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Post by newanatomy on Oct 15, 2013 17:20:17 GMT -5
So here's the update. I have an OCTOBER 30TH surgery date in two weeks, but insurance approval is still pending. RNY. But I am having doubts. Not because I don't want WLS, I do, and I know I have to do something before my BMI shoots up to 50. No surgery is not an option. I want the WLS. But... in my heart I still want a DS. (My best friend had one two weeks ago with Dr. Roslin -- Dr. Roslin had to come out to speak to me about the surgery status-- the look on his face). Anyway, let's not forget I DO HAVE THE OPTION OF GETTING A DS. There is a surgeon willing to do it on me if I want it. Their only warning was if that the DS makes my acid reflux much worse, that going from an DS to RNY would be "major, major surgery." The point is it's my decision. If I want a DS, I can choose to get it. Granted, it would be going against medical advice and it would be gambling with my health. But I remember a person on here who got turned down by the NYC surgeons and went across the country and still got their DS. Am I doing the right thing letting the idea go and just getting the RNY? YES
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Post by duodenalswitcharoo on Oct 15, 2013 17:42:08 GMT -5
Dr. Keshishian JUST CALLED ME. VERY NICE OF HIM. HE BASICALLY SAID HE WOULDNT RECCOMEND A RNY TO A FAMILY MEMBER AND THAT ITS "CRAP," AS IS THE BAND. He did agree an RNY would take away the acid producing section of the stomach and disconnect it from the mouth. But he said this can cause a "silent asthma" in that the acid wont come up to the mouth when it needs to and that food would sit in the esophagus. He said he would do a loose Nissen wrap with a partial DS. He said he would have my weight loss rely on the malabsorption component and do the intestinal bypass, but potentially NOT do a sleeve to avoid the high pressure. Possibly a very gentle sleeve depending on my medical records. But likely the intestinal portion of the DS and not a sleeve, making the weight loss from the malabsorption and not from any restrictive property. He said the original DS from DeMeester was actually for acid reflux. Finally, he doesn't do a fixed common channel. (I wanted a 150 conservative cc). He does it as a percentage of total length, which usually results in a common channel of 50-100. So that's another opinion. But he definitely was against an RNY -- not even for weight loss reasons but for health reasons. Well....isn't that enough? You just received a call from one of, if not, THE most well known and respected DS surgeon giving you advice and info...and you are STILL not sure? I'm really at a loss as to what you expect people on the internet to convince you of if Dr K wasn't enough. Good luck in everything!
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Post by brooklyngirl on Oct 15, 2013 18:54:23 GMT -5
Dr. Keshishian JUST CALLED ME. VERY NICE OF HIM. HE BASICALLY SAID HE WOULDNT RECCOMEND A RNY TO A FAMILY MEMBER AND THAT ITS "CRAP," AS IS THE BAND. He did agree an RNY would take away the acid producing section of the stomach and disconnect it from the mouth. But he said this can cause a "silent asthma" in that the acid wont come up to the mouth when it needs to and that food would sit in the esophagus. He said he would do a loose Nissen wrap with a partial DS. He said he would have my weight loss rely on the malabsorption component and do the intestinal bypass, but potentially NOT do a sleeve to avoid the high pressure. Possibly a very gentle sleeve depending on my medical records. But likely the intestinal portion of the DS and not a sleeve, making the weight loss from the malabsorption and not from any restrictive property. He said the original DS from DeMeester was actually for acid reflux. Finally, he doesn't do a fixed common channel. (I wanted a 150 conservative cc). He does it as a percentage of total length, which usually results in a common channel of 50-100. So that's another opinion. But he definitely was against an RNY -- not even for weight loss reasons but for health reasons. Well....isn't that enough? You just received a call from one of, if not, THE most well known and respected DS surgeon giving you advice and info...and you are STILL not sure? I'm really at a loss as to what you expect people on the internet to convince you of if Dr K wasn't enough. Good luck in everything! He's had opinions from many well respected surgeons and, if I remember correctly, Dr K was the only one who thought the DS was ok to do because of his other issues. Paul- in all seriousness, have you made a pro and con list? It helps me sometimes to put all my thoughts down on paper.
