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Post by jojo99 on Apr 26, 2015 22:10:01 GMT -5
I will be meeting Dr. Sudan at Duke tomorrow. What should I know or ask?
Thanks! - Johelen
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kmarlee76
New Member
On my way to DS day! (RNY to DS July 6)
Posts: 30 
Surgery Type: Revision
Surgery Date: July 6, 2015
Surgeon: Dr. Boyce
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Post by kmarlee76 on Apr 27, 2015 4:11:25 GMT -5
HERE ARE SEVERAL FROM A FB GROUP I'M IN YOU CAN USE THIS TO PICK AND CHOOSE:
How long have you been in practice?
What bariatric procedures do you perform?
How many of each procedure do you typically perform; weekly, monthly?
Where did you receive your training in the Duodenal Switch (DS) procedure?
How long have you been performing Duodenal Switch (DS)?
What criterion determines if a patient will be considered or qualify for Duodenal Switch?
How many DS surgeries have you performed open?
Do you perform DS laparoscopically?
How many DS surgeries have you performed laparoscopically?
What criterion determines a patient receiving laparoscopically surgery?
How many laparoscopic DS procedures have you performed that needed to be converted to open? What were the reasons for that?
How many two-stage duodenal switch procedures have you performed?
What criterion determines a patient requiring a two-stage procedure?
When is the second stage performed?
How many DS procedures have you started but were unable to complete? What were the reasons for this?
Can I speak to some of your post-op patients?
How many pre-op appointments are required before surgery?
What is the average hospital stay?
Is this a regular room or ICU?
What is the hospital’s Policy about my husband staying with me?
Complication and Mortality Rates
What is your operative mortality rate?
What percentage of your Duodenal Switch patients had major complications?
What types of complications?
What do you think caused these complications?
How many of those patients died due to post-op complications?
What percentage of your Duodenal Switch patients had minor complications?
What type of complications?
Procedural Preferences
What size of stomach do you create?
How do you determine common channel length; Hess method or standard measure?
What are your reasons for choosing this method?
How do you determine alimentary limb length?
What are your reasons for choosing this method?
Will the gallbladder or appendix be removed during surgery; why or why not?
Is a leak test performed during surgery or post-op?
Will a liver biopsy be done?
How will the incisions be closed; staples, stitches, other?
Revision Patients
How many revision surgeries have you performed?
How many RNY to DS revisions have you done?
What percentage of your revision patients had major complications?
What types of complications?
What do you think caused these complications?
Do you have a minimum or maximum BMI that would make an individual not a candidate for the DS revision surgery?
How many of those patients died due to post-op complications?
Pre-Op
What test do you require?
How close to the surgery date should these be completed?
Is any pre-op weight loss required?
What is required for prepping the day of surgery?
Post-Op
What is your aftercare plan?
What is your recommended post-op diet?
Do you have a vitamin recommendation?
What labs do you require and what is the time frame schedule you have them performed in?
Insurance/Payments
So you charge a surgeons fee? Is Yes, when is it due in full?
Do you charge a program/aftercare fee? ( (pays for expenses like nutritionist, vitamins, etc) )
Do you accept my insurance?
If I have encounter problems in my insurance approval will your office assist me?
If I have to pay a portion of the costs that my insurance doesn't cover, will you accept payments?
Do you require a deposit? If so, how much?
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derinoe
Junior Member
Posts: 75
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: 06/04/2014
Surgeon: Dr. Marek L.
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Post by derinoe on Apr 29, 2015 11:12:01 GMT -5
I also asked my surgeon about preop diet. Hormonal changes with the weight loss, hair loss, the statistics of his paitance weight loss and lokked to make sure there were no malpractice issues.
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Post by jojo99 on Apr 30, 2015 22:01:21 GMT -5
Wow - that was some list!
The meeting wen pretty well. I was really worried at first because when I spoke to the resident, he said he didn't think Dr. Sudan would recommend the DS for me. But, when he came in to talk to me, he just asked why I wanted that particular surgery and nodded along as I went through all my reasons.
He wants me to get cleared through cardiology since my blood pressure runs so high plus the standard labs, EKG, and chest xray. Since I have to see my PCP for 6 months, he wants me to wait a few months for those things (except the labs). He said he would see me in 5 months and that was that.
I'm hoping he's not just waiting until then to talk me into something else. I'm pretty set on the DS.
For now, I'm just biding my time, seeing my PCP and day dreaming about what I will look like on my birthday next July:-)
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kmarlee76
New Member
On my way to DS day! (RNY to DS July 6)
Posts: 30
Surgery Type: Revision
Surgery Date: July 6, 2015
Surgeon: Dr. Boyce
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Post by kmarlee76 on May 1, 2015 21:25:48 GMT -5
That sounds like a great plan. Is there another vetted DS surgeon you may want a second opinion from? Just my thoughts as I have to wonder why such a wait just to see only IF it's possible. Good luck to you! Hope the list I posted helped. If nothing else, maybe the list will suggest something you haven't thought of so far in your journey.
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Post by goodkel on May 2, 2015 12:59:51 GMT -5
Wow - that was some list! The meeting wen pretty well. I was really worried at first because when I spoke to the resident, he said he didn't think Dr. Sudan would recommend the DS for me. But, when he came in to talk to me, he just asked why I wanted that particular surgery and nodded along as I went through all my reasons. He wants me to get cleared through cardiology since my blood pressure runs so high plus the standard labs, EKG, and chest xray. Since I have to see my PCP for 6 months, he wants me to wait a few months for those things (except the labs). He said he would see me in 5 months and that was that. I'm hoping he's not just waiting until then to talk me into something else. I'm pretty set on the DS. For now, I'm just biding my time, seeing my PCP and day dreaming about what I will look like on my birthday next July:-) Is the six month wait an insurance requirement? I had to explain to my surgeon why I wanted the DS instead of the VSG, too. I was a lighter weight with a BMI of 41.something. I think that he was testing me to see if I knew what I was asking for. I haven't heard of Dr. Sudan pulling a "bait and don't switch" before. I think he will do what he says. |
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Post by teetster on May 5, 2015 12:44:26 GMT -5
Hi JoJo,
I'm glad your appointment with Dr. Sudan went well, I am also a Dr. Sudan DS patient. I just wanted to say that I do not think he will try to talk you out of the DS.
He has done DS for a very long time but does seem to like to make sure that the patients he performs it on are capable of/competent to handle their health needs after surgery. This is why he asks you why you want that particular procedure. I hear this is very common for DS surgeons to question their patients in this way, to make sure they are really ready for the lifestyle changes DS will involve.
As long as you told him why you want it and he trusts that you know about the DS and the necessary aftercare, I don't see him trying to change your mind to another procedure.
Best Wishes!!
I
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