|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 22, 2015 16:09:01 GMT -5
I have a few questions and I do not know if this is the right place to post this. I finally have a date to see a surgeon, tomorrow actually.
I am getting together all my paper work and so on and was just wondering if you or any other members have suggestions on things to bring with me? Anything I will definitely need for the appointment or any questions you recommend asking?
I am 5'4 and change so really 5'5"
and am about 230lbs. If I can get away with saying Im 5'4 then I meet the 40 bmi but if its 5'5 I am a few pounds under that.
I do have issues such as PCOS, atrial tachycardia, and Psuedo Tumor Ceribi. I do not have diabetes but my endocrinologist has me on metformin.
I have had some people that even with a bmi lower then 40, but at least 35, with these medical issues I should qualify for it.
The Psuedo Tumor Ceribi issue is really kicking my behind, I hear the wooshing all day long. The pressure behind my eyes is horrible, and it does affect my eye sight.
I appreciate any suggestions so that I can be completely prepared for my doctors appointment. And I any suggestions of things to say to help my chances of my doctor agreeing for the DS surgery would be wonderful too.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 22, 2015 17:59:40 GMT -5
I have a few questions and I do not know if this is the right place to post this. I finally have a date to see a surgeon, tomorrow actually. I am getting together all my paper work and so on and was just wondering if you or any other members have suggestions on things to bring with me? Anything I will definitely need for the appointment or any questions you recommend asking? I am 5'4 and change so really 5'5" and am about 230lbs. If I can get away with saying Im 5'4 then I meet the 40 bmi but if its 5'5 I am a few pounds under that. I do have issues such as PCOS, atrial tachycardia, and Psuedo Tumor Ceribi. I do not have diabetes but my endocrinologist has me on metformin. I have had some people that even with a bmi lower then 40, but at least 35, with these medical issues I should qualify for it. The Psuedo Tumor Ceribi issue is really kicking my behind, I hear the wooshing all day long. The pressure behind my eyes is horrible, and it does affect my eye sight. I appreciate any suggestions so that I can be completely prepared for my doctors appointment. And I any suggestions of things to say to help my chances of my doctor agreeing for the DS surgery would be wonderful too. Who is the surgeon?
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 22, 2015 19:12:19 GMT -5
It is the first step for me. Back in Sept 2014 I had been going towards the first steps but alot of family issues happened and I had been going back and forth with my decision.
My appointment is with DR HERRON in NYC tomorrow however all the reviews I am now reading on here point towards him not being a great one to go with for the DS and that it is VERY hard to get him to do that surgery.
So I researched a bit more and since I live on Long Island and making trips to NYC on a regular basis would be extremely inconvenient I found DR David Buchin
he is in huntington ny and that is way closed to me. And I see that he does perform the DS surgery however when I try to find reviews for him and this specific surgery I find reviews for RNY and VGS. Not DS, which is the one my heart is set on.
Does anyone have any feedback? Should I just cancel the apt with Dr Herron tomorrow and seek another doctor?
and is DR David Buchin
a doctor trusted to perform the Duodenal Switch Surgery?
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 22, 2015 19:58:34 GMT -5
Buchin is not an experienced DS surgeon.
Herron is a really good guy, and a good surgeon, but I highly doubt he will do a one step DS on you - first of all you don't have enough weigh to lose for a DS, in my opinion. Second, you have some risk factors for surgery.
Pomp, Roslin...I bet they will say the same thing.
Do a VSG and see how you do.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 22, 2015 19:59:56 GMT -5
Also I want to say something that will probably sound harsh. You are at risk for permanent blindness - if that hasn't motivated you to change your diet, I don't see how you could be lifelong compliant with a surgery as serious as a DS.
|
|
|
Post by Joanne on Mar 22, 2015 20:16:18 GMT -5
Buchin is not an experienced DS surgeon. Herron is a really good guy, and a good surgeon, but I highly doubt he will do a one step DS on you - first of all you don't have enough weigh to lose for a DS, in my opinion. Second, you have some risk factors for surgery. Pomp, Roslin...I bet they will say the same thing. Do a VSG and see how you do. Yeah Buchin isn't an experienced DS surgeon, dont waste your time. Herron is a good surgeon, conservative. I bet he recommends VSG. Pomp is likely to recommend VSG, and if he does recommend a DS he likes to do them in two steps. Your low BMI may make him consider a one step. Roslin is likely to try to recommend SADI which he calls SIPS. He will do a DS if you insist on one, but he really believes in the other surgery. Forget Buchin, talk to the other 3 and go from there. At your BMI the VSG is reasonable. So is the DS, you really need to talk to the surgeons and then decide.
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 10:45:31 GMT -5
I have changed my eating. I am actually on a specific pcos friendly diet, have an endocrinologist and seen his nutritionist. However, I am not sure how much you know about PCOS. Pcos makes me resistant to insulin. And makes it VERY hard to loose weight and keep it off. When my pcos is in full swing I can eat a piece of lettuce and gain weight. My fiance has seen me do phase one of atkins for 2 months and actually gain 1 1/2 lbs. I have ALWAYS been on the heavy side and basically never had a normal bmi. Always been obese, but when my pcos flares up ( I feel it goes in cycles for me) it is next to impossible to keep from gaining never mind loosing.
