Re-Thinking VSG
Thank you to everyone for your advice/views. I really hadn't intended to start a debate or war of words, but it was quite interesting to hear/read both sides. I am going to read some more, and then chat with my husband about it and I'll let you all know my decision in the future- plus I need to talk it over with my surgeon as well. Well, I need to get some rest, my psych eval is tomorrow. Wish me luck and keep me in your thoughts and prayers.
Have a beautiful evening,
Adrienne
Have a beautiful evening,
Adrienne
Adrienne W.
Good luck on your psych eval. They usually just want to know that you have realistic expectations of your surgery, that it will NOT make your entire life perfect, that you will be compliant with vitamins, nutition, etc.
And don't sweat the "war." Most of us just want to make sure FACTS are being presented, not OPINIONS disguised as fact. LOL. Peer-reviewed data is a good start. Anecdotes are nice and all, but for me, losing the weight is not the only issue--keeping it off long-term is.
Best of luck to you--this is a big decision.
Nicolle
And don't sweat the "war." Most of us just want to make sure FACTS are being presented, not OPINIONS disguised as fact. LOL. Peer-reviewed data is a good start. Anecdotes are nice and all, but for me, losing the weight is not the only issue--keeping it off long-term is.
Best of luck to you--this is a big decision.
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
Hi All,
Just returned from my Psych eval., actually it was over at about 1:45(got there a bit early- we wanted to make sure we didn't get lost-was in an unfamilliar area). It was quite easy and not disconcerting at all. I was a bit concerned about the interpretation of some of the questions on the T or F portion. But the Dr. was very nice and has quite the sense of humor. I have called my surgeon's office to speak with the ins. coord. to see if I change my mind, would it affect my approval or anything. Because my BMI is over 50, I don't have to do the 6 months of med. supervised diet- I can probably have my surgery as early as end of March early April- I know this stands for the sleeve, I just want to know if it's for all the surgeries.
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers- you're all in mine.
Have a beautiful day,
Adrienne
Just returned from my Psych eval., actually it was over at about 1:45(got there a bit early- we wanted to make sure we didn't get lost-was in an unfamilliar area). It was quite easy and not disconcerting at all. I was a bit concerned about the interpretation of some of the questions on the T or F portion. But the Dr. was very nice and has quite the sense of humor. I have called my surgeon's office to speak with the ins. coord. to see if I change my mind, would it affect my approval or anything. Because my BMI is over 50, I don't have to do the 6 months of med. supervised diet- I can probably have my surgery as early as end of March early April- I know this stands for the sleeve, I just want to know if it's for all the surgeries.
Keep me in your thoughts and prayers- you're all in mine.
Have a beautiful day,
Adrienne
Adrienne W.
Adrienne,
I'm sure you are glad that the psych eval is behind you and that you won't have to do the 6 month diet -- which is such a ridiculous thing to put people through IMO.
I don't know who your surgeon is, but unless you are seeing one of the three listed below, you will NOT get an objective opinion on which of the 4 major WLS options is best for you -- you will simply get advise on which procedure that surgeon does will be best for you. There is a very big difference.
After making the decision to have WLS, the next thing to do is determine which procedure is best for you, and only then pick a surgeon. If you go to a surgeon that is not skilled enough to do all 4 WLS options, you will NOT get an objective opinion.
Two of these surgeons are closer to you, but both do open procedures. The surgeon in GR (my surgeon BTW, and I highly recommend him), does WLS lap:
I'm sure you are glad that the psych eval is behind you and that you won't have to do the 6 month diet -- which is such a ridiculous thing to put people through IMO.
I don't know who your surgeon is, but unless you are seeing one of the three listed below, you will NOT get an objective opinion on which of the 4 major WLS options is best for you -- you will simply get advise on which procedure that surgeon does will be best for you. There is a very big difference.
After making the decision to have WLS, the next thing to do is determine which procedure is best for you, and only then pick a surgeon. If you go to a surgeon that is not skilled enough to do all 4 WLS options, you will NOT get an objective opinion.
Two of these surgeons are closer to you, but both do open procedures. The surgeon in GR (my surgeon BTW, and I highly recommend him), does WLS lap:
Michigan
Mustafa A. Hares, MD, FACSMichigan Bariatric
3100 Cross Creek Parkway, Suite 160
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
Phone: 248-371-3199
Fax: 248-371-1930
Contact: Jacquelyn Smiertka, RN
Email: [email protected]
Paul Kemmeter, MD, FACS *
Grand Health Partners
2060 East Paris Avenue, S.E., Suite 100
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: 616-956-6100 or 1-888-691-0050 toll free
Fax: 616-956-6637
Marek Lutrzykowski, MD
Email: [email protected]
Oakland Bariatrics
10 W Square Lake Road, Suite 200
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
Phone: 248-322-1543
Fax: 248-322-1547
~ I am the proud wife of a Guatemalan, but most people call me Kimberley
Highest Known Weight = 370# / 59.7 bmi @ 5'6"
Current Weight = 168# / 26.4 bmi : fluctuates 5# either way @ 5'7" / more than 90% EWL
Normal BMI (24.9) = 159#: would have to compromise my muscle mass to get here without plastics, so this is not a goal.