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Post by Girlrocker on Oct 15, 2013 19:33:28 GMT -5
Paul, but it seems like *you* forgot about approaching this by fixing your hernia first, seeing where you were at, then moving forward with bariatric surgery? There are pages of discussion, medical, surgical advice here, isn't it 'asked and answered'? You are asking something only you can decide, based on the information you have. What more can possibly be added?
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Post by duodenalswitcharoo on Oct 15, 2013 19:42:13 GMT -5
Paul, but it seems like *you* forgot about approaching this by fixing your hernia first, seeing where you were at, then moving forward with bariatric surgery? There are pages of discussion, medical, surgical advice here, isn't it 'asked and answered'? You are asking something only you can decide, based on the information you have. What more can possibly be added? This is exactly what I was trying to say...he's heard from everyone, but no one can take away the decision from him nor do we have to deal with the repercussions of any decision. He needs to just decided one way or another and stick to. You will drive yourself crazy if you keep playing out the "what if's". Been there, done that!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 15, 2013 20:25:10 GMT -5
And yet, of all surgeons Dr. K is who I'd trust on this. If he thinks he can safely do the DS on you, I'd consider that it IS a viable option. Beyond that, it's a decision only you can make. Wishing you the best with your private deliberations.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Oct 15, 2013 21:43:38 GMT -5
nyuboi, you CANNOT AFFORD to have surgery off-insurance. And ALL OF THE respected surgeons in NYC recommend the RNY.
Go ahead with the RNY with Herron. Or else just stop whining already. Enough is enough.
ENOUGH.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Oct 15, 2013 21:47:05 GMT -5
Ya know what? Go fly across the country and get a DS. Go ahead. Good luck. Even I have lost patience at this point. I do not believe you will ever actually have any bariatric surgery or get the hernia fixed.
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Post by maggiesara on Oct 15, 2013 21:48:04 GMT -5
Folks, I have a mantra I learned many years ago: Don't engage with crazy.
Among other things, it's very much like playing peekaboo with a two-year-old: THE GAME NEVER ENDS
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Post by newyorkbitch on Oct 15, 2013 21:58:46 GMT -5
Hey - I have a 2.5 year old and even he tires of peekaboo eventually! (Now the knock knock jokes...that's another story...)
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Post by nyuboi on Oct 15, 2013 21:59:09 GMT -5
Well....isn't that enough? You just received a call from one of, if not, THE most well known and respected DS surgeon giving you advice and info...and you are STILL not sure? I'm really at a loss as to what you expect people on the internet to convince you of if Dr K wasn't enough. Good luck in everything! He's had opinions from many well respected surgeons and, if I remember correctly, Dr K was the only one who thought the DS was ok to do because of his other issues. Paul- in all seriousness, have you made a pro and con list? It helps me sometimes to put all my thoughts down on paper. You are correct. Dr. K was the only one who would be willing, and it would be a partial DS at that.
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Post by nyuboi on Oct 15, 2013 22:00:32 GMT -5
nyuboi, you CANNOT AFFORD to have surgery off-insurance. And ALL OF THE respected surgeons in NYC recommend the RNY. Go ahead with the RNY with Herron. Or else just stop whining already. Enough is enough. ENOUGH. I was just looking for feedback like this, a confirmation that I'm doing the right thing by giving up on the DS.
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Post by nyuboi on Oct 15, 2013 22:02:43 GMT -5
Ya know what? Go fly across the country and get a DS. Go ahead. Good luck. Even I have lost patience at this point. I do not believe you will ever actually have any bariatric surgery or get the hernia fixed. If the insurance approves it, I am scheduled for surgery in two weeks. There is a 99% chance I will be getting it. Just had that 1% DS dream that I am trying to let go of.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Oct 15, 2013 22:03:53 GMT -5
Enough.
