Kaiser patients - don't settle!

Hello.  I am a Kaiser patient and was referred to the Fremont Bariatric program.  I was advised that Kaiser only offers the VSG, lap-band, and RNY surgeries. 

I wanted to share that there IS another option - the duodenal switch (DS).    If you are going to have a life-altering bariatric surgery, you need to be fully informed of ALL options and do your research.  Then make the best decision for you personally, instead of being directed to the surgery type your insurance company wants you to have.

Kaiser won't tell you about the Duodenal Switch, will try to dissuade and scare you  if you ask for information regarding the DS, and will most likely deny you this surgery if you request it, but I'm here to tell you it IS POSSIBLE TO GET KAISER TO PAY FOR IT.    
I had to suffer throught two in-house Kaiser denials and then go to the Department of Managed Healthcare for an Independent Medical Review to appeal Kaiser's denial, but I won.  There are many of us that have successfully fought for what we consider the best surgery for ourselves and the treatment of our morbid obesity.

Why consider the DS?  In  a nutshell, it has the absolute best long term weight loss of all the bariatric surgeries.  You do have to supplement more than with other surgeries and eat a high protein, lower carb diet, but it has the long term data showing the greatest amount of loss of the excess weight and the lowest amount of regain in patients at 10+ years out.   Plus you get to eat bacon, butter, beef, and other high fat foods  while still losing weight. A DS'er will only absorb 20% of fat calories.   Need I say more?!?

Patients who have had the duodenal switch have both restriction (via a VSG) and malabsorption. 

Come on over to the DS board and check out DSfacts.com to learn more about this surgical option you were probably not told about. 

Kim

Congratulations again, Kim! You really fought the good fight.

And for anyone who is at all intesested in learning more about this excellent option, we are having our monthly support group meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) evening from 6-8 pm in san Jose in the Theater Building at Hoover Middle Schoool, 1635 Park Ave.  Or maybe they call it a junior high school, I can never remember. This will be our holiday meeting, so to speak, so the food will probably be good and hopefully everyone will be in a festive mood. You are all welcome, and support people are welcome as well.
    The DS has the highest percentage excess weight loss of any wls, best maintainence of that weight loss, and best resolution of almost all comorbidities. While some lifestyle change is necessary for any wls to be successful, the DS is, IMHO, the easiest to live with. 
     Come learn more about it!

Larra