I FINALLY got a hot date with Dr. Marchesini!
God must be working in my life, because Dr. Marchesini is now pretty much the same price as some of the other options I was considering and uncomfortable with. I can't list his specific prices (he said under Brazilian law they can't be publicly advertised). I have LOVED this man since I found out about him and his work years ago. He has been kind and patient and prompt with my numerous e-mails over the years!
September 15, 2010, 1:30 p.m. Curitiba time.
Once he gives me the schedule I will buy tickets. He has asked me to have a companion there at least from the 15th to 20th.
I did ask him about a 65 cm common channel and he said he would do it in my case but he will discuss it in detail with me when we meet as I may decide not to go for that common channel length once he talks more about the potential side effects.
Also, he told me to talk to VitaLady about supplements for after surgery, LOL! He also said he can set me up with consultations for the other medical needs I have (like getting my teeth braces removed, getting an IUD, etc.) once I come out of surgery.
I am going open. I know it might be a longer recovery time but he has so much more experience with open, and yes, it is cheaper. Also, I want that common channel measured precisely which I've read doesn't always happen with lap.
I am SO excited! Once I come back from my trip to Canada on July 12th, I will apply for a visa. I have asked a friend to be my companion and am awaiting her answer. She was willing to go to Puerto Vallarta so hopefully she will be willing to go to Brazil. Otherwise, I'll have to ask my cousin or my brother or an aunt or another friend. I don't want my mom there because she is pro-LAP-BAND.
I am going, going, going to FINALLY make this happen! I cannot wait! I did the calculations and could've gone September 1st, but the 15th is fine because that gives me a little extra time to earn extra money.
Stephanie
September 15, 2010, 1:30 p.m. Curitiba time.
Once he gives me the schedule I will buy tickets. He has asked me to have a companion there at least from the 15th to 20th.
I did ask him about a 65 cm common channel and he said he would do it in my case but he will discuss it in detail with me when we meet as I may decide not to go for that common channel length once he talks more about the potential side effects.
Also, he told me to talk to VitaLady about supplements for after surgery, LOL! He also said he can set me up with consultations for the other medical needs I have (like getting my teeth braces removed, getting an IUD, etc.) once I come out of surgery.
I am going open. I know it might be a longer recovery time but he has so much more experience with open, and yes, it is cheaper. Also, I want that common channel measured precisely which I've read doesn't always happen with lap.
I am SO excited! Once I come back from my trip to Canada on July 12th, I will apply for a visa. I have asked a friend to be my companion and am awaiting her answer. She was willing to go to Puerto Vallarta so hopefully she will be willing to go to Brazil. Otherwise, I'll have to ask my cousin or my brother or an aunt or another friend. I don't want my mom there because she is pro-LAP-BAND.
I am going, going, going to FINALLY make this happen! I cannot wait! I did the calculations and could've gone September 1st, but the 15th is fine because that gives me a little extra time to earn extra money.
Stephanie
Congratulations!! It sounds like everything is coming together for you.
--gina
--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
Congratulations! I'm glad things are working out how you want them to.
Can you explain why you want the common channel to be exactly 65 cm? Channel length is not something I had given a lot of thought about, and as a pre-op, I am curious as to why that specific length is important.
Also, I spent some time in Curritiba a few years ago and loved it. There is a beautiful botanical gardens there if you have some time and energy to get out while recovering.
Pamela
Can you explain why you want the common channel to be exactly 65 cm? Channel length is not something I had given a lot of thought about, and as a pre-op, I am curious as to why that specific length is important.
Also, I spent some time in Curritiba a few years ago and loved it. There is a beautiful botanical gardens there if you have some time and energy to get out while recovering.
Pamela
Congratulations!!! I believe you are in very, very good hands. I have loved getting to know Dr. Marchesini by email, and from what I read his patients all adore him. Besides that, he is well known as a competent DS surgeon. I hope with all my heart that I get to meet him someday too!
I have been researching Curitiba for a while now - and have talked to several of Dr. M's patients as well. If you want to see some photos of the hospital, the hotel, a few sites in Curitiba, etc....then you can google "Nina B. Wright Curitiba Brazil". She did a really good job showing her experience with photos. I loved looking at her photos - it made me feel so much more comfortable about going.
Anywhoo, congrats to you! I am so, so happy for you!
I have been researching Curitiba for a while now - and have talked to several of Dr. M's patients as well. If you want to see some photos of the hospital, the hotel, a few sites in Curitiba, etc....then you can google "Nina B. Wright Curitiba Brazil". She did a really good job showing her experience with photos. I loved looking at her photos - it made me feel so much more comfortable about going.
Anywhoo, congrats to you! I am so, so happy for you!
kathie09
I'm so glad you've gone with Marchesini. I've seen so many positive things about him on this board.
You know, pre-ops get really worried about open v. lap, but I have to say it was pretty much the last thing that I worried about during recovery. My DS was open, and it's not the external wound that takes the time to heal. It's all the internal cutting and re-routing that knocks you flat. You picked a good strategy for saving money there rather than on an iffy surgeon. Plus, I kinda liked that my surgeon could see everything, especially adhesions that he needed to take down.
You know, pre-ops get really worried about open v. lap, but I have to say it was pretty much the last thing that I worried about during recovery. My DS was open, and it's not the external wound that takes the time to heal. It's all the internal cutting and re-routing that knocks you flat. You picked a good strategy for saving money there rather than on an iffy surgeon. Plus, I kinda liked that my surgeon could see everything, especially adhesions that he needed to take down.
That is excellent news!
BTW, I have a 50cm common channel with no horrible side effects. Just regular ol' gas like every other DSer. One or two poos a day. I feel very normal.
I've seen people with way longer common channels have way more digestive troubles. I think it's really a crapshoot and not as simple as the shorter your common channel the more problems you'll have. Lots of variation among DSers. You might not have any "side effects" with a 65cm common channel.
BTW, I have a 50cm common channel with no horrible side effects. Just regular ol' gas like every other DSer. One or two poos a day. I feel very normal.
I've seen people with way longer common channels have way more digestive troubles. I think it's really a crapshoot and not as simple as the shorter your common channel the more problems you'll have. Lots of variation among DSers. You might not have any "side effects" with a 65cm common channel.
Great news!
Like others have already said:
I had an open DS and don't think there was much difference in the pain. I think maybe you trade a little more discomfort with the longer incision for a lot less gas pain which comes with the lap procedure. Everything else is internal and I, too, prefer my doc to have a good view of what he's doing.
Also, like Georgina, I have a 50cm common channel. I'm VERY new (only 1 month out), but I think I have fewer diarrhea issues than other newbies have reported (sorry if TMI) and very little gas. *knock-on-wood* Lucky so far.