getting the ball rolling...

[ynona74]

Good morning fellow light weights....

Today is my first bariatric seminar in Pasedena with Dr. Crookes. I am so excited to get the ball rolling. I am considered a light weight because I am only 5'5" and weigh in at 242. Which only puts my BMI at 40.
I'll let you know how it all goes once I get back.

[majormom]

Wishing you good luck at your consult. LWs swing lizards for good luck, so I'm swinging lizards for you too. lol

--gina

[ynona74]

So I'm back from my seminar....Dr. Crookes was okay. He doesn't do the DS surgery laproscopically only open. I'm fine with an open procedure. Here's the kicker...he says that the RNY is the gold standard. He says he only does DS on rare occasions. I had my mind so set on the DS from everything that I read and from everything the WLS Vets have been saying, that now I don't know what to do.

[trxxyy]

From what I have been told by Dr. Crookes patients you have to show him that you know what the DS is about and what the DS lifestyle requires. Basically you need to let him know that you know your shit when it comes to the DS. I really don't disagree with his approach, I find myself sizing up a person if they ask me for more details about my surgery. I would hate myself if I suggested a procedure to someone if they are unwilling or unable to manage long term.

I am not sure what the next step is in his program, do you now meet with him one on one? If so, come armed with all of your DS knowledge and if you are worried that you might not know enough then start posting on the DS board and of course make sure you have really read dsfacts.com. I tend to assume that most people seeking a DS prior to being told about it by a bariatric surgeon have already gone to dsfacts.com but that is a bad assumption to make so forgive me if you have already done your homework.

I have heard wonderful things about Dr. Crookes from his DS patients but are you limited to consulting with him due to insurance? If you really want to see if you can have a DS laparoscopically then you might consider consulting with Dr. Keshishian. I didn't have my DS lap but I know that he does do them.

[ynona74]

Thanks. I have gone to DSfacts.com in fact they're in my favorites bar. I do consult with him next. I would love Dr. K but he's not covered under my insurance and I really can't afford his fees. I will make sure I am as prepared for Dr. Crookes as I can be. Thanks again. I'll keep everyone posted on my journey, cause you all have helped me so far.

[Deleted]

Ynona, if you know the DS is best for you and willing to handle the lifestyle involved (vitamins, labs) then go in to see him armed with why it's best for you.

If you are diabetic...while the RNY will help, the chances are really good that you will develop Reactive Hypoglycemia down the road...the chances are far less with the DS...I already had RH, still have it but sure didn't want to aggravate the issue by getting a surgery known to cause it.

Do you require NSAIDS or having a family history of arthritis/fibro/etc? Good reason to get the DS.

If you have GERD, you will be told that the RNY is best for you...I had severe GERD pre-op...it's gone now. And the only reason I still take a PPI is that I also take an NSAID daily.

Also, check this list by Majormom on her profile over there:

Somewhere in my early research I stumbled across the DS and the success statistics. It may have been in Weight Loss Surgery for Dummies. I read it cover to cover. When I was looking for a surgeon I specifically wanted one that did the DS. His information session was unique from all I've read about since.

He categorizes us by eating types. Bloaters-eat one or two large meals a day, are fairly active and don't snack. Sweeters- are addicted to sugar or carbs. Grazers-eat a little bit all the time and not necessarily addicted to sweets. So, he says Bloaters might do well with the band or the sleeve w/band. He sees mostly active men do well with the band. Sweeters may do well with the RNY if it's the negative reinforcement of dumping that will break the carb addiction and they might need a little restriction as well. Grazers will out eat all purely restrictive surgeries (band and sleeve) and possibly the RNY, but do well with the DS.

I'm also a grazer...have been most of my adult life...not gonna change that easily so I got a surgery that allows me to do that.

Liz

[trxxyy]

Wynona,

Just saw your post on the DS board. I am sure Dr. Crookes patients will chime in and give you excellent direction. I wouldn't be surprised if SherBearMama and Bookfairy also chime in even though their surgeon is Dr. Belzberg (So Cal Kaiser). Belzberg is even more of a tough nut to crack when seeking the DS.