Also mixed with the Psuedo Tumor Ceribi, unless you have actually had the disease you will not fully understand what I am saying. But the intense pressure and pain, migraine headaches are almost impossible to deal with. I sometimes can not even get out of bed, much less exercise. Also I have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue syndrome, Neurological Chronic Lyme Disease, and they also thought my detailed blood work and symptoms pointed towards Lupus. But that was inconclusive.
I get so nauseous from the pain that I barely eat some days. So there are many reasons for why I am at this weight, none of them is because I am illiterate to how imperative it is for me to eat right, exercise or loose weight.
Also DUODENAL SWITCH is THE surgery I want. I do not want any other surgery. Why? Because like I said it is not necessarily the restrictive part that I need it is the malabsorption and the way the DS changes the way you body processes food that I need. I have also done alot of research on this, and have talked with and read many posts of fellow PCOS suffers who understand what I am saying and that have actually had the DS surgery. Every single one of them has seen immense decrease in their PCOS symptoms to complete remission.
Also another note about PTC, the "expert" I was sent to for this, actually was no help at all. He was recommended by 3 other doctors and they all expressed how serious this was and I could go blind. I saw the doctor he had me get a spinal tap, my opening pressure was 64. Normal is around 20-22 so I was triple in pressure. When I went to my follow up appointment his reaction and advice was: Here is diamox a prescription strength water pill, join jenny craig loose some weight. Have a good day theres the door. I was in tears looking at him, because I could not believe that I was in this much pain and had such a serious issue as loosing my eye sight, and this EXPERT that was supposed to help was no help at all.
So all that to say, I have researched everything that the doctors have said I have or even implied. Have seen literally a dozen or more different doctors, none of them helped. Some tried but were not successful. I have not suffered this intensely without considering or actually doing things like change my diet. I have been prescribed so many medications that I have been on 18 different meds at one time. NOTHING these doctors do has helped, actually it has made it worse sometimes.
I STRONGLY believe that I need the additional boost of the DS surgery, due to my illnesses I do not see any other light at the end of my tunnel but this surgery.
So if anyone knows of a DS surgeon in NY that will preform the surgery on a light weight and is well known, will not try to talk me out of it or bait and switch me to another type of surgery...then PLEASE let me know!
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 10:56:19 GMT -5
And Joanne: Buchin isn't an experienced DS surgeon, dont waste your time.
Herron is a good surgeon, conservative. I bet he recommends VSG. Pomp is likely to recommend VSG, and if he does recommend a DS he likes to do them in two steps. Your low BMI may make him consider a one step. Roslin is likely to try to recommend SADI which he calls SIPS. He will do a DS if you insist on one, but he really believes in the other surgery.
Forget Buchin, talk to the other 3 and go from there. At your BMI the VSG is reasonable. So is the DS, you really need to talk to the surgeons and then decide. ---------------------------------------------------
I actually had a few emails back and forth with Dr Buchin, he does have experience with DS however he doesnt believe in performing it unless your bmi is over 60 and he does it in two steps.
Herron I would have gone to see today but decided not to waste my time and the $100 it would have cost me with gas, tolls, and parking on someone I know will 99% decline from performing the DS and try to get me to do something else.
I was going to see Roslin next if I could but with people saying things like him insisting on SADI, also I have read a few comments on other boards were he is recently getting a little snippy with patients not listening too much and basically baiting and switching. I just dont want to go under thinking I am getting the DS and then when I wake up have the surgeon make some excuse like once he got inside he felt more comfortable doing such and such. Meanwhile he probably never planed on doing the DS.
I hope everyone understands what I am saying. I tried to explain the medical issues and the research that I have done that really makes me feel the most comfortable and want DS surgery over others.
|
|
mistercy
Full Member
Posts: 228
Surgery Type: DS
Surgery Date: 03/26/2013
Surgeon: Mitchell Roslin
|
Post by mistercy on Mar 23, 2015 11:25:55 GMT -5
Roslin did my DS two years ago this Thursday, and did a good job. It had complications, however, and from a lap DS, he had to open me up a day later when nothing was going through my system to find all my organs were leaking. I pulled through only because of his expertise. When doing a DS, make sure you get a great surgeon. Roslin can be NY surly, but he is blunt and honest, a no BS sort. And, if you insist on a DS, he won't bait and switch you. He is pushing the SIPS a lot lately, and would probably recommend it for you, and only do the DS if he feels it is justified.. For NYC area, I think he may be your guy.
I had to have hernia surgery 14 months after my DS because it was done open, and I had Herron do that surgery. He did a great job, and had to go in a second time because of internal bleeding, and yet a year later, there is almost no surgery line. He and Taub, the plastic surgeon at Mt. Sinai, both did great work. In fact, I just saw Herron today for my two year bloodwork follow-up (all numbers looking fantastic, BTW). He's a very good guy, but won't do the DS unless a last resort situation. I do know someone who had a good experience getting the DS from Kini, who also works out of the same office.
The SIPS, Roslin's take on the SADI, is a new procedure, but so far, results have been similar to the DS, just with less malabsorption. The SADI is only a few years out, and SIPS has been going on for only about a year, so it is too early to say anything about long term data for either. In the NY area, I think Roslin is your guy. You will just have to be insistent, and state your case clearly of why you want/need a DS instead of a SIPS. Then comes the fun of trying to get insurance approval. The process will take a while, and you can mull over your options during that time. God luck with your journey!
