"Christine is the best!!!
Applying all her advice has helped me learn how to lose weight the healthy way. She has given me the tools to continue to reach my goal weight, and maintain my goal for a healthy lifestyle. My labs continue to be in the normal range from pre surgery to 18 months out now. She is more than just a nutritionist, she is a friend to accompany me along my weight loss surgery journey. Duodenal switch is tricky to handle by myself with regards to balancing protein,fluids,carbs, nutritional needs, supplements and vitamins. I couldn't have done it without her!!!
Thanks Christine!!!
Sandra C. ;-)
135 lbs lost by 8 months post surgery
hw/255 sw/235 cw/117"
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Michigans' "Top Doc" Duodenal Switch Surgeon Dr. Paul Kemmeter
Cutting edge, compassionate, comprehensive care, all describe Dr. Kemmeter. He is well respected by his peers in the surgical field. Considered a "Top Doc" in the country for bariatric surgery, and his speciality the Duodenal Switch, performed by less than 50 doctors nationally. Director of Saint Mary's Hospital bariatric department, and patient center, located at Grand Health Partners, Grand Rapids, Mi. The duodenal switch, his prime surgery is considered by him and his colleagues to be the premier bariatric surgery because of its success rate with long term weight loss and least chance of regain. Because so few surgeons master the Duodenal Switch, he is highly regarded in his field. Prospective patients travel from near and far for his expertise, in the hopes of qualifying for this highly saught after surgery.
One of my other surgeons at Saint Mary's Hospital is also a nationally regarded "Top Doc", Director of gynecologic oncology. Specialist Dr. K. Brader said he works closely with Dr.Kemmeter. If he ever needed WLS he would only have the Duodenal Switch over all the other possible WLS with Dr. Kemmeter. He stated the surgery was worth while to be able to lose my excess weight for cancer prevention. Maintaining a thin body helps lessen the chances of developing future cancer for everyone. This fact plus my arthritic hip and knee pain with walking was all I needed to spur me on to have this surgery.
I admire Dr. K's uplifting personality, professionalism, and personalized caring devotion to all his patients. I like his approachable open style of discussing all the patients questions about choosing the right WLS for them. Its apparent he is truly dedicated to each and every one of his patients throughout their surgical experience and beyond. He provides superior pre through post surgical care, with attention to individual emotional and spiritual needs.
All these unique traits make him my my "Top Doc" pick for any kind of WLS, especially the Duodenal Switch, my surgery choice. I left my in- town surgeon part way through the pre surgery process to to have the D.S. with Dr.K. I knew after Dr.K's introductory seminar the D.S. was the only WLS I could see living the most normal life with long term, with varied choice of foods, and least regain.
Grand Health Partners is a designated "Center of Excellence", meeting the utmost requirements for successful bariatric surgeries. Contributing to these factors is the highly trained staff of professionals, including internists, psychologists, nutritionists, and sports physiologists. The business office is extremely talented working with the insurance companies to get approval for you. The on site store is packed with the most up to date protein sources, and vitamin supplements. It's so easy to pick up my supplies after my appointments. I especially like being able to e-mail my nutritionist any questions about nutrition, or my other detailed health concerns for the doctors. The nurses respond by phone with answers after consulting with the Surgeon or PA.
My journey began with attending the seminar, and answering Dr.K's first question to me-" Why is the D.S. the right WLS for me?". I had done my homework, researching all about every WLS. With the D.S. the digestive properties of the pylorus are intact, enabling digestion of foods closest to my normal healthy diet, a lot like the high protein Atkins Diet. A portion of the stomach is permanently removed along with hunger producing hormones. The restrictive size of the newly sleeved stomach enables smaller eating habits, and the most long term success with weight loss over all the other possible WLS. My insurance covered the entire cost of one WLS in a lifetime. I wanted to be sure to choose the one where I could go out to dinner with friends, and not have them know I had ever had WLS by my food choices or inability to handle restaurant meals like the other surgery options. I wanted to be able to get to my goal weight and maintain it for the rest of my life, all the while keeping an eye on my health, and improving my ability to exercise for longevity. Demonstrating a working knowledge of the D.S. for Dr. K, I gained his confidence I could handle living with the D.S., monitoring my daily intake of protein, fluids and vitamins, along with limiting carbs.
My Saint Mary's Hospital experience began with meeting their bariatric nurse coordinator, Kathy Mooney at the introductory seminar. So helpful and friendly, she helped me transition into their program, in person and on line. I must have asked her a million questions. My new friend was a welcome visitor after every surgery I had this year. She made sure all went smoothly throughout my stay and discharge, following up with a home call to see how I was doing.
My 3 surgeries this year were months apart beginning a year ago. Minimally invasive laparoscopic techniques were used for my Davinci Robotic complete hysterectomy,Duodenal Switch, gallbladder/appendectomy/upper endoscopy combined with internal review of previous surgeries. It was a real plus to have my D.S. surgeon do my gallbladder/appendectomy. He knew his way around my rerouted system best. One of my main reasons for having the D.S. was to be able to lose as much of my excess weight for cancer prevention. I am genetically predisposed to having cancer from relatives on both sides of my family tree. My uterine cancer diagnosis was a depressing finding, the doctors didn't know the extent of it all until surgery. They were very worried about my condition because I had the symptoms a long time. Dr. Brader was able to provide me with a compelete cure, no post surgery treatmentts necessary. 4 months later I had the D.S., and 8 months after this I had a gallbladder attack necessitating gallbladder removal.
Saint Mary's Hospital Lack Center is the best place to have major surgery. They have superior staff and facilities, with restaurant quality food any time, on your schedule, a phone call away. Every bariatric patient has a private room, with shower/bath, and well appointed furnishings, comfortable enough for an overnight guest. The over all stress reducing environment included a relaxing waiting area for family and friends, private surgical prep rooms, bariatric trained nursing staff, private out patient and in patient recovery rooms.
Since my first surgical experience with the surgeon, anesthesiologist and the hospital, I wanted to have any future surgeries there to reduce my pre surgery stress. Because of all my positive experiences, I plan to relocate all my healthcare to doctors connected to Saint Mary's Hospital for continuity with my future medical/surgical care and computerized records. I had no complications with all 3 of my surgeries, uneventful surgeries and quick laparoscopic recoveries. I was back on my feet the day of surgery, walking the halls the next day, and packing my bag to go home by the second, or third day of each surgery.
As my recovery from my latest gallbladder surgery one week ago continues, I am able to return to the gym for light exercise, walking the track 3 miles, and followed by 2 miles recumbent stationary bike. I reached my goal weight of 127 this week, 128 lbs lost within 8 months post D.S. surgery. Many of my doctors have remarked how I have lost 1/2 of myself. I am healthy, happy and fit working out with no hip and knee arthritic pains which prevented me walking without extreme pain pre surgery. All systems healthy and monitored by specialists. I know I have found the road to longevity, healthy living through weight loss surgery and the Duodenal Switch. Energized, and enlightened about the care required for improved health with aging. I am 58, but a young 58, feeling like 35 now that I have my health under controll. Don't let the idea of major surgery hold you back, Laparoscopic surgery techniques and modern medicine have made great strides in the bariatric field. Research all your options like I did and you will have success too.
Sandra C ;-)
Dr P. Kemmeter, GHP, Grand Rapids, Mi.
Dr.K.Brader, Lack Center, Grand Rapids, Mi
Saint Mary's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Mi.
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