Dan's Story
I wrote this for the other board and I figured I would post it here as well.
Dan died almost a year ago and I thought long and hard before posting this. In the end I decided to go ahead because that's what he would have wanted me to do. I hesitated because I didn't want people to think the DS had anything to do with his death. He probably would have died sooner if he hadn't had the DS. He probably would have lasted longer if he would have done it sooner!
Back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth I had my DS. I'm a researcher and a reader from way back and I'm always looking for answers. My H was diagnosed with type 2 in the mid 90's. He most likely had it for a while before he was diagnosed. His family has a truly dismal history of diabetes and heart related issues. They all died from some consequence of diabetes. H was never MO. He was sometimes O but he fought weight constantly because of his family history. He knew becoming fat would be a disaster for him healthwise. After he was diagnosed, he did everything right. No carbs other than green veggies and daily exercise. He walked on that treadmill every day. He hated being diabetic with passion.
He developed the usual co-morbs. Hyperlipidemia, retinopathy, and neuropathy in his feet. He got his HA1C into the normal range with oral meds and strict control of his diet. According to medical science, he was controlling his diabetes perfectly. But his co-morbs just got worse and worse. He was seeing his future as being blind in a wheelchair.
I noticed with great interest that diabetes either went away or was much improved with the DS. I researched it constantly, looking for papers or any work done on the subject. One day I tripped over exactly what I was looking for. The DS had and was being done for diabetes in Europe. I found cases in Spain and Italy. One of the docs who figured prominently was Aniceto Baltasar in Alcoy, Spain.
Dan didn't hesitate. When I showed him the research and he read the papers, he immediately said yes. He wanted to have the surgery. His logic was that it was better to take a chance on having a normal life than to just keep on the path he was on. He was tired of going downhill with no hope.
I contacted Dr. Baltasar and as it happened, I had an appointment with Dr. Buchwald(my surgeon). I learned they were good friends and had even vacationed together. Dr. Buchwald told me he would let Dr. Baltasar operate on him or one of his family members with no reservations whatsoever. Then to my surprise, Dr. Buchwald offered to do Dan's surgery! It didn't work out financially/insurance wise, so we went to Spain.
Then another surprise happened and I ended up with 2 patients to care for. My sister decided to have surgery too! Dan had surgery on Valentine's Day 2004 and my sister had hers done a couple days later. Dan's BMI was 27 so Dr. Baltasar elected to do only the switch and do nothing to his stomach. Dan's CC was 50cm.
Dr. Baltasar told us, and my own research confirmed, that Dan would lose about 30lbs postop and then gain it back over the next 2 years or so. Dan's recovery was perfect and that's exactly what happened. Dan's diabetes went away completely postop. He never needed another dose of diabetes meds. About 2 weeks after surgery, he got up one morning and remarked he wasn't seeing well. His vision was blurry. We decided to wait a bit then call the doc. Then we figured out the only problem was that Dan no longer need glasses to see. His vision had gone back to 20/20 without glasses. His retinopathy was resolved. Years later, Dan's ophthalmologist confirmed he could no longer see any evidence of retinopathy. The neuropathy in Dan's feet improved somewhat but sadly, most of the nerve damage was permanent and he would live the rest of his life with foot pain. His lipidemia resolved as well and his cholesterol always tested low normal after surgery. Dan's lifelong problem with constipation also ended after the DS.
In short, Dan ended up with the best of both worlds. He could eat as he pleased, including junk foods, and not gain weight. And his diabetes was gone. High protein was no problem because he loved meat. Vites were no big deal because he was already used to taking every supplement known to man. His labs were always good and just to be honest, Dan ate like a horse! I think he was making up for all the years he did without.
Dan was thrilled with his surgery and had no regrets. He always said he would do it over again in a heartbeat. The results were exactly what he had hoped for.
BTW, Dr. Baltasar had done many DS for diabetes surgeries before and after Dan with 100% success. The DS for diabetes has been done in Europe since the late 80's. The US is just behind the rest of the world. Why? Who can say for sure but it is true that diabetes is a multi-billion dollar per year industry. And insurance companies don't want to pay for surgery. I once had the chance to discuss this with someone in the business and here's what I was told. The insurance companies say you will change providers every three years on average. So paying for your covered diabetes supplies is cheaper for them than paying for surgery. Sad, but probably true. Cheaper to maintain you with a chronic disease than to cure you. They play the odds, hoping you will change providers before you go blind or need to have something amputated.