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 11:51:45 GMT -5
Roslin did my DS two years ago this Thursday, and did a good job. It had complications, however, and from a lap DS, he had to open me up a day later when nothing was going through my system to find all my organs were leaking. I pulled through only because of his expertise. When doing a DS, make sure you get a great surgeon. Roslin can be NY surly, but he is blunt and honest, a no BS sort. And, if you insist on a DS, he won't bait and switch you. He is pushing the SIPS a lot lately, and would probably recommend it for you, and only do the DS if he feels it is justified.. For NYC area, I think he may be your guy. I had to have hernia surgery 14 months after my DS because it was done open, and I had Herron do that surgery. He did a great job, and had to go in a second time because of internal bleeding, and yet a year later, there is almost no surgery line. He and Taub, the plastic surgeon at Mt. Sinai, both did great work. In fact, I just saw Herron today for my two year bloodwork follow-up (all numbers looking fantastic, BTW). He's a very good guy, but won't do the DS unless a last resort situation. I do know someone who had a good experience getting the DS from Kini, who also works out of the same office. The SIPS, Roslin's take on the SADI, is a new procedure, but so far, results have been similar to the DS, just with less malabsorption. The SADI is only a few years out, and SIPS has been going on for only about a year, so it is too early to say anything about long term data for either. In the NY area, I think Roslin is your guy. You will just have to be insistent, and state your case clearly of why you want/need a DS instead of a SIPS. Then comes the fun of trying to get insurance approval. The process will take a while, and you can mull over your options during that time. God luck with your journey! I agree that you should see Roslin - but I think you need to be open to his suggestions for SADI or SIPs etc. You only have 80 lbs to lose - the intense malabsorption of a full DS may not be a good idea for you. You have to talk to an experienced DS surgeon about all of this and you have to have an open mind. Roslin is sort of ideal for you, because he does the DS but he is also doing less malabsorptive procedures which might be a very good idea for your health. Also you need to know that Roslin's nutritional advice and followup care are very very poor - you have to assume you are on your own after your surgery.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 11:58:21 GMT -5
I have changed my eating. I am actually on a specific pcos friendly diet, have an endocrinologist and seen his nutritionist. However, I am not sure how much you know about PCOS. Pcos makes me resistant to insulin. And makes it VERY hard to loose weight and keep it off. When my pcos is in full swing I can eat a piece of lettuce and gain weight. My fiance has seen me do phase one of atkins for 2 months and actually gain 1 1/2 lbs. I have ALWAYS been on the heavy side and basically never had a normal bmi. Always been obese, but when my pcos flares up ( I feel it goes in cycles for me) it is next to impossible to keep from gaining never mind loosing. Also mixed with the Psuedo Tumor Ceribi, unless you have actually had the disease you will not fully understand what I am saying. But the intense pressure and pain, migraine headaches are almost impossible to deal with. I sometimes can not even get out of bed, much less exercise. Also I have been diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue syndrome, Neurological Chronic Lyme Disease, and they also thought my detailed blood work and symptoms pointed towards Lupus. But that was inconclusive. I get so nauseous from the pain that I barely eat some days. So there are many reasons for why I am at this weight, none of them is because I am illiterate to how imperative it is for me to eat right, exercise or loose weight. Also DUODENAL SWITCH is THE surgery I want. I do not want any other surgery. Why? Because like I said it is not necessarily the restrictive part that I need it is the malabsorption and the way the DS changes the way you body processes food that I need. I have also done alot of research on this, and have talked with and read many posts of fellow PCOS suffers who understand what I am saying and that have actually had the DS surgery. Every single one of them has seen immense decrease in their PCOS symptoms to complete remission. Also another note about PTC, the "expert" I was sent to for this, actually was no help at all. He was recommended by 3 other doctors and they all expressed how serious this was and I could go blind. I saw the doctor he had me get a spinal tap, my opening pressure was 64. Normal is around 20-22 so I was triple in pressure. When I went to my follow up appointment his reaction and advice was: Here is diamox a prescription strength water pill, join jenny craig loose some weight. Have a good day theres the door. I was in tears looking at him, because I could not believe that I was in this much pain and had such a serious issue as loosing my eye sight, and this EXPERT that was supposed to help was no help at all. So all that to say, I have researched everything that the doctors have said I have or even implied. Have seen literally a dozen or more different doctors, none of them helped. Some tried but were not successful. I have not suffered this intensely without considering or actually doing things like change my diet. I have been prescribed so many medications that I have been on 18 different meds at one time. NOTHING these doctors do has helped, actually it has made it worse sometimes. I STRONGLY believe that I need the additional boost of the DS surgery, due to my illnesses I do not see any other light at the end of my tunnel but this surgery. So if anyone knows of a DS surgeon in NY that will preform the surgery on a light weight and is well known, will not try to talk me out of it or bait and switch me to another type of surgery...then PLEASE let me know! Diamox and weight loss seem to be the standard first course of treatment for Pseudotumor cerebri (and that is how it's spelled, for those who might want to look it up). I don't think you would want surgery for it without trying diuretics and weight loss first. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pseudotumor-cerebri/basics/treatment/con-20028792