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Post by brooklyngirl on Oct 15, 2013 22:57:52 GMT -5
Ya know what? Go fly across the country and get a DS. Go ahead. Good luck. Even I have lost patience at this point. I do not believe you will ever actually have any bariatric surgery or get the hernia fixed. If the insurance approves it, I am scheduled for surgery in two weeks. There is a 99% chance I will be getting it. Just had that 1% DS dream that I am trying to let go of. I think it's time to not think of DS anymore, put it out of your mind as something that's not appropriate for you and move on. Let your mind be at peace because you're driving yourself nuts going back and forth over this
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Post by goodkel on Oct 15, 2013 22:59:37 GMT -5
Ya know what? Go fly across the country and get a DS. Go ahead. Good luck. Even I have lost patience at this point. I do not believe you will ever actually have any bariatric surgery or get the hernia fixed. If the insurance approves it, I am scheduled for surgery in two weeks. There is a 99% chance I will be getting it. Just had that 1% DS dream that I am trying to let go of. NYB makes a good point. Where do things stand on THE MOST IMPORTANT thing you need to do first? Fix the hernia.
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Post by nyuboi on Oct 17, 2013 20:56:53 GMT -5
If the insurance approves it, I am scheduled for surgery in two weeks. There is a 99% chance I will be getting it. Just had that 1% DS dream that I am trying to let go of. NYB makes a good point. Where do things stand on THE MOST IMPORTANT thing you need to do first? Fix the hernia. Pomp and Herron didn't agree with fixing the hernia alone and then going through another WLS in the future. They said it should be done at the same time. Plus how they fix the hernia is much more limited if you're having WLS. Which operation you're getting impacts what they can do with the hernia. In any event, I'm set up for the end of this month for both.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Oct 17, 2013 20:58:37 GMT -5
Good. Now focus on getting ready, and getting prepared for post-op.
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Post by nyuboi on Oct 17, 2013 21:18:39 GMT -5
I GOT THE INSURANCE APPROVAL! It's a go for Oct 30th, RNY and hiatal hernia repair. I started a new thread to help let this one die... for pre-surgery and post-surgery stuff.
So happy my new insurance plan didn't fight it.
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Post by nyuboi on Oct 20, 2013 16:53:53 GMT -5
Maybe I should break the bad news on this thread so don't bring the negative stuff to my other new thread. I am NOT using Herron.
Fielding at NYU is consistently ranked in my book, and has been highly spoken of by every bariatric surgeon I ever met with. Roslin said he would feel comfortable getting surgery personally from Fielding or his wife. Dr. K said he is a very qualified component surgeon, etc. with other docs. The fact is NYU is so organized they were able to get me approved fast and efficiently. Mt. Sinai wanted to start the 6 month game again, and have an updated nutritionist when I just met with one in July. Plus Fielding promised to fix my hiatal hernia. I didn't want to wake up and found it was not done.
You all tell me to make a decision for myself, and to do something, and that I will never get surgery. So I made a decision.
PLEASE RESPECT MY DECISION AND DONT GO OFF ON ME.
Surgery is the 30th. Wednesday I meet with PCP. Friday is my pre-op tests at NYU. Saturday is my final meeting with Fielding. Then the following Wednesday is my surgery.
I am now focused on preparing for post-op.
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Post by newyorkbitch on Oct 20, 2013 16:58:04 GMT -5
Good luck! I hope the hernia repair goes well and that the RNY works for you.
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Post by goodkel on Oct 20, 2013 17:01:56 GMT -5
For various reasons, some people need an RnY. No one should jump on you for this. Since you are unable to pay out of pocket and travel to Dr. K., the one surgeon qualified to take care of your issues and give you a DS, you are making a wise decision that is in your best interest. If any jumping is to be done, it should be for JOY that you will finally be having your surgery. Congratulations!
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Post by nyuboi on Oct 20, 2013 18:30:04 GMT -5
I will say Dr. K is the man. I emailed him on a sunday night just now and he literally called me within 5 minutes of the email. We talked about stuff for 18 minutes.
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Post by duodenalswitcharoo on Oct 20, 2013 18:40:32 GMT -5
I think you are doing what you need to do for you. No one elses opinion should sway that. I wish you luck! I have an umbilical hernia, but can't get it fixed until I have my apronectomy.
