Starting this Journey Again

I happen to think that the best way to decide is to consider all 4 options (band, rny, sleeve, ds).  I looked at long term statistics on the amount of excess weight lost and on the maintenance of that weight loss.  I also looked at the post-op life, side effects and post-op diets of each type and took into account how I knew I eat, my previous diet history, etc.  I did this via looking at the various surgery type forums here, by reading the regrets and revisions boards and then by doing other additional research.  I felt the DS was the best choice for me, so I then had to switch to a surgeon who could do the DS.  (I'd not recommend asking a surgeon who only does band or rny about the sleeve or ds.)

Good luck to you in making this choice.  I wish you great success regardless of what surgery you choose!

Fortunatly my insurance does cover WLS and it does not specify type other than you have to have a BMI of 50 or more to get the sleeve.  If I was slef pay no matter how much I wanted to have it done I would not be able to afford it.

Hey there. I am pre-op too! And I also would love to have more children. Someone suggested to me that I check into the DS when I first ventured onto this board. I almost didn't because of the negative opinions that followed this suggestion, but I am SO glad I did. And I did a LOT of research. A lot of fanatically reading people's stories on all the boards. It was important to me that I knew people had been able to successfully have children post WLS (including all types, not just DS or RNY).


I talked a lot with my primary care doctor about my options, as well. She told me flat-out that with my BMI (which is 55+), the lap band was not a good option. I could tell she had reservations about RNY, but didn't find out why until she told me that her mother had regained 70-80lbs after losing the weight from RNY. She had not heard of the DS, and now after both of us looking into it, her mother is looking to do a revision to DS. So I definitely feel comfortable having made this decision, knowing it's the same one my doctor helped her mother make. :D


It comes down to the research you do. Not just the facts, but the experiences people have. All of the WLS have success stories. It's just a matter of finding which one is right for you.

And like I said, I'm pre-op! So my opinions may not mean as much to you as someone who has BEEN through the journey of surgery.

I would recommended researching all the different types of surgeries, then letting a surgeon help you make the decision rather than people who have just had surgery.  I had RNY but really wanted a lapband, but my surgeon didn't think it was a good choice.  If you want a surgery who can do several different kinds, I would recommend Erik Wilson that someone who isn't a Texas and jumped on board here had on a list.  I know Erik and have even been on a cruise because he was a surgical partner to my surgeon.  They have since split up.  I would not be so brave as to recommend someone if I lived out of state and got their name off a list.  This is not a good way to choose a surgeon.  If you do want to consider him, I know he does DS, RNY and lapband.

Happy hunting!

Karla

I agree, Dr. Eric Wilson would be a good choice as would Dr. Daryl Stewart; here's their contact information:

Erik Wilson, MD * 
Email: [email protected]

UT Houston
6700 West Loop South, Ste 500
Bellaire, TX 77401
Phone: 713-892-5500
Fax: 713-871-0071

 

Daryl A. Stewart, MD *

Weight Loss Specialists of North Texas
Denton Surgical Group
3321 Colorado Blvd.
Denton, TX 76210
Phone: 940-382-9429

Kerry

 
The "list" is from a reliable site - and those are vetted DS surgeons.

I went with Dr. Stewart because he has much more experience than Dr. Wilson with the DS.  The seminar I went to first was in Dr. Wilson's office in Houston, TX.  Dr. Stewart is in Denton, TX (I went to his seminar, too)

Both are fine surgeons.  I went with the one with more experience in the surgery I chose.

When choosing a surgeon it's important to know what type of surgery/surgeries they excel in - not just what they offer. 

Decide which surgery is "right for you", then find the best surgeon that performs that particular surgery.

I had Dr. Ferrari do a revision from Vertical Banded Gastroplasty to Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy in 2006. He saved my life, and I would recomend him to everybody. Good Luck to you and your husband, you will both do just fine.
                                                                     Love, Elaine  aka Sunshine Diva