DS in North Carolina
Dr. Voellinger (sp) does it, but is not recommended by some on the DS board (and no, I don't know why).
I have *heard* that a doc is about to start, if not already, to preform it at Duke. I think duodenalswitch.com is your best source for info about docs that actually perform the procedure, rather than claim they do, then switch and bait to a different surgery type for whatever reason.
Be sure to ask over at the DS board as well. And Angela P... she went down to GA to have hers done, you might ask why since she's in the triangle.
I have *heard* that a doc is about to start, if not already, to preform it at Duke. I think duodenalswitch.com is your best source for info about docs that actually perform the procedure, rather than claim they do, then switch and bait to a different surgery type for whatever reason.
Be sure to ask over at the DS board as well. And Angela P... she went down to GA to have hers done, you might ask why since she's in the triangle.
If you have Blue Cross Blue Sheilds I would highly recommend you going on the website for BCBS of MN. In the search bar put in the work morbid obesity and the policy should come up. You need to find out what your insurance covers.
Blue Cross Blue Shields of NC does not cover anything but lap band and RNY in most situations. I think they will sometimes cover duodenal switch. Please just read your policy.
Like someone said, do some research when choosing your doctor. There is Dr. Voellier in NC and then there are some people that go to georgia for surgery and are very happy. check out the duodenal switch forum.
Tamara
Blue Cross Blue Shields of NC does not cover anything but lap band and RNY in most situations. I think they will sometimes cover duodenal switch. Please just read your policy.
Like someone said, do some research when choosing your doctor. There is Dr. Voellier in NC and then there are some people that go to georgia for surgery and are very happy. check out the duodenal switch forum.
Tamara
I'm awaiting approval for a DS from BCBS of NC. BCBS varies greatly from state to state, so you'll have to see exactly what they cover in your policy.
Dr. Voellinger in Charlotte doesn't actually have too many DS surgeries under his belt. After research, I chose Dr. Dennis SMith in Marietta, GA. He has done more than 300 lap DS's, and is one of the premier DS surgeons on the east coast--in the US, in fact. I think his website is www.advancedobesitysurgery.com ..
It's true, Angela P. just had her surgery with him, and she's from NC. Under the forums tab, chose surgical and then duodenal switch and you can get a lot of info there.
mspppants
Hey There! Thanks for Andrea and MsPPPants mentioning me. Yes, it is true that I just had my DS with Dr. Dennis Smith in Marietta, GA, 6 and 1/2 weks ago. I did not go to Dr. Voellinger in Charlotte because he does not have neough DSes under his belt for my liking. The DS is a very complicated surgery and I wanted the best. There were also reports when I was first on this site years ago that one of his DS patients did not have a good outcome. Like, really bad. General wisdom on the DS board is that he is not the best choice for DS.
However, Dr. Ranjan Sudan came to Duke Univ. Med. Ctr last year and as of last month has started taking patients for the DS. I don't know if their website says as much yet since I haven't checked it lately, but Dr. Sudan is the Head of Bariatrics at Duke now and I think he was always regarded as a really good DS surgeon in NE where he used to practice. My advice would be to come to the DS board and ask his patients directly what they think. I think you'll find that they will respond warmly.
As for me, I chose Dr. Smith because he has done more like over 600 DSes (his numbers on OH are not up to date). He has had no bad outcomes, and hasn't had a leak in 6 1/2 years. He is a truly wonderful surgeon *****ally cares about his patients. Heck, he came to see me in the hospital twice a day the whole time I was there. He's quiet, but he does care. And he's brilliant in my opinion.
As for insurance, I'd like to correct the previous information. BCBS (of NC at least) does state in their policy document that DS is covered. I think MN is much the same. It does, however, depend on your individual policy, so read it well. Also, please keep in mind that if you have any trouble at all with BCBS of MN, I have some documents that could help you in appeal, and also there are a good number of folks on the DS board who have successfully fought BCBS of MN and won their appeals and had the DS. I personally had to fight BCBS of NC for 7 months through 2 appeals to get my DS approved. It was totally worth it!!
I hope this info helps. Please PM me if you would like to dicuss further any questions you have about the surgery itself or surgeons. Come to the DS board and hang out. We're always ready to share info. I'd personally like to see more NC folks there. And as for me, I'm 6 weeks out and down a total of 49 pounds, 38 since surgery. I've lost 21.75 inches in the first month alone. I love my DS!! I have not thrown up once, and except for eating too fast a couple of times, have had no pain or anything. I've tolerated all foods well, been getting all my protein, water and vitamins since day 1. I got to the gym 4 times a week and have been since day 4 post-op. I think you'll find that alot of my docs patients tend to do really well after surgery.
Weclome to the NC board, and to OH. Welcome to the best ride of your life!
Take care,
Angela
However, Dr. Ranjan Sudan came to Duke Univ. Med. Ctr last year and as of last month has started taking patients for the DS. I don't know if their website says as much yet since I haven't checked it lately, but Dr. Sudan is the Head of Bariatrics at Duke now and I think he was always regarded as a really good DS surgeon in NE where he used to practice. My advice would be to come to the DS board and ask his patients directly what they think. I think you'll find that they will respond warmly.
As for me, I chose Dr. Smith because he has done more like over 600 DSes (his numbers on OH are not up to date). He has had no bad outcomes, and hasn't had a leak in 6 1/2 years. He is a truly wonderful surgeon *****ally cares about his patients. Heck, he came to see me in the hospital twice a day the whole time I was there. He's quiet, but he does care. And he's brilliant in my opinion.
As for insurance, I'd like to correct the previous information. BCBS (of NC at least) does state in their policy document that DS is covered. I think MN is much the same. It does, however, depend on your individual policy, so read it well. Also, please keep in mind that if you have any trouble at all with BCBS of MN, I have some documents that could help you in appeal, and also there are a good number of folks on the DS board who have successfully fought BCBS of MN and won their appeals and had the DS. I personally had to fight BCBS of NC for 7 months through 2 appeals to get my DS approved. It was totally worth it!!
I hope this info helps. Please PM me if you would like to dicuss further any questions you have about the surgery itself or surgeons. Come to the DS board and hang out. We're always ready to share info. I'd personally like to see more NC folks there. And as for me, I'm 6 weeks out and down a total of 49 pounds, 38 since surgery. I've lost 21.75 inches in the first month alone. I love my DS!! I have not thrown up once, and except for eating too fast a couple of times, have had no pain or anything. I've tolerated all foods well, been getting all my protein, water and vitamins since day 1. I got to the gym 4 times a week and have been since day 4 post-op. I think you'll find that alot of my docs patients tend to do really well after surgery.
Weclome to the NC board, and to OH. Welcome to the best ride of your life!
Take care,
Angela
~Angela Patience + Persistence = POWER!!
Angelette to MajorMom 
Angel to Blue Rose and MsPPPants
HW/SW/CW/DGW/GW 305/294/145/167/140 -160 pounds total
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