Hoping to have DS

Thanks so much for all the feedback. I wish I had made it hear sooner!! I am a teacher and have to have my surgery this summer. My insurance is changing in September and there will be an additional 5,000 copay on bairatric surgeries. I cannot afford this extra money. I have already completed all my visits and am just waiting on the insurance approval. I am going to make sure and read up on everything I can. I hope that I will have a better experiance with Dr. Barker than some have had. I am afraid it is too late to change surgeons and if I wait I might not ever have the chance to do it. I am 27 and really want to have kids as well. I know I have to wait 2 years after surgery and I just don't want to wait any longer than I have to. Is there anyone out there who had a positive experience with Dr. Barker?

It is NOT too late to change surgeons until he/she is CUTTING on you.  So up until they wheel you back and sedate you - you are free to change your mind about the surgeon or the DS.

I would NOT allow a surgeon who has done less than 50 DS' operate on me, period.  You are risking your life here.  This is a major, major, major deal and you want to "hope" that your experience with this relatively inexperienced surgeon is more positive than others have had.?? I would NOT leave one part of my surgery to "hope" or chance if I didn't have to.  Most people have to travel for their surgery - you are lucky in that you have a vetted DS surgeon right in the next town!!

PLEASE for the love of all that is HOLY at least have a consult with Dr. Stewart before making your final decision!!

And you have YEARS more for childbearing, seriously.  I am 36 and plan to start trying later this year.  Don't let be the factor that pushes you into choosing an inferior surgeon.

It's NOT too late to change surgeons!!!!! Good Lord, don't just cave in on this, it's your LIFE at stake!!

 What????  You just got great advice.  Why would you put yourself in the hands of a surgeon who is not on the vetted list of DS surgeons?  How would you like to live with post surgical complications, not be able to go back to work, and rack up medical debt, all because you made a bad choice of surgeons!  

Don't be foolish...

I changed surgeons a few times before I found someone I was comfortable with. I even had a date and everything and switched. And you know what? Almost no delay in my new date. It's only ~April now, so you have time to get this up and running. Call up the doctor with experience, tell him your concerns about scheduling due to your job. See what they can do. You may be surprised.

I am actually driving a few hours to get to Dr. Barker. I will check into Dr. Stewart and see if anything can be done. My main concern is that my husband is paying for the surgery even though he is not really for it. If I wait until my insurance changes and have an extra 5,000 to pay I don't think he will pay for that. I also have to get it done over the summer because I don't want to miss school. I appreciate all the information and will contact Dr. Stewart and talk with his staff.

Dr Stewart works quite well with schedules.  If you want surgery in June, he can make it happen.   He is respectful of other surgeons though and will not tell you to ditch Barker if you go in and say you are a Barker patient.  Just go in for a consult and talk to the man.  Tell him your planned date.  Let Leah work with your insurance--She's a little rough around the edge but magnificent in the realm of insurance.

You need to decide for yourself whether you want the best or someone just starting out to alter your anatomy in a way that will influence the rest of your life--including your future family. 

You might compare costs as well.  I know Barker has a huge "services' fee or something, that pays for the follow up and etc.  It's like a couple thousand of his fee.  And you will never see him again after the day of your surgery.  Stewart's fee is like $300 and he sees his patients for aftercare. 

Purely out of curiousity, where are you driving from?  If you are near Lubbock we can meet up with you and you can get to know some current DS'ers and your husband can as well. 

I am in Howe

Aaaah, Ok found it on the map.  Why does Texas have to be so BIG?! (Asks the transplant) 

Well, we could try a 'meet in the middle'  daytrip if you are interested.  Talking to other DS'ers face to face is great for potential patients and for uncertain spouses.

  Dr Barker is an experienced surgeon at RNY and Lap-Band.  When Stewart did my DS at Forest Park 6 months ago, Barker filled at least 12 beds Friday morning with those 2 surgeries.  At that point, Barker had never done a DS.  The patient I mentionned before was one of his first, if not the first.  Her surgery was 4 months ago.  Barker spends the front half of the week traveling and speaking, he attracts customers, draws them to Dallas, cuts them on Friday, they are gone by Monday.

The Ds is serious business.  It is a complex , difficult surgery.  This is why so few surgeons do it.  And why we advocate strongly for experienced DS surgeon. It also requires a strong-willed patient, determined to ensure she gets the care she needs.  It requires a lifetime of supplementation and labwork.  It requires being able to understand your new innards and be able to explain them to a medical world stuck in an RNY world.  

I apologize if I've come off harsh in this thread.  I want you to have the best surgical experience you can.  I do hope you will talk to Dr Stewart.  He does all 4 surgeries.  He usually does 2 DS a week.

Whatever you choose, I wish you the best.   

 BTW, I have never seen a DS patient on this board who had Dr. Barker.  That should tell you something.  I am sure if Dr. Stewart knew your schedule and needs, he would work with you.  And, you keep focusing on the $.  Are you aware that your life is at risk here?  Any surgery is risky.  The DS requires experienced hands.  It is a very difficult surgery.  Stick around and read the complications that can happen with the very best of surgeons.  Your life is worth it!