So who are "the best" DS surgeons?
Hi neighbor! I live in the Hamilton Mill area!
I went to Dr. Husted and was very pleased with his work. I do not have a single regret and would have him do my surgery again in a heartbeat.
He was also in-network (eta: for BCBS - I was posting at the same time you did), and I will end up paying about $600 for my surgery, total.
I went to Dr. Husted and was very pleased with his work. I do not have a single regret and would have him do my surgery again in a heartbeat.
He was also in-network (eta: for BCBS - I was posting at the same time you did), and I will end up paying about $600 for my surgery, total.
SW 280 / GW 150 / CW 128.8
Reconstructive surgery, under construction!
Lower Body Lift - 12/14/2011 - Atlanta VA Medical Center
Brachioplasty & Mastopexy w/Augmentation - 03/14/2012 - Dr Marisa Lawrence
Reconstructive surgery, under construction!
Lower Body Lift - 12/14/2011 - Atlanta VA Medical Center
Brachioplasty & Mastopexy w/Augmentation - 03/14/2012 - Dr Marisa Lawrence
(deactivated member)
on 10/28/09 3:06 am - Woodbridge, VA
on 10/28/09 3:06 am - Woodbridge, VA
I would easily say Rabkin and Elariny off the top of my head. I've also heard awesome things about Gagner.
But, adding Aetna into the mix, I couldn't tell ya. Aetna covered my DS with Schweitzer, but he doesn't do them anymore, and I couldn't recommend him to anyone anyway (I don't have any issues with his surgical skills, just his honesty/ethics).
But, adding Aetna into the mix, I couldn't tell ya. Aetna covered my DS with Schweitzer, but he doesn't do them anymore, and I couldn't recommend him to anyone anyway (I don't have any issues with his surgical skills, just his honesty/ethics).
Dr. Anthone in Nebraska of course! 
Seriously, though, there are a lot of good surgeons. Off the top of my head I can think of Anthone, Rabkin, Husted, Greenbaum, Peters, Marchesini, Ungson...(well, the last two are in Brazil and Mexico respectively). I'm leaving off a lot, but ask about a particular surgeon, and I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses.
Felicia
Seriously, though, there are a lot of good surgeons. Off the top of my head I can think of Anthone, Rabkin, Husted, Greenbaum, Peters, Marchesini, Ungson...(well, the last two are in Brazil and Mexico respectively). I'm leaving off a lot, but ask about a particular surgeon, and I'm sure you'll get a lot of responses.
Felicia
HW 264 SW 248 CW 140.8 GW 140
Lots of people love their surgeons, so expect justified biases.
For example, I love Dr Rabkin and his entire practice. Good surgeon, good active IRL support groups and an active Yahoo group, keeps as up-to-date as possible in this changing world by sharing best practices with other surgeons. And just check out his patients. Getting to goal and staying there is usually not an issue for them.
On the other hand, think about who taught the DS to the ones high on the "recommended" lists. For example, the Rabkins trained Greenbaum and Husted on the DS and that's just off the top of my head, I know there are more.
ETA: I had Aetna. I had to pay the "out of network" extra myself. No question the best money I ever spent. Ever.
Nicolle
For example, I love Dr Rabkin and his entire practice. Good surgeon, good active IRL support groups and an active Yahoo group, keeps as up-to-date as possible in this changing world by sharing best practices with other surgeons. And just check out his patients. Getting to goal and staying there is usually not an issue for them.
On the other hand, think about who taught the DS to the ones high on the "recommended" lists. For example, the Rabkins trained Greenbaum and Husted on the DS and that's just off the top of my head, I know there are more.
ETA: I had Aetna. I had to pay the "out of network" extra myself. No question the best money I ever spent. Ever.
Nicolle
I had the kick-butt duodenal switch (DS)!
HW: 344 lbs CW: 150 lbs
Type 2 diabetes and sleep apnea GONE!
Whoever operated on me and didn't kill me is obviously the best!!!!!
There is a lot of surgeon worship. Some deserved, and some misplaced loyalty.
Find out who is covered by your insurance and you'll know your logical choices. Set up some consults and see who you like. Interview them and see if you can get what you want.
There is a lot of surgeon worship. Some deserved, and some misplaced loyalty.
Find out who is covered by your insurance and you'll know your logical choices. Set up some consults and see who you like. Interview them and see if you can get what you want.
It depends on what is most important to you....
.....is it if the surgeon performs lap or open? If this is a big factor for you, your field to choose from will knock out some great names. I knew that I really wanted mine done lap. Others didn't find that a point that mattered.
......is it the amount of experience the surgeon has performing the DS? For me this was a big one. I know others have had great success with surgeons who were newer to the procedure. Personally, I felt more at ease by placing myself in the care of someone who has seen and performed MANY DS procedures.
.... is it the kind of aftercare that is provided? Its probably important to check with the surgeons' offices that you are considering to find out what is offered and expected in your aftercare. Some like theirs and others don't but it depends on what your expectations of this component are and how important it is to you.
... is it a surgeon's bedside manner? I wouldn't have cared if my surgeon was a jerk if I thought that he was skilled and a true advocate for the DS. (By the way, he wasn't a jerk and he is a huge advocate for the DS)
So what is on your list of needs or requirements for your surgeon/surgery?
I called tons of offices looking for information. I joined each surgeon's online support group/yahoo group/etc if they had one. That also helped me weed out some names.
I know it is overwhelming at first so I wish you luck. Don't feel like you have to rush this. Take your time and you'll know when you're making the right choice for yourself.
.....is it if the surgeon performs lap or open? If this is a big factor for you, your field to choose from will knock out some great names. I knew that I really wanted mine done lap. Others didn't find that a point that mattered.
......is it the amount of experience the surgeon has performing the DS? For me this was a big one. I know others have had great success with surgeons who were newer to the procedure. Personally, I felt more at ease by placing myself in the care of someone who has seen and performed MANY DS procedures.
.... is it the kind of aftercare that is provided? Its probably important to check with the surgeons' offices that you are considering to find out what is offered and expected in your aftercare. Some like theirs and others don't but it depends on what your expectations of this component are and how important it is to you.
... is it a surgeon's bedside manner? I wouldn't have cared if my surgeon was a jerk if I thought that he was skilled and a true advocate for the DS. (By the way, he wasn't a jerk and he is a huge advocate for the DS)
So what is on your list of needs or requirements for your surgeon/surgery?
I called tons of offices looking for information. I joined each surgeon's online support group/yahoo group/etc if they had one. That also helped me weed out some names.
I know it is overwhelming at first so I wish you luck. Don't feel like you have to rush this. Take your time and you'll know when you're making the right choice for yourself.
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