Dan died of heart problems in January of 2012. It wasn't DS related. Most likely, he needed a stent and I believe he knew something was wrong with him. I think he didn't take care of himself because he was afraid of running up huge bills he couldn't pay. Dan had been laid off in 2009 and hadn't been able to find a new job. He was a Mechanical Engineer. But we will never know for sure.
I do think it's criminal that people die every day here for lack of healthcare. Not because it doesn't exist, but because it's not affordable. Dan was more afraid of the bills than he was of dying.
Dan died almost a year ago and I thought long and hard before posting this. In the end I decided to go ahead because that's what he would have wanted me to do. I hesitated because I didn't want people to think the DS had anything to do with his death. He probably would have died sooner if he hadn't had the DS. He probably would have lasted longer if he would have done it sooner!
Back when dinosaurs still roamed the earth I had my DS. I'm a researcher and a reader from way back and I'm always looking for answers. My H was diagnosed with type 2 in the mid 90's. He most likely had it for a while before he was diagnosed. His family has a truly dismal history of diabetes and heart related issues. They all died from some consequence of diabetes. H was never MO. He was sometimes O but he fought weight constantly because of his family history. He knew becoming fat would be a disaster for him healthwise. After he was diagnosed, he did everything right. No carbs other than green veggies and daily exercise. He walked on that treadmill every day. He hated being diabetic with passion.
He developed the usual co-morbs. Hyperlipidemia, retinopathy, and neuropathy in his feet. He got his HA1C into the normal range with oral meds and strict control of his diet. According to medical science, he was controlling his diabetes perfectly. But his co-morbs just got worse and worse. He was seeing his future as being blind in a wheelchair.
I noticed with great interest that diabetes either went away or was much improved with the DS. I researched it constantly, looking for papers or any work done on the subject. One day I tripped over exactly what I was looking for. The DS had and was being done for diabetes in Europe. I found cases in Spain and Italy. One of the docs who figured prominently was Aniceto Baltasar in Alcoy, Spain.
Dan didn't hesitate. When I showed him the research and he read the papers, he immediately said yes. He wanted to have the surgery. His logic was that it was better to take a chance on having a normal life than to just keep on the path he was on. He was tired of going downhill with no hope.
I contacted Dr. Baltasar and as it happened, I had an appointment with Dr. Buchwald(my surgeon). I learned they were good friends and had even vacationed together. Dr. Buchwald told me he would let Dr. Baltasar operate on him or one of his family members with no reservations whatsoever. Then to my surprise, Dr. Buchwald offered to do Dan's surgery! It didn't work out financially/insurance wise, so we went to Spain.
Then another surprise happened and I ended up with 2 patients to care for. My sister decided to have surgery too! Dan had surgery on Valentine's Day 2004 and my sister had hers done a couple days later. Dan's BMI was 27 so Dr. Baltasar elected to do only the switch and do nothing to his stomach. Dan's CC was 50cm.
Dr. Baltasar told us, and my own research confirmed, that Dan would lose about 30lbs postop and then gain it back over the next 2 years or so. Dan's recovery was perfect and that's exactly what happened. Dan's diabetes went away completely postop. He never needed another dose of diabetes meds. About 2 weeks after surgery, he got up one morning and remarked he wasn't seeing well. His vision was blurry. We decided to wait a bit then call the doc. Then we figured out the only problem was that Dan no longer need glasses to see. His vision had gone back to 20/20 without glasses. His retinopathy was resolved. Years later, Dan's ophthalmologist confirmed he could no longer see any evidence of retinopathy. The neuropathy in Dan's feet improved somewhat but sadly, most of the nerve damage was permanent and he would live the rest of his life with foot pain. His lipidemia resolved as well and his cholesterol always tested low normal after surgery. Dan's lifelong problem with constipation also ended after the DS.
In short, Dan ended up with the best of both worlds. He could eat as he pleased, including junk foods, and not gain weight. And his diabetes was gone. High protein was no problem because he loved meat. Vites were no big deal because he was already used to taking every supplement known to man. His labs were always good and just to be honest, Dan ate like a horse! I think he was making up for all the years he did without.
Dan was thrilled with his surgery and had no regrets. He always said he would do it over again in a heartbeat. The results were exactly what he had hoped for.
BTW, Dr. Baltasar had done many DS for diabetes surgeries before and after Dan with 100% success. The DS for diabetes has been done in Europe since the late 80's. The US is just behind the rest of the world. Why? Who can say for sure but it is true that diabetes is a multi-billion dollar per year industry. And insurance companies don't want to pay for surgery. I once had the chance to discuss this with someone in the business and here's what I was told. The insurance companies say you will change providers every three years on average. So paying for your covered diabetes supplies is cheaper for them than paying for surgery. Sad, but probably true. Cheaper to maintain you with a chronic disease than to cure you. They play the odds, hoping you will change providers before you go blind or need to have something amputated.