|
|
|
Post by Joanne on Mar 23, 2015 13:06:48 GMT -5
And Joanne: Buchin isn't an experienced DS surgeon, dont waste your time. Herron is a good surgeon, conservative. I bet he recommends VSG. Pomp is likely to recommend VSG, and if he does recommend a DS he likes to do them in two steps. Your low BMI may make him consider a one step. Roslin is likely to try to recommend SADI which he calls SIPS. He will do a DS if you insist on one, but he really believes in the other surgery. Forget Buchin, talk to the other 3 and go from there. At your BMI the VSG is reasonable. So is the DS, you really need to talk to the surgeons and then decide. --------------------------------------------------- I actually had a few emails back and forth with Dr Buchin, he does have experience with DS however he doesnt believe in performing it unless your bmi is over 60 and he does it in two steps. Herron I would have gone to see today but decided not to waste my time and the $100 it would have cost me with gas, tolls, and parking on someone I know will 99% decline from performing the DS and try to get me to do something else. I was going to see Roslin next if I could but with people saying things like him insisting on SADI, also I have read a few comments on other boards were he is recently getting a little snippy with patients not listening too much and basically baiting and switching. I just dont want to go under thinking I am getting the DS and then when I wake up have the surgeon make some excuse like once he got inside he felt more comfortable doing such and such. Meanwhile he probably never planed on doing the DS. I hope everyone understands what I am saying. I tried to explain the medical issues and the research that I have done that really makes me feel the most comfortable and want DS surgery over others. Regarding Buchin, I think the facts alone speak for themselves. If he's only doing on BMI >60 he can't be a big supporter of the DS, and cant do that many. In all my years in the DS community I've not heard of him doing the DS. That's not to say he's never done one, but he certainly isn't one of the experienced, vetted surgeons. Roslin is a different story. I know him well both as my surgeon and friend. I agree he will push the SADI (which he kind of branded to call SIPS). But what I disagree with is that he will bait and switch. That's not him. He's opinionated and a big believer in the newer surgery, but that's different than misleading and switching. He's blunt and you may or may not like his personality, but he won't mislead. He will do a DS if that's what the patient wants. He believes that the SADI/SIPS offers the same metabolic impact and result and that the DS is simply more cutting for basically the same result. Is he right or wrong? Only time will tell, but even then it will be difficult. There are no randomized trials that compare one surgery to the next. I dont think Herron is likely to recommend a DS to someone with your BMI. Doesn't make him a bad guy, he's a fine surgeon with his own viewpoint. And that's the issue. Each surgeon will have their own viewpoint, but also understand that with bariatric surgery there really is no standard of care that absolutely recommends one procedure over another. It all comes down to surgeons and their opinions. Each is entitled to their own. And we as patients are also entitled to our own opinions. I think that's why you need to speak to each, so you can ask all the questions you want and make your own conclusion.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 13:36:30 GMT -5
Roslin did my DS two years ago this Thursday, and did a good job. It had complications, however, and from a lap DS, he had to open me up a day later when nothing was going through my system to find all my organs were leaking. I pulled through only because of his expertise. When doing a DS, make sure you get a great surgeon. Roslin can be NY surly, but he is blunt and honest, a no BS sort. And, if you insist on a DS, he won't bait and switch you. He is pushing the SIPS a lot lately, and would probably recommend it for you, and only do the DS if he feels it is justified.. For NYC area, I think he may be your guy. I had to have hernia surgery 14 months after my DS because it was done open, and I had Herron do that surgery. He did a great job, and had to go in a second time because of internal bleeding, and yet a year later, there is almost no surgery line. He and Taub, the plastic surgeon at Mt. Sinai, both did great work. In fact, I just saw Herron today for my two year bloodwork follow-up (all numbers looking fantastic, BTW). He's a very good guy, but won't do the DS unless a last resort situation. I do know someone who had a good experience getting the DS from Kini, who also works out of the same office. The SIPS, Roslin's take on the SADI, is a new procedure, but so far, results have been similar to the DS, just with less malabsorption. The SADI is only a few years out, and SIPS has been going on for only about a year, so it is too early to say anything about long term data for either. In the NY area, I think Roslin is your guy. You will just have to be insistent, and state your case clearly of why you want/need a DS instead of a SIPS. Then comes the fun of trying to get insurance approval. The process will take a while, and you can mull over your options during that time. God luck with your journey! You will also have to understand very well the difference between a DS and a SIPS and if Roslin is recommending a SIPS - do not insist on a DS unless you REALLY understand what you are asking for and why you think it would be a good idea to dismiss the surgeon's advice.
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 16:24:53 GMT -5
I agree that you should see Roslin - but I think you need to be open to his suggestions for SADI or SIPs etc. You only have 80 lbs to lose - the intense malabsorption of a full DS may not be a good idea for you. You have to talk to an experienced DS surgeon about all of this and you have to have an open mind. Roslin is sort of ideal for you, because he does the DS but he is also doing less malabsorptive procedures which might be a very good idea for your health.
Also you need to know that Roslin's nutritional advice and followup care are very very poor - you have to assume you are on your own after your surgery.
