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Post by bboop on Sept 9, 2014 9:25:05 GMT -5
I've never heard of him. And trust me I looked long and hard for a DS surgeon in Texas.
Go first and see how you do with Erick...then maybe go to the other guy. I don't think he's on the list of vetted surgeons.
Best of luck on your appointment.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2014 9:56:28 GMT -5
I've never heard of him. And trust me I looked long and hard for a DS surgeon in Texas. Go first and see how you do with Erick...then maybe go to the other guy. I don't think he's on the list of vetted surgeons. Best of luck on your appointment. Yeah, thxs, I have my appointment with Eric in about 2 weeks. I'm just trying to have one last back-up plan if that fails before I commit to going to Dallas. It takes so many weeks to get in to see these guys! Been a frustrating process to say the least!
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Post by goodkel on Sept 9, 2014 10:57:13 GMT -5
Never heard of him. But, I am not the be all and end all of all DS surgeons. I just gather the info as I find it.
I am always happy to add surgeons to our list who check out on being a true and trustworthy DS surgeon.
But, it is nice to see that you have the "cutter" thing down pat. Too many people expect their surgeon to hold their hand beyond the initial healing stage and it just doesn't happen or, when it does, the info they or their staff provide is dangerously incorrect and/or RnY based. I know of one surgeon only with a nutritionist who was/is willing to learn and he's in VA.
Did you question any of these DSers about common channel length, etc.?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2014 12:16:59 GMT -5
...yes, I absolutely did!! I asked all 11 of them and the answers varied as much as they do on this board. 50-125 cm. I also asked how many people thought they became obese (pre DS), because of bad eating habits or bad genetics, i.e. super absorbers that only live on 1K calorie's or less per day and still gain weight, or, some variation/combination of the both? I was surprised to hear 8 or so out of 10 say their bad eating behavior was the culprit and it was their fault. Only one Lady said she was like me and didn't ever eat much. I then pretty quickly told everyone my life long observation that A LOT of Skinny people eat ALL bad food all the time too and they never get fat and that I think the genetics component of the equation is more significant than we think, even if there are varying degrees of severity.
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Post by west4thavenue on Sept 9, 2014 12:53:21 GMT -5
Update: Any info or opinions on Dr. Felix Spiegel ?? This past weekend, I actually went to a local DS support group, Houston Area DS’rs (HADS), meeting luncheon and this Dr. had done 3 or 4 of the people there. I never did consider him before because he has so many mixed reviews. All the people were in agreement that he has little bed-side manner and his staff is rude (which is beginning to sound like the norm), but that he is a “Damn good Cutter”…as they put it..LOL. and been doing the DS for many years with good success???They all said the same thing as I do, I don’t have to like the guy and I don’t care if he is an A$$hole, but just need a good experienced DS surgeon. Multiple reports of poor surgical follow up care and at least two cases of malpractice. The surgeon you go into the OR with has a tremendous amount of power during and after the procedure. To some degree, having a weight loss surgery is a gamble for all of us. I'd look for someone who would give me better odds. And some respect, too.
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Post by goodkel on Sept 9, 2014 13:06:49 GMT -5
That's a pretty wide spread of common channel lengths. Did you get any idea of how far out from surgery they were?
There is definitely a genetic component to why some people become obese.
There are other reasons, too. People can screw up their metabolism with yo-yo dieting and then one pregnancy can throw them on the path to morbid obesity. Some switch is flipped that accounts for why there is a 95% long term (5 years) failure rate of people who have lost more than 25 pounds through diet and exercise. The weight comes back and brings friends. Lather, rinse, repeat until they now find themselves morbidly obese.
Some use food for comfort and personal tragedy or unresolved emotional traumas can pile on the weight.
Some have medical reasons for the weight gain that put them on this path.
The DS sets your metabolism back to normal. Once you have lost your weight, you will continue to have to watch what you eat (carbs) or you will gain weight just like a normal person. But, you will also be able to lose weight like a normal person, too. Skinny people who can eat whatever and as much as they want are an anomaly as much as super models.