Dan died of heart problems in January of 2012. It wasn't DS related. Most likely, he needed a stent and I believe he knew something was wrong with him. I think he didn't take care of himself because he was afraid of running up huge bills he couldn't pay. Dan had been laid off in 2009 and hadn't been able to find a new job. He was a Mechanical Engineer. But we will never know for sure.
I do think it's criminal that people die every day here for lack of healthcare. Not because it doesn't exist, but because it's not affordable. Dan was more afraid of the bills than he was of dying.
So sorry for your loss. I remember reading about Dan and his passing when it happened. I was just then starting my WLS journey.
He lives in your memory and in the memory of all those who knew him. Thank you for sharing his story and passing on vital information that will undoubtedly save lives.
Hugs to you!
He lives in your memory and in the memory of all those who knew him. Thank you for sharing his story and passing on vital information that will undoubtedly save lives.
Hugs to you!
5ft0; highest weight 222; surgery weight 208; current weight 120
Thank you for sharing Dan's story, Patty. I hope many folks will read it and find ways to make things work for themselves as you and Dan did.
--gina
--gina
5'1" -- HW 195/SW 187/GW 115 July 08/CW 121 Dec 2012
******GOAL*******
Starting BMI between 35 and 40ish?
Join us on the Lightweights Board!
DS on Aug 9, 2007 with Dr. Hazem Elariny
Amy Farrah Fowler
on 10/24/12 7:54 am
on 10/24/12 7:54 am
I'm so sorry for your loss, and know it must have taken a lot for you to post this.
As a person who has been without insurance more than once, I relate to ignoring health issues due to worrying about costs. Even WITH coverage, thinking I'd grit my teeth till my pcp is available on a Monday morning, rather than pay a hefty co-pay at the ER. Dan's story is a sobering lesson I'll carry with me.
As a person who has been without insurance more than once, I relate to ignoring health issues due to worrying about costs. Even WITH coverage, thinking I'd grit my teeth till my pcp is available on a Monday morning, rather than pay a hefty co-pay at the ER. Dan's story is a sobering lesson I'll carry with me.
Thank you Patty, I am glad Dan got to have a decent quality of life after the DS.
I worry everyday about my type one son who aged out of our family coverage and found the COBRA offered to him at $900.00 a month unaffordable for a graduate student. We can find no other insurance what will take him with his existing condition. He has to go without insurance for 6 months to qualify for a state or federal program. Yes, it is criminal! Dan shouldn't have had to be afraid of the bills for neccesary health care.
I worry everyday about my type one son who aged out of our family coverage and found the COBRA offered to him at $900.00 a month unaffordable for a graduate student. We can find no other insurance what will take him with his existing condition. He has to go without insurance for 6 months to qualify for a state or federal program. Yes, it is criminal! Dan shouldn't have had to be afraid of the bills for neccesary health care.
~Gail R~ high wt.288, surg wt 274, LW 143, CW 153, GW164
puppysweets1
on 10/25/12 12:02 am - CA
on 10/25/12 12:02 am - CA
What a sad story. So sorry for your loss, but thank you deeply for taking the time to share Dan's struggle.
RNY to DS 210 lbs gone for 5 years.
Patty thank you so much for sharing Dan's story. I hope this helps of the lurkers out there.
I remember Dan's passing, I'm so sorry for your loss and I only hope you're comforted that his life post DS was good for the most part.
I remember Dan's passing, I'm so sorry for your loss and I only hope you're comforted that his life post DS was good for the most part.
Lowish BMI? See Lightweights Board! Lightweight Creed For more on DS see www.DSfacts.com
If you don't have peace, it isn't because someone took it from you; you gave it away. You cannot always control what happens to you, but you can control what happens in you John C Maxwell 
Sleeve 2010 Dr López Corvala, Mexico. DS 2012 Dr Himpens, Belgium
I 
my DS 
(deactivated member)
on 10/25/12 10:14 am
on 10/25/12 10:14 am
I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing his story -- you don't know who you might be helping by sharing it. My heart goes out to those that have diabetes. It is an awful illness that causes so many other issues that affect quality of life -- no matter how diligent the patient. It is nice to know the DS is a good treatment option.
Most Active
Recent Topics
