Gerty
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Posts: 48
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Post by Gerty on Aug 30, 2013 12:19:59 GMT -5
newanatomy, I'm not saying he's making everyone go to Dr. Erzinger, but he is requiring it of some patients. I am saying that it's not ok. Check the Utah forum on the OtHer site. Gerty Gerty, I did, as you suggested, check the OtHer site again, specifically the Utah Forum. I saw one patient who mentioned a required supervised 6 month diet. This patient was seeing Dr. Erzinger. I understood this to mean that their insurance was requiring the supervised diet. I am sure Dr. Simper's office recommended Dr. Erzinger but, I am also sure that the patient would have been able to choose a different doctor to see if they wanted to. I wish you all the best with whomever you choose to have surgery with! I would not want to have surgery with anyone who made me feel uncomfortable either. I am a hoping for a good meeting with him for myself. I hope your meeting with him is great. I know he has very good reviews and has done a lot of surgeries. I'm not trying to talk anyone out of going to him. I had a bad experience. I promise you he gave me no choice. If I wanted surgery with him, I had to see Dr. Erzinger. When I told him I had already done a medical diet with my pcp, he said not in my office. I don't know what his reasoning was, because he didn't tell me. I had my daughter and husband with me, and they heard the same thing. I didn't misunderstand him. It's not required for my insurance and not usually required for his office. I wish you well with your appointment and your surgery, but I'm going to a doctor who makes me feel comfortable. Gerty. |
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Post by Girlrocker on Aug 30, 2013 12:30:04 GMT -5
Hi Gerty, and welcome! I'm sorry I'm tardy here, as well. I'm a Dr. K patient too, revised from RNY to DS Dec 2011, my RNY was May 2002. I wanted to read through all the posts before responding, and you've gotten some really good info here. My heart goes out to you as well, I've dealt with major depression, still do, but keep it managed through anti-depressant and life-saving therapy. Weight loss surgery, whatever procedure, is a tool, and without question, the DS is the best of them all when it comes to the combo of the smaller stomach/malasorption. Whatever psych/emotional issues we have that contributed to the fat are of course still there, and, exacerbated in new and challenging ways as the weight comes off. At 52, I still consider myself a work in progress, and while I've scaled back my therapy visits to regular tune ups for now, I definitely keep a hand in. The DS has been key for me the metabolically challenged. Always had slow metabolism as a kid, but of course, destroyed it through years of obesity, yo-yo dieting, losing, regaining 60-100 lbs three times. It sounds like you have done some very big soul searching, and I applaud you for it. And life changing? Meeting Dr. Keshishian. For the first time, he helped me take myself off the hook of blame and failure. I knew he was the surgeon for me when I met him. He has saved my life - he told me recently that I was worst case he'd seen in terms of depression, despair, that I had completely given up, and I would agree, I felt like the walking dead. Also, this is a link to a keynote done by Dr. Roslin, called Does the patient fail the procedure or does the procedure fail the patient? It was a discussion on here where we all had a chance to submit questions, and it's very informative, highly recommend. Several of us RNY to DS revisions here, and I detailed most of my experience the first year+. I have been very fortunate to have a smooth surgery process, no complications (whole 'nuther story after my RNY). weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=speaker&action=display&thread=3804I live in Los Angeles, 15 minutes away from the Glendale office/hospital and Pasadena hospital. Please feel free to reach out here, via PM or email anytime. Hi Gerty, Dr. Keshishian preformed my revision in December. There are a few of us on this board. I know he saved my life. He is a very skilled surgeon as well as a kind and compassionate human being. The minute I met him I knew I was going to be alright. I am happy to answer any questions you have. Best, Whitney |
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Gerty
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Posts: 48
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Post by Gerty on Aug 30, 2013 12:50:14 GMT -5
Gerty, A few things from my personal experience. Those on mental health meds may lose more slowly and stop short of their goal. When that happens the disappointment and self negativity can awaken the Binge or compulsive eating pattern that has helped you to survive thus far. I stopped all my meds (something I do NOT recommend btw!!!) and my weight loss slowly started again. Now that I have changed GPs she can't understand why the shrink would even consider a weight gaining drug for someone already bmi 70+. ugh. Sometimes I feel like everything is against me, I am sure you can relate to that! In a lot of my medical notes the Dr. suggested different meds that I refused to try because of weight gain! They finally had me try Viibryd promising it was weight neutral. I had some weight gain at first because I had so much nervous energy, but it came right back off and leveled out. 1 1/2 yrs now the difference is amazing if you get past the side effects. I was a little worried about how it would be absorbed after DS. My psych NP isn't worried, it can be crushed and the others we'll deal with as needed. Gerty |
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Gerty
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Posts: 48
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Post by Gerty on Aug 30, 2013 12:53:55 GMT -5
Hello again  Hope you aren't so nervous now! [/quote] Yes, I'm still a little nervous, but grateful to be here and for the support. It's more than I ever expected! Gerty |
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Gerty
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Post by Gerty on Aug 30, 2013 13:05:18 GMT -5
Hi and welcome! Sorry I'm late to the party . I am very pleased to hear you have Medicare. Their requirements are oh, so much simpler than those of many other insurance plans. Your failed RNY is totally sufficient for them. My main suggestion is: If you aren't in regular therapy now, get there and stay there for the long term. I'm a survivor as well, and it took many, many years of intensive therapy to get to the point where I was ready to face WLS and the changes that would come with changing my body so dramatically. I also benefited greatly from sticking it out in therapy throughout the whole process, to this very day. Oh I'm in therapy! I see my psychologist every other week and have for 8 years. He's promised me he won't be retiring for a long time. I see a psychiatric Nurse Practitioner in the same office once every 2 months for meds. They do coordinate care and are both on board to help with issues that come up before, during and after WLS. I would definitely not be where I am without them. Thank You Gerty |
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Hope you aren't so nervous now!