------------------------------------------------------------------
NYB I understand what you are saying however since the sips and sadi are so new I like something with a little more research done on it. I know the DS isnt 100's of years old but it is definitely got enough time so that you can see how someone is doing 15-20 years out. Also I had plans of talking with my surgeon to make my common channel longer. I have had someone message me that was my bmi 40 had the ds done and had a 150 cm common channel and is doing wonderful.
I feel that the DS with 150 cm common channel or something similar in length would be less malabsorption work well for me. Also I have anywhere from 80-100 lbs to loose.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 16:41:46 GMT -5
I agree that you should see Roslin - but I think you need to be open to his suggestions for SADI or SIPs etc. You only have 80 lbs to lose - the intense malabsorption of a full DS may not be a good idea for you. You have to talk to an experienced DS surgeon about all of this and you have to have an open mind. Roslin is sort of ideal for you, because he does the DS but he is also doing less malabsorptive procedures which might be a very good idea for your health. Also you need to know that Roslin's nutritional advice and followup care are very very poor - you have to assume you are on your own after your surgery. ------------------------------------------------------------------ NYB I understand what you are saying however since the sips and sadi are so new I like something with a little more research done on it. I know the DS isnt 100's of years old but it is definitely got enough time so that you can see how someone is doing 15-20 years out. Also I had plans of talking with my surgeon to make my common channel longer. I have had someone message me that was my bmi 40 had the ds done and had a 150 cm common channel and is doing wonderful. I feel that the DS with 150 cm common channel or something similar in length would be less malabsorption work well for me. Also I have anywhere from 80-100 lbs to loose. Talk to Roslin. How many people have you spoken to who are 15+ years post DS?
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 16:54:40 GMT -5
NYB Diamox and weight loss seem to be the standard first course of treatment for Pseudotumor cerebri (and that is how it's spelled, for those who might want to look it up). I don't think you would want surgery for it without trying diuretics and weight loss first. www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/pseudotumor-cerebri/basics/treatment/con-20028792----------------------------------------------- I am not sure if I am just being overly sensitive but it seems like you automatically keep assuming things about me and my life style without asking for more details first. First you assume that I have never tried to change my eating habits or have done nothing that resembles self control to loose the weight and that I am not taking loosing my eye sight seriously enough so I definitely would not be able to handle the commitments and responsibilities of the DS long term. Then you assume that for some reason I have not tried Diamox and weight loss first. First off like I said previously on this post I have a medical issue called PCOS and it affects some harder then others. And can be a huge impact on health, energy and the ability to loose weight. I also have seen a nutritionist and am on and have been for 4 months a PCOS low carb specific diet with a weight loss of 1 pound. Secondly, I have been on Diamox since February of 2014 and it has done nothing. I was also on a very serious dirt med called Topamax, which was the hardest thing to get off of. The withdrawls were insane something I actually compare to an addict getting off drugs. Usually, when I person who has PTC is on diamox for as long as I have and see no improvements they talk about shunting. Which is a type of surgery, however it sometimes does not work and causes more problems then helps. Also requires additional surgery in the future to reposition it cause it tends to move and not stay where it belongs. I dont want ANYONE messing with sticking things around my brain not to mention the very real chance of needing a surgery every few years for something that may not work. I had PTC when I was 24 ( I am now 32) I did not know what it was at the time as I didnt have health insurance, but since this flare up I easily recognized it as what I had back then just as if not more painful. PTC can go into remission sometimes it can come back years later some people never get it again. Since I had a HUGE flare up of PCOS when I was 24 and shot up to 250 lbs (from 190) without changing one thing, (when I say I did not change one thing about my eating or exercise habits I 100% mean it. ) I have concluded that Psuedotumor ceribi for me directly is effected and comes out of remission for me when I gain weight. I do not wish to suffer thru PTC and risk my eyesight, obviously. So I know that my next options since I have been trying to loose weight and eat right and it has not happened, is the shunting surgery or weight loss surgery. I want the DS surgery for reasons I stated earlier, being that it is the best weight loss surgery for PCOS patients really regardless of them not being a 60 bmi. I am 32 and it is already next to impossible for me to loose weight (enough weight to help with PCOS symptoms and get me out of the risk of loosing my eyesight with PTC) and then keep it off. I also want to have children and I really do not have many more years to do this. My fiance and I have been trying on and off for SIX years and it has not happened. Endocrinologist believes its the PCOS and the weight. (even though I did get back down to 170 for one year with EXTREMELY monitored dieting and 2 hours a day of exercise, when I say I have a hard time loosing weight I am not exaggerating). I have personally talked to several people and you can read the stories of many more, women with pcos that got the ds and got pregnant after surgery. One lady who did not believe she would get pregnant as easy as they were saying, and 6 months out from surgery got pregnant. I know any extreme amount of weight loss would help fertility, but I read that there is something specific about the chemistry that is created with DS and the way it works that truly benefits PCOS sufferers. I hope I didnt provide too much information lol I know it is easier to understand a situation the more info you have. So I will keep looking into finding a DS doctor that accepts my insurance, that is GREAT at what they do. I definitely want experience like mistercy said. If I do not find any other options then I wont have any other options but to go to Dr Rolsin and see what we can work out. I guess I am actually scared of going and being told no I can not get the DS and then just wind up getting some like the VSG, which is not for me because over eating is not the issue. I know I would loose weight initially, I mean who wouldnt when your stomach is so small and you are only eating 600-1000 calories a day depending at what stage you are.
