Who benefited from DSers posting on other forums?

Count me in! It was the RNY's from my office that lead me to OH, then the main board that got showed me that there were other procedures besides the ones I saw on TV commercials, which led me to the DS and it all clicked.

Long before the sig line was a feature you could permanetly set up, I would type the DS website address in every bloody post I wrote.  I do feel it is important to help spread the word about this surgery type that can get easily overlooked.  I don't say this because I am bashing other surgery choices, I am saying it because it is indeed overlooked. I wish I could say it was one of you who led me here, but it was just me researching a hospital and then seeing "duodenal switch" next to a doctors name and then googling that.  Of course it didn't take long for me to end up on this board.   BUT...my family calls me "Columbo" and it still took me quite a while to find the DS.  I just had never heard about it.  Therefore, I try hard to let people know it exists so they can at least make an educated decision to pursue it or decide against it.  It warms my heart to see that many have ended up here by others posting on other boards. Thank you for the support you all lend to the WLS community!

count me in too.....I came to the DS board by referal also, and gained a lot of information for all the WONDERFUL people on this board.

Michelle

Back in the day when I signed up here when it was called AMOS, there was no DS board and nobody told me about the DS.  I am a pretty good researcher and I thought there was only the RNY because that information was readily available EVERYWHERE. My friend who had the DS gave me a piece of paper with www.duodenalswitch.com scribbled on it and for her "paying it forward" back in 2002, I will forever be grateful. Laurie

Include me too!  I was actually scheduled to have the RNY in Oct. 2006, and about 4 weeks before that, someone led me from the main forum to this board.  (I wish I could remember whose post it was.)  Another pre-op had asked why people chose the DS over the RNY, and the wonderful folks on this board responded with their usual generous helpings of personal stories AND research on the DS. I was glued to the computer for hours, reading everyone's profile, checking out different links - but that was really for additional information.  I already knew, within the first hour, that the DS was the right choice for me.  I had never been happy with the prospect of the RNY, and I'm so thankful that I found out about the DS in time to make the right decision for myself.

I used yahoo and weight loss surgery, hit OH and DS and read everything on all the surgeries.  I knew I didn't want the RNY, didn't know much about the band, then found the DS and "98% CURE RATE FOR DIABETES".   I was sold.  I lurked, read profiles, blogs, papers everything I could find on the internet.  I checked out surgeons, then checked into WLS with Kaiser.  By that time, I'd read all the insurance issues and found out that Kaiser doesn't do the DS, but that I had to get accepted into their program first.  End of Oct I emailed my PCP and said I want a referral for WLS and I want the Duodenal Switch and here's the link for more info... http://www.duodenalswitch.com   She emailed back that she couldn't refer me out of network did I still want surgery.  YEP - she referred, heard nothing until after 6 weeks, I emailed (you just have to love email) who do I contact or can I find out what's happening?  Her email back what's your height/weight - the surgeon doesn't think that you are big enough.  That started my first grievance.  I'm now accepted into their program.  Yeah!  But, I can't get an orientation for 12-16 weeks.  Granted I'm a lightweight at BMI 38 but comorbids of diabetes, hypertension, cholesterol and now kidney disease.  I'm on new BP meds now for the kidneys and for the first time in years my bp was 94/57...tad bit low had to cut back from a full to 1/2 on one med...but on Wed, I filed another grievance, I'm in your program but I need the DS for my diabetes.  Luckily, I had lots of papers that I turned in with it.  Now, I'm in a waiting period - 30 days can be a long time.  Next stop hopefully is DMHC!  I'm so ready to get on the losers bench with all you fabulous DSers.  My family thinks this is very drastic measures, but I'm more scared of the diabetes.  Both my blood sugar and my bp have been under control, but the protein leak in the kidneys just came up...I don't want to wait for my sight or lose a limb. ok my rant is over.  sorry....well that little rant just pushed my bp from 123/73 to 163/93, time for my shot & off to bed....just gotta love fighting for what you know is right - DS!!! thanks for all the DSers who pay it forward....w/o your knowledge Diana thanks for all your extra help too!

My own WLS journey began nearly 30 years ago! A co-worker had one of the original procedures and ended up having it reversed due to complications. THEN 12 yrs or so ago I met a lady at church who had been fired for being obese. Can you believe it? They actually said she was too fat! Not a physical job either. A bank teller.. That was after her husband had recently died in a tragic drowing accident while they were on a cruise. She sued and though she is not allowed to discuss the settlement lets say she is now financially comfortable. Soon after that she had WLS - therDS with Dr. Lutrakowski here in Michigan. I began to attend his support group meetings and when he & Jackie, his nurse, parted ways I stayed with Jackie. Jackie is now with Dr. Hares and it was Dr. Hares who to this day is my follow-up surgeon. I also still attend Jackie's DS support group meetings. Back to my friend.. To this day she looks great and has no post op issues. We have lost touch due to my moving but I recently heard she remarried this past year. How cool is that? When it finally became my time to actually have the procedure it was through OH and a now deceased member called Momma who guided me to the DS web sight. There I read many profiles and posts. Including yours Diana. Unfortunately Aetna denied me so I was devastated and felt it was never going to happen when I began to explore going outside the US.  I wish I could recall whose post it was about Dr. Marchesini that got me to him but unfortunatley I can't. The poster is no longer on the boards though because I would recognize her if I saw her photo. I just am not best with names.. However I am eternally grateful to her and you Diana. Your caring words and information were/are so wonderful. So YES paying it forward works . For that and all of the other kind, sharing posters here, I am forever grateful.

How wonderful someone still remembers Momma!  She was a true angel.  She actually called me one afternoon when I was pre-op to just be supportive.  So kind and loving.  I still think of her from time to time.  So tragic she couldn't get the DS and died from her co-morbids.

When I first started looking into WLS, I had no idea the DS existed, and unfortunately I think this is common.  I had a cousin who had RNY, so I thought that was just what you get. 

For me, a really heated discussion where members were banned and threatened made me say humm what kinda of gossip can I find over there!  j/k  I took a look at this board, even though I couldn't even pronounce it, and learned ALOT.  I asked my doctor if it was right for me and he said heck ya!

I specifically remember LeaAnn being part of this heated discussion.

I did.  I did.  I saw a post on the main board and made my way both here and www.duodenalswitch.com

 

I wish I could remember whose posting it was.  I know the first people I asked about the DS once I learned about it was LeaAnn and Kathy (W'8'N)