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Post by goodkel on Sept 9, 2014 13:21:24 GMT -5
Update: Any info or opinions on Dr. Felix Spiegel ?? This past weekend, I actually went to a local DS support group, Houston Area DS’rs (HADS), meeting luncheon and this Dr. had done 3 or 4 of the people there. I never did consider him before because he has so many mixed reviews. All the people were in agreement that he has little bed-side manner and his staff is rude (which is beginning to sound like the norm), but that he is a “Damn good Cutter”…as they put it..LOL. and been doing the DS for many years with good success???They all said the same thing as I do, I don’t have to like the guy and I don’t care if he is an A$$hole, but just need a good experienced DS surgeon. Multiple reports of poor surgical follow up care and at least two cases of malpractice. The surgeon you go into the OR with has a tremendous amount of power during and after the procedure. To some degree, having a weight loss surgery is a gamble for all of us. I'd look for someone who would give me better odds. And some respect, too. I don't think anyone should go into this expecting any more from their surgeon than immediate post op care. Once those stitches/staples come out, they have done their job. It would be awesome if they had a staff nutritionist properly educated on the DS to provide ongoing nutrition and vitamin advice. There are a couple of practices like that out there, but they are few (though I don't know of any that are competent about vitamins) and far between and not the norm. Sad, but true. But, until those staples come out and all surgical complications are resolved, the surgeon needs to stay on top of things. If he is not paying attention to surgical follow up, that could be a dangerous problem. A risk that I wouldn't take.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2014 16:18:16 GMT -5
@ Goodkel…That's a pretty wide spread of common channel lengths. Did you get any idea of how far out from surgery they were? The longest DS’r there was 6+ yrs and the newest was one month.
@ Goodkel....there is definitely a genetic component to why some people become obese.
Some switch is flipped that accounts for why there is a 95% long term (5 years) failure rate of people who have lost more than 25 pounds through diet and exercise. The weight comes back and brings friends. Lather, rinse, repeat until they now find themselves morbidly obese.
I myself believe a store (as fat) gene and not a burn gene is switched on in a self preservation mode. The ancestors from people that store everything probably went for weeks without food, whereas the burners never developed that gene because food was more plentiful, a carryover from when food was not as plentiful. Also….You can NEVER get rid of a fat cell, except to have it removed surgically. It shrinks and elongates thus releasing what’s inside, but it is there lurking 24/7 waiting for one mistake to be filled back up again. Regarding common channel length etc, after learning about all this DS stuff, absorption, malabsorption etc, I wonder if the “Store people” evolved a longer small intestine to absorb more? Is there a correlation between longer small intestine length and obesity? I’ve researched the net a little and asked a few Dr’s and didn’t seem to peek any curiosity. I was maybe going to start another thread with that maybe and not "Hi-jack" my own thread...LOL
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2014 16:21:42 GMT -5
Update: Any info or opinions on Dr. Felix Spiegel ?? This past weekend, I actually went to a local DS support group, Houston Area DS’rs (HADS), meeting luncheon and this Dr. had done 3 or 4 of the people there. I never did consider him before because he has so many mixed reviews. All the people were in agreement that he has little bed-side manner and his staff is rude (which is beginning to sound like the norm), but that he is a “Damn good Cutter”…as they put it..LOL. and been doing the DS for many years with good success???They all said the same thing as I do, I don’t have to like the guy and I don’t care if he is an A$$hole, but just need a good experienced DS surgeon. Multiple reports of poor surgical follow up care and at least two cases of malpractice. The surgeon you go into the OR with has a tremendous amount of power during and after the procedure. To some degree, having a weight loss surgery is a gamble for all of us. I'd look for someone who would give me better odds. And some respect, too. Thxs for the reply, and, yeah, I did see that and actually read the reports, so am definitely keeping that up front and close as well!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2014 12:00:57 GMT -5
I have an update to my thread, I’ve FINALLY made my decision! I chose Dr. Erik Wilson to be my DS Surgeon. I seen him last wed, just two days ago and was very impressed, and equally important, we were on the same page. He said he only agrees to do the DS on a select few patients that fit his criteria, most of which being having the knowledge of post op diet, lifelong supplementation etc. and said I was an ideal candidate for the DS and said “let’s do it”. He said he never does a two stage DS, (which has been my biggest hurdle here in Houston), unless they have a BMI over 70 or 80 and agreed upon BEFORE surgery. So, I started my NUT and my 90 dietician stuff and will be looking at a surgery date of early January.