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 16:56:20 GMT -5
NYB How many people have you spoken to who are 15+ years post DS?
----------------------- None, I am not saying I have spoken to people that are 15 years out I am saying people have had it done 15 years ago. So somewhere out there is information and facts about how it affects people that far out. I was not saying I have spoken to them.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 17:07:09 GMT -5
NYB How many people have you spoken to who are 15+ years post DS? ----------------------- None, I am not saying I have spoken to people that are 15 years out I am saying people have had it done 15 years ago. So somewhere out there is information and facts about how it affects people that far out. I was not saying I have spoken to them. I am 15 years post-op. I know of almost nobody who is as far out as I am, and I have been hanging out on these boards for 15 years. There is very, very little if any information on long term effects of the DS. I would also suggest that if long term results are the most important to you, you start finding this "somewhere out there" trove of data on which you are relying.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 17:13:19 GMT -5
Please go see Roslin. It is imperative that you use a surgeon who is extremely experienced with the DS, does them regularly, understands them, and is supportive of them. If your reasons and research are convincing to you, then they should be convincing to Roslin. He still does the DS, it's just that he feels there is something better - and you should listen to him and consider what he says.
How old are you?
I know a great deal about PCOS. I work in the field of infertility.
Have you seen a reproductive endocrinologist?
Have you been worked up for infertility?
Has your fiancé had his sperm tested?
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 17:19:02 GMT -5
Joanne Regarding Buchin, I think the facts alone speak for themselves. If he's only doing on BMI >60 he can't be a big supporter of the DS, and cant do that many. In all my years in the DS community I've not heard of him doing the DS. That's not to say he's never done one, but he certainly isn't one of the experienced, vetted surgeons.
Roslin is a different story. I know him well both as my surgeon and friend. I agree he will push the SADI (which he kind of branded to call SIPS). But what I disagree with is that he will bait and switch. That's not him. He's opinionated and a big believer in the newer surgery, but that's different than misleading and switching. He's blunt and you may or may not like his personality, but he won't mislead. He will do a DS if that's what the patient wants. He believes that the SADI/SIPS offers the same metabolic impact and result and that the DS is simply more cutting for basically the same result. Is he right or wrong? Only time will tell, but even then it will be difficult. There are no randomized trials that compare one surgery to the next.
I dont think Herron is likely to recommend a DS to someone with your BMI. Doesn't make him a bad guy, he's a fine surgeon with his own viewpoint. And that's the issue. Each surgeon will have their own viewpoint, but also understand that with bariatric surgery there really is no standard of care that absolutely recommends one procedure over another. It all comes down to surgeons and their opinions. Each is entitled to their own. And we as patients are also entitled to our own opinions. I think that's why you need to speak to each, so you can ask all the questions you want and make your own conclusion. --------------------------------------------
Hi Joanne, I totally agree with you. Just because a surgeon does not do the DS definitely does not make them a bad person or doctor. Also if they prefer another surgery over another does not mean this either. I am sorry if I in anyway implied this. That was not my intention whatsoever.
I had just read on another website board that a few people had just seen Dr Roslin and they we not too please with how short he was and so on that they felt pressured into doing a surgery they were not interested in.
I do not know the man nor have a met him. Because how long it takes to get all these appointments, and how each doctor wants you to attend their seminars it becomes a very tiresome and drawn out process.
I have wasted a few months trying to decide (I shouldnt say waste because taking the time to really think about it and decide is a very important step). Then I wasted about 6 weeks waiting for Dr Herron. I initially did research on him and did not find anything implying he did not do the ds or like to so I wasnt concerned. Then I found a few boards that had that info on them that he does not usually do the ds and if I wanted that I should find another doctor.
So I was disappointed to find that information when I had waited 6 weeks lol. Now I feel I am at square one still trying to find a doctor I even want to make an appointment with. If I go to Roslyn I have to go to yet again another seminar which is not for 4 weeks, then I will have to wait to get an appointment with him and so on. I just want to make sure I do as much research as possible so that I do not waste anymore time. The symptoms with the psuedotumor ceribi are getting rather bad and I notice I need stronger prescription glasses to see right. I just do not want to loose any more time and get the weight loss surgery done as soon as I can. Sorry if I offended anyone!
|
|
|
Post by Joanne on Mar 23, 2015 18:09:20 GMT -5
No offense taken at all.
What you are saying about Dr Roslin being short with people - now that I can definitely see - I was just saying that he wouldn't do a bait and switch. He is much more likely to tell someone why he thinks the SIPS is better, and he can come across as very blunt and opinionated about it. But he wouldnt tell someone it was a DS and then switch it out. He feels very strongly about it - and I'm not qualified in any way to say if he's right or wrong.
And you can talk to three other surgeons who might tell you just as strongly why they think 3 other things are right. Bariatric surgery isn't like other treatments. Take for example cancer. If you go to an oncologist with breast cancer, there will be a standard treatment that all doctors do the same way. You have this type of cancer, you take these 3 drugs. Bariatric surgery is different. There isn't really a standard of care, there are just choices and opinions. And people can argue each side and make valid arguments. For me, the DS was the right choice so I went to a doctor that recommended the DS and gave very valid reasons (and that surgeon happened to be Roslin).
