James G.
Written 5/2/2008 by Jim Getzkow
I have plenty to say about this site. All good. I have met some really neat and interesting people here to say the least. Most everyone is of the type that wants to help and expects nothing in return. If you need something, it usually can be found here or at least someone here has already experienced it.
In looking back, I had been searching this subject of getting WLS since 2005 or so, I found more info on this site and the links.
I started back then by going to an information meeting with Dr. Shapiro at the St. Cloud Hospital. I was interested but still afraid. When we looked into it for Robin, she was refused due to other medical problems she has, by Shapiro. So we went to the info meeting with Dr. Baker in the Twin City area. He also turned Robin down. All the while I am getting to the point for myself of just wanting to forget about the whole thing for me.
As time went on I looked into it for just myself and reserved that Robin would not be able to get bariatric surgery due to her other complications. By this time I liked the Lap Band. Easy to adjust, easy to install, could be removed, and now becoming more popular. Heaven only knows why if it was working why?? would you want to take it out?? I was looking at the RNY and Lap Band and knew others with it. I went to the informational meetings for the Band and I was just starting with the dietician at the Long Prairie Hospital. Then after time, some problems came up with the band these people had and they had them removed. Slippage with one, causing erosion. So now I don't really know if the band is right for me.
Then I thought maybe I should go with the most common procedure RNY. It was as close as St.Cloud, only 30 miles. But now the well known, Dr.Shapiro is no longer there. Now Dr. Glass is there and he has only performed like 90 procedures, I think at that time. This worried me somewhat. Then after going to his informational meeting. I was just about ready to fill out the papers and start the hoop jumping required for any procedure. (Actually I did the paper work.)
Then it dawned on me to look again at the Obesity Help Forum. I looked at all types.
I started to look into DS and I also had been concerned with the distance to go was so far to get this done, but you only live once and I want the best that is offered. I started hearing about people travelling out of this country to get Bariatric surgery of all kinds. The I thought really to drive to the twin cities to see Dr. Buchwald is not that bad, when he has people coming from all over to see him. As far as the distance, I thought even if it is farther to drive and so on, I am going for this.
I liked the eating advantages and the diabetes results with DS. I like the long term results and the other things like being able to drink and eat without as many restrictions. People have said a lot of all the vitamins they have to take and so on. I am now taking a handfull of pills for all the ailments I have so that won't be any different, just different pills. I would sooner take iron and vitamin supplements any day than all the foreign chemicals I have to take now.
January 16, 2008 I met with Dr. Buchwald and worked from that day forward to get accepted by my insurance co. for Ds. I got the date of June 3, 2008. Surprisingly my wife, Robin, got her date of July 1, 2008. A huge thanks to Dr.Buchwald because he had no problem with Robin and her other medical problems and he said "Why not do the procedure on Robin?". He is a unique and extremely intelligent person. Robin would not have this procedure if it was up to others. "Thanks" is what I say to him but that is not enough.
All the waiting has seemed so long. But now the day is coming soon.!
Jim
