|
Post by actiongirl on Jan 20, 2012 15:58:00 GMT -5
Hello, I've been mostly lurking here for awhile. Pre-research, I was attracted to the VSG. After reading everything I could find about bariatric surgery options, I realized the DS is a better fit. I have decent insurance coverage, a 39 bmi with insulin resistance and asthma co-morbs, and a supportive husband. I have everything I need, except a doc! I'm looking at Smith in GA, any guidance would be appreciated. I have 2 small kids and we do not allow others to watch them - I cringe at how traveling for bowel surgery is gonna go down for us I've consulted TWO docs, 1 non-DS doc (Halmi) before I learned about it and 1 local doc (Elariny) whose office threw me for a loop during the consult. I'm now looking into traveling for surgery - not at all what I started out considering as an option for me. I'm 37 and WILL NOT be obese by the time I'm 40!
|
|
|
Post by majormom on Jan 21, 2012 7:10:42 GMT -5
Hello, I've been mostly lurking here for awhile. Pre-research, I was attracted to the VSG. After reading everything I could find about bariatric surgery options, I realized the DS is a better fit. I have decent insurance coverage, a 39 bmi with insulin resistance and asthma co-morbs, and a supportive husband. I have everything I need, except a doc! I'm looking at Smith in GA, any guidance would be appreciated. I have 2 small kids and we do not allow others to watch them - I cringe at how traveling for bowel surgery is gonna go down for us I've consulted TWO docs, 1 non-DS doc (Halmi) before I learned about it and 1 local doc (Elariny) whose office threw me for a loop during the consult. I'm now looking into traveling for surgery - not at all what I started out considering as an option for me. I'm 37 and WILL NOT be obese by the time I'm 40! Welcome! I hope things will work out. It's a journey for sure. I hope you don't face too many detours.
|
|
|
Post by bugirll on Jan 21, 2012 13:45:08 GMT -5
Welcome to the board! Im on track to get a DS March 19th. This site is a great source of information.
|
|
trxxyy
Full Member
Your Mom
Posts: 202
|
Post by trxxyy on Jan 22, 2012 2:24:22 GMT -5
I was about 39 bmi when I had my DS and like you I was looking at the VSG when I began looking at surgery. Lucky for me my insurance put up a road block with the VSG so while doing more research to fight insurance I decided that the DS was what I really wanted and needed.
I guess I kind of traveled for my DS since my insurance would only approve me for surgery at a hospital 3 hours away (not including LA traffic). My husband, kids and my parents came up and stayed the night before surgery and then the following night. My husband then took the kids back home while my parents decided to go wine tasting (yeah, I know..wtf?) As much as my husband wanted to be there with me and as much as I wanted him to be by my side he needed to be home with the kids and it all worked out.
Do you have a family member or close friend who could make the surgery trip with you down to Georgia? Better yet, do you have a family member or friend who could come with you, your husband and kids and watch the kids while your husband is with you at the hospital?
There are a couple other of us DS'ers who had to leave our kids and husbands to have our surgery so you are not alone.
-shelly
|
|
|
Post by Sandra C. on Jan 22, 2012 23:13:14 GMT -5
We were able to schedule my surgery during my husbands vacation week. Traveled out of town for D.S. He and my daughter stayed in a hotel close to the hospital, visited me often. My hospital stay was 3 days. They helped me at home the rest of the week. At that point I only needed Tylenol for pain, and was very mobile, able to do light things around the house. It all went very smoothly for me, with no complications. Easier than I expected, with a quick recovery due to laproscopic surgery rather than an open procedure.
If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen with sheer will and determination. It takes great inner spirit to make the mental and physical changes necessary to succeed with a complicated life altering surgery such as the D.S. Take charge of your life, and your family will rally round you during your recovery. I'm sure you do lots for them, now its your turn!
|
|
trxxyy
Full Member
Your Mom
Posts: 202
|
Post by trxxyy on Jan 23, 2012 0:19:32 GMT -5
We were able to schedule my surgery during my husbands vacation week. Traveled out of town for D.S. He and my daughter stayed in a hotel close to the hospital, visited me often. My hospital stay was 3 days. They helped me at home the rest of the week. At that point I only needed Tylenol for pain, and was very mobile, able to do light things around the house. It all went very smoothly for me, with no complications. Easier than I expected, with a quick recovery due to laproscopic surgery rather than an open procedure. If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen with sheer will and determination. It takes great inner spirit to make the mental and physical changes necessary to succeed with a complicated life altering surgery such as the D.S. Take charge of your life, and your family will rally round you during your recovery. I'm sure you do lots for them, now its your turn! yes..you get an exalt!
|
|
|
Post by actiongirl on Jan 23, 2012 6:08:22 GMT -5
If you want something bad enough, you can make it happen with sheer will and determination......I'm sure you do lots for them, now its your turn! PREACH IT, SISTER!