I totally understand regarding fees and insurance. I lucked out and was able to come up with the program fee so staying with Dr. K was not an issue.

[ynona74]

Liz- thank you for your advice. I do take NSAID's for tendonitis. I am going to go armed with all the information I can when I see Dr. Crookes next.
To everyone else....THANK YOU TO!!!

[Sandra C.]

Good Luck Ynona !!!

Liz-- how many/dose of Nsaids, and what type do you take ? I heard of a new anti inflammatory from a friend, easier on the stomach- Mobic, generic= meloxican . I have to clear it with my doc before I will try it.

Sandra

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2012 22:29:28 GMT -5 Sandra C. said:

Good Luck Ynona !!!

Liz-- how many/dose of Nsaids, and what type do you take ? I heard of a new anti inflammatory from a friend, easier on the stomach- Mobic, generic= meloxican . I have to clear it with my doc before I will try it.

Sandra

Sandra, pre-op I was on Celebrex 400 mgs per day. The week before and for four weeks after surgery, I wasn't allowed any at all. By the time I was cleared to resume it, my pain level had decreased dramatically enough to drop to 50 mgs per day.

I have been on celebrex since 2000 so it's been a number of years. And I've been at both my highest and lowest weights in that 11 years (now 12). For some reason, having surgery made a bigger difference than I thought it would.

Liz

[kellic]

Good luck Ynona. Fight for the surgery you want. All the best as you work through the pre-op hurdles.

[Sandra C.]

Liz,
They are giving me Celebrex for my knee pain, from falling off a ladder. Mobic is an older drug, not suggested. Thanks for your help!!

Sandra ;-)

[grdngrl]

I had a lapband for almost two years and not being able to take NASIDs was really hard I ended up taking a lot of Percocet for various problems (some caused by the band but that's another thread) . . . keep your Pyloric valve if at all possible, it has value!!!

[Sandra C.]

Wynona,
Keep us posted about your progress with your doctor. All my docs are happy I still have a working pylorus. After extensive research about all the surgeries, D.S. is the only one I could ever live with. D.S. or Nothing!!!!!

Sandra ;-)

[reinventingangela]

LIZ - Can you by any chance point me to any documentation about RNY and RH? That is THE #1 reason that I have chosen to go for the DS instead of RNY (being a grazer is also my #2 reason) but I havent seen any "official" documentation of it and I have a feeling I might have to prove my case since there are no DS docs here in FL and I will have to travel for surgery.

Also, did I mention I used to live in Seymour, TN? heehee
Did I also mention Im at 98 posts? lol

[Deleted]

Jan 31, 2012 4:57:56 GMT -5 reinventingangela said:

LIZ - Can you by any chance point me to any documentation about RNY and RH? That is THE #1 reason that I have chosen to go for the DS instead of RNY (being a grazer is also my #2 reason) but I havent seen any "official" documentation of it and I have a feeling I might have to prove my case since there are no DS docs here in FL and I will have to travel for surgery.

Also, did I mention I used to live in Seymour, TN? heehee
Did I also mention Im at 98 posts? lol

Yes, I can but right now it's all over on the OtHer site. And my profile is for friends only due to some privacy issues. So if you are registered there, find southernlady5464 and request friendship.

If not, let me know and I will get the links to you.

Liz

[reinventingangela]

Well now that ya went and got yerself banned...lol. Im looking for an article but if you find one feel free to pm it to me here.

[Deleted]

Feb 3, 2012 4:43:51 GMT -5 reinventingangela said:

Well now that ya went and got yerself banned...lol. Im looking for an article but if you find one feel free to pm it to me here.

Banned??? I'm not banned...in fact, I posted on the lightweight forum just 10 mins ago.

Find my user name (southernlady5464) in a thread and hit contact...that will get to me.

Liz

[Deleted]

Okay, I copied all the blog posts over to a forum I have that is a holding place for some of my stuff...where it lands is up for grabs but right now it's here:
www.dslabratdata.com/community/forums/newbies.78/