I understand what you are saying about the amount of time you have to invest in seminars and consults. I'd look at it this way - you have the rest of your life to live with the one surgery choice, and the surgeon you choose. I would do that very wisely.
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 18:28:20 GMT -5
NYB
I am seriously considering Dr Roslin. I just did not have to wait almost 2 months for the seminar (which I have been to for other drs and taken 2 online ones before) I have my fiances wedding in 2 weeks otherwise I would go to the one they have in 2 weeks. and then however long it will take to get an appointment with him, which they will not allow you to do til you have officially been to the seminar. At least that was the way it was when I had called several times back in Sept 2014. Also I will have to switch my insurance which I am not sure how many months I have to wait to do that, because when I had called Roslin didnt accept Health First (which is my insurance).
What I will do is call tomorrow morning and see if they changed any of the rules and since I have been to other seminars including online ones with actual tests lol, maybe they will let me skip it. I am not sure. And I wont know if Roslin accept my insurance now until I call. So that is what I am going to do.
As far as the other questions
How old are you? 32 years old
Have you seen a reproductive endocrinologist? I requested a reproductive endocrinologist and my insurance covered one endocrinologist in my area. So I believe he is, he has been helping me with PCOS and has me on Metformin to help my chances of getting pregnant.
Have you been worked up for infertility? I have not. I was told by 3 separate obgyns that if I get my period then I should be able to get pregnant. I may need help with meds but I should be. How true this is I do not know since this is one area I havent thoroughly researched. Because before I really go all out trying to get pregnant I want to loose weight. Also since the PTC flared up we have stopped trying, I do not want to gain any additional weight that could cause me to have further complications and possible blindness. So before I can firmly move foward with having children I have to loose weight. I HAVE TO. It is just not healthy for me or the child.
Has your fiancé had his sperm tested? No he has not.
I have ALWAYS wanted children, having a family is just my dream. Also I should note that I had a 9.5 cm cyst inside my right ovary that was removed 4 years ago. They saved the ovary, and with various things like Birth control early on and Metformin later on, I have been able to get my period at least once every 5-6 weeks.
Haha I just realized with all the ailments and previous surgeries I sound like I should have been taken out back and shot lol I also had my tonsils removed 4 years ago, as an adult man that was something else in regards to pain.
Ok so it is settled I will DEFINITELY call Dr Roslin tomorrow.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 18:29:03 GMT -5
The more you learn, the better. The more information and education you get from competent surgeons, the better.
Please do not be in a rush. This is a decision that has lifelong implications.
Make an appointment with Roslin, go to the seminar.
When you see him, be prepared to discuss your reasons for a DS - but you also need to understand why he recommends something else, if he does.
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 18:36:04 GMT -5
NYB I am seriously considering Dr Roslin. I just did not have to wait almost 2 months for the seminar (which I have been to for other drs and taken 2 online ones before) I have my fiances wedding in 2 weeks otherwise I would go to the one they have in 2 weeks. and then however long it will take to get an appointment with him, which they will not allow you to do til you have officially been to the seminar. At least that was the way it was when I had called several times back in Sept 2014. Also I will have to switch my insurance which I am not sure how many months I have to wait to do that, because when I had called Roslin didnt accept Health First (which is my insurance). What I will do is call tomorrow morning and see if they changed any of the rules and since I have been to other seminars including online ones with actual tests lol, maybe they will let me skip it. I am not sure. And I wont know if Roslin accept my insurance now until I call. So that is what I am going to do. As far as the other questions How old are you? 32 years old Have you seen a reproductive endocrinologist? I requested a reproductive endocrinologist and my insurance covered one endocrinologist in my area. So I believe he is, he has been helping me with PCOS and has me on Metformin to help my chances of getting pregnant. Have you been worked up for infertility? I have not. I was told by 3 separate obgyns that if I get my period then I should be able to get pregnant. I may need help with meds but I should be. How true this is I do not know since this is one area I havent thoroughly researched. Because before I really go all out trying to get pregnant I want to loose weight. Also since the PTC flared up we have stopped trying, I do not want to gain any additional weight that could cause me to have further complications and possible blindness. So before I can firmly move foward with having children I have to loose weight. I HAVE TO. It is just not healthy for me or the child. Has your fiancé had his sperm tested? No he has not. I have ALWAYS wanted children, having a family is just my dream. Also I should note that I had a 9.5 cm cyst inside my right ovary that was removed 4 years ago. They saved the ovary, and with various things like Birth control early on and Metformin later on, I have been able to get my period at least once every 5-6 weeks. Haha I just realized with all the ailments and previous surgeries I sound like I should have been taken out back and shot lol I also had my tonsils removed 4 years ago, as an adult man that was something else in regards to pain. Ok so it is settled I will DEFINITELY call Dr Roslin tomorrow. The ob/gyns are completely wrong. Just because you get your period DOES NOT mean you can get pregnantar. Maybe it's just the PCOS, but maybe you have blocked tubes, and maybe your egg quality is poor, or maybe you are not producing eggs, or maybe you are not ovulating, or maybe your eggs are not fertilizing, or maybe embryos can't implant in your uterine wall, or maybe the sperm is poor, etc etc. If you have been trying to get pregnant for that long, you MUST see a BOARD CERTIFIED REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGIST - not just an endcorinologist. What is the name of the endocrinologist - easy to check. Also, YOU MUST be worked up for infertility. Which means some very specific bloodwork at very specific times. Google it. And your fiancé MUST have his sperm tested. If you go to a competent reproductive endocrinologist, they will do all of that. Or in the meantime your fiancé could see a urologist who specializes in male infertility and just get the sperm run. Also after you have WLS, you will need to wait at least 2 years before you get pregnant. By then you will be 35, and your fertility will be on the decline. I STRONGLY URGE YOU to see a BOARD CERTIFIED REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGIST and get a full infertility workup so you know for sure what is preventing you from getting pregnant so you can take care of (other than weight loss) before you are 35.
