Cherry Picking ?

[flslim]

I found a DS surgeon in Florida (Jacksonville), but after my consult and processing what was said, it left me with more questions.   With a BMI of 50+ he suggested (strongly) that I have the sleeve and call it a day - AFTER I drove over 5hrs for the visit; the surgery is performed in 1.5 - 2hrs (really?); his cc length is set to 125, and he removes approx. 50% of the stomach. 

Am I cherry picking by going further afield to find a more suitable or agreeable surgeon?  He just completed his DS Fellowship, and has not yet performed his first solo.  After reading the forum and other research, I don't think surgeon is for me. 

Julie

[Deleted]

YOU ARE CORRECT!!! this is not the surgeon you want...

Find one that will do AT LEAST a standard measurement DS. 80% stomach reduction, (standard sleeve) 100cm CC, 250cm alimentary, the balance for the Biliopancreatic limb.

Also, Find one that HAS done MANY DS's. like 100 more. I was number 101 for my surgeon. Mine turned out GREAT!

Also have 2 friends that have used the same surgeon, and one more that will be getting his DS in june most likely.

Good luck in your search, Don't Compromise... get what you want. It's your life, not the surgeons.

[melanie74]

I definitely agree that getting a second opinion is a must in this case -- experience matters with this surgery.  Having a doctor who is willing to listen to what YOU want and help find a path there - unless it's medically impossible -- is always important to me as well.

Good luck in finding the right surgeon for you - you might have to travel, but it will be worth it in the long run!

[teachermomolp]

OMG- don't be the first. You need someone with LOTS of experience! You never know when there might be complications- my surgery went about 4 hours longer than they expected. My opinion is NOT TO SETTLE for the sleeve only if it's the DS you want. I had to wait soooo long but now that I am 5 weeks out AND 38 POUNDS LIGHTER, I can say it's been worth it. But you want experience if you run into issues. Read as much as you can!! Find out about complications! Do not trust the new guy- and he's probably talking you out of it because it's not an easy surgery to do. Just my two cents...

[Leonie]

I live in South Africa and had a similar option. The DS was said to be the most complex and only for the extremely obese. I qualified, but ran when I realized that all the people in the waiting room were having RnY. I flew 27 hours, used our pension, and got a beautiful DS in 90 minutes with Dr Keshishian. I have received a second lease on life!

[jpcello]

Because you have such a high BMI IMHO you need an experienced DS surgeon.

Start shopping.

[PeteA]

The experience issue and the fact that he would rather you sleeve are the things that would concern me the most.
The measurements he gave you for the DS are not out of line with some other DS surgeons.
While it seems a 100cc is more common these days 125 is not unique enough to be called unusual.

I'm also not sure that "half" the stomach is adequate on the VSG portion since stomach size seems to be
pretty variable among people. If you talk to him again you might ask him how he measures. Most Doctors talk about "french bougie" size which is just a different kind of units but they relate to the device used to measure the new stomach.

I think you would be wise to get a second opinion. Not cherry picking at all.

[bboop]

Don't know where you live but you will probably have to travel for surgery. Don't let that scare you...I traveled from TX to Minnesota for my surgery. I've done just fine...I was 63 years old and nobody went with me.

Read all you can and look for a vetted surgeon. Dr. K is very popular right now but there are many more surgeons that are good. Greenbaum in NJ, Inman in Ohio (I think it's Ohio) and Marshall somewhere in the South...there are lots of surgeons and you can find one that fits your needs.

Don't be this first doc's DS...he isn't listening to you and a sleeve for somebody at your weight is crazy...just crazy. Get the full DS, cut once and be done with it...don't need to go back for multiple surgeries. You need the malabsorption like most of us...keep the weight off and life a happy life, not one of dieting and frustration.

Welcome to the forum and good luck. Come back and ask more questions. I don't think Florida has a vetted DS surgeon...so look around for more. Steven or Stephen Marshall is probably closer to you if you live in Florida.

[Deleted]

there are some good surgeons on the east coast, so you don't have to come all the way to IL to get into a good surgeon.

That said, I DO highly recommend Dr. Stephen J. Marshall of the Peoria Surgical Group. (got my plug in whoo hoo!) There are at least 4 forum members that have had A DS from him. None of us have had any complications, and a pretty smooth recovery.

[flslim]

Thank you!!!  I live in South Florida, and am prepared for the journey.  There is no doubt in my mind as to what I want, "measure twice, cut once".  I'm doing all my pre-op testing and labs right now, and will have found my surgeon by the time I am done.   SMH - he actually said for me to stay home and have the sleeve.  Oh well, good thing I know better.  Again, thanks for all the advice and support.

Julie

[goodkel]

Apr 14, 2014 16:20:34 GMT -5 flslim said:

Thank you!!!  I live in South Florida, and am prepared for the journey.  There is no doubt in my mind as to what I want, "measure twice, cut once".  I'm doing all my pre-op testing and labs right now, and will have found my surgeon by the time I am done.   SMH - he actually said for me to stay home and have the sleeve.  Oh well, good thing I know better.  Again, thanks for all the advice and support.

Julie

Hi Julie!

No, no, no. A VSG for someone with a BMI of 50 is a revision just waiting to happen.

If you haven't seen it yet, following is the link to our DS surgeons board. You'll find a somewhat outdated list of experienced surgeons by location as well as reviews.

If you are self pay, you might want to consider Dr. Ungson in Hermosillo Mexico. He is highly renowned and experienced and costs not just less, but likely MUCH less than any stateside DS surgeon. I believe I have a review of my own posted on this board:

weightlosssurgery.proboards.com/board/66/ds-surgeon-reviews-list

[Taterweight]

I was in a similar position to you - I had a surgeon that did the DS 4 miles down the road but he wanted to do the sleeve first then have me come back for the switch if I didn't loose enough with the sleeve. Uh, no....! I was over 400lbs - I needed the full DS, not make his new BMW payments! I ended up traveling to sunny SoCal to Dr. Keshishian and don't regret a moment! I got a beautiful vacation in the middle of a nasty cold Idaho winter and a fantastic surgeon that I can't praise enough.

Don't settle!

[Girlrocker]

Just wanted to say howdy, agree with what everyone posted here and glad you have found us for support! Traveling is definitely worth it, and you have many east coast options. Keep us posted on your progress!

[kennyk]

Wow how cool that you found this board and
Knew to these questions? When my doctor had suggested a two-parter I did not want to do it because of two surgeries I had no idea it was better received as a single surgery. Luckily even though I was not educated I was headstrong and got the proper surgery.
I sincerely believe I would still be fat what would be fat again if I had only a sleeve.
K

[jpcello]

Also check out Dr. Elariny in northern Virginia. He's great and has worked on many SMO (including me).