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Post by goodkel on Oct 20, 2013 21:09:57 GMT -5
I will say Dr. K is the man. I emailed him on a sunday night just now and he literally called me within 5 minutes of the email. We talked about stuff for 18 minutes. Why are you still communicating with Dr. K.?
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Post by newyorkbitch on Oct 20, 2013 21:19:53 GMT -5
I'm going to suggest that you put a lid on it here, nyuboi. You already had one surgeon dump you. Stop talking about other surgeons and communicating with other surgeons. You made a decision, now get ready, focus, and that's it.
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Post by goodkel on Oct 20, 2013 22:34:52 GMT -5
I'm going to suggest that you put a lid on it here, nyuboi. You already had one surgeon dump you. Stop talking about other surgeons and communicating with other surgeons. You made a decision, now get ready, focus, and that's it. Absolutely. You've made a good decision, nyuboi. Stick to it and move on.
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Post by nyuboi on Oct 21, 2013 14:28:55 GMT -5
I'm going to suggest that you put a lid on it here, nyuboi. You already had one surgeon dump you. Stop talking about other surgeons and communicating with other surgeons. You made a decision, now get ready, focus, and that's it. Absolutely. You've made a good decision, nyuboi. Stick to it and move on. Thanks guys. {{{{{{}}}}
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Post by nyuboi on Oct 22, 2013 11:31:28 GMT -5
My date and surgery is set.
But entertain my lunacy for a second, what if I did opt for the DS? Dr. Fielding can do exactly what Dr. K suggested (shorter common channel to make up for larger gentle sleeve, less restriction with stomach). Then it would be rolling the dice on if I wake up to wide open severe reflux, or if I am fine staying on Nexium and Prilosec. The acid reflux disease combined with occasionally vomiting is what was causing me not to be able to get the surgery. My vomiting has gone down, it used to be daily when I was sleeping. Now, only happened twice in the past 60 days when leaving a restaurant. I think my esophagus is better than where it was, but not normal. So if I wanted to take the chance of the acid reflux getting worse and potential vomiting, I could have the DS.
But I can't help but wonder what everyday life would be like with a DS. I am used to all the trips to the bathroom cause I lived my life with IBS and never knew it until a year ago. But I am also very OCD about being clean "down there" before I go out on a date, or potentially have someone over. What would I do, say excuse me I need to shower? I mean... I would never put myself in a situation where there is any remote chance of sexual activity if I didn't feel fresh down there, and certainly a loose stool would do that. Maybe its a good practice, maybe its just obsessive compulsive. I can deal with gas (ive already been subjected do it when I went shopping with my newly-DS'ed friend. But the bathroom problems... I would likely have to go 3 times in the morning. That's kind of tough with work. I guess I would be on IBS medication the rest of my life, as it stopped me from going 5-6 times a day to 1-2. The IBS was the reason Dr. Pomp didn't like the DS on me, aside from the reflux. As for the scopinaro BPD NYU suggested, Dr. K told me if I was going to do that I might as well just get a modified DS.
If a DS was a complete disaster on me, It can be turned into an RNY, but Fielding warned me this would be very major surgery.
I have always been a gambler who takes chances. But to gamble your health away? It would be a high risk choice to get the DS...
Anyone single who has the same issues with staying clean after bowel movements before going out for the night or hitting the town?
I'm going to put a portion of this on a new thread,
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Post by goodkel on Oct 22, 2013 13:36:26 GMT -5
I can't believe you are doing this to yourself again. But, to answer your question, most people's bowel functions normalize after a few years. You learn, as you do with IBS, what sends you running to the bathroom and you avoid it. At 6 years out, I go once every morning and maybe every few days once more in the evening. Stools are generally large, soft, easy to evacuate relatively swiftly. I know how much magnesium and fat I need to keep everything regular. Anything that deviates from this means that there is another problem to be solved. A bacterial imbalance, too many carbs, an intolerance to something I am eating can all cause excessive trips to the bathroom. Pain meds constipate. After the healing phase, things get better. After the weight loss window, things calm down even more. Time fixes everything and what it can't, you can fix yourself in most cases.
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