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 18:57:28 GMT -5
I had a very strong inclination that I would have to do all of what you said if after I lost weight I still couldnt get pregnant. The only reason I havent already done so is because I have been told by doctors I have to loose weight before I start trying again.
About the last 1 yr and 2 months we havent been actively trying. Because thats how long the PTC has been out of remission and active with me. The pressure is so high doctors have actually advised me against cardio exercise. And the added weight gain during pregnancy seriously scares me with the whole loss of eye sight. I dont want to risk it.
With all the ailments over the years seeming to hit one after the other, kinda like I found out about one thing took care of it and then another thing popped up. It has been very time consuming and have not been able to focus solely on getting pregnant.
I know for a fact right this second I should not get pregnant and do not want to until the weight has been lost and the PTC has gone into remission.
Is there any exception to the 2 year rule? I thought it was one year? Its actually making me even more anxious to get the ball rolling in the WLS department.
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 18:58:59 GMT -5
Also I just wanted to ask all of you, if you were getting WLS now would you choose the SIPS or SADI over the DS?
I am going to research more on the SADI and SIPS, thoroughly get to know the difference and see if I still am determined to get the DS.
I appreciate all the help and advice!
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 19:03:05 GMT -5
I had a very strong inclination that I would have to do all of what you said if after I lost weight I still couldnt get pregnant. The only reason I havent already done so is because I have been told by doctors I have to loose weight before I start trying again. About the last 1 yr and 2 months we havent been actively trying. Because thats how long the PTC has been out of remission and active with me. The pressure is so high doctors have actually advised me against cardio exercise. And the added weight gain during pregnancy seriously scares me with the whole loss of eye sight. I dont want to risk it. With all the ailments over the years seeming to hit one after the other, kinda like I found out about one thing took care of it and then another thing popped up. It has been very time consuming and have not been able to focus solely on getting pregnant. I know for a fact right this second I should not get pregnant and do not want to until the weight has been lost and the PTC has gone into remission. Is there any exception to the 2 year rule? I thought it was one year? Its actually making me even more anxious to get the ball rolling in the WLS department. You have to lose all the weight, and then your weight has to be stable for at least a year. That's a two year minimum. Go see a BOARD CERTIFIED REPRODUCTIVE ENDOCRINOLOGIST and get worked up. And get the sperm tested. You need to know that the only issue (hopefully) that is keeping you from getting (and staying) pregnant is the PCOS. Because if it's something, else, you need to know now. Make your Roslin appt, go to the seminar, do your research. And while you are waiting, get a complete infertility workup. Do some research about what that means, too. For example: www.advancedfertility.com/evaluate.htmDuring the 4 years you have been trying to get pregnant - did you use an ovulation predictor kit at all?
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 19:06:26 GMT -5
Also I just wanted to ask all of you, if you were getting WLS now would you choose the SIPS or SADI over the DS? I am going to research more on the SADI and SIPS, thoroughly get to know the difference and see if I still am determined to get the DS. I appreciate all the help and advice! I don't know the answer to that question, because I have a DS and I have not adequately researched the SADI or the SIPS. But if I were going to have WLS now, I would definitely educate myself about those options and consider them. Because the DS is a VERY DIFFICULT THING to manage for a lifetime. The people who have a relatively easy time of it are VERY assertive, organized, persistent, educated, and they have ROBUST health insurance and enough money to pay for vitamins, supplements, testing and specialists who are not covered by insurance, iron infusions, bone density scans, high quality protein ALL THE TIME, etc etc
|
|
|
Post by kittykatkris on Mar 23, 2015 19:45:49 GMT -5
Also I wanted to ask something else. I have chronic lyme, I have seen a Lyme Literate Doctor and was on many meds. I would like to do the prescription meds and holistic meds as well. Unfortunately my insurance does not believe in Chronic lyme and will not cover my prescriptions. I have to pay out of pocket and its about $700,1000 a month so I had to stop treating it. I may have to take them as long as 1 year and they had even mentioned a picc line intravenous antibiotics. Which is even more expensive. So I have to wait to save up for it and then do it when I have enough for at least 6 months of treatment.
All this to ask, if I wait til after WLS to continue treatment for the chronic lyme, will this affect the amounts of meds I have to take due to my body's malabsorption? I would think it would I havent completely researched this yet
|
|
|
Post by newyorkbitch on Mar 23, 2015 19:48:11 GMT -5
You really need to discuss this with your doctors. It depends on whether or not your meds are fat soluble or not. Intravenous meds are not affected by the malabsorption.
You have to tell Roslin EVERYTHING about your health. EVERYTHING. Write it all down, gather all your records.
|
|