I feel like a huge weight has been lifted. I am betting that this will have been the most frustrating and hardest part, including the surgery! I won’t know that for sure until 6 months from now, BUT, seeing/interviewing FIVE Surgeons, filling out all the GD redundant paperwork and forms, taking off work, all Five times and dealing with all the office BS, bait and switches etc has been probably THE most frustrating thing I’ve ever been through….BUT, I swear, I don’t know what I would of or could have done without the knowledge I’ve obtained from all you VETS on these forums, and I say unto you all again, THANK YOU!!
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Post by goodkel on Sept 27, 2014 12:38:44 GMT -5
YAY! That's great news!
Dr. Wilson is a highly renowned DS surgeon with a long history of successful DS patients.
You're in good hands.
Congratulations!
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Post by bboop on Sept 27, 2014 17:59:37 GMT -5
I don't want to be rude, but I am. I have no idea who Spiegel is. We have told you to use Eric Wilson. Todd assisted on my resleeve and I saw him for aftercare. He's very nice. But he also takes Medicare and Eric doesn't anymore. So that's where Todd came in. Eric was in the OR when I had my surgery.
When you see Eric tell him it's the DS or nothin'. Don't waffle around be plain spoken and in the meantime, study up on the DS. It is a big surgery and you do need to know what you will be committing to in the long run. I'm six year out and I still take my vitamins...faithfully. I try to eat low carb all the time. You need to be able to ask the questions you need to know. Ask questions that show you have done your homework.
Get a picture of the DS and try to understand what's going to be done to you. Discuss stomach size (the banana) and how long your common channel will be. Get serious with this. You will have to learn to advocate for yourself. I know many of us have never had to do that, but now is the time.
I wouldn't go and see anybody else if I were you. If Eric won't do it...then head to Frisco for the other doc. I know he's as good and will help you. Those are the only two vetted DS surgeons that we on this forum know of in Texas.
Hope I didn't come off as being too rough on you, but you need to get serious about this. Be able to ask good questions... you have found a doc that does the DS in Houston, now impress him and show him you FULLY understand what's going to be done to you.
When you are researching and if you have questions, come back here and ask. We will try to answer them for you. There are some really sharp people on this forum that are more than willing to help.
Stop your frustrations and go with the gold...meaning a vetted surgeon. Best of luck to you.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 27, 2014 22:48:04 GMT -5
YAY! That's great news! Dr. Wilson is a highly renowned DS surgeon with a long history of successful DS patients. You're in good hands. Congratulations! Thxs Kel, you are so awesome! And such a sweetheart!
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Post by Deleted on Sept 28, 2014 12:35:13 GMT -5
I don't want to be rude, but I am. I have no idea who Spiegel is. We have told you to use Eric Wilson. Todd assisted on my resleeve and I saw him for aftercare. He's very nice. But he also takes Medicare and Eric doesn't anymore. So that's where Todd came in. Eric was in the OR when I had my surgery. When you see Eric tell him it's the DS or nothin'. Don't waffle around be plain spoken and in the meantime, study up on the DS. It is a big surgery and you do need to know what you will be committing to in the long run. I'm six year out and I still take my vitamins...faithfully. I try to eat low carb all the time. You need to be able to ask the questions you need to know. Ask questions that show you have done your homework. Get a picture of the DS and try to understand what's going to be done to you. Discuss stomach size (the banana) and how long your common channel will be. Get serious with this. You will have to learn to advocate for yourself. I know many of us have never had to do that, but now is the time. I wouldn't go and see anybody else if I were you. If Eric won't do it...then head to Frisco for the other doc. I know he's as good and will help you. Those are the only two vetted DS surgeons that we on this forum know of in Texas. Hope I didn't come off as being too rough on you, but you need to get serious about this. Be able to ask good questions... you have found a doc that does the DS in Houston, now impress him and show him you FULLY understand what's going to be done to you. When you are researching and if you have questions, come back here and ask. We will try to answer them for you. There are some really sharp people on this forum that are more than willing to help. Stop your frustrations and go with the gold...meaning a vetted surgeon. Best of luck to you. I re-read your post several times to try to better understand your points of view and advice and I just wanted to say thank you also...Though I didn't understand some of what you are saying (and still don’t on some points), it was kind of you to take the time to share your experiences and I do appreciate it. I have already done everything you suggest, such as ask E. Wilson all those important questions and have done all you suggested X10. I absolutely do understand the ramifications of DS surgery, the good and the bad. I am an Engineer by discipline and have approached all of this in a very precise method of process of elimination and have seen 5 Surgeons and just did decide on Dr. Erik Wilson, and he was impressed with the information, research, and knowledge I took to our meeting, so…again, thxs for your input and for taking the time to re-iterate those important points.
