TO DS or not to Ds..??

 Is your surgeon on the OH vetted list? How many D.S.es have they done?  Choose a master surgeon for the D.S.  with lots of experience. Its a very involved surgery. There is a certain risk with any kind of surgery with anesthesia. The more surgeries you hve the more risks. If you have the RNY, or VSG and dont lose all the weight you need to be healthy, you may want to have a revision to the D.S., which is more risky in a revision form and the weight loss is very slow after revision.  A virgin D.S. is the best way to go for greatest loss and fewer surgeries. "Think twice, cut once".  

My insurance would only pay for one WLS in a lifetime. BCBS of Mi. Revisions would be covered only if medically necessary, not because of lack of weight loss. Read all the boards everywhere about the surgeons reputations, and successful surgeries, without complications. I didnt have any complications with the 2 surgeries I had this year with my surgeon Dr. Kemmeter- D.S. and gallbladder/appendix. I would not hesitate to chose the D.S. with him. He is known as one of the best in the country, out of about 50 D.S. surgeons nationally. His team is superior.  Very few do the D.S. A good surgeon makes all the difference in the world.

Im very much leaning towards the Ds..mainly because insulin resistance....keeping the weight off ..being healthy for my kids is also important to me. I know at the hosp where im going to get it done..they have the new "da vinci robot" ..&u do it lap. So alot of infect. Rates down..better wound healing..just scared ..ancious. TY everyone for replies...looks like oct. Nov. I will be my surgery.

I'd want to know how many DSes he's done, who he proctored with, his complication rate, and, if possible, actually talk to some of his DS patients who are two or more years post-op. If he sponsors a support group, meeting his patients should be easy. If he doesn't, and if he's reluctant to put you in touch with some of his patients---RUN!

Who is your doctor??

Dr. Cooper will be my surgeon ..located in Seymour, In. I have attended his seminar about 6 mos. Ago.. & went to the support group-met with 4+ of his ds patients..but at least 20+ rny & sleeve....researched his reviews..have heard nothing but good sbout him..he explained to me the complications ...showed me a diagram. Explained area of bleed..leaks..they just started using the divinci robot" for the surgeries..as of few mos ago. He said he had only done i believe 60 w. The divinci robot..one patient had complications due to not following diet
..he does many other abdominal surgeries as well..u can see on his website. Thnx for everyones feedback.