I my DS. Don't go into WLS without knowing ALL of your options: DSFacts.com
Hi Kimberly,
The surgeon I have is experienced in all the procedures. He's already told me it is ultimately mine. I just have to make sure my insurance won't have an objections to me changing my mind- if I ultimately do change my mind. I am totally glad the psych eval. is over, I wasn' t worried or anything, I just hate thngs looming over my head. I literally just got off the phone with my PCP's office, she said my results to my blood test (h-pylori) are in, the dr. wants to see me, but it's nothing urgent. I go see her Mon. morning. I'm so excited about everything!
Have a good one,
Adrienne
The surgeon I have is experienced in all the procedures. He's already told me it is ultimately mine. I just have to make sure my insurance won't have an objections to me changing my mind- if I ultimately do change my mind. I am totally glad the psych eval. is over, I wasn' t worried or anything, I just hate thngs looming over my head. I literally just got off the phone with my PCP's office, she said my results to my blood test (h-pylori) are in, the dr. wants to see me, but it's nothing urgent. I go see her Mon. morning. I'm so excited about everything!
Have a good one,
Adrienne
Adrienne W.
Dr. Kerry Kole St. John Weightloss Center in Madison Heights, MI.
He- from what I've heard and read from actual people- is one of the best wl surgeons around, and he has great bedside manner. You can tell he loves what he does. My daughters made a list of questions for him, he sat there and hand wrote each of his answers and told me to tell them if they weren't satisfied with those answers, make an appointment and he'd sit down and answer any questions they had. He's awesome, I've never had a doctor that friendly. Hope that helps.
-Adrienne
He- from what I've heard and read from actual people- is one of the best wl surgeons around, and he has great bedside manner. You can tell he loves what he does. My daughters made a list of questions for him, he sat there and hand wrote each of his answers and told me to tell them if they weren't satisfied with those answers, make an appointment and he'd sit down and answer any questions they had. He's awesome, I've never had a doctor that friendly. Hope that helps.
-Adrienne
Adrienne W.
Thanks for the info :-). According to this site, though, he does not list the DS among the procedures he performs. http://www.stjohnweightloss.com/default/surgical-meet-our-te am/our-surgeons I see Dr. Hares is listed, though. He *does* do the DS. Is there any chance you could get a consultation with him?
Adrienne,
All the best. I really hate to see anyone making such an important decision with bad information -- and I hate to be the one to break it to you, but (the surgeon listed on your profile) Dr. Kole DOES NOT perform all WLS options, specifically, he does not perform the DS. It is absolutely impossible for him to provide you with an unbiased procedural recommendation. It is always amazing to me how many people forget that medicine is a business -- you walk out the door because he can't do for you what you truly need to gain your health & quality of life back, and he loses money.
It is just best to deal with accurate information then what someone wants to sell you, and a lot of surgeons have a way of convincing you that what you need is within the realm of what they can provide. If your surgeon has told you that he performs the DS, he has already been untruthful with you.
All the best. I really hate to see anyone making such an important decision with bad information -- and I hate to be the one to break it to you, but (the surgeon listed on your profile) Dr. Kole DOES NOT perform all WLS options, specifically, he does not perform the DS. It is absolutely impossible for him to provide you with an unbiased procedural recommendation. It is always amazing to me how many people forget that medicine is a business -- you walk out the door because he can't do for you what you truly need to gain your health & quality of life back, and he loses money.
It is just best to deal with accurate information then what someone wants to sell you, and a lot of surgeons have a way of convincing you that what you need is within the realm of what they can provide. If your surgeon has told you that he performs the DS, he has already been untruthful with you.
~ I am the proud wife of a Guatemalan, but most people call me Kimberley
Highest Known Weight = 370# / 59.7 bmi @ 5'6"
Current Weight = 168# / 26.4 bmi : fluctuates 5# either way @ 5'7" / more than 90% EWL
Normal BMI (24.9) = 159#: would have to compromise my muscle mass to get here without plastics, so this is not a goal.
I my DS. Don't go into WLS without knowing ALL of your options: DSFacts.com
I'm sorry, I'm holding the brochure in my hand...that was my error. One of the partners Dr. Hares does the DS. I need to investigate his work, no one I know has had him, only Dr. Kole and Dr. Katz. Forgive me for my error. I will talk with him and see what he thinks and try and setting up a meeting with Dr. Hares. I'm still waiting for the ins. cood. to call and see if changing my type of surgery will affect the ins. I'll keep you posted.
-Adrienne
-Adrienne
Adrienne W.
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