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Post by bboop on Sept 29, 2014 0:21:13 GMT -5
Great! I'm extremely happy for you.
In your last post, I thought you were still trying to decide on a guy named Spiegel...who none of us have ever heard of...I am guessing he's probably a bait and switcher. Don't know that but I'm just guessing.
That's why I said what I said. I'm truly glad that you have done your research and were able to ask the right questions and you and Dr. Wilson got along. What more could you want?
I swear I went back and reread your post...you hadn't posted the part about selecting Eric Wilson when I wrote my post...I'm confused. Sorry if I offended you I certainly didn't mean to but just wanted to reinforce what we have said before about the bait and switchers. Plus I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting yourself into. Sounds like you do know all of that.
So good luck to you and I hope I didn't offend, that was not my intention.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2014 6:02:32 GMT -5
Great! I'm extremely happy for you. In your last post, I thought you were still trying to decide on a guy named Spiegel...who none of us have ever heard of...I am guessing he's probably a bait and switcher. Don't know that but I'm just guessing. That's why I said what I said. I'm truly glad that you have done your research and were able to ask the right questions and you and Dr. Wilson got along. What more could you want? I swear I went back and reread your post...you hadn't posted the part about selecting Eric Wilson when I wrote my post...I'm confused. Sorry if I offended you I certainly didn't mean to but just wanted to reinforce what we have said before about the bait and switchers. Plus I just wanted to make sure you knew what you were getting yourself into. Sounds like you do know all of that. So good luck to you and I hope I didn't offend, that was not my intention. Thxs for your reply!! I'm not offended at all, quite the opposite. One thing I’ve learned over the years is that when I write something, it sometimes doesn’t do a good job of conveying my feelings and my real thoughts that can very easily be misinterpreted. I am just SO happy to have this part of it done and over! It’s been a long and painful process, but, learned a lot and I swear to you, I would have fallen for one of the bait and switchers if it wasn’t for the advice and knowledge I got from you guys. So, I truly will always be forever grateful no matter what happens, so thxs again!!!
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Post by bboop on Sept 29, 2014 9:34:24 GMT -5
What the heck is that in your avitar?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 29, 2014 10:05:33 GMT -5
What the heck is that in your avitar? That's my lil dog, his name is "Harry". Please don't make fun of him, he's very sensitive
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Post by bboop on Sept 29, 2014 22:11:34 GMT -5
I have five rescues and love every one of them...although two of them are now marking places inside...they have a doggie door. What kind of dog is Harry? Is that really your dog? Are u pulling my leg? I would love to see a larger pic of him.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2014 6:11:51 GMT -5
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Post by bboop on Sept 30, 2014 8:47:22 GMT -5
You almost had me goin'. Poor little thing. I'll be watching for you on the forum...when are you having your surgery?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 30, 2014 10:15:02 GMT -5
You almost had me goin'. Poor little thing. I'll be watching for you on the forum...when are you having your surgery? Thank you! Yeah, I guessed somebody probably loved him, hopefully! I'm a dog lover too!, but in this lil guys case....I may be inclined to make an exception!
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Post by bboop on Sept 30, 2014 18:36:26 GMT -5
When are you scheduled for surgery?
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Post by Deleted on Oct 1, 2014 6:38:17 GMT -5
When are you scheduled for surgery? Sometime around mid Jan. I have to complete the usual 90 day visit with the "Dietician" etc. Also trying to shop around for the Psych to go see. Not looking forward to that either. I'm hoping to have him or(preferably her), on the couch before the end of my visit!! NOO not that silly...you'll get your minds out the gutter...
That being said...there is one Lady Dr. whom is on my plan, a Ms. Mary Jo Rapini, and she is also a sex therapist...and HOT too I might ad...lol, has her own TV shows etc....OK, sorry, I'm digressing, AGAIN.. I'll shut up now..
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