|
|
|
Post by actiongirl on Jan 23, 2012 6:22:27 GMT -5
I guess I kind of traveled for my DS since my insurance would only approve me for surgery at a hospital 3 hours away (not including LA traffic). My husband, kids and my parents came up and stayed the night before surgery and then the following night. My husband then took the kids back home while my parents decided to go wine tasting (yeah, I know..wtf?) As much as my husband wanted to be there with me and as much as I wanted him to be by my side he needed to be home with the kids and it all worked out. Do you have a family member or close friend who could make the surgery trip with you down to Georgia? Better yet, do you have a family member or friend who could come with you, your husband and kids and watch the kids while your husband is with you at the hospital? There are a couple other of us DS'ers who had to leave our kids and husbands to have our surgery so you are not alone. -shelly Dude, exalted for your wine-tasting, not-babysitting parents. WTF? I do have a close friend who could just go with me, but there's no way my husband would let me do this without him, even if that meant he had to stay nearby in a hotel and only phone into my hospital room. He's a good man!
|
|
|
Post by actiongirl on Jan 23, 2012 6:23:49 GMT -5
Welcome to the board! Im on track to get a DS March 19th. This site is a great source of information. Thanks! ;D
|
|
|
Post by actiongirl on Jan 23, 2012 6:32:46 GMT -5
Welcome! I hope things will work out. It's a journey for sure. I hope you don't face too many detours. Thanks, G! I'm finding it IS a journey. I just have to figure out my path to get where I need to go. Without the help and encouragement of boards like this, I bet a lot of lightweights get discouraged easily, give up and settle for second-string procedures (or nothing at all.) Thank you so much for finding me early and lending a hand!
|
|
|
Post by Sandra C. on Jan 23, 2012 17:00:50 GMT -5
It is a journey, my doc said its on going the rest of your life. Adjustments will be necessary from the beginning pre surgery to our goal weight and beyond. Maintaining seems as difficult as any other stage to me. The aging factor of senior life will have its own tricky issues to conquer with D.S. Its a good idea to get used to asking for help from all those close to us in our families, from the medical profession, and on line research, and chat groups. Bottom line is to take action now, seeking healthy modifications of our current lifestyle for longevity. The D.S. has done it for me!!!! I'm on the road to wellness!!!!
Sandra ;-)
|
|
|
Post by MsVee on Jan 23, 2012 18:04:31 GMT -5
Good luck on your journey.
MsVee
|
|
|
Post by Sandra C. on Feb 11, 2012 23:43:06 GMT -5
Best wishes and prayers to everyone on their journeys!!!!!
Sandra ;-)
|
|
|
Post by georgiagirl on Feb 13, 2012 21:36:02 GMT -5
I am talking to Smith's office as well. The first person I spoke to on the phone was lovely, but she didn't seem very enthusiastic about DS for a lightweight. We will see :-).
|
|
|
Post by Sandra C. on Feb 18, 2012 21:25:24 GMT -5
Hi guys, I am a D.S. light weight, no problem with Dr. Kemmeter about having the D.S. as a light weight. If any of you are interested in checking out his program, contact is easy through St Mary's Hospital Weightloss site, and his site- Grand Health Partners, Grand Rapids, Michigan.
You should e-mail Dr. Kemmeters nurse coordinator Cathy Mooney for" light weight" info and have Dr. Kemmeter do your D.S. you can get to her at the top of the St. Mary's Hospital site, click "questions". she can answer all your insurance and surgery questions. Traveling for the right surgeon is a good option. Lots of close hotels to the hospital and Dr. K's practice, special rates for patients and families, ask Cathy.
I have all super recommendations for him, and his staff. They will continue to stay connected with you and your PCP post surgery. I don't live close, we e-mail and phone all my questions and answers about vitamins and food plans. The blood work is done with my PCP, then results shared with all my doctors. I am in great shape, no complications, very healthy, great labs every time. It was a wonderful experience, with lots of care from all involved with the pre planning, surgery, hospital stay and post care.
Glad to answer any questions you may have.
St. Mary's Hospital, Grand Rapids, Michigan. Dr. Paul Kemmeter Grand Health Partners, Paris St. Grand Rapids, Michigan
Sandra ;-)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2012 4:02:32 GMT -5
Sandra, welcome to the LW board.
Liz
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 19, 2012 4:11:27 GMT -5
I am talking to Smith's office as well. The first person I spoke to on the phone was lovely, but she didn't seem very enthusiastic about DS for a lightweight. We will see :-). Welcome to the LW board. Smith wasn't very enthused with me either. I was a LW lightweight!!! However, mine (Dr. Boyce) will do LW DSer's. He just wants to be sure of your understanding of the process and how well you have to take care of yourself. My preop BMI was 35.2. Dr. Boyce (Knoxville), is an excellent surgeon but his staff still has the RNY on the brain. And his aftercare, while okay, is not the best as most of us find out about our surgeons. Great cutters/lousy followup. Liz
|
|