to DS revision he may suggest that you have  an ERNY. I believe that part of the reason for that is revisions are tricky and he does not want to be 5000 miles away from his patient if something goes wrong after you leave Brazil.  Make sure when you are speaking to him that you are both clear on procedures and expectations.

If you are a band to DS revison or like me, a stomach stapling revision, I have never heard of a problem.

I first heard of him from Dr. Robert Rabkin (retired).

Michele

 Dr. Smith for sure.  His staff is super helpful, he's an amazing surgeon, has great stats and is generally awesome.  I know several people who have had amazing results with him.  Not a huge fan of his program fee, but